Practice News

The 21st Judicial Circuit, Iroquois and Kankakee Counties, Illinois, is seeking individuals interested in becoming approved mediators for non-divorce civil cases. The qualifications necessary in order to be approved as a mediator may be found at www.co.kankakee.il.us/21stJudicial/pdf/Rules.pdf

For further information and/or to request an application, interested parties may call:  Adrianne Haley 815/937-2915  or e-mail ahaley@k3county.net or send completed applications to:

• Chief Judge’s Office/ Attn: Adrianne
• Room 203 B
• 450 E. Court St.
• Kankakee, IL 60901-3917

Applications can also be found at the above internet link and sent to the same addresses listed above.

ISBA member John Ahern of Chicago recently posted this query to the ISBA Trusts and Estates Section discussion group: "Client has no family and few friends. Client asks her attorney to be the agent on her powers of attorney and trustee on her trust and he agrees. Attorney creates the documents and discloses that he prepared them. He is not a beneficiary. Is there any specific prohibition that anyone is aware of for the attorney?"

Timothy S. Midura of Wheaton responded, saying this in part: "[There's no] 'prohibition.' [But have] your 'eyes wide open' for 1) any estate/beneficiary disputes that [the lawyer] might become a lightning rod for and 2) even higher (or highest) standards of fiduciary conduct/capability due to [being a member of the] legal profession. Bottom line: Be ready and able to do a superb job." Find out more in the March Illinois Bar Journal.

Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Eleventh Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Pablo A. Eves as associate judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Eves received his undergraduate degree in 1994 from the University of Missouri, and his Juris Doctor in 1998 from the University of Illinois. Mr. Eves is currently affiliated with the McLean County State's Attorney's Office in Bloomington.

Chief Circuit Judge Kathryn E. Creswell is pleased to announce that following a Feb. 25, 2015 meeting of the Circuit Judges of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, two finalists for the office of Associate Judge have been selected and certified to the Supreme Court. The finalists are seeking to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Paul M. Fullerton to Circuit Judge. From these names, the Circuit Judges will select one appointee by secret ballot.