In June, three New Jersey Supreme Court committees jointly barred the state's lawyers from using Avvo's client-linking service. State regulators found that the "marketing fee" taken by Avvo from the payment consumers make to lawyers for flat-fee services via its referral system is improper fee-splitting with nonlawyers and an unethical lawyer-referral payment (Avvo argues that it does not violate ethical rules (http://bit.ly/2i2xgsK)). New Jersey regulators also found that LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer operate legal service plans that were not registered with the State of New Jersey. (Both entities have since registered.) What does this opinion mean for Illinois attorneys? As a preliminary matter, not very much. New Jersey regulates its attorneys, just like Illinois regulates its own, says Tim Moran, the chair of the ISBA's Standing Committee on the Future of Legal Services and immediate past chair of the ISBA Unauthorized Practice of Law Task Force. The New Jersey rulings don't have any effect on Illinois attorneys. However, the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct also prohibit fee-sharing with nonlawyers. And ISBA General Counsel Charles Northrup notes that ethics opinions in South Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have also found the Avvo marketing fee to constitute improper fee-sharing and referral fees. Find out more in the September Illinois Bar Journal.

ISBA hosted a two-day CLE program designed to help attorneys who represent children from September 7-8 at the Chicago Regional Office. Back by popular demand, the Guardian ad Litem, Child Representative, and Attorney for Minor Child Training covered the role, scope and limitations of representation; the conflicts that will limit the role of the appointment; child development issues, including mental health, milestones, attachment, and parental separation; and much more. The program wound down on Friday evening with a networking reception for attendees to network and mingle. 

Robert F. Harris has been appointed a Cook County Circuit Judge in the 5th Subcircuit by Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court.  Mr. Harris was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Edward Washington. The appointment takes effect September 21, 2017, and will conclude on December 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election. "I'm deeply honored to be chosen from a field of accomplished and talented people to be selected as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County," Harris said. "I look forward to this new path as a servant to the public and I will work hard to become an exemplary member of the judiciary."

Charles S. Beach was appointed as a Cook County Circuit Judge in the 6th Subcircuit by Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court. Mr. Beach was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Hon. Richard C. Cooke. The appointment takes effect Sept. 15, 2017 and will conclude on Dec. 3, 2018, when the position is filled by the November 2018 General Election.