Don’t miss this online seminar on Dec. 4 that discusses the Wayfair case, the basis for being overturned, and its impact on online purchases. Tax attorneys and general practitioners with intermediate practice experience who attend this program will better understand: the prior basis of the law; reasons for the decision; the current status of the law; what to expect in the future; the rules governing Internet taxing in Illinois; and how the Wayfair decision affects every Internet purchase. 

Asked and Answered 

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

Q. I am the managing partner of a 12-attorney family law firm in Kansas City, Mo. We have been in practice for about 30 years. During the last 10 years we have shifted more of our advertising from print directories and advertising to the internet. Today virtually all of our work comes from the internet. While to some extent this has been a blessing, it has also been a curse as we must continue to make investments in search engine optimization, update the website, and pay to be included in online directories. It is a vicious circle and we are losing business to new attorneys who are just starting out, creating first-class websites, and making online investments.  I would appreciate your thoughts.

The ISBA will feature two diversity programs Dec. 7 during the 2018 Joint Midyear Meeting in Chicago.

The events include the Count Me In! reception hosted by the ISBA Diversity Leadership Council and The Judge: A Documentary Look at Shari'a Law…and a Discussion on How It Intersects with U.S. Law.

Both events are free and do not require Joint Midyear Meeting registration to attend.

The Illinois State Bar Association will honor the Class of 1968 Distinguished Counsellors on Nov. 15. This title is conferred annually upon those ISBA members who are completing their 50^th year of practice.

The Board of Governors is pleased to announce the 2018 class will be honored at a special luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018 at the Union League Club in Chicago. A reception will begin at 11 a.m., with lunch at 11:45 a.m., followed by the program.

When you join any of the ISBA’s 40 sections, you get complimentary access to two additional ISBA Central online communities.

Joining is easy. Simply visit the ISBA sections page, select the section you would like to join from the list, and click on the "join" button on the top of that section's page. You must be logged into the website as an ISBA member, otherwise you will be prompted to do so.

The Illinois State Bar Association's judicial ratings by county for the Nov. 6 election are available online.

In Cook County, an ISBA Judicial Evaluations committee used the results of a questionnaire, background investigations, and in-person interviews to rate candidates for all judicial offices. Candidates for the Appellate Court outside of Cook County were also evaluated using this method.

Newly admitted attorneys: Satisfy your Illinois Basic Skills MCLE requirement with this complimentary full-day seminar Nov. 15 in Chicago. Jump-start your new Illinois legal career by attending this outstanding basic skills professional responsibility course that’s designed to equip you with the information you need as a new Illinois attorney, as well as help you begin to fulfill your Illinois Supreme Court Newly Admitted Attorney requirement (S. Ct. Rule 793). Our faculty of high-profile attorneys and judges offer insights, tips, and advice on the issues you face in your practice. The program closes with an in-depth look at the questions you need answered and issues you need help with as a new attorney.

You receive a 14-day letter from the ARDC. What do you do? Be calm. Accurately lay out the facts. Question anything you don't understand. Ask for an extension—if you need one. The good news? Most ARDC claims are dismissed upfront. Charges that lead to a hearing still need to be proved with “clear and convincing evidence,” says Jeff Corso of Cooney, Corso & Moynihan in Downers Grove and a member of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on the ARDC. In November 2018’s Illinois Bar Journal, writer Ed Finkel unpacks and demystifies the ARDC’s complaint process and provides tips from experts on how to properly interact with the agency if a 14-day letter lands in your mailbox. 

The United States Trustee Program is accepting applications for an Assistant United States Trustee position.

Internal candidates who wish to be considered must have at least five years post-J.D. professional legal experience in interpreting, applying, and advocating on behalf of clients the provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and related laws, rules, and regulations that arise in bankruptcy cases.