Attorney Sarah Toney discusses 5 ways to boost your firm's online presence.
Practice News
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February 19, 2016 |
Practice News
1 comment (Most recent February 20, 2016)
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February 19, 2016 |
Practice News
The Board of Directors of ISBA Mutual Insurance voted at their December 2015 meeting to declare a $1.9 million dividend.
"We, at ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, are so proud of the progress and advancements (free policy enhancements, technology improvements and service gains) that the officers, staff and board have made this year,” said Chairman of the Board, John G. Locallo, "We are once again pleased to report a further dividend for all our member lawyers. After all, this is your Mutual and it’s a great feeling as Chairman to announce a return of your money. Have a great year!"
Efficient operations, careful risk selection and successful investment management allowed ISBA Mutual to return $18.3 million in premiums since 2000. Lawyers and law firms insured by ISBA Mutual received a dividend for the past 11 consecutive years.
ISBA Mutual provides malpractice insurance to Illinois lawyers and is available exclusively to members of the Illinois State Bar Association.
1 comment (Most recent February 19, 2016) -
February 18, 2016 |
Practice News
ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers New crime for exploitation against the elderly (House Bill 6079), Supplementary proceedings in collections (Senate Bill 2845), Trusts and Trustees Act (Senate Bill 2842), Rewrite of Trust Code (House Bill 6312) and Juvenile Court of 1987 (House Bill 6300). More information on each bill is available below the video.
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February 17, 2016 |
Practice News
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. I am a partner in a two owner personal injury plaintiff firm in Los Angeles. We have four other attorneys. We do traditional personal injury work with a high volume of medical practice and products liability. One hundred percent of our fees are contingency fees. My partner has expressed an interest in retiring and selling his interest to me. How do I go about determining a fair price to offer him for his shares? I would appreciate your thoughts.
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February 12, 2016 |
Practice News
By Beverly Allen, ISBA Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services
Legal aid programs have been at the forefront of the war on poverty and the fight for equal access to justice for all since its inception. Historically, legal aid played a crucial role in ensuring equal protections under the law involving social security, housing, health care, education, employment, and anti-discrimination issues for those who could not afford legal representation. In 1965, the federal legal aid programs focused efforts on what was coined, “The War on Poverty.”[1] In 1975, the Legal Services Corporation Act refocused the purpose of the programs from addressing poverty to achieving equal access to justice.[2]
1 comment (Most recent February 19, 2016) -
February 11, 2016 |
Practice News
ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers The Land Trust Beneficiary Rights Act (House Bill 4697 ), The Mechanics Lien Act (Senate Bill 2450), Product liability (House Bill 5596), Tenants Radon Protection Act (House Bill 4528), Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (Defines terms. House Bill 4648) and Punitive damages (Senate Bill 2509). More information on each bill is available below the video.
The Land Trust Beneficiary Rights Act. House Bill 4697 (Nekritz, D-Buffalo Grove) provides that the rights of a beneficial owner may not be impaired in any way by the change of trustees if the identity of the trustee of a land trust has been changed by virtue of sale, assignment, appointment, or otherwise, but the beneficial owner or owners of the land trust remain unchanged. Provides that a change of trustees by a sale, acquisition, or appointment governed by the Corporate Fiduciaries Act is not a bar or defense to any pending court action filed by or in the name of either the previous trustee or the new trustee, regardless of whether the court action was originally filed in a representative capacity on behalf of the beneficial owner or owners. Referred to House Rules Committee.
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February 10, 2016 |
ISBA News | Events | Practice News
Volunteers are needed for the 2016 ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign. It will be held the weekend of April 2-3.
If you would like to volunteer for the 2016 Invitational, please register by going to: www.isba.org/teachers/mocktrial and clicking on the red button that says “Sign up to volunteer.”
If you have already registered, thank you! You will receive e-mails closer to the event providing you with more information about the program, a schedule, and logistics, such as parking information.
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February 10, 2016 |
Practice News
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. We are a 25-lawyer insurance defense firm in Northwest Dallas. We are managed by a managing partner, firm administrator, and director of human resources. We have been discussing the need for a marketing director. Are we too small? If we decide to hire one what should we be looking for and where should we start our search?
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February 9, 2016 |
Practice News
ISBA member Martin Glink discusses foundations on how to get objects, records and photographs admitted into evidence.
1 comment (Most recent February 11, 2016) -
February 4, 2016 |
Practice News
Petrovic v. The Department of Employment Security
By Alyssa M. Reiter, Williams Montgomery & John Ltd.
This case, involving a denial of unemployment insurance benefits based upon employee misconduct, provided an opportunity for the Court to clarify the type of misconduct required and the proof necessary to justify such denial.
Petrovic applied for unemployment insurance benefits after she was terminated by American Airlines for misconduct at work. Petrovic had requested that the catering department deliver champagne to a customer and had asked a flight attendant to upgrade that passenger to first class.
The Department of Employment Security denied the request for unemployment benefits and the Board of Review affirmed that determination. Following further review, the case proceeded to the Supreme Court.
Because the applicable statute required that an employee’s violation be “deliberate and willful,” it necessarily required evidence that the employee was aware that her conduct was prohibited. In this case, there was no evidence in the record of a reasonable American Airlines rule or policy prohibiting Petrovic’s conduct. The employer’s sole witness at the administrative hearing testified only that “policies and procedures were not followed” but did not identify any specific rule or policy. Further, statements contained within the employer’s written protest were not legally competent evidence. The protest was merely a pleading and any facts alleged within the protest had to be substantiated with competent evidence.
2 comments (Most recent February 5, 2016)