The Circuit Court of Cook County’s Executive Committee today ordered the reassignment of Judge Beatriz Santiago from her current assignment after the Judicial Inquiry Board (JIB) filed a complaint against her on February 6, 2015, with the Illinois Courts Commission.
Practice News
-
February 10, 2015 |
Practice News
-
February 9, 2015 |
Practice News
As part of its continuing effort to promote public confidence in the administration of justice, the Illinois Supreme Court has announced that a client whose case is not completed due to the death or disability of his or her attorney, and who has made reasonable efforts to pursue civil remedies, is now eligible to apply for reimbursement of unearned fees paid to the attorney.
When adopted in 1994, Supreme Court Rule 780 created a Client Protection Program (CPP) Trust Fund to reimburse certain losses incurred by clients of Illinois lawyers. The rule was created to provide a mechanism for a client to obtain reimbursement if the attorney engaged in dishonest conduct causing the client financial loss. The fund is administered by the Illinois Attorney and Registration Commission (ARDC).
According to Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman, “The Court recognizes that a client may also incur such a loss when the attorney dies or becomes disabled during the representation. By amending this rule, we signal to the public that we are equally concerned about the client who suffers a financial loss due to events outside the attorney’s control, such as death or disability.”
The amendment is effective immediately. Claimants may apply for reimbursement through the CPP. More information on submitting a claim is available at: https://www.iardc.org/clientprotection.html.
-
February 6, 2015 |
Practice News
Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced Friday that the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Anne T. Hayes as an associate judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.
Ms. Hayes received her undergraduate degree in 1996 from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and her Juris Doctor in 2004 from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. Ms. Hayes is currently affiliated with the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office in Wheaton, Illinois.
-
February 5, 2015 |
Practice News
A review of Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court criminal opinion in the case People v. Smith.
-
February 5, 2015 |
Practice News
ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers Trades and proof of insurance (House Bill 201), Open Meetings Act (House Bill 1323), Mortgage Foreclosure (Senate Bill 735), The Probate Act of 1975 (House Bill 1332) and Governor Rauner’s State of the State Address. More information on each bill is available below the video.
-
February 5, 2015 |
Practice News
Q. My client recently informed me that they would harm the opposing party if they had the opportunity. Do I have any duty to inform anyone of this?
1 comment (Most recent February 5, 2015) -
February 5, 2015 |
Practice News
"Has anyone filed an objection to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy where the movant is trying to discharge attorneys' fees in pursuing college expenses?" That's the question Chicago lawyer Modupe Sobo posed recently on the ISBA's family law discussion group.
The wisdom from the exchange that followed: in a Chapter 7 proceeding, debtors can't discharge divorce-based attorneys' fees in bankruptcy; in Chapter 13, maybe they can, depending on how the court classifies the debt.
"The real distinction lies in the type of bankruptcy the debtor files," wrote Rebecca Reinhardt of Mt. Vernon in an answer that was updated and published in the February Illinois Bar Journal. Under Chapter 7, attorneys' fees incurred to recover college expenses in connection with a domestic support obligation would be nondischargeable, she says. Read her detailed response and find out more.
-
February 5, 2015 |
Practice News
The 3rd Judicial Circuit Court is accepting applications for the position of Law Clerk. This Law Clerk position is for two years with the possibility of extension (not to exceed one additional year).
-
February 4, 2015 |
Practice News
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. I am the managing partner of a four attorney (all partners) estate planning firm in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We are all working hard but I do not believe that we are making the money that we should be. Last year our fee collections were $600,000 and our net income $250,000 which was the total amount that was available for partner compensation. Thus, we each made $62,500.00. Each of us have been practicing for over 20 years and I believe this is totally unacceptable. We appear to be busy and have plenty of work. I would appreciate your thoughts.
-
February 3, 2015 |
Practice News
Chief Judge Kathryn E. Cresswell has announced 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 list below. The vacancy is the result of the elevation of Associate Judge Paul M. Fullerton to Circuit Judge.
As part of the review process before the Circuit Judges, Chief Judge Creswell invites public comment by letter before Feb. 17, 2015:
- Chief Judge Kathryn E. Creswell
- 18th Judicial Circuit Court
- 505 N. Country Farm Road, Room 2015
- Wheaton, IL 60187
Here is the list of applicants: