ISBA News

Editor's note: It is tradition that longtime ISBA member John W. Damisch (John the Farmer) provide his personal recap from annual meetings. Here’s his colorful take on last weekend’s 2010 Annual Meeting (click here to read his take on last year's Annual Meeting): This year I was not going to give a critique of the ISBA Annual meeting ... but some people asked for it so this is only my personal reading. Outside it was hot, hot, hot ... inside cool, cool, cool. George Mahoney and John O'Brien were dressed like peacocks in their best ... gorgeous clothes and frequent changes! Mark Hassakis had the best bow tie for the annual dinner. Travel to St. L. was by American Airlines (price was $219 r.t.) plus the monorail from STL to the Hyatt Hotel ($1.75 each way). Judge Terry Brady and Paula Holderman on the plane going to - and Judge Alex White on the return. Rooms were spacious ... good view of the Mississippi River, bridge and the Casino Queen sitting near the bridge. Opening reception sponsored by ISBA Mutual had delicious groceries ... meat, piles of shrimp, Asian, Mexican, American, and an open bar. (only saw one person that was over served) couple hundred friends and new friends. The biggies (Mark H, officers, Board members etc) ... went out on a bus out for dinner. At 9:30 p.m there was a reception for Mark H. on the roof of the hotel, overlooking the Arch, and under full moon, more extensive groceries and full bar.

[caption id="attachment_12519" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Appearing on the show will be (from left) Martin A. Dolan, Hon. Stuart Shiffman (ret.), Nancy S. Marder and program moderator Latham Williams."][/caption] Anatomy of a Trial, two half-hour programs presented by the Illinois State Bar Association, will air on Chicago Access Network Television, Channel 21 in Chicago, during the month of July. Part I will air on Tuesdays, July 6 and 20 at 10 p.m., and Part II will air on Tuesdays, July 13 and 27 at 10 p.m. Appearing on the show to discuss the process of a personal injury trial are Martin A. Dolan, of Dolan Law Offices, PC, in Chicago; Hon. Stuart Shiffman (ret.), of Springfield; Nancy S. Marder, a professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law; and program moderator Latham Williams, of Hudson Highland Group, Inc., in Chicago. “Illinois Law” is a cable production of the ISBA.

The Illinois State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting kicked off Thursday night in St. Louis with an Opening Reception and Workshop on “Who Me? A Law School Professor,” presented by the Southern Illinois University School of Law. This year's Annual Meeting and CLE Fest are being held at the Hyatt St. Louis at the Arch. Click here to view our photo gallery from the Opening Reception. Click here for a schedule of events. The ISBA Assembly will meet Saturday morning. Click here for the Assembly Agenda.

[caption id="attachment_12408" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ISBA President John O'Brien, honoree Ralph DeBartolo and ISBA Board of Governors member Jim Morici"][/caption] ISBA President John G. O’Brien presented the Law Enforcement Award to Ralph DeBartolo on May 27 at the 3rd District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows. DeBartolo is chief of the Cook County Sheriff's Department's Office of Court Services. This award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. The award is given sparingly to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement. Chief DeBartolo is receiving the award for his tireless efforts to improve security measures and emergency procedures in the Rolling Meadows courthouse, as well as his volunteer efforts to help increase awareness and respect for the local Italian-American community. Since joining the Sheriff’s Office in 1989, he has distinguished himself in providing safety and security for local judges, court personnel, inmates and the public. He streamlined operations and significantly increased the collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and the legal community. DeBartolo was one of the founding officers of the Italian-American Police Officers Association and has served as its chairman and president.