Now that media cameras may be appearing in certain courtrooms at 26th and California under the new Extended Media Coverage pilot program, attorneys will want to attend the informational presentation, “Courtroom Cameras Pilot Program – Guidelines for Participants.”The presentation is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2015, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Jury Assembly Room of the Leighton Criminal Court Administration Building, 2650 S. California Ave., 3rd floor and is hosted by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans and Presiding Judge Paul P. Biebel, Jr.The February 5 event will discuss the nuts and bolts of the court’s EMC Pilot Program which permits the use of media cameras and audio recording devices in Criminal Division courtrooms at Leighton an experimental, case by case basis. Included among the topics that attorneys will learn about are who may object to EMC, which types of proceedings are prohibited and who the participants are.The presenter for “Courtroom Cameras Pilot Program – Guidelines for Participants” is Stephen Brandt, Acting Director of Legal Research for the Office of the Chief Judge. The presentation is open to all attorneys practicing in the Criminal Division courtrooms at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.To reserve a seat, please call or email Rose Mary Marasso at (312) 603-6553 and rosemary.marasso@cookcountyil.gov. For information on the courtroom cameras pilot program, go to www.cookcountycourt.org, select “Media” then “Extended Media Coverage.”

The Standing Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity has established an award for community leadership to recognize individuals who have, by example and education, worked to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The award also recognizes individuals who have worked toward fostering an understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and the legal issues of concern to them.

Hoping to expand your practice to representing home sellers and buyers? Former ISBA YLD Chair Heather Fritsch recommends taking 10 steps before you meet your first client. They are 1) create office procedures, 2) read and understand the Multi-Board Residential Real Estate Contract 6.0, 3) start a relationship with a title company, 4) become familiar with professional inspections, 5) understand the lending process, 6) know how to read a survey and 7) title commitment, 8) know how to prepare a deed, 9) know what to expect at closing, and 10) make friends with an experienced real estate attorney.For more tips, read her article in the February Illinois Bar Journal and her book, Basic Residential Real Estate: From Contract to Closing.

Networking and Social Event sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association's Young Lawyers DivisionJoin your peers for an evening of socializing and wine tasting! When: Friday, February 27, 2015 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.Where: ISBA Chicago Office - 20 S. Clark Street, Suite 900Cost: $30 in advance through Monday, February 23, 2015 $40 at the door the night of the eventRegister at www.isba.org/sections/yld/winetasting