Justice Lisa Holder White to Become Newest Member of Supreme Court of Illinois

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The Honorable Lisa Holder White will take the oath on Thursday, July 7, as the newest member of the Supreme Court of Illinois, the first Black woman to sit on the state’s high court. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Rita B. Garman, who retires as the longest serving judge in Illinois. 

Committee on Equality Announces Creation of Subcommittees to Further Promote Equality and Trust in the Court System

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The Supreme Court of Illinois Committee on Equality announced today the creation of six subcommittees whose focus will be to concentrate on several precise and specific issues related to bringing equality and facilitating trust in the court system. 

CLE: Lights, Webcam, Action: Zoom for Lawyers

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

Zoom became a verb faster than any recent brand. Probably faster than even Google. Its explosion into the national consciousness for school, work, and personal relationships filled a void that, in its absence, could have been a chasm. As with Google, Zoom has competitors offering similar features. But unlike its competitors, Zoom provides a compelling combination of approachability and power features.

Pretrial Implementation Task Force Hosts First Town Hall Meeting

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

WHAT: The Illinois Supreme Court Pretrial Implementation Task Force (Task Force) will host a series of monthly town hall meetings starting on June 23. These meetings will provide an update on the work of the Task Force as it prepares for the changes coming once the Pretrial Fairness Act (PFA) goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, and will answer related questions. Questions can be submitted ahead of time to pretrialtaskforce@illinoiscourts.gov 

Illinois, Out on Bail

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

In Feb. 22, 2021, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law HB 3653. Among the many provisions contained within HB 3653 (now Public Act 101-0652) is the Pretrial Fairness Act (PFA), a massive overhaul of Illinois’ cash bail system. The PFA makes Illinois the first state to eliminate monetary bail, creating a system in which defendants will be released or detained pending trial based on their risk of nonappearance and/or their perceived dangerousness. If the individual does not fit a certain set of predetermined criteria, they must be released. In his June Illinois Bar Journal article, “Illinois, Out on Bail,” Thomas A. Drysdale compares Illinois’ new law to the federal criminal system, which has operated without cash bail for more than 35 years.

CLE: Techniques To Improve Gender Communication

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

Do you ever feel that your words come across as week, passive, or wishy-washy? Conversely, do your words sound pushy, abrasive, or arrogant? Between these two extremes lies a powerful way of communicating that combines confidence, strength, and authenticity and allows you to stand out. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Andie Kramer and Al Harris, co-authors of two award-winning books that are designed to teach you how to communicate effectively. Learn how to identify and eliminate the words and phrases that decrease your authority and self-assurance – and discover what to say instead.