The Illinois Supreme Court today announced the approval of a new Remote Access Policy (RAP) to take effect on Jan. 1, 2020. The RAP, which includes an implementation plan for expanding remote access to court information and documents, will initially be released to a subset of Illinois licensed attorneys selected by the Illinois State Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Technology for a trial period using the statewide re:SearchIL portal for court records.

The RAP, which was developed by the e-Business Policy Advisory Board in conjunction with the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, supersedes the previous Electronic Access Policy for Circuit Court Records of the Illinois Courts. The Administrative Director of the Illinois Courts has authority to amend the RAP as is necessary and appropriate.

Every few years, the Illinois State Bar Association organizes an admission ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court. This year's ceremony will take place June 14-15, 2020, in Washington, D.C.

Only 50 spots will be available. A special group hotel room rate will be available at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel for admittees, their families, and guests.

To be eligible, you must be an active lawyer member of the ISBA, admitted to practice more than 3 years, and not have any adverse disciplinary action pronounced or in effect during that 3-year period.

Antonio M. Romanucci has been appointed chairperson of the Rules Committee for the State of Illinois Supreme Court.

His term begins Jan. 1, 2020 and ends Dec. 31, 2020.  In this role, he will lead the committee’s work to study and recommend new rules and modify existing rules for the State of Illinois Supreme Court. 

The ISBA Springfield and Chicago offices will be closed for the holidays from Tuesday, Dec. 24 to Wednesday, Jan. 1. During this time, members can expect the following:

• E-Clips will not be delivered for the duration of this period.
• Illinois Lawyer Now will not be delivered on Thursday, Dec. 26.

All business and e-newsletter distribution will resume as usual on Jan. 2, 2020.

Joe Schomberg, an associate at the Chicago office of Sidley Austin LLP, is winner of first place and $2,000 in the ISBA’s 2020 Lincoln Award Legal Writing Contest. His article, “Major Buzzkill: The Relationship (or Lack Thereof) Between State Legalized Cannabis and the Bankruptcy Code,” will appear in the February issue of the Illinois Bar Journal.

In 2016, the Illinois Supreme Court held that unconstitutionally obtained gun convictions could be used for charging and enhancement purposes unless the defendant vacated the conviction. Two years later, the court admitted it got it wrong. A rule articulated in a criminal case rippled out into a termination-of-parental rights proceeding and culminated in a call to arms. In his December 2019 Illinois Bar Journal article, “The Illinois Supreme Court’s About Face in In re N.G.,” Benjamin Lawson shows how In re N.G. challenges us as practitioners to recognize when a client’s conviction is unconstitutionally obtained and to do something about it.

Join us from 1 until 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, for a webcast that details the confidentiality concerns that can arise throughout a litigation case involving a client with mental health issues.

Attorneys with all levels of practice experience who attend this online seminar will better understand: what qualifies as a valid mental health release of information; who can properly obtain mental health records and how; how to maintain the confidentiality of your client; how to issue subpoenas for mental health records and/or seek the testimony of a mental health provider; and when a mental health provider can make a voluntary disclosure of mental health information.

The U.S. Attorney's Office Northern District of Illinois is accepting applications for an assistant United States attorney opening in its Civil Division, Financial Litigation Unit. 

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

Preferred qualifications include excellent academics, significant litigation, bankruptcy, and collections experience, strong legal writing skills, and commitment to public service.

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to low-income individuals in central and southern Illinois, is seeking a managing attorney at the Northern Regional Office in Springfield.

The position includes managing the day-to-day operation of a regional office serving a multi-county region, including its staff, private bar programs, and multiple grants. It also includes supervising staff to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the office and the delivery of professional and high quality legal services.