The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Events

  • November 3, 2011 | ISBA News | Events
    ISBA to recognize Class of 2011 Distinguished Counsellors

    The Illinois State Bar Association will be recognizing members who have been admitted to practice for 50 years at a luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 7. We are pleased to invite you to join President John G. Locallo as the Association recognizes the 2011 Class of Distinguished Counsellors.

    The luncheon to recognized the 2011 Class of Distinguished Counsellors will be held at The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago, 909 N. Michigan. There will be a reception at 11:15 a.m. and lunch at noon. Tickets are available at $65 per person and advanced registration is required. To purchase tickets, please complete and return the attached registration form.doc.

    If you have any questions, please contact Kim Weaver by e-mail at kweaver@isba.org or by telephone at (800) 252-8908.

    Here is the Bar Class of 1961 to be honored as Distinguished Counsellors:

    1 comment (Most recent November 4, 2011)
  • November 2, 2011 | ISBA News | Events
    Register now for ISBA, IJA Joint Meeting - hotel registration deadline is Nov. 12

    Please join us in Chicago Dec. 8-10 as lawyers and judges from around our great state gather to conduct the business of the bench and bar at the ISBA/IJA Joint Meeting. No matter what role you are seeking, we have a scene for you – from networking to business meetings to CLE programs and social events – there is a part for everyone to play.

    We begin Thursday with a show for the newest members of our profession designed to meet the Basic Skills requirement while learning from a faculty of judge and attorney stars. Following the program we invite everyone to join us for the Opening Reception where you can mix and mingle with colleagues and new acquaintances.

    Friday we’ll gather with the IBF to present awards to the leaders in our profession and find out which bands will be conducting the score for the Lawyers Rock Legends sequel in 2012.

    The rest of the day will be dedicated to outstanding educational programming including the double-feature Joint IJA/ISBA Programs – The Legacy of Myra Bradwell: In the Light of Experience and Revitalizing the Jury Trial, a luncheon presentation, and a Master Series ethics program by the nation’s favorite “Humorist at Law”, Sean Carter, on Divine Ethics: Avoiding the Chasm of Incivility.

    Later that evening we’ll throw an after-show party to remember as we salute and honor the Supreme Court of Illinois, featuring Mary Jane Theis, Justice, Supreme Court of Illinois.

  • October 28, 2011 | ISBA News | Events | Practice News
    Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride: From Solo to Supreme Court

    Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride delivered the plenary speech to a packed house on Friday morning at the Illinois State Bar Association's Solo and Small Firm Conference in Springfield. The Chief Justice detailed his rise from legal aid lawyer to solo practioner to the Supreme Court.

    Kilbride detailed his start as a young lawyer making $14,000 a year in 1981 at the Legal Aid clinic in Rock Island. He represented workers laid off during the early 80s recession from local factories.

    Kilbride left the clinic to join a small law firm in 1987. He did insurance defense work and made partner, but became unhappy with the long hours and lack of control. He left and went out on his own in 1993.

    He applied for associate judge three times, losing out each time. He finally won a much larger seat in 2000, joining the Illinois Supreme Court.

    News and notes from Chief Justice Kilbride:

    1. He switched from a BlackBerry to an iPhone 4S (yesterday)
    2. Yellow page ads worked great for him (though he admits this was pre-2000)
    3. Make your clients happy; then ask them to refer their friends and family
    4. A law office in a prominent location may not be a good thing (some people want anonymity when seeing a lawyer)
    5. Some people correctly say he is "all screwed up" (he required 36 screws for injuries suffered in a biking accident)
  • October 26, 2011 | People | Events
    Madison County Bar Association kicks off Pro Bono Week with luncheon

    One hundred fifty members of the Madison County Bar were honored Tuesday at a Pro Bono Luncheon in Edwardsville sponsored by Heyl, Royster, The Simmons Firm, and the Madison County Bar Association. Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier, 3rd Circuit Chief Judge Ann Callis, and 3rd Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder praised the volunteers for accepting pro bono cases through the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation.
     
    Among volunteers were Billie Johnson of Johnson and Anderson in Edwardsville, Amy Garrett of The Simmons Firm, and Bonnie Levo of Levo and Donahoo in Troy, joined by Joan Spiegel, pro bono coordinator of Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance, Madison County Bar President Ron Foster, and Judge Crowder.
     
    The event was held to coincide with national Pro Bono Week activities.
     

  • October 26, 2011 | ISBA News | Events
    Fastcase programs to kick off Solo and Small Firm Conference

    Ed Walters, CEO of Fastcase, will kick off the Illinois State Bar Association's Solo and Small Firm Conference on Thursday morning with "Fastcase: Introduction to Legal Research Training." Walters will take continue after that program with "Fastcase: Advanced Legal Research Training 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m."

    Conference registration is now available on-site only.

    Visit the Conference website for information about the Registration Pricing, Meal/Social Functions, and more.

    Both of these programs provide 1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour approved

  • October 20, 2011 | Events
    Solo and Small Firm Conference set to kick off next week in Springfield

    [caption id="attachment_20808" align="alignright" width="140" caption="Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride"][/caption] The Illinois State Bar Association will present the 7th Annual Solo & Small Firm Conference from Oct. 27-29 at the Springfield Hilton. Last chance to catch the Conference in Springfield before it moves to a new location! Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride will be the featured plenary speaker. Earn up to 12 hours of MCLE credit, including all 6 hours of PMCLE credit. “Get Connected” to your peers, the latest in technology, and current practice updates at this year’s Conference.

      Conference registration is online only at www.isba.org/soloconference/2011reg.

      Discounted pricing until Oct. 24: $350 ISBA Member ($400 onsite) /$650 Non-Member ($700 onsite)

      Visit the Conference website for information about the Registration Pricing, Meal/Social Functions, and more.

    • October 13, 2011 | Events
      Illinois Bar Foundation to honor Newton Minow at 2011 Gala

      The Illinois Bar Foundation will honor former FCC Chair and longtime Sidley Austin managing partner Newton Minow as the 2011 Recipient of the Distinguished Award for Excellence.

      The 2011 Gala will be held on Friday, Oct. 14, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. Raffle tickets are available now at www.illinoisbarfoundation.org for the following great prizes:

      First Prize: Barcelona's Paradise -- Trip for two to Barcelona, Spain, for 7 days and 6 nights at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Arts Barcelona with economy class air. $8,000 value.

      Second Prize: Broadway Bound -- Trip for two to New York, NY, for 4 days and 3 nights at the Plaza, including the Silver Entertainment Package (Broadway show of your choice), daily complimentary breakfast and economy class air. $5,100 value.

      Third Prize: $2,500 Cash

      To purchase tickets to this event or become an event sponsor, contact the IBF at (312) 726-6072 or visit www.illinoisbarfoundation.org.

       

    • October 5, 2011 | Events
      Register now for YLD Holiday Party

      Please join us in supporting the 14th Annual Holiday Party to benefit the Illinois Bar Foundation/ISBA Young Lawyers Division’s Children’s Assistance Fund. Over the past decade, we raised over $400,000 and collected countless toys and books that were donated to children’s waiting rooms throughout the State of Illinois. Please continue this worthy tradition by joining us this year in person or support our event with your generous contribution:

      WHEN: Friday, December 2, 2011, 6:00-10:00 p.m.

      WHERE: Cubby Bear Lounge, 1059 W. Addison, Chicago, IL (see map)

      WHAT: Open Bar, Warm Appetizers, Live Music by Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press, and FUN!

      COST:

      • $35.00 per person, for tickets purchased by November 21, 2011
      • $30.00 per law student, per tickets purchased by November 21, 2011
      • $40.00 per person, for tickets purchased after November 21, 2011

      Click here to register

      The YLD Children's Assistance Fund is a fund of the Illinois Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable entity.

    • September 19, 2011 | Events
      Lawyers' Assistance Program to sponsor retreat for eating disorders and better health

      Lawyers' Assistance Program will sponsor a 24-hour retreat for eating disorders and better health on Oct. 28-29 at The Center in Palos Park. The program will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday evening and end at 5 p.m. on Saturday and will focus on healty eating, compulsive eating and the causes for behaviors related to food.

      Speakers will include Dr. Kimberly Dennis, a Chicago-area psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorders; Judge Sheila Murphy, president of Lawyers' Assistance Program; Circuit Court Judge Allen Goldberg; Wheaton attorney Brigid Duffield and event chair CJ Muller of Palos Hills.

      Cost is $135 for single occupancy, $124 for double occupancy, and $65 for commuters. Space is limited. Contact Lawyers' Assistance Program at (312) 726-6607 to register or for more information.

    • September 12, 2011 | Events
      Family Defense Center to host 3rd Annual Benefit

      The Family Defense Center will be hosting its Third Annual Benefit Event on September 25, 2011 form 4-7:30 at Hotel Allegro. 

      The event is a cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres and dessert and both a silent and a live auction. Ticket for professionals is $125, with reduced rate tickets available for not-for-profit organizations. Registration is available by emailing events@familydefensecenter.org or by calling (312) 251-9800 x10.