A Man for This Season

Posted on July 6, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

From humble beginnings as a child working in his parents’ grocery store in southern Illinois to his well-earned reputation as the region’s preeminent pension law attorney, Dennis Orsey will bring a wealth of experience to his term as the 144th president of the Illinois State Bar Association. Orsey assumes his role as president during historic turmoil resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn it has created.  “There are going to be lots of firsts as we try to move forward and find our way through this maze,” Orsey says. To learn more about Orsey and his vision for the ISBA, read his featured profile in the Illinois Bar Journal’s July issue.

Supreme Court Temporarily Amends Rule to Allow New Law School Graduates to Work at Private Firms

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

Chief Justice Anne M. Burke and the Illinois Supreme Court announced today the amendment of Rule 711(g), which will temporarily expand the class of employers eligible to supervise new law school graduates to include private law firms and other for-profit entities.

The Illinois Supreme Court order temporarily amending Rule 711 to add paragraph (g) can be found here and the Application for Authorization to Perform Legal Services under Illinois Supreme Court Rules 711(g) is available here.  

Illinois Judicial Conference Announces Creation of Task Force for COVID-19 Crisis

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

The Illinois Judicial Conference (IJC) is pleased to announce the creation of a task force to address the ongoing challenges with resuming court operations through the next phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Court Operations During COVID-19 Task Force (Task Force) is charged with analyzing and making recommendations regarding the continuing challenges for the administration of justice resultant from the pandemic.  

Attorneys With June 30 MCLE Compliance Deadline May Choose a Three-Month Extension

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

Attorneys with a June 30, 2020 MCLE compliance deadline are allowed to choose a three-month extension at no cost if they select that option by July 31, 2020.

To do so, Illinois attorneys must report “Not Yet Complied” on the MCLE Board’s website by July 31, 2020.

Illinois ARDC Statement on Racism

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

The following is a statement from the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission:

The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has a unique and significant responsibility for assuring that the legal system achieves its goal of equal justice for all citizens. Given the ARDC’s role and responsibility in the legal system, it is important for us to reinforce our commitment to addressing injustice by actively combatting the evils of racism and social inequity. These times of racial and civil unrest have caused us to think deeply and differently about how we may more effectively meet our obligation to combat racism and support justice for all, which we publicly share with hope and commitment.  

Making Websites “Visible” to All

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

In October 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to grant certiorari to a case out of the Ninth Circuit, where the appellate court ruled that the Americans With Disabilities Act’s definition of “places of public accommodation” includes websites. In the Pointers From Practice HQ column in June’s Illinois Bar Journal, Affinity Consulting Group’s Jeff Schoenberger provides practical, easy-to-adopt tips for making your website more ADA compliant, even though federal guidance on the matter is far from clear.

Illinois Judges Association Statement on Racial Justice

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

The following is a statement from the Illinois Judges Association:

Recent unrest and protests across the nation resulting from the mistreatment of African Americans serve as stark reminders that racial injustice, inequity and discrimination endure throughout our society.

The Illinois Judges Association stands firmly against racism, oppression and hate. The court system not only plays a vital role in ensuring justice and upholding the law, but it is essential in guaranteeing the civil and constitutional rights of all people, regardless of color.