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  • October 5, 2016 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Law Firm Client Business Development - Motivating Lawyers to Develop New Client Business

    Asked and Answered

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am the managing partner of an eighteen attorney firm in New Orleans. We have six equity founding partners, four non-equity partners, and eight associates. We represent institutional clients. Four of the six equity partners are in their sixties and two are in their late fifties. The six equity partners are concerned about the future of the firm as they approach retirement. If they retired today the firm would cease to exist - the non-equity partners would not be able to retain our existing clients and acquire new clients. We have not been successful at motivating our non-equity partners to develop and bring in new clients. We have harped on this for years and encouraged all attorneys to develop business. We implemented a component of our non-equity partner and associate compensation system to compensate them for new client origination. Unfortunately, we have not been able to motivate our non-equity partners and associates to develop new sources of business. Our non-equity partners and associates have a nine to five work ethic and an entitlement mentality. Would you share your thoughts?

  • September 28, 2016 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Law Firm Marketing - Client Development for an Insurance Defense Firm

    Asked and Answered

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am the managing partner of a thirty attorney insurance defense firm in Arlington, Texas. While we are still in our first generation - several of our partners are approaching retirement and some of our relationships in our insurance company clients are also retiring. We are looking for ways to shore up and expand our client base. We would appreciate your suggestions.

  • September 26, 2016 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court appoints Canton attorney as Circuit Judge in Ninth Judicial Circuit

    Justice Thomas L. Kilbride and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Canton attorney Bruce C. Beal as a Resident Circuit Judge in Fulton County in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

    Mr. Beal was appointed by the Court to fill the vacancy created by Judge William C. Davis, who retired on September 5, 2016. His appointment takes effect October 17, 2016, and will terminate on December 3, 2018, when the position is filled by the 2018 General Election.

  • September 26, 2016 | Practice News
    Comments sought on applicants for DuPage County associate judge vacancy

    Chief Judge Kathryn E. Creswell announced Friday that applications for the Office of Associate Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, DuPage County, have been received from those on the attached list.

    The vacancy is the result of the retirement of Associate Judge Mary E. O'Connor.

    As part of the review process conducted by the Circuit Judges, Chief Judge Creswell invites public comment by letter before October 7, 2016:

    • Chief Judge Kathryn E. Creswell
    • 18th Judicial Circuit Court
    • 505 N. County Farm Road, Room 2015
    • Wheaton, IL 60187
  • September 23, 2016 | Practice News
    ILAO Legal Answers: New Online Program Increases Access to Legal Help

    A new program at Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) will not only eliminate barriers to accessing legal services, but also barriers for attorneys to do pro bono work. Legal Answers, launching this October and made possible through funding by the Illinois Bar Foundation, leverages pro bono attorneys and technology to deliver critical legal advice to people who cannot afford or access an attorney. The innovative website makes it easy for attorneys to volunteer and provide civil legal advice to those in need at any convenient time and place.

  • September 22, 2016 | Practice News
    Rosenbaum appointed as circuit judge in 6th Circuit

    Chief Justice Rita B. Garman and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Randall B. Rosenbaum as a Circuit Judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

    Mr. Rosenbaum has been appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Harry Clem. His appointment takes effect on October 3, 2016, and terminates on December 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election.

  • September 22, 2016 | Practice News
    Quick Takes on Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court Civil opinions

    Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's top Illinois Supreme Court Civil opinions in Kakos v. Butler, Bayer v. Panduit Corp., Moon v. Rhode, and J&J Ventures Gaming, LLC v. Wild, Inc.

    Kakos v. Butler

    By Michael T. Reagan, Law Offices of Michael T. Reagan

    In Kakos v. Butler, the court unanimously affirmed Judge Gomolinski’s judgment in the circuit court that the 6-person jury regime established by Public Act 98-1132 is facially unconstitutional.  Chief Justice Garman wrote for the court.

    1 comment (Most recent September 22, 2016)
  • September 22, 2016 | Practice News
    Quick Takes on Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court Criminal opinions

    Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's top Illinois Supreme Court Criminal opinions in People v. Hood, People v. Cherry, People v. Reyes, and People v. Valdez.

    People v. Hood

    By Kerry J. Bryson, Office of the State Appellate Defender

    Terry Hood was charged with attempt murder, home invasion, and aggravated battery of a senior citizen against Robert Bishop, Jr.  Prior to trial, the State sought to take Bishop’s evidence deposition due to health concerns. Present at the deposition were Assistant State’s Attorneys and defendant’s attorneys; defendant did not attend.  Subsequently, the evidence deposition was admitted at defendant’s trial upon a finding that Bishop could not testify.

  • September 22, 2016 | Practice News
    Quick Takes for Your Practice: 12 Tips & Tricks for the New Family Law Attorney

    Attorney Tamika R. Walker of Sreenan & Cain, P.C. in Rockford discusses 12 Tips & Tricks for the new family law attorney.

    2 comments (Most recent September 29, 2016)
  • September 22, 2016 | Practice News
    Be a smart biller and boost your bottom line, avoid dangers

    The basics of law firm billing are spelled out in Illinois Supreme Court Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5, which governs fees, says Charles J. Northrup, general counsel for the ISBA. But smart billing requires more than simply knowing the ins and outs of that rule.

    For example, attorneys should keep in mind their clients' emotional state and put themselves in the clients' shoes, Northrup says. "I would want a lawyer to understand that for clients, receiving bills can be extremely stressful, and that the lawyer must be prepared to calmly discuss and respond to client questions or criticisms about bills - and make adjustments if necessary."