Concisely, Collaborative Law is a "no court" limited-scope representation model of dispute resolution. Although, like the mediation model of dispute resolution, Collaborative Law (a/k/a Collaborative Practice) had its origins in the area of family law, it now has application in areas as diverse as probate, business partnership dissolution, medical errors, labor and employment disputes. No matter the nature of the legal dispute the model is being used to resolve, the core component of the model does not vary.
Practice News
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December 4, 2012 |
Practice News
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December 3, 2012 |
Practice News
Effective January 8, 2013, and until further order of the Court, the Hon. Michael B. Hyman, Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, is assigned to duty in the Appellate Court, First District, to the position formerly held by the Hon. Nathaniel J. Howse, Jr., who was elected to the Appellate Court. Judge Hyman shall occupy the rotation position in the Third Division formerly held by the Hon. Marcus R. Salone.
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December 3, 2012 |
ISBA News | Practice News
The Illinois State Bar Association's Special Committee on Law School Debt, formed by President John E. Thies, will hold the final of five open hearings on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the Chicago Regional Office, 20 S. Clark. ISBA members are encouraged to attend this meeting to discuss how increasing law school debt is impacting the delivery of legal services.
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November 30, 2012 |
Practice News
The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee is seeking comment on proposals providing for expedited appeals from final judgements in delinquent minor proceedings and allowing a defendant's appearance via closed circuit television or video conferencing.
These proposals, and others, will be aired at a public hearing of the Supreme Court Rules Committee on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 at 10 a.m. in Chicago. Anyone wishing to testify at the public hearing should advise the Committee in writing no later than Monday, Dec. 3. -
November 29, 2012 |
Practice News
Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court civil opinions in Center Partners, Ltd. v. Growth Head GP, LLC, Carr v. Koch and Toftoy v. Rosenwinkel et al.
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November 29, 2012 |
Practice News
Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court criminal opinions in People v. Leach, People v. Tate, People v. Hughes, People v. Giraud and People v. Meerman.
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November 28, 2012 |
Practice News
The Illinois Supreme Court announced on Tuesday that the Hon. Robert G. Kleeman, Associate Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit, is appointed Circuit Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit, at Large, to the position presently held by the Honorable Hollis L. Webster, who is retiring from judicial office on Dec. 31, 2012.
This appointment is effective Feb. 4, 2013, and terminates on Dec. 1, 2014.
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November 28, 2012 |
Practice News
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. Our 17 attorney firm has had less than stellar revenues and profitability for the last several years. Our billing and realization rates are in line, we have a good mix of partners and associates, we have managed our expenses effectively, and our accounts receivable are at satisfactory levels. The culprit is utilization - billable hours. Partner annual billable hours are around 1100 hours and associate billable hours are around 1300. Everyone seems to be working hard. I would be interested in your thoughts?
A. Sounds like you have given the RULES (rates/realization, utilization, leverage, expenses, and speed/collection) formula careful thought and analysis. I agree that you have a problem with utilization. General guidelines for partners and associates for annual billable hours are in the 1700 range with litigation firms being much higher and smaller general practice firms being lower - sometimes in the 1500 range. However, 1100/1300 billable hours is a problem and should be looked into to determine the exact nature of the cause. Causes could be any one or a combination of the following:
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November 27, 2012 |
Practice News
The Illinois Supreme Court announced Monday that the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select René Cruz as an associate judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit.
Mr. Cruz received his undergraduate degree in 1992 from The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina, and his Juris Doctor in 1995 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Mr. Cruz is currently engaged in practice with the Law Offices of Gil & Cruz in Aurora.
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November 27, 2012 |
Practice News
The Illinois Supreme Court announced Monday that the Twelfth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Chrystel L. Gavlin as an associate judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.
Ms. Gavlin received her undergraduate degree in 1990 from College of St. Francis in Joliet, and her Juris Doctor in 1996 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Ms. Gavlin is currently engaged in solo practice in Joliet.