Illinois State Bar Association President John E. Thies discusses e-filing in the courts with Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride.
Practice News
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April 4, 2013 |
Practice News | ISBA News
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April 4, 2013 |
Practice News
Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions in the civil case In re Estate of Boyar and the criminal cases People v. Fitzpatrick, People v. Le Mirage, Inc. and People v. Hunter.
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April 4, 2013 |
Practice News
Northern Illinois University College of Law will open a free legal clinic this fall in Aurora, focusing on legal issues that may contribute to health problems in the area’s indigent population. NIU Law will partner with both Hesed House - a comprehensive homeless resource center in Aurora that will house the clinic - and Aunt Martha’s Health Center.
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April 3, 2013 |
ISBA News | Practice News
ISBA President John E. Thies participated in a discussion on law school debt Tuesday on the WILL-AM 580 program Focus. Thies was joined in the discussion by Northwestern Professor Steven Harper, author of the new book "The Lawyer Bubble."
Listen to the discussion at will.illinois.edu/focus/player/the-lawyer-bubble
Read the report and recommendations of the ISBA's Special Committee on the Impact of Law School Debt on the Delivery of Legal Services at www.isba.org/committees/impactoflawschooldebtondeliveryofle -
April 3, 2013 |
Practice News
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. Our firm is a 26 attorney firm in Louisville, Kentucky. We are considering merging/acquiring a 12 attorney firm in the local area. This is virgin territory for us as we have not done this before. We would be interested in your thoughts as to where we should start and the process we should use to minimize the risk of making a mistake.
A. While mergers can be a valid option making them work is often another matter. Research indicates that one third to one half of all mergers fail to meet expectations due to cultural misalignment and personnel problems. Don't try to use a merger or acquisition as a life raft, for the wrong reasons and as your sole strategy. Successful mergers are based upon a sound integrated business strategy that creates synergy and a combined firm that produces greater client value than either firm can produced alone.
There can be a whole list of reasons for failure including poor financial performance, attorney defections, loss of key clients, and leadership and management issues. However, it has been our experience that most failures have been the result of poor cultural fit. The merging firms - after they have moved past conflict checks and excitement about new client potential - jump immediately to an examination of practice economics and the financials. They fail to perform proper due diligence on the people. It is critical that firms insure that cultural due diligence is a key component of the merger assessment process. Philosophies, personalities, and life styles should be generally compatible. The partners should like each other and the deal should make sense.
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April 1, 2013 |
Practice News | Events
The first of five Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice Listening Conferences will be held at Bradley University on April 29. The conference will take place from 1:30-4 p.m. at the Westlake Building, Room 116, 814 N Tobias Lane, Peoria.
Space is limited! To secure your seat, RSVP to IlSupCtATJ@isba.org
Here's the full schedule of listening conferences:
- April 29: Bradley University, Peoria, 1:30–4 p.m.
- May 1: NIU, DeKalb, 1:30–4 p.m.
- May 30: U. of I., Urbana, 1:30–4 p.m.
- June 5: SIU, Edwardsville, 1:30–4 p.m.
- June 13th: The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, 1:30–4 p.m.
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March 29, 2013 |
Practice News
Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride announced on Friday that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Thomas Keith to fill a judicial vacancy for the Stark County Resident Circuit Court Judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit.
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March 28, 2013 |
Practice News
ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews bills in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. In this episode he covers FOIA (House Bill 2747), New filing fees (House Bill 2327), New filing fees (House Bill 2976), Recorder reviewing documents (House Bill 2832), Motor Vehicle Franchise Act (House Bill 2508) and Juvenile Court Act (House Bill 3172. More information on the bill is available below the video.
FOIA. House Bill 2747 (Conroy, D-Villa Park) authorizes written FOIA requests to be submitted to a public body by electronic mail. Requires each public body to post an email address where requests for public records may be directed. Passed the House and in the Senate.
New filing fees. House Bill 2327 (Riley, D-Chicago) authorizes county boards to require the clerk of the circuit court to charge and collect a court automation fee of up to $25 (instead of $15) and a document storage fee of up to $25 (instead of $15). Passed the House and in the Senate.
New filing fees. House Bill 2976 (Lilly, D-Chicago) adds a general filing increase to all civil actions in Cook County by $5 if the county board authorizes. The proceeds of these are to be placed in the county general fund and used to finance the court system in the county. On third reading in the House.
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March 27, 2013 |
Practice News
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. I am a sole owner of a 4 attorney law firm located in Washington, D.C. Our practice concentrates on estate planning and administration. We have 6 support staff members. I just turned 60 the first of the month and am beginning to think about what I will eventually do with the practice. None of the associate attorneys are interested in partnership or in purchasing the practice - they just want jobs - they are not interested in owning a law practice. When is the best time for me to sell my practice?
A. You really have to give some thought to your timeline - how long do you want to work? Do you plan on pursuing another career? Have you put enough money away so you can simply retire without concern about the need to generate additional income?
If you need revenue for an additional 10 years and if you enjoy what you are doing - then it will not be in your interest to sell the practice too early. Let's say you could sell your practice for one million dollars - this might equate to two years of earnings. If you worked another 10 years - you could have earned five million dollars.
To a large extent owning a law firm is in essence a job where you work for a living where you have provided employment for yourself. It might be hard to find a job that pays as well as your firm. So if you need revenue for another 10 years and your enjoy your work - you should probably plan on working another 10 years. Build you timetable to sell your practice around your future work timeline. Things change - you may find that your associates change their mind or down the road you may end up with new hires that will have an interest in partnership.
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March 25, 2013 |
Practice News
Chief Circuit Judge John T. Elsner is pleased to announce two finalists have been slected for the Office of Associate Judge of the 18th Circuit Court. The finalists are seeking to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Robert G. Kleeman to Circuit Judge. From these names, the Circuit Judges will select two appointees by secret ballot.
- Sean M. McCumber, J.D., University of Illinois, College of Law, 1998; admitted to the practice of law in Illinois, 1998. Mr. McCumber currently serves as a partner with the law firm of Sullivan, Taylor & Gumina (2005-present).
- Jeffrey S. McKay, J.D.-Kent College of Law, Chicago, 1992; admitted to the practice of law in Illinois, 1993. Mr. McKay currently is an Associate with the law firm of Ekl, Williams and Provenzale (2001-present).