Take your practice to the pinnacle of success with this full-day seminar on May 31 in Naperville! Topics include: how to convince current and prospective clients that you are the solution to their problem; how to ethically advertise your firm without breaching the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct; how to get the best technology for your firm on a budget; how to access your files and resources when you’re away from the office; the best methods for drafting complex documents; and the ethical issues facing solo or small firm attorneys.

Attorney Glenn Gaffney discusses 10 ways to win an unemployment compensation hearing.

The Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP) has announced that Diana Uchiyama, JD, PsyD, has been named executive director. 

LAP Board President Mary K. O’Brien said: “Dr. Uchiyama was selected from a number of talented candidates because her qualifications as an attorney, psychologist, and program administrator demonstrated to our board that she will be successful in increasing the reach of LAP to every part of Illinois. We are looking forward to working with Dr. Uchiyama in her new role as executive director and offer her our sincere congratulations.” 

Pursuant to the ISBA Election Policy and Procedures, there is a formal process for those interested in filling vacant seats in the Assembly beginning June 13, 2019 for a three-year term. The procedure is as follows:  

Rory T. Weiler has been elected Third Vice-President of the Illinois State Bar Association. Nora Devine, Mark L. Karno, Pamela Menaker, Sarah E. Toney, and E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. won the Cook County seats on the Board of Governors; Tamika R. Walker won the Board of Governors seat for Area 2; Ted Graham, Jr. won the Board of Governors seat for Area 7; and Amanda G. Highlander won the Board of Governors seat for Under Age 37 Outside of Cook County.

All ISBA systems will be down due to a network upgrade beginning Tuesday, May 7 at 5:00 p.m. The interruption is expected to be short (20 minutes), but could last up to two hours. During this time the ISBA website will not be available. As a result you will also not be able to log into Fastcase, online CLE, and ISBA Central. Here is what you need to know and steps you can take to ensure continued service.

Don’t miss this full-day seminar on May 29 in Springfield that helps you navigate your client’s rights through peaceful resolution. Learn how its use is evolving in Illinois, how the Illinois Supreme Court views it, and how court-annexed arbitration programs are working throughout the state. Additional topics include: how the Illinois Supreme Court Rule 310 provides an alternative means of resolving certain civil appeals through their Appellate Settlement Conferences; who governs commercial dispute arbitrations; how to use technology to accomplish alternative dispute resolutions remotely; the judicial perspective on court-annexed mediation, including which cases should be referred to mediation; the ethical considerations of handling alternative dispute resolution cases; and the best practices mediations should use when engaging in a dispute.

New attorneys will be admitted to practice in Illinois on Thursday, May 9, with Illinois Supreme Court justices presiding and administering the attorney's oath to 335 new attorneys across the state. 

All of the candidates set to be sworn in have passed the Illinois State Bar Examination and a required ethics examination and were certified by the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. They will bring the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to approximately 96,300.

The largest group, 245, will be admitted in the First Judicial District during three ceremonies at the James R. Thompson Center Assembly Hall, located at 100 W. Randolph St., in Chicago. The ceremonies will be at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke will preside over the 9 a.m. ceremony, Illinois Supreme Court Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. will preside over the 11:30 a.m. ceremony, and Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis will preside over the 2 p.m. ceremony.  

For Member Appreciation Month, we're giving three lucky members their choice of fitness bundles or $500 VISA gift cards. All you need to do to enter is renew your ISBA membership by May 31, 2019. 

You can renew online or by phone at (800) 252-8908. All major credit cards accepted. Invoices will be mailed this week.