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  • November 20, 2013 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Expanding law firm into new markets

    Asked and Answered

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. Our firm is an estate planning firm in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. We are a three attorney firm. We are a very "marketing orientated" practice and invest a lot of money and time into marketing and advertising. Still we are not getting the volume of work we need to reach our financial goals and targets. Most of our work is coming from our local city and a surrounding city or two. We are beginning to think that - for the most part - we now have all the work we can get from these communities and we need to expand and establish a presence (offices) in other target cities. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

  • November 19, 2013 | Practice News | ISBA News
    Consult ISBA Disaster Legal Services Manual in wake of Illinois storms

    The ISBA Disaster Legal Services Manual is a great resource for Illinoisans and Illinois Lawyers in the wake of major storms like the one on Sunday. The ISBA hopes this manual can help out those Illinoisans in need.

    Here are the main topics covered: Public Benefits in Illinois, Housing Issues, Consumer Protection Issues, Social Security and Banking Issues, Personal Finance and Bankruptcy Issues, Replacing Lost Documents, Employer/Employee Issues, Wills and Estates, Disaster Preparedness Checklist, Resource and Referral Guide, Local Resources.

    The full manual is available at www.illinoislawyerfinder.com/sites/default/files/pamphlets/booklets/DisasterLegalServicesManual.pdf

  • November 18, 2013 | Practice News | People
    Thomas P. Sullivan receives George N. Leighton Justice Award

    The Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission honored Thomas P. Sullivan, a partner at the Chicago firm of Jenner & Block, as the 2013 recipient of the George N. Leighton Justice Award on Monday.

    The award is given by the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission to honor Retired U.S. District Court Judge George N. Leighton. The award recognizes one who has given exceptional service to the legal community and exhibits the qualities that personified Judge Leighton's character, service and legal career.

    "The George N. Leighton Justice Award is given to Thomas Sullivan in recognition of his distinguished service to the legal community in Illinois for more than 50 years," Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman said. "We congratulate him on receiving this most deserving award."

  • November 18, 2013 | Practice News
    Illinois Labor Relations Board seeking attorneys to serve as appointed counsel

    The Illinois Labor Relations Board is seeking attorneys interested in being appointed of Counsel for persons of limited means. When charging parties are unable to pay for adequate representation, the Board may appoint counsel to represent them in proceedings before the Board. Hearings are typically held in Springfield or Chicago. The Board maintains a list of attorneys from which a party may select a representative.

    By rule, appointed counsel is compensated at the rate of $75 per hour plus costs, subject to a $5,000 maximum (which can be increased by Board order).

    If you would like to be considered for appointment or if you have questions, please contact Deputy General Counsel Sarah Kerley at Sarah.R.Kerley@illinois.gov or (217) 785-4004.

    The two requirements for the position are:

    • Be licensed in Illinois
    • Have experience in contested proceedings
  • November 15, 2013 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court opinion sets new standard for marital privilege

    Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Friday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions in the civil case In re Karavidas and the criminal case People v. Trzeciak.

    CRIMINAL

    People v. Trzeciak

    By Kerry J. Bryson, Office of the State Appellate Defender

  • November 14, 2013 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court statement on Cook County justice stakeholders meeting

    The Illinois Supreme Court is appreciative of the attendance today of key stakeholders of Cook County and the Cook County justice system for substantive discussions on how we might all work together to enhance the administration of justice.

    The Court also is grateful for the presence of Chief Judge Eric T. Washington of the Washington, D.C. Court of Appeals, and Tim Murray, executive director of the Pretrial Justice Institute, for helping to facilitate this morning's discussion. Finally, the Court thanks Retired Illinois Chief Justice Ben K. Miller and Retired U.S. District Court Judge David H. Coar for their attendance and for their willingness to ensure that all of us move forward toward a common goal.

  • November 13, 2013 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Motivating senior partners to embrace retirement

    Asked and Answered

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am the managing partner of a 12-lawyer firm in Rochester, Minnesota. I am in my early 50s. Two of my partners are in their 60s and two are in their 70s. None of them want to discuss retirement - in fact they jokingly state that they would like to work forever. Do you have any thoughts regarding encouraging/motivating senior partners to embrace retirement?

  • November 6, 2013 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Key metrics and dashboards for personal injury firms

    Asked and Answered

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am the managing partner of a six attorney personal injury plaintiff firm in San Diego. We are a high volume/small case firm that depends heavily on advertising. We have 1,200 open files and are currently are spending 17% of our revenue on advertising. While our case management system provides us with numerous reports - what are key reports that we should be using?

  • November 5, 2013 | Practice News | ISBA News
    Mentors needed for Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program

    Use your experience and wisdom to provide professional guidance and share practical knowledge with new lawyers during their critical transition from law student to legal practitioner. Simply meet with your mentee a minimum of eight times throughout the year to complete the structured curriculum that will be provided at orientation. Mentors are eligible for up to 12 hours of free CLE credit upon completion of the mentoring program.

    Applications Due: December 19, 2013
    Mandatory Orientation: January 29, 2014

    For more information and to apply as either a Mentor or a Mentee, please visit:
    http://www.isba.org/mentoring

  • November 5, 2013 | Practice News
    Spotlight on pro bono: Pro bono services for veterans

    By Judge Barb Crowder, Secretary, ISBA Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services

    Adding a veterans subcommittee to the existing efforts of the Third Judicial Circuit’s Pro Bono Committee has allowed the committee to expand and target services specifically for the many veterans in the metro-east living in Madison and Bond County. The superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission has been a member of the Third Circuit Pro Bono Committee since its inception and concerns over the many homeless and needy veterans have been part of the committee’s focus. The veterans subcommittee is working on information packets for veterans and for attorneys to highlight needs and services. The purpose of this article is to highlight the expansion of pro bono efforts and to encourage other programs to consider outreach for veterans.