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  • May 25, 2016 | Practice News
    Best Practice: How to use webinars to market your practice

    Asked and Answered

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

    Q. I am the managing partner of a six attorney boutique estate planning practice located in Madison, Wisconsin. We had a great year last year financially as we have the last several years. However, this year (2016) we are off to a terrible start. Our new matter intakes are down by twenty-five percent. We have a very proactive marketing program - print advertisements, directory listings, top notch website, and we do seminars for prospective clients. I know other estate planning attorneys that do more seminars than we do. Should we be doing more seminars? I would appreciate your insight. 

    1 comment (Most recent May 26, 2016)
  • May 24, 2016 | Practice News
    4 smart student loan repayment strategies for new grads

    By

    Article provided by ISBA partner SoFi. Find out more at www.isba.org/membermarketplace/financial#sofi

    Congrats to the Class of 2016! May your lives after graduation be a reflection of everything you’ve worked so hard for – a successful career, stable finances, and much more. And if you’re one of the 40 million people in the U.S. with student loans, may your student loan repayment strategy help you eliminate that debt efficiently, so you can focus on your life’s journey.

  • May 20, 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 Valfer v. Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Fattah v. Bim, Richter v. Prairie Farms Dairy and Commonwealth Edison Company v. Illinois Commerce Commission.

    Valfer v. Evanston Northwestern Healthcare

    By Alyssa M. Reiter, Williams Montgomery & John Ltd.

    This case explored the breadth of a hospital’s immunity under the Illinois Hospital Licensing Act. Following a peer review, the hospital revoked Dr. Valfer’s privileges to practice at the hospital. After Dr. Valfer sued, the hospital obtained summary judgment. The trial court agreed that the hospital was immune from damages under the Licensing Act and that it had complied with its bylaws and had not engaged in any willful and wanton conduct.

  • May 19, 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. Hernandez, People v. Cotto and People v. Grant.

    People v. Hernandez

    By Jay Wiegman, Office of the State Appellate Defender

    In People v. Hernandez, 2016 IL 118672, the Illinois Supreme Court built upon its recent decision in People v. Ligon, 2016 118023, and determined that the elements of armed robbery are not identical to the elements of armed violence.  Because armed robbery does not have the same elements as the lesser Class 2 offense of armed violence with a Category III weapon, which carried a lesser penalty, the Class X sentence for armed robbery imposed upon Hernandez did not violate the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution.

  • May 19, 2016 | Practice News
    Quick Takes for Your Practice: Construction Accidents - Investigation and Considerations

    Attorney Kim Davis discusses how to properly investigate a construction accident.

  • May 18, 2016 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Should capital contributions be required for new equity partners?

    Asked and Answered

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

    Q. I am the sole owner of a 25-attorney litigation boutique firm in Los Angeles. I am the only equity partner with nine non-equity partners and 15 associates. I am concerned that if I don't provide a path to equity partnership, some of my senior talent may gradually defect to other firms or split off to create their own firms. I also believe that providing a path to equity partner for deserving non-equity partners is the right thing to do. Therefore, I am planning on admitting two non-equity members this year. Should I require capital contributions?

  • May 17, 2016 | Practice News
    Department of Justice has 5 openings in Chicago for Assistant U.S. Attorney

    The Northern District of Illinois, Chicago Office is accepting applications for Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) openings in its Criminal Division in Chicago, Illinois. The applicant selected will represent the U.S. Government as an AUSA in a wide range of unique and complex cases.

    Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least 2 years post-J.D. experience.

    Preferred qualifications: Excellent academics, significant litigation experience, criminal law experience (for our Criminal Division), strong legal writing skills, and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

    United States citizenship is required.

  • May 12, 2016 | Practice News
    ISBA Statehouse Review for May 12, 2016

    ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers IMDMA cleanup (House Bill 3898), Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (Senate Bill 323), Cannabis civil penalties (Senate Bill 2228), Limited Liability Company Act (House Bill 4361), Income shares and child support (House Bill 3982), Land Trust Beneficiary Rights Act (House Bill 4697) and Trust law (Senate Bill 2842). More information on each bill is available below the video.

    2 comments (Most recent June 3, 2016)
  • May 11, 2016 | Practice News
    DuPage County accepting applications for associate judge vacancy

    Authorization pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 39 has been received by the Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit to post a notice of vacancy for associate judge. The associate judge position is the result of the resignation of Associate Judge Jane Hird Mitton effective July 4, 2016. Applications are now being accepted for this vacancy which will be filled by vote of the Circuit judges of the 18th Judicial Circuit.

  • May 11, 2016 | Practice News
    Quick Takes for Your Practice: What you need to know about qualified domestic relations orders

    Attorney Kathleen Curtin discusses what you need to know about qualified domestic relations orders.