Lincoln, ‘in person,’ shares wisdom in seminar video
Abraham Lincoln’s practical advice, sometimes tongue in cheek, about being an honorable and successful lawyer, has been recounted through the years in books, movies and speeches.
On Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Chicago, ISBA members will have an opportunity to refresh their recollections of Lincoln’s wise counsel, and will receive MCLE credit for enjoying the presentation.
“Lessons in Professional Responsibility Learned from the Illinois Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln,” an ISBA Law Ed seminar, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day at the Union League Club of Chicago. Luncheon is included.
The programs will be repeated Friday, Feb. 20, at the Old State Capitol in Springfield and Thursday, March 12, in the ISBA Chicago Regional Office.
The Master Series video will include the words of the 16th president, re-enacted “in person” by actor Joe Woodard, and of his Springfield law partner William Herndon (see photo on page 1).
Content of the program is based on research by John Lupton, associate director of The Papers of Abraham Lincoln Project. Historic settings of the Lincoln-Herndon law office and Old State Capitol were provided by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
Topics include reverence for the law, conflicts of interest, solicitation, fees and retainer agreements, pro bono work, selling a law practice, and managing client concerns and expectations.
Also covered are the lawyer as an advocate, the lawyer as a peacemaker, and the lawyer’s duties to the court such as avoiding over-zealous advocacy and frivolous lawsuits.
Each of the 15 segments will be followed with comments by leaders of the Illinois bar, including ISBA President Jack C. Carey, general counsel Charles J. Northrup, past president Cheryl I. Niro, and Illinois Bar Foundation President Vincent F. Cornelius.
Jurists on the panel are Judges Ronald D. Spears and Jesse G. Reyes, and Appellate Justice Shelvin Louise Marie Hall, as well as retired judge Sheila M. Murphy and Jerome Larkin, administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
Participating lawyers are Steven Beckett, Robert A. Clifford, Michael P. Downey, Richard D. Felice, Warren Lupel, John Maville, John T. Phipps and John E. Thies.
This seminar is accredited for 4.0 hours of MCLE, with 4.0 hours of Professionalism MCLE subject to review. To register, see the CLE Center pages in this issue.