Illinois Supreme Court Amends Rules Pertaining to Credit Card or Debt Buyer Collection Actions

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

The Illinois Supreme Court has amended Rules 280.1 and 280.2, which now include a definition of the word “payment” for credit card or debt buyer collection actions.

The Court also updated the corresponding sample form. The changes go into effect immediately.

Nominating Petitions Now Being Accepted for Upcoming ISBA Election

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

Nominating petitions are now being accepted online for the upcoming ISBA election.

In the spring, members of the ISBA will elect a third vice president (outside Cook County) and one seat each for the following Board of Governors seats: Area 1 (Circuit 18), Area 6 (Circuits 7, 8, and 9), and Area 8 (Circuits 3 and 20). There is also one Board of Governors seat in Cook County. There are 26 open seats for Cook County Assembly.

CLE: TEAM TALK—How to Build Strong Working Relationships and Better Communication Skills

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

Join us from noon until 1 p.m. on Friday, November 13 to learn how to communicate better with clients, employees, and law firm colleagues with this in-depth discussion that explores different ways to build strong working relationships. Discover how to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable saying what they’re really thinking, how to build collaborative teams that are motivated to produce the highest quality work, how to promote flexible thinking, how to develop trust in a credible way, and much more.

Home Is Where the Office Is

Posted on November 2, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

In its lead November feature article, the Illinois Bar Journal profiles several attorneys who decided to ditch the office years ago or were forced to because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While some attorneys say working at home is a mixed bag, others have embraced their new home offices and vow never to commute again. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of U.S. workers to perform their jobs at home. (At one point during the pandemic, more than 60 percent of the U.S. labor market was working remotely; by midsummer, the percentage had dipped to about 42 percent, which is still significantly higher than pre-COVID-19 levels). While working at home isn’t new, including for attorneys, the pandemic has nudged many more toward the work-at-home lifestyle.

Illinois Supreme Court Announces Expansion of Volunteer Pro Bono Program to Reduce Criminal Appeals Backlog

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

The Illinois Supreme Court announced this week the expansion of the Volunteer Pro Bono Program for Criminal Appeals (Program) to include the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Appellate Districts beginning on December 1, 2020.

Illinois Supreme Court Issues Pandemic-Related Orders for Remote Jury Trials and Protective Orders

Posted on October 27, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today two orders which were proposals from the Illinois Judicial Conference’s Court Operations During COVID-19 Task Force (Task Force).

The Orders are available on the Court website by clicking here.