Don’t miss the ISBA’s annual Federal Tax Conference on Feb. 1, 2019, in Chicago or via live webcast. The conference features a wealth of information and updates for tax lawyers, business law attorneys, and trusts and estates practitioners. Attorneys with basic practice experience who attend this conference will obtain a better understanding of: the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including changes affecting 2018 tax returns; the updates in corporate tax and partnership tax, including new code Section 199A; the new developments affecting non-profit organizations and tax exempt entities; the cases and rulings influencing estate and gift tax planning; the ethical issues for Illinois tax attorneys; recent tax scams and frauds; and the tax issues that can arise with Bitcoin and virtual currencies.

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the appointments of nine Illinois judges.

The appointments are as follows:

A state’s legal standard for determining fault is a key factor in determining whether to file a motion to apply foreign law or a motion to dismiss under the doctrine of forum non conveniens. In December’s Illinois Bar Journal, Cameron Turner and Sean Phillips examine such choices regarding asbestos cases in Illinois. Illinois is a well-known epicenter of asbestos litigation, having earned a reputation for allowing cases unconnected to the state to proceed through its system. Onlookers and clients, particularly those new to asbestos litigation and unaware of its broader scope, often express disbelief and frustration at the legitimacy of such a system. Such reactions are fair, and related questions certainly are valid. Illinois does, after all, have statutes in place that allow for the transfer of cases to appropriate forums when any particular forum is improper or inconvenient. It also seems logical, on its face, to lessen the impact of sometimes-harsh Illinois law by looking to the law of a state with a stronger connection to the case when that state's law is more favorable. This rings true even if a defendant chooses to forgo pursuing a forum non conveniens argument.

The ISBA Springfield and Chicago offices will be closed for the holidays beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21. They will reopen Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. 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. 27.

All business and e-newsletter distribution will resume as usual on Jan. 2, 2019.

Cook County and the Circuit Court of Cook County have finalized the scheduled closing of two Chicago branch court locations at 155 W. 51st St. and 2452 W. Belmont Ave. 

The closures are slated to take effect after court concludes on Jan. 4, 2019.

The two branch court closings, which were finalized as part of the budget litigation settlement between the county and the court, will help the county avoid $9.2 million in repairs, renovations, and maintenance that would be necessary to keep the two buildings safe, operational, and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Illinois Supreme Court handed down two opinions on Thursday, Dec. 13. The court weighed in on whether section 13-217 of the Code of Civil Procedure applies to voluntarily withdrawn postconviction petitions in People v. Simms, and in Palm v. Holocker, demonstrated the principle that a party seeking review of a statutory construction ruling must bring to the court a case with facts that implicate the statute being construed.

Asked and Answered 

By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

Q. I am a partner in a three-partner, five-attorney estate planning firm in Seattle. While we have a very active marketing program, we would like to do more. We try to do two presentations at seminars or workshops every month. We have a first-class website and a proactive SEO program, as well as an aggressive social media campaign. The firm is listed in all of the key directories. Our attorneys are active in the legal and local communities, have served in leadership positions for bar association committees, and have written extensively. While many of our clients come to the firm through referrals and past clients, we are noticing that we are receiving much more business from the internet. Recently, we have been discussing whether we should consider using a public relations firm. We would be grateful for any thoughts you may have.

The 2018 Midyear Meeting was held Dec. 6-8, 2018, at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago. 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 Jan. 14-16, 2019 in Chicago for this interactive three-day workshop on the fundamentals of restorative justice and to experience circle practice, an approach to more effectively work with clients and colleagues on improving communication, supporting accountability, and addressing issues and concerns in a more humanized and enduring way. Help clients and others who may contribute to or are impacted by a problem to explore and create workable courses of action, to the benefit of all, including colleagues and collaborators.