Post-conviction work is a unique area of the law that oftentimes poses interesting challenges for the attorney working in the particular practice. Because post-conviction law entails both trial and appellate skills, some lawyers are hesitant about working in this arena. This half-day seminar in Chicago on January 17th gives you the tools you need to take on this rewarding work with confidence and ease. Topics include: using the Illinois Post-Conviction Practice manual during your post-conviction case, conducting thorough post-conviction investigations, common claims in post-conviction law, and telling your client’s story during post-conviction. The program qualifies for 3.75 hours MCLE credit.
Chicago Area
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December 19, 2012 |
CLE
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December 17, 2012 |
ISBA News
The ISBA Assembly on Saturday adopted a proposed rule governing recusal of judges in cases in which a party has made a campaign contribution to the judge. The Assembly meeting capped off the annual Midyear Meeting held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.
The ISBA will recommend the proposed rule to the Illinois Supreme Court as an amendment to the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. The proposed rule provides that a judge shall disqualify himself or herself when, after considering all relevant circumstances, there exists a probability of bias. Relevant circumstances include items such as the amount of campaign support, both monetary and non-monetary, and the timing and impact of the support.
The Assembly also voted to support the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act pending in the Illinois state Legislature. The bill provides same-sex and different-sex couples and their children equal access to the status, benefits, protections, rights, and responsibilities of civil marriage.
The Assembly also endorsed Illinois legislation that would allow patients who suffer from a debilitating medical condition to use and possess small amounts of marijuana if certified to do so by their regular physician.
1 comment (Most recent December 20, 2012) -
December 14, 2012 |
Events | ISBA News
The ISBA IJA Joint Midyear Meeting is underway in Chicago.
View photo galleries from the events:
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December 13, 2012 |
ISBA News
The Illinois State Bar Association honored members who have been admitted to practice for 50 years at a luncheon on Wednesday at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in Chicago. Moline attorney Martin Katz spoke on behalf of the Class of 1962 Class of Distinguished Counsellors.
Congratulations to the 1962 Class of Distinguished Counsellors:
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December 13, 2012 |
People
ISBA Laureate Mary Lee Leahy passed away Wednesday in Chicago. She was 72. Leahy was best known for winning the U.S. Supreme Court case Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois – which banned most political hiring. She passed away in her Chicago condominum following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Here is the bio from her 2001 Laureate induction: Two years after she graduated from law school in 1966, Mary Lee Leahy was principal attorney in the first of several landmark cases she has won in her distinguished career.
Pickering versus Board of Education, argued in the U.S. Supreme Court, established the right of public employees to publicly criticize their employers.
Perhaps her most familiar case – Rutan – was a class action decided in 1990 by the U.S. Supreme Court. It established the right of public employees to support or not to support a political party or candidate for public office without being denied promotion, transfer, recall from lay-off and employment due to a political patronage system. As the saying goes, "this changed everything."
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December 13, 2012 |
ISBA News
The Illinois State Bar Association's Special Committee on Law School Debt, formed by President John E. Thies, held the final of five open hearings on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the Chicago Regional Office. The committee heard from several lawyers with over $100,000 in law school debt. One lawyer, who has sued three area law schools, said that law student loans need to be capped and need to be made dischargeable in bankruptcy. Many of the law students who spoke said they are on payment plans that don't cover the cost of the interest on their loans - so no principal is being paid off and additional interest is accruing.
The committee is co-chaired by Dennis J. Orsey of Granite City and Appellate Justice Ann B. Jorgensen. President Thies will deliver a report on what the committee learned at the June Assembly Meeting and will share the information with the American Bar Association.
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December 10, 2012 | Events
The ISBA Young Lawyers Division held its annual Holiday Party on Dec. 7 at the Cubby Bear in Chicago. The YLD Holiday Party has raised over $350,000 for the Children’s Assistance Fund over the past 14 years.
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December 7, 2012 |
Events | ISBA News
The Illinois State Bar Association will be recognizing members who have been admitted to practice for 50 years at a luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 12. We are pleased to invite you to join President John E. Thies as the Association recognizes the 2012 Class of Distinguished Counsellors.
The luncheon to recognize the 2012 Class of Distinguished Counsellors will be held at Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. There will be a reception at 11:15 a.m. and lunch at noon. Tickets are available at $75 per person and advanced registration is required.
If you have any questions, please contact Kim Weaver by e-mail at kweaver@isba.org or by telephone at (800) 252-8908.
Congratulations to the 1962 Class of Distinguished Counsellors: -
December 6, 2012 |
People
Schuyler, Roche & Crisham, P.C. this week welcomed one of the Chicago area’s most highly respected real estate, land use and zoning legal teams to its ranks with the addition of John J. “Jack” George (shareholder), Chris A. Leach (partner) and Kathleen A. Duncan (Associate), all formerly of Daley & George.
“I’ve always had great respect for the quality of people at Schuyler, Roche & Crisham, many of whom I’ve known personally and worked with over the years,” said George. “Their ethical standards and knowledge of the law are exceptional, and the business group’s expertise in employment and tax law and commercial litigation in particular is a perfect complement to our practice. Chris, Kate and I have been together a long time, and I’m confident we’ve found a great new home at Schuyler Roche.”
Few if any major commercial developments in the Chicago area over the last two decades have taken place without Jack George’s legal involvement. The former Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago has established a reputation over the course of his 40-year legal career for his work ethic and case preparation, as well as a unique ability to successfully find common ground in the goals of the developer and the concerns of the community.
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December 4, 2012 |
Events
The Illinois State Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division is hosting a four-part series of Professional Development Lunches (PDLs) aimed at teaching law students and young attorneys practical steps in advancing their career. The next installment will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at noon at the Chicago Regional Office, 20 S. Clark Ste. 900.
Register at www.isba.org/sections/yld/pdl/01-15-2013