The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) is warning members about a phishing scam involving fraudulent emails that appear to come from Secretary Emily N. Masalski.
The scam email, which has been reported by multiple members, is designed to look like an official communication from the ISBA. It uses a deceptive email address — emily.masalski2@ isba.org.virrumail.com — that is not affiliated with the ISBA.
Consistent with the ISBA Election Policy and Procedures, below is the formal process for those interested in filling vacant seats in the Assembly for a three-year term beginning June 5, 2025. The procedure is as follows:
1. Identify Vacancy. Please refer to the list of vacancies shown by judicial circuit that is provided at the end of this notice.
Found a good deal on a Windows laptop? Better look inside first and see which processing chip is running the thing. In the Illinois Bar Journal’s June Pointers From Practice HQ column, Jeffrey R. Schoenberger describes the crucial differences between Intel chips and Qualcomm’s ARM processors. “For users who want a laptop that sleeps and wakes instantly, runs cool to the touch, often features cellular connectivity, and has indisputably the longest battery life in a Windows laptop, ARM-based machines should be your go-to option,” Schoenberger advises.
Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court announced today amendments to the Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Remote Court Appearances in Civil Proceedings (Policy) which are intended to give courts and justice partners concrete tools to enhance and improve their existing remote court practices.
“The ability to attend court remotely helps increase access to justice in both urban and rural areas,” Chief Justice Theis said. “These amendments will help Illinois’ courts continue to improve the remote court experience.”
The ISBA offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19, in alignment with the Illinois State Courts Holiday Schedule, for the observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Regular business hours will resume on Friday, June 20.
Mediation is designed to resolve differences both in and out of the courts, and requires a very different mindset than courtroom litigation. Join us for this Master Series program that focuses solely on family and divorce cases and trains practitioners to resolve these type of conflicts in a non-adversarial, non-confrontational manner. The program is offered via the Internet over the course of 13 weeks.
At the end of his first year as an associate, Jeffrey L. Grinde Jr. reflected on his “many ups, many downs, and a lot of in-betweens.” His experiences inspired him to “find various ways to learn from other people’s successes and failures,” which he pursued through reading books by authors who have things to say about “writing, thinking, and living well.” In the June Illinois Bar Journal, Grinde recommends some of his favorite books about living a successful life in his article, “Too Many Books, Too Little Time.”
Justice Joy V. Cunningham and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Ginger Leigh Odom as a Judge in the First Subcircuit of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Ms. Odom is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the election of Justice Carl A. Walker to the First District Appellate Court. Ms. Odom’s appointment is effective June 23, 2025, and will conclude on December 7, 2026.
Justice Lisa Holder White and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Associate Judge Richard A. Zimmer as a Resident Circuit Judge for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Rock Island County.
Judge Zimmer is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Linnea E. Thompson on June 30, 2025. Judge Zimmer’s appointment is effective July 1, 2025, and will conclude on December 7, 2026.
Leading appellate attorneys review the two Illinois Supreme Court opinions handed down Thursday, June 5.