The Assembly meeting agenda has been posted at http://www.isba.org/leadership/assembly/minutes. This page is password protected and available only to ISBA members. The Assembly will next meet on Saturday, June 21 at the 138th Annual Meeting at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wis.
ISBA News
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June 16, 2014 |
ISBA News
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June 11, 2014 |
ISBA News
Lori G. Levin, a Chicago criminal defense lawyer in private practice, will receive the 2014 Matthew Maloney Tradition of Excellence Award presented by the ISBA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section Council at the organization’s 138th Annual Meeting on Friday, June 20, at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis.
For 23 years, Levin was a prosecutor in the Cook County State Attorney’s Office where she tried many felony and civil cases before juries. In 2003, she was appointed by the Governor and served six years as executive director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, an agency dedicated to improving Illinois criminal justice. She also chaired the Illinois Integrated Justice Information Implementation Board and the Task Force to Update the Model Domestic Violence Protocol.
Within the ISBA, she has chaired two standing committees and been an officer on others. She is committed to continuing legal education for lawyers and is a sought-after educator and lecturer on topics that include criminal justice, juvenile justice, child visitation, elder rights and mental health issues. In addition, she was on the governing council of the American Jewish Congress.
In her nomination, Melissa Olivero, member of the ISBA Standing Committee on Women and the Law, wrote that Levin “sets the standard in delivering high quality legal services as a solo practitioner” and that she “embodies the very qualities of Matthew Maloney himself: professionalism, excellence and service.”
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June 11, 2014 |
ISBA News
Pamela J. Kuzniar, a Deerfield resident and partner in the law firm of Kuzniar & Simons, P.C., with offices in Chicago and Waukegan will receive a 2014 Board of Governors Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) at the organization’s 138th Annual Meeting on Friday, June 20, at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis.
The award recognizes Kuzniar for her long-standing and exemplary contributions to the association and the legal profession.
For the past seven years, Kuzniar has been the volunteer coordinator of the Continuing Legal Education programs for the ISBA’s Family Law Section Council, one of the bar’s largest councils. She has taken the lead in selecting quality topics and speakers for each program. She also helped re-establish the ISBA’s “destination” CLE programs presented outside of Illinois.
This year, Kuzniar also played a crucial role in the analysis of proposed legislation that would significantly amend the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution Act. Under her guidance, the council provided an in-depth analysis and recommended positions regarding the legislation. -
June 11, 2014 |
ISBA News
Mary F. Petruchius, of Sycamore, a private practice lawyer in Sycamore, will receive a 2014 Board of Governors Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) at the organization’s 138th Annual Meeting on Friday, June 20, at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis.
As the 2013-14 chair of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Women and the Law, Petruchius is being recognized for her efforts to promote women as lawyers. Under her leadership, the ISBA presented or co-sponsored seven events, including a networking breakfast at Southern Illinois University School of Law; a “30 Female Blackstones” event at Winston & Strawn in Chicago, and two programs in March during Women’s History Month in both Chicago and at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. The committee also co-sponsored a reception in the fall during a meeting of the National Association of Women Lawyers Foundation. -
June 10, 2014 |
ISBA News | People
Professor Mark E. Wojcik of The John Marshall Law School will receive the 2014 Community Leadership Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) at the organization’s 138th Annual Meeting on Friday, June 20, at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis.
The award recognizes individuals for their efforts to foster understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their issues of concern.
A former member of the ISBA Board of Governors, Wojcik has been a longtime force in the fight to achieve understanding of and equity for those in the LGBT community through his participation in local, state and national organizations. He founded the first gay rights organization at The John Marshall Law School and the first gay rights committee of the Chicago Bar Association. He served on the ISBA Standing Committee on Sexual Orientation Law, he was a Commissioner of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, he chaired the Association of American Law Schools Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues, and he is a Past President of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago. He was also inducted into the City of Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.1 comment (Most recent June 11, 2014) -
June 6, 2014 |
ISBA News
Daniel N. Hoffman, chief of police of the Campton Hills Police Department, received a 2014 ISBA Law on June 5, during a luncheon of the Kane County’s Mental Health Protocol Committee at the Kane County Judicial Center. ISBA 3rd Vice President Vincent F. Cornelius was on hand to present the award.
Chief Hoffman was nominated by Judith W. Brawka, chief judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit in Kane County.
The ISBA’s Law Enforcement 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. It is given to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement. In addition to Chief Hoffman, four other law enforcement officers from judicial districts throughout Illinois will be honored.
Chief Hoffman was recognized for an entire career devoted to community safety and service, initially as a commander in the Aurora Police Department and more recently, in Campton Hills. As a member of the Kane County Mental Health Task Force, he helped develop Crises Intervention Team protocols and training, which give first responders the tools to calm persons in a mental health crisis. -
June 6, 2014 |
ISBA News | People
108 PILI Interns & Fellows Serve at Legal Aid Organizations Across Illinois This Summer
The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) has announced its Law Student Internship & Graduate Fellowship Class of 2014. PILI is funding 43 Law Student Interns representing 34 law schools from across the country to work at 23 legal aid organizations across Illinois. These PILI Interns have been selected out of over 350 law student applicants from over 70 law schools. Each PILI Intern will serve 400 hours over the summer, together contributing 17,200 hours of legal services on behalf of thousands of low-income individuals and families. PILI provides supplemental educational, networking and mentoring opportunities. See a full list of our 2014 Law Student Interns on our website at www.pili.org/internships/current-pili-interns.
Of these Interns, 13 hold Named or Honorary Internship positions, created by special funding commitments from individuals and groups dedicated to promoting public interest law. Many Named Internships support a specific cause. For example, the ISBA Young Lawyers Division has for years sponsored one PILI Intern through its Children’s Assistance Fund to address the legal welfare of children. Other PILI Interns are named in honor or memory of champions for service and philanthropy to our legal aid community, including Kimball & Karen Anderson of Winston & Strawn LLP and Jerome Gilson of Brinks Gilson & Lione.
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June 4, 2014 |
Events | ISBA News
Join us as we reflect on our accomplishments and outline initiatives for the coming bar year.
Deadline for advanced registration is June 13!
Register at www.isba.org/annual
The 2014-15 standing committees and section councils will hold their organizational business meetings at various times during the Annual Meeting. A schedule of business meetings being conducted may be viewed closer to the date.
ISBA's own professional liability insurance company, ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, will be an important participant in the Annual Meeting. Be sure to learn about the company, loss prevention, and programs from senior executives at their exhibit.
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June 4, 2014 |
ISBA News
Beginning today, the ISBA is conducting an online survey to gather information on economic trends in the legal profession. The survey is being conducted by Readex Research, on a secure website, and all identifying information of respondents will be kept confidential.
Email invitations will be sent to all in-state members who are engaged in private practice. When you receive your invitation, please take a moment to participate in this important survey.
The ISBA will use the results of the survey to better serve its membership and the profession. Additionally, the results will be made available to ISBA sections and committees to assist in their work.
After completing the survey, participants will be able to enter a drawing to win one of three $250 Visa gift cards. -
June 3, 2014 |
ISBA News | Member Services
The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of May 2014, ISBA helped people in need of legal services find lawyers in the following areas:
Here are the results for May 2014: