Yes, it can be challenging for smaller law firms and solo attorneys lacking a tech staff to keep on top of the latest in everything from videoconferencing, to social media, to running a practice virtually. But lawyers don’t need a lot of technological expertise to expand their digital toolkits. The cover article in September’s Illinois Bar Journal discusses how practitioners and smaller law firms can better serve clients by staying abreast of the latest technology. Technology is one of the themes of the ISBA’s annual Solo & Small Firm Conference (SSFC) on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 and the IBJ interviewed several of the conference’s presenters for this article.

Royal Oak, Mich.-based Howard & Howard is proud to congratulate Tiffany L. Carpenter on her selection to the 22nd annual edition of 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch. Since 2000, 40 Under Forty has recognized more than 700 attorneys for their accomplishments and giving back to the community through civic or pro bono efforts. This year, over 1,000 nominations were received. Nominees are recommended by their peers and chosen for the honor by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer selection committee.

Discover the issues that have arisen in telehealth and the use of genetic information with this informative online program.

The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) has announced that Allison L. Wood, Principal of Legal Ethics Consulting, P.C., in Chicago, has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

Justice Mary Jane Theis of the Supreme Court of Illinois has begun an application process for an additional At-Large Cook County Circuit Court judicial vacancy.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today an amendment to Order M.R. 30370 which extends the temporary stay on certain residential eviction trials and dispositive motions to September 18. The previous order was set to end on September 1.

Amended Order M.R. 30370 is available on the Court website.

The Illinois Supreme Court has named Judge Cara LeFevour Smith as the Director and Wendy Venvertloh as Deputy Director to lead the new operational structure for statewide pretrial services in adult criminal proceedings. The Court announced the new operational structure under the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) in a press release on Aug. 20.  

Join us for this three-part series in which we explore the nuts and bolts of the newly enacted Electronic Wills and Remote Witnesses Act.

The Illinois Supreme Court has hired Scott Block to serve as the state’s first Statewide Behavioral Health Administrator. Block will serve as the Illinois Judicial Branch’s dedicated mental health voice and resource, committed to furthering local, state, and national behavioral health and justice initiatives that affect the courts. In this capacity, he will act as the project director of the Illinois Supreme Court Mental Health Task Force and provide professional guidance on the Illinois Courts’ response to behavioral health issues that intersect with the justice system.

The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of a full-time United States magistrate judge for the Central District of Illinois at Springfield.  The annual salary is $201,112.  The eight-year term begins on March 23, 2022.  A court’s essential function is to dispense justice.  A community’s belief that a court dispenses justice is heightened when the court reflects the community’s racial, ethnic, and gender diversity.