Nominations are open for PILI awards to recognize attorneys and legal programs making outstanding contributions in pro bono and public interest law across the state of Illinois. Attorneys can either submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague. 

PILI Annual Awards
Every year, PILI presents several awards to acknowledge lawyers and legal programs. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 6.

• The Distinguished Public Service Award honors an individual whose commitment to public interest work has shaped a career dedicated to service.
• The Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize one former PILI Intern and one former PILI Fellow for outstanding contributions of public interest and/or pro bono work.
• The Pro Bono Initiative Award acknowledges a single entity for its significant pro bono work in the community.

Drew T. Erwin has been appointed at-large circuit judge in the Eighth Judicial Circuit. 

Erwin is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mark A. Drummond on Aug. 5. The appointment takes effect on Sept. 6 and will conclude on Dec. 7, 2020, when the vacancy will be filled by the winner of the November 2020 general election. 

Join us online from noon until 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 for a comprehensive overview of the e-filing process and the electronic issues that can arise for practitioners during the filing process, as well as the privacy and logistics concerns that can affect attorneys and their clients.

The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) is asking attorneys to take part in a practice analysis survey, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete.  

The survey is designed to collect information about the work that newly licensed lawyers perform; the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to competently perform that work; and the technology used in law practice.

eFileIL will be unavailable for filing Sunday, Aug. 25, beginning at 6 a.m. for scheduled maintenance. It is anticipated that this maintenance activity to take four hours to complete.

Hudson and subsequent caselaw is clear: If a plaintiff voluntarily dismisses a lawsuit after one count of a multicount complaint is dismissed with prejudice under either section 2-619 or section 2-1005 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, any refiling will be barred by res judicata and the rule against claim-splitting (barring an exception). In his August 2019 Illinois Bar Journal article, “Don’t Overlook Hudson,” Adam T. Ernette, an associate at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP in Chicago, uses Hudson v. City of Chicago as a starting point for a state-of-the-law analysis regarding res judicata and the rule against claim-splitting for attorneys considering taking a voluntary dismissal.

The Illinois Bar Foundation will honor the life and legacy of Myles L. Jacobs at a reception to aid lawyers in need.

The Myles Jacobs Memorial Reception will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4 at Barolo Ristorante in Joliet. Proceeds will benefit the Illinois Bar Foundation's Warren Lupel Lawyers Care Fund, which provides financial aid to help deserving members of the Illinois Bar and their families pay for everyday essentials during times of crisis. 

The Illinois Lawyers' Assistance Program (LAP) is seeking a project and event manager. 

Qualifications:

• Masters, or JD preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Outlook (mail merges).
• Knowledge of management platforms (Eventbrite, MailChimp).

The Illinois Lawyers' Assistance Program (LAP) is seeking a bookkeeper/administrative assistant position. 

This part-time position reports to the executive director and provides support to the organization and staff in an effort to advance the organization’s mission of providing assistance to the Illinois legal community in the areas of substance use and mental health impairment.  

The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), the administrative agency that regulates all licensed Illinois lawyers, has named Steven R. Splitt to serve as that organization’s next public information officer.

He will begin working in that capacity on Aug. 29.