I have had the opportunity to hear Attorney General Janet Reno speak several times in the past years.

As I sit at my computer today facing a blank screen and the knowledge that my President's Page is now past due, I am suddenly conscious of the public focus on our profession these recent days.

Many years ago I organized the statewide celebration of the Bicentennial of the U.S.

As my term as ISBA president comes to a close, I reflect on a year of constant challenge and joy.

Lawyers have a unique heritage as public citizens.

When Illinois re-enacted the death penalty in 1977, the General Assembly and the criminal justice system made a legal and moral commitment to the people of Illinois that, if executions take place in their name, they would be done right.

One of the fundamental tasks of a lawyer is to find the law and communicate that authority to others.

One of the more celebrated accomplishments of the Illinois General Assembly in 1998 was passage of ethics legislation imposing limits on gifts and contributions to state office holders and candidates for those offices.

The Lawyers Assistance Program ("LAP'') has helped hundreds of lawyers over the last two decades. LAP now needs our help.

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I was recently asked to speak for our profession on a particular issue.