Master the basics of administering a decedent’s probate estate with this full-day seminar in Bloomington on October 23rd! Follow along as respected estate planning practitioners guide you through the estate administration process – from the initial meeting with clients to closing the estate. Trusts and estate professionals with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand: What needs to be discussed during the initial client meeting; how to determine if probate is necessary or appropriate; the appropriate procedures for locating heirs and legatees; how to prepare an Affidavit of Heirship; how to handle claims against the estate; the tax consequences of distributions from the estate; when to use disclaimers and Powers of Appointment; how to create a plan for distribution; how to avoid conflicts of interest; and much more!The program is presented by the ISBA Trusts & Estates Section and qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 0.75 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).Click here for more information and to register.

Asked and AnsweredBy John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMCQ. We are a 8 attorney firm located in downtown Chicago. We have just hired our first administrator/business manager and he starts in two weeks. We are concerned that we get started on the right foot so our experience is successful. Any thoughts?A. Relationship With PartnersOn the first day of employment with the firm, the administrator must begin to develop a relationship with the firm’s partners that is based upon need, understanding, credibility and trust.Governance PlanBusiness management in many law firms suffers from decision-making paralysis — in other words, helpless inactivity and the inability to act decisively. Lack of effective implementation of decisions is also evident. The result: missed opportunities and a deteriorating competitive position in the legal marketplace. Administrators who can be proactive and turn this situation around will be off to a good start to solidifying their positions in their firms.

Make a charitable donation to Chicago Law and Education Foundation (CLEF) and your gift may be doubled.CLEF operates legal clinics in several Chicago Public High Schools and has gained national attention for its endeavors. CLEF has been funded by the Illinois Bar Foundation for several years and it can benefit from the generous support of the legal community.Any new or increased donation to CLEF made on or before Sept. 30 will earn a dollar-for-dollar match from the Illinois Bar Foundation – up to the first $5,000 donated. Help grow and stabilize the funding for one of Chicago’s most unique legal services organizations.Please consider making a donation today and earn a match from the Illinois Bar Foundation. Donate now at www.lawclef.org.

The Illinois Supreme Court will hold a memorial service in honor of the late Justice Moses W. Harrison II. Tributes will be given by Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride; Steve Miller, senior law clerk to Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier; Paula H. Holderman, president of the Illinois State Bar Association; and Leonard Amari from the Justinian Society of Lawyers.WHAT: Memorial Service honoring the late Justice Moses W. Harrison IIWHEN: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 – 1:30 p.m.WHERE: Former Supreme Court Chambers, State Capitol Building, Room 212, SpringfieldJustice Harrison was born in Collinsville and educated in Collinsville public schools. He received his undergraduate degree from Colorado College and his law degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in 1958. After the private practice of law, he was appointed as a circuit judge in 1973 by the Illinois Supreme Court and was elected in 1974 to that position. At the time of his appointment, he was senior partner of the law firm of Harrison, Rarick and Cadagin in Collinsville.In 1979, Justice Harrison was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court in the Fifth Judicial District. He was elected in 1980 to that position and was retained by voters in 1990.Justice Harrison was elected to the Supreme Court in 1992. He served as Chief Justice from January 2000 until his retirement in September 2002.