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.

The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of November 2019 there were more than 600 referrals given.

Here are the results for November 2019:

The 2019 Joint Midyear Meeting was held Dec. 5-7, 2019, at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont. Attendees celebrated the profession, discussed issues of mutual interest to the bench and bar, attended business meetings, earned CLE credit, and expanded their social and professional networks at receptions and dinners.  

Join us from 1 until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, for a webcast that details the information you need regarding criminal history background checks for school personnel.

Education law attorneys, labor and employment lawyers, and criminal justice practitioners with all levels of practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand the law, the process, and the practical considerations of conducting background checks; who conducts the background check; who is subject to the requirements; the confidentiality issues to be aware of; and the convictions that would disqualify persons for employment in education.

Are the thousands of residents leaving Illinois extricating themselves correctly from their former home state? Have they properly moved their trusts to avoid Illinois taxation? In his December Illinois Bar Journal article, “When Is a Person or Trust an Illinois Resident?,” Richard Sugar examines these questions in the context of Illinois estate and income taxes and considers a few special situations impacted by Illinois law. He also takes a look at the present state-level tax environment in light of recent U.S. Supreme Court pronouncements pertaining to states’ ability to tax their subjects.