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  • August 17, 2016 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Law firm finances - the Monday Morning Report

    Asked and Answered

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

    Q. I am the owner of a seven attorney firm in New York City. I have a bookkeeper that handles the accounting function. I receive monthly financial reports - but I believe I need a better tool to stay on top of my firm. I feel that I am lost, I don't want to take time to access different software modules such as our billing system, accounts payable system, general ledger system, etc. to get the information that I need to effectively manage the firm. We use Timeslips for billing and QuickBooks for bookkeeping. I would appreciate your thoughts.

  • August 12, 2016 | Practice News
    Justice Kilbride announces vacancy in 14th Circuit

    Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride has announced an application process for appointment to a resident Circuit Court vacancy in Whiteside County in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.

    The vacancy will be created by Circuit Judge John L. Hauptman's retirement, effective December 5, 2016. Judge Hauptman has been a judge since 1997, and currently serves as the resident judge at the Whiteside County Courthouse in Morrison.

  • August 11, 2016 | Practice News | People
    UChicago Law School Dean and Jenner & Block Litigation Chair Open US Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic

    Jenner & Block and the University of Chicago Law School are pleased to announce the opening of the Jenner & Block University of Chicago Law School Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic, a rigorous education and training program for University of Chicago law students to help litigate cases before the United States' highest court.

    The Clinic represents parties and amici curiae in cases before the US Supreme Court and other appellate courts. Students participate in the researching and drafting of merits briefs, amicus briefs, and cert petitions, conduct research on cases that may be suitable to bring to the Court, and help prepare and participate in oral arguments.  Assistance is provided pro bono.  Although the Clinic's focus is the US Supreme Court, the Clinic may also handle cases at the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the Illinois Supreme Court.

  • August 11, 2016 | Practice News
    DuPage County accepting applications for associate judge vacancy

    Chief Judge Kathryn E. Creswell announced that the Circuit Judges are accepting applications to fill a vacancy for the Office of Associate Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, DuPage County. This vacancy is a result of the resignation of Associate Judge Mary E. O’Connor.

    Any attorney, who is a United States citizen, is licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois, and is a resident of the 18th Judicial Circuit may apply by electronically filing a signed application with the Director of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts on the form prescribed and furnished by the Director. The instructions for submitting an application electronically are available on the Supreme Court’s website: www.illinoiscourts.gov.

    If unable to submit an application electronically, an applicant must submit two (2) signed
    originals of the prescribed application with the Director of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts at the address listed below:

  • August 11, 2016 | Practice News
    ISBA Statehouse Review for the week of August 11, 2016

    ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers Open Meetings Act Public Act 99-714, IDVA electronic filing pilot program Public Act 99-718, Supplementary proceedings Public Act 99-744, Forcible Entry and Detainer Article Public Act 99- 753 and Mendelson Public Act 99-743.

    More information on each bill is available below the video.

  • August 10, 2016 | Practice News
    Justice Kilbride seeks comment on applicants for 9th Circuit vacancy

    Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride is seeking public comment on five attorneys who have applied to fill a resident Circuit Court vacancy in Fulton County in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

    The vacancy will be created upon Circuit Judge William C. Davis' retirement, effective September 5, 2016. Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Kilbride uses an extensive application, evaluation and interview process to make recommendations to the full Court for judicial vacancies in the Third Judicial District.

    The five attorneys who have applied to fill the vacancy are Bruce C. Beal of Cuba, Jeremy A. Beard of Dunlap, Curtis S. Lane of Canton, Jeff L. Neigel of Canton, and Hugh F. Toner III of Peoria.

  • August 10, 2016 | Practice News
    Best Practice: What reports should firm administrator be providing?

    Asked and Answered

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

    Q. I am the firm administrator of a 16-attorney firm in San Diego. We have six equity members, four non-equity members, and six associates. We also have four paralegals and six staff members. We are managed by a three member executive committee. Each month I provide the equity members and the executive committee with the same reports from our software system. They are quite numerous. The equity members and the executive committee complain that they get too many reports and they don't look at them while the non-equity members and the associate complain that they don't get access to any financial information. Do you have any suggestions?

  • August 5, 2016 | Practice News
    USAO Criminal Division Attorney position open in Fairview Heights

    The USAO has one Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) position available in the Criminal Division in our Fairview Heights office. The United States Attorney's Office (USAO), Southern District of Illinois (SDIL), is a fast-paced, collegial, and energetic office which seeks to maintain the highest standards of excellence in the enforcement of federal laws and the representation of the United States.  Our headquarters are located in Fairview Heights, Illinois, a suburb of St. Louis, MO.  Our branch offices are located in Benton and East St. Louis, in or near the federal courthouse. The office presently employs 32 attorneys and 34 support staff.

  • August 3, 2016 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Law firm acquisition due diligence - What should I ask for?

    Asked and Answered

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

    Q. I am the managing partner of a five lawyer firm in Denton, Texas. We have the opportunity of acquiring a sole owner practice in a nearby city with a complimentary practice area. We have had one meeting and our firm is interested. We want to initially do a quick and dirty due diligence so see whether this firm is really a qualified opportunity. What sort of information should we ask for?

  • July 29, 2016 | Practice News
    DEA Division Counsel position open in Chicago

    The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking an experienced attorney to work as a Division Counsel in the Chicago Field Division of DEA.  The position is part of the staff of DEA, Office of Chief Counsel and is located in Chicago, Illinois.

    Job Description: 

    The Division Counsel is involved in all legal matters and issues concerning the Chicago Field Division, including criminal, civil, and administrative law.  This includes substantive drug-related and money laundering statutes, investigative methods and techniques, search and seizure, electronic surveillance, interview and interrogation, evidence, discovery, drafting and reviewing legislative proposals relating to criminal law and procedure, and Federal sentencing guidelines, legal training, and legal review of operational policies and procedures.  It also includes matters relating to support of civil and administrative litigation, including regulatory issues under the Controlled Substances Act (21 USC § 801 et seq.), as well as personnel and fiscal law questions.