Every year, the Illinois State Bar Association presents awards to recognize individuals and law firms for their commitment and service to the profession, their communities, and the association. Award recipients are selected through a nomination process, and members are encouraged to nominate persons who meet the criteria for each award. Please submit the online nomination form, available following the links below, for the following awards no later than March 5, 2021.

Podcasting has become serious business—and a serious means for marketing a business and developing credibility. Yet, some of the best podcasts available are produced by people who aren’t doing it for the money. Podcasting lawyers find themselves on both ends of the spectrum, including ISBA members who have dipped their toes into the still-growing medium. In its December 2020 issue, the Illinois Bar Journal asks ISBA members who podcast why they do it and what they’ve learned. The article, “Speaking Into the Mic,” also includes advice for blogging—another creative outlet that’s as popular as ever.

In an effort to safeguard a company’s intellectual property, employees are oftentimes required to sign non-competition and non-solicitation provisions in their employment agreements or in separate agreements limited to certain types of restrictive covenants. Don’t miss this three-part online series that gives you the information you need to advise your clients on restrictive covenants and trade secrets.

The Illinois State Bar Association’s Board of Governors approved a Professional Conduct Advisory Opinion on October 23 during its regularly scheduled Board meeting.

The opinion addresses how a non-Illinois licensed lawyer can work at an Illinois law firm while applying for admission to the Illinois bar.

Congratulations to Brian Flynn for winning a Visa gift card in the ISBA's recent Twitter contest!

We asked members to tell us in 280 characters or less what ISBA member benefits they find most useful. 

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois is seeking experienced, highly qualified attorneys for litigation and trial advocacy, with the intellect and proven ability to handle federal criminal prosecutions as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in their Criminal Division in the Fairview Heights Office.

Chief Justice Anne M. Burke and the Illinois Mental Health Task Force will host a special screening of the newly released documentary The Definition of Insanity as well as a Family Panel discussion on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, from 3-5 p.m. 

The ISBA offices will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27. The offices will resume normal business hours on Monday, November 30.

On behalf of everyone at the ISBA, we wish you a happy, fun, and safe long weekend. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the amendment of Rule 21, which grants chief circuit judges the administrative authority to direct judges into a voluntary program to address certain types of judicial conduct.

The Committee Comments to the Rule were also updated. All changes are effective January 1, 2021.

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced that Thirteenth Circuit Judge Eugene P. Daugherity has been assigned as an Appellate Court Justice in the Third District.

Judge Daugherity was assigned to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Justice Robert E. Carter to the Supreme Court of Illinois effective December 8, 2020. The assignment of Judge Daugherity takes effect on December 8, 2020 and will remain in effect until December 5, 2022.