[caption id="attachment_1410" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ISBA President John O'Brien is sworn in by Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald as his wife Karen looks on."][/caption]
John O'Brien was sworn in as the new Illinois State Bar Association President on Friday before a sold-out crowd at the Annual Meeting in Lake Geneva.
"I am humbled and honored to serve as the 133rd President of the ISBA," O'Brien said. "I am especially honored by the presence of so many past Presidents and I realize I would not be here without their encouragement. Their presence also reminds me that we -- all of us -- owe a debt to the past and have a duty to the future of the ISBA."
O'Brien, of Arlington Heights, is the founding president of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association. He has been a champion of taking on the unauthorized practice of law by real estate companies and title insurance firms. He was elected to the ISBA Assembly in 1997.
"We are called to service and tonight we rededicate ourselves to the ongoing struggle to attain access to a free and independent judicial system fueled by the hard work of lawyers and judges alike," O'Brien said.
In 2002, he received the most votes for a seat on the Board of Governors.
Chicago Area
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June 26, 2009 |
ISBA News
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June 26, 2009 |
Events | ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_1360" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Former Gov. Jim Thompson, outgoing ISBA President Jack Carey, ISBA Young Lawyer of the Year Award winner Sean Wieber and President-elect John O'Brien"][/caption] Outgoing ISBA President Jack Carey presided over the annual awards presentation Friday at The Abbey in Lake Geneva. President-elect John O'Brien presented the awards. Former Gov. Jim Thompson was on hand after nominating Winston & Strawn colleague Sean Wieber, winner of the ISBA's Young Lawyer of the Year Award. Click here to view our photo gallery from the Awards Luncheon. The award recipients were: Board of Governors Award
- Karen M. Enright
- Robert H. Hanaford
- Michele M. Jochner
- Michael T.
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June 26, 2009 |
ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_1316" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Annual Meeting Opening Reception"][/caption] The Illinois State Bar Association's Annual Meeting kicked off Thursday night in Lake Geneva with an Opening Reception and Workshop on "Becoming a Law Professor". Click here to view our photo gallery from the Opening Reception. SIU Law School Dean Peter Alexander and Professor Alice Noble-Allgire walked ISBA members down the path of becoming a law professor. Alexander and Noble-Allgire discussed two key ways to do this. 1. Submit your resume to the AALS to reach hundreds of law schools. Click here to visit the AALS website. 2. Apply directly to the law school.
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June 25, 2009
State
Judge sets Blagojevich trial date for June 3, 2010, Sun-TimesSCOTUS
Teen strip-searched in school wins partial victory, CNN This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day. -
June 25, 2009 |
Events | ISBA News
The "Becoming a Law Professor" program will address reasons to become a law professor and explain the hiring process. Southern Illinois University School of Law presents this program to encourage diversity among law professors. There will be handouts and time for one on one questions, as well as a group presentation. The workshop will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, at the Illinois State Bar Association's Annual Meeting in Lake Geneva, Wis. For more information on the ISBA's Annual Meeting, click here. Visit Illinois Lawyer Now ofter for frequent updates from the Annual Meeting.
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June 25, 2009 |
Events
The Chicago Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society will honor five attorneys at its fourth annual Legal Legends Luncheon for their extraordinary contributions to the Chicago legal community and their efforts to promote the vitality of the U.S. Constitution and the fundamental values it expresses. The 2009 Legal Legends are:
- State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie
- Alan J. Greiman, former Illinois Appellate Justice
- Alexander Polikoff, Public Housing Program Director
- Leon M. Despres (posthumous award)
- Fay Clayton, Robinson Curley & Clayton, P.C.
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June 25, 2009 |
Practice News
In a recent post, Solo in Chicago blawgger Peter Olson interviews fellow Chicagoan Russell Knight about his decision to go solo and the particulars of his practice (how he sets fees, attracts clients, etc.). A twist on Knight's practice: he's fluent in Spanish.
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June 24, 2009 |
Practice News
[caption id="attachment_1232" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Jayne Reardon"][/caption] The Illinois Supreme Court announced today that Jayne Reardon has been appointed as executive director of the Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, a body established to improve civility between and among lawyers, their clients and judges in Illinois. Ms. Reardon, a University of Michigan Law School graduate who is an experienced Illinois lawyer and licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, has served as deputy director of the commission since 2006. During that time, she has been a key formulator of policy approved by the Commission and a facilitator of quality continuing legal education in the area of professional responsibility. Supreme Court Justice Robert R. Thomas initiated the concept of the Commission to improve professionalism among lawyers and judges, and the full Supreme Court established the Commission in 2005. The Commission has achieved its goals with limited staff and budget. No taxpayers dollars are involved as the Commission is funded by a small portion of the annual registration and licensing fees paid by Illinois attorneys.
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June 24, 2009
Northern Illinois
- Live coverage of James Janssen sentencing, Quad City Times (hit play button)
State
- Cellini document may be partially unsealed, State Journal-Register
Chicago area
- Posner: Expand copyright law to help save newspapers, via the Chicago Law blog
- Dog vs. Dawg fight over restaurant name goes to court, Crain's
- Freed wins legal tussle with Block 37 tenant, Crain's
- Cook County public guardian sues over state budget cuts, Sun-Times
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June 24, 2009 |
Events
The Women's Bar Association of Illinois will hold its 14th annual "No Threat, No Sweat" golf outing on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale. This is a shotgun scramble event so players of all skill levels are welcome. Cost is $150 for members, their guests and judges, $175 for non-members. This fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart, beverages, BBQ lunch and a dinner reception. Click here to register.