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Amended Illinois Supreme Court Rule Requires Additional Phrase for All Civil Summons

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Rhys Saunders

A recently-amended Illinois Supreme Court Rule requires the following language to be added to all civil summons:

“E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/service-providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/gethelp.asp or talk with your local circuit clerk's office.”

The language, "or talk with your local circuit clerk's office" was added to the Rule on July 19. The amended Rule takes effect immediately. 

Best Practice Tips: Law Firm Structure and Elevating Associates to Partnership

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Rhys Saunders

Asked and Answered 

By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

Q. I started my firm as a solo practitioner nine years ago in New Orleans. My practice focuses on maritime defense litigation. Over the years I have added associates and currently I have six associates working for me. I am overwhelmed with work – from the legal work that I am doing in addition to business development and firm administration. My thought is that I should consider restructuring the firm by making some of my associates partners so I can offload and share some of the administrative responsibilities. I would like your thoughts. What are other firms in my situation doing?

Illinois Bar Foundation Distributes ‘Access to Justice' Grants to 33 Illinois Legal Aid Non-Profits

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Rhys Saunders

The Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) has announced the recipients of its “Access to Justice” grants, which will be distributed to nonprofit legal aid organizations statewide.

The 2018 Illinois Bar Foundation grant recipients are as follows:

Pinckneyville Police Officer Receives Law Enforcement Award from Illinois State Bar Association

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Rhys Saunders

Pinckneyville Police Officer James Holder received a Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on July 17 during a Pinckneyville Police Pension Board meeting. ISBA 2nd Vice President Dennis Orsey presented the award.

The Law Enforcement Award recognizes sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. 

NIU Law Students to Represent Prisoners in Federal Court This Fall

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Rhys Saunders

Northern Illinois University law students will soon have another opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience when they represent prisoners in federal court this fall.

The NIU College of Law and the P. Michael Mahoney (Rockford) Chapter of the Federal Bar Association recently announced their partnership and launch of the Prisoners’ Rights Program.

Is It Time to Define ‘Beyond a Reasonable Doubt’?

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Rhys Saunders

Illinois is one of only 10 states that do not define "reasonable doubt" for juries.

Illinois courts have a well-established precedent to refrain from defining for juries what "beyond a reasonable doubt" means. The principle also is baked into the Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions-Criminal, which informs trial courts to not provide a definition instruction, stating: "reasonable doubt is a term which needs no elaboration and we have so frequently discussed the futility of attempting to define it that we might expect the practice to be discontinued." 

Richard Zuckerman Installed as President of the Peoria County Bar Association

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Rhys Saunders

Richard Zuckerman, a former member of the ISBA Board of Governors and a long-standing, active member of the ISBA Family Law Section, was installed as president of the Peoria County Bar Association on July 9, 2018. Pictured at the ceremony are ISBA 3rd Vice President Anna Krolikowska, Mr. Zuckerman, Peoria County Bar Association Immediate Past President Michele Miller, ISBA 2nd Vice President Dennis Orsey, ISBA President Elect David Sosin, and ISBA President James McCluskey.

Administrative United States Penitentiary Seeks Senior CLC Attorney

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Rhys Saunders

The legal practice at the Administrative United States Penitentiary, located in Thomson, Ill., is seeking a senior Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) attorney. 

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least one year post-J.D. legal experience. 

Prior experience in correctional law is desired though not required. 

U.S. Attorney's Office Seeks Assistant U.S. Attorney

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Rhys Saunders

The U.S. Attorney's Office Central District of Illinois is accepting applications for an assistant United States attorney opening in its Criminal Division.

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least one year post-J.D. legal experience. U.S. citizenship is required.

Admission to the Illinois bar is not required but is preferred. Criminal prosecution experience is preferred.

CLE: Fred Lane's ISBA Trial Technique Institute

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Rhys Saunders

Improve your trial skills in this “learn-by-doing” program that covers all phases of trial work from both a plaintiff/prosecutor and defendant’s viewpoint in both civil and criminal cases. Through this course, you will learn and practice new trial techniques that are most effective and consistent with the Illinois Rules of Evidence and the Federal Rules of Evidence. Each session is audio-video taped so you can see and hear the improvements in your voice, manner, and trial technique. The course has been proven to be of value whether your practice includes trying jury and non-jury cases, administrative hearings, arbitrations, or even mediations. The course is taught and coordinated by Scott Lane and Fred Lane. Please note: As he did last semester, Scott Lane will continue in his role as the primary instructor during the fall semester.    

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