Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. Our firm is reviewing its partner compensation system and one of my partners suggested that we incorporate realization rates. This term was new to me. Is realization the percent that we collect? Your comments would be appreciated by all of us.
ISBA President Vincent F. Cornelius testified Friday before the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee in support of Proposal 15-05. This proposal amends Supreme Court Rule 941 and creates Supreme Court Rule 943.
Rule 943 would create guidelines for when restraints can be used on a minor in delinquency proceedings arising under the Juvenile Court Act. The ISBA supports Proposal 15-05. The proposal is available at www.illinoiscourts.gov/SupremeCourt/Public_Hearings/Rules/2016/070816_Proposal_15-05.pdf
"The shackling of these minors that is automatic, routine, presumptive," President Cornelius said, "is unnecessary, inappropriate and I dare say something less than Third World."
Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Friday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions in the Civil case Hampton v. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and the criminal case People v. Geiler.
Hampton v. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
By Karen Kies DeGrand, Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth LLC
Illinois Attorney Kenneth Lumb provides an introduction to electronic medical records.
The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Associate Judge Bradley T. Paisley as the resident circuit judge of Christian County in the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
Judge Paisley was appointed Wednesday to fill the vacancy created by the December 31, 2015, retirement of resident Circuit Judge Ronald D. Spears. The appointment takes effect July 11, 2016.
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. I am the owner of a 14-attorney firm in the western suburbs of Chicago. I am 45 years old and I started my practice as a solo 10 years ago. The firm focuses on business litigation exclusively. Like many law firms the name of the firm is My Name, LLC. The firm has grown rapidly and we have been successful. However, I am concerned that I should be building more of a "firm brand" and the firm is too much about me. I would appreciate your thoughts?
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride has announced an application process for appointment to 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. Judge Davis was elected in 2006 and is the resident judge at the Fulton County Courthouse in Lewistown.
ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers Common Interest Community Association Act and the Condominium Property Act (Senate Bill 2354), Property crimes (Senate Bill 2907), IDVA electronic filing pilot program. (House Bill 6109), Common Interest Community Association Act and the Condominium Property Act (Senate Bill 2358), Condominium Property Act (Senate Bill 2359) and Common Interest Community Association Act (Senate Bill 2741).
More information on each bill is available below the video.
The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed the Hon. Robin D. Shoffner, Circuit Judge of Cook County, 5th Subcircuit to a vacancy in the 8th Subcircuit. This vacancy was created by the retirement of the Hon. Candace J. Fabri. It is effective July 1, 2016 and terminates on Dec. 3, 2018.
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. I am the owner of a 14-attorney insurance defense practice in Baltimore. I started the firm 20 years ago after leaving behind my partnership at another firm. Of the other 13 attorneys, there are four non-equity partners and the rest are associates. I am 63 and beginning to think about retirement and how I am going to transition out of the practice. Two of the non-equity partners are well seasoned attorneys, have major case responsibility, and have developed solid relationships with clients. I have discussed equity partnership vaguely with them, but their interests seem lackluster and they have been non-committal. I would appreciate your thoughts and advice on what my next steps should be.