The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of August 2011 ISBA helped people in need of legal services find lawyers in the following areas:Administrative Law - 16Animal Law - 1Bankruptcy - 15Business Law - 14Civil Disputes - 74Civil Rights - 31Collection - 23Consumer Protection - 18Contracts – 11Criminal Law - 64Education Law - 16Elder law - 5Employment Law - 85Estate/Probate Law - 38Family - 154Government Benefits - 14Health Law - 13Immigration - 3Insurance Disputes - 12Intellectual Property - 7Miscellaneous - 1Municipal Law - 16                Personal Injury - 98Real Estate - 55Social Security - 17Tax - 3Workers Compensation - 5These numbers do not include additional referrals made through the online Lawyer Finder service.Want to be part of the ISBA Lawyer Finder Service?  Call (800) 252-8908 and ask for the Legal Department, or visit www.illinoislawyerfinder.comClients should call (800) 922-8757.

The Illinois State Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division will host a Day at the Races on Saturday, Sept. 24. Admission is only $6 and includes admission to the park, a daily racing guide and a fabulous day of thoroughbred racing.Saturday, Sept. 24, noon-5 p.m.Arlington Park Racecourse, Arlington Heights (The ISBA group will be at picnic tables located by the Rail)Deadline to register is Monday, Sept. 19Register at https://www.isba.org/sections/yld/dayattheraces2011reg

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier announced Thursday that an application process has begun for a resident Circuit Court vacancy in Jefferson County, Second Judicial Circuit.The resident Circuit vacancy is being created by the announced resignation of Circuit Judge Terry H. Gamber, effective December 31, 2011.Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill interim judicial vacancies. Justice Karmeier uses a committee to evaluate and interview applicants before making a recommendation to the Court for vacancies in the Fifth Judicial District.Applicants must submit a cover letter with the Requested Information of an Applicant Form to:Justice Lloyd A. KarmeierSupreme Court of IllinoisP.O. Box 266Nashville, IL 62263The form may be obtained from the office of Chief Judge Kyle Vantrease of the Second Judicial Circuit in Benton; or from Jefferson County Circuit Clerk John Scott; or from Resident Circuit Judge Terry H. Gamber at the Jefferson County Courthouse; or from the Jefferson County Bar Association; or from Justice Karmeier.Applicants' cover letter and completed form must be received in Justice Karmeier's office no later than Friday, September 30, 2011. The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until the position is filled through the November 2012 General Election. The appointment will terminate December 3, 2012. To be eligible for appointment, a person must be a resident of Jefferson County at the time of the appointment.

Jackson County Public DefenderPublic Defender: This position will be responsible for operations of the Public Defender's Office. The position will be a part-time position (80% time) with benefits including retirement and health insurance. Salary for the position will be $80,000.00 per year. Applicants must be licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and reside in Jackson County or a county immediately adjacent to Jackson County. Criminal and juvenile practice will be prohibited outside of the contract. The Public Defender is responsible for the staffing and administration of the Office pursuant to 55 ILCS 5/3-4008. In addition to the Public Defender, the office will have two full time attorneys. The office will be responsible for representing persons charged with felonies and traffic violations.