Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions in the civil cases Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., v. Heritage Bank of Central Illinois and In re A.A. and the criminal cases People v. Wiliams, People v. Guzman and People v. Castleberry. CIVILChristopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd v. Heritage Bank of Central IllinoisBy Karen Kies DeGrand, Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smith LLC
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November 19, 2015 |
Practice News
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November 19, 2015 |
Practice News
Limited scope representation, a legal arrangement blessed by the Illinois Supreme Court for transactional work in 2010 and for litigation in 2013, provides attorneys the ability to represent clients for only part of a matter. Limited scope gives clients help with just what they need, at a more affordable price, and potentially brings pieces of business to attorneys that would not otherwise have arrived at their doorstep.So how have attorneys in Illinois put limited scope to work, and what are the potential advantages and drawbacks? Michael Brennan, a Grayslake-based sole practitioner who bills himself as The Virtual Attorney (see the October IBJ for more), sees an opportunity for lawyers to develop a completely different type of product."It offers new ways to do things and new ways to structure a practice," he says. Partly due to services like LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer, "The consumer base is becoming knowledgeable before they even approach an attorney," he adds. "They're coming in with a rough draft [of a document]."Embracing that new reality is key for attorneys in 2015. Realizing it's there is the first step to realizing that the way to stay ahead in the marketplace is to embrace what these folks are doing, saying, 'Great, I'm happy you're coming in with your contract. Let me figure out the pros and cons [of the client's own work to date].'" Find out more in the December Illinois Bar Journal.
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November 19, 2015 |
CLE | Practice News
The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday announced changes to a rule that will require attorneys to go online to report their compliance with Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements. Under Amended Supreme Court Rule 796, the agency that oversees the Court's MCLE program will also be able to send notices electronically. The amended rule takes effect February 1, 2016. The changes mark the latest example of the Court's ongoing efforts to utilize technology to make the judicial process and legal profession more efficient.
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November 18, 2015 |
Member Services
Start your holiday shopping early with Lenovo in November! You won't even need to leave the comfort of your home for these great deals! Your ISBA member benefits program brings low prices on technology that adapts to you. Take advantage of INSTANT SAVINGS up to 41% off select systems, plus get FREE shipping on all web orders.
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November 18, 2015 |
Practice News
The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Frederick H. Bates as a Circuit Judge of Cook County, At Large. This vacancy was created by the retirement of the Hon. Marilyn F. Johnson. It is effective Dec. 14, 2015 and terminates on Dec. 5, 2016.
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November 18, 2015 |
Practice News
Asked and AnsweredBy John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMCQ. I am the partner in charge of finance at our 12 attorney litigation boutique firm located in downtown Chicago. For the past two years our profits have been down and we are considering raising our rates but we are concerned that we may lose some of our corporate clients. We welcome your thoughts.
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November 18, 2015 |
Practice News
Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Donna R. Honzel as an associate judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit.Ms. Honzel received her undergraduate degree in 1988 from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg and her Juris Doctor in 1991 from the University of Illinois. Ms. Honzel is currently affiliated with Mateer Goff & Honzel LLP in Rockford.
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November 17, 2015 |
Practice News
The Supreme Court of Illinois announced the filing of lawyer disciplinary orders on November 17, 2015, during the November Term of Court. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law.
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November 17, 2015 |
Member Services
Reliable, cost effective communication is critical to the success of any business, large or small. In a world of increasing travel hassles and expense, more businesses are turning to audio and web conferencing technology to save their employees time while reducing travel expenses. Through the ISBA InterCall Program members will save up to 60% on per-minute audio conferencing and web conferencing.
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November 17, 2015 |
Events
Please join us at the 18th Annual ISBA YLD Holiday Party. Not only will there be warm appetizers, an open bar, dancing, and an opportunity to meet young lawyers from across the state, the event benefits a great cause: the Children’s Assistance Fund. Initially created to assist with the opening of children's waiting rooms in courthouses across the State of Illinois, the IBF/YLD Children's Assistance Fund has since grown, and now provides funding to organizations across the State of Illinois that provide legal assistance to children, maintain children's waiting rooms in courthouses, work to reduce recidivism of juveniles, and/or work to reduce the incidents of domestic violence in families with children. The YLD has distributed nearly $300,000 in grants through the Children's Assistance Fund over the past sixteen years, due, in large part, to the widespread support and participation in our annual Holiday Party. We hope that you will help us continue this worthy tradition by joining us in person or, if you cannot attend, by contributing to the cause. WHEN: Friday, December 4, 2015, 7:00pm-11:00pm WHERE: Duffy's Tavern and Grille, 420½ W. Diversey, Chicago WHAT: Open Bar, Warm Appetizers, and Dancing!! COST: $40.00 per person for tickets purchased at the door the evening of the event. The deadline for online registration was Sunday, November 22.