Asked and Answered 

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

Q. I am a partner with a 16-attorney firm in downstate Illinois and a member on our three-person management committee. My responsibility on the committee is overseeing the firm’s finances and supervising the firm administrator’s accounting and finance. In reviewing our financial reports, I have noted that our effective billing rates (realization rates) are not what they should be. We are reluctant to raise client rates. What other steps can we take to improve our effective rates?

Attorney Kenneth Matuszewsky, an associate at Rabicoff Law, LLC, discusses the basics of intellectual property, including the use of patents and trademarks.

Editor’s note: This is part of an Illinois Lawyer Now series focused on resources available to ISBA members on Practice HQ, our "one-stop microsite" for practice management and technology information. This wealth of resources was designed to help you practice smarter by housing high-quality information in one place.

By Jeff Schoenberger, Esq.
Affinity Consulting Group

Two things often in short supply for lawyers are time and money. Harried schedules chase away things lacking immediacy. One thing I sacrificed was pleasure reading. Between family, work, and other commitments, sitting down to read a book was a lost joy.

Thankfully, within the last several years, books have become more accessible for people with chaotic lives. Here are some ways that you can find time to read and learn while still moving at a frenetic pace.

Learn how to guide your child client through the juvenile delinquency process with this full-day seminar Sept. 27 in Chicago. Any attorney who is retained to represent a juvenile in a delinquency case needs to be aware of the process and be up-to-date on the legislative changes that may affect your client. Whether you’ve never represented a juvenile or are seasoned practitioner who needs an update on the recent changes to the law and process, you won’t want to miss this seminar that gives you all the information you need to successfully navigate the juvenile delinquency process. 

You've just renewed your ISBA membership for the new bar year—or are about to. Either way, it’s time to consider all the benefits that come with ISBA membership, especially since the association has launched several new and improved benefits during the past few years and as recently as this summer.

For ISBA members, this means access to an ever-increasing number of resources that pay for themselves several times over. Among benefits that recently have been enhanced: robust online peer-discussion communities; checklists and best practices that will help you manage your firm; in-person, online, and on-demand continuing legal education; federal and state caselaw research guided by artificial intelligence; a fully automated document assembly system tailored to Illinois law; a robust fee-sharing lawyer referral directory; and a marketplace full of professional discounts.

The Fellows of the Illinois Bar Foundation thank our latest new and upgraded Fellows for their commitment to supporting the mission of the Illinois Bar Foundation. Funds from the Fellows program make a direct impact on the lives of those in need, including our colleagues and their families during times of crisis and those who cannot otherwise afford legal representation. Fellows’ pledges are payable over 10 years and start at just $100 per year, or less than $9 per month. 

In an Agreed Final Order, nonlawyer Louis Fasullo was found guilty of minor indirect criminal contempt for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law in two separate matters. Mr. Fasullo was ordered to pay $500 in court costs, sentenced to one year of probation, and seven days incarceration (with a credit for time served). ARDC v. Louis Fasullo, Cook County No. 17 MC1-600102 (August 22, 2018).

The Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) has elected its officers for the organization’s 2017-18 fiscal year. They are: Timothy W. Kelly, principal of Kelly Law Offices, president; Deane B. Brown, partner at Hughes Socol Piers Resnik Dym, first vice president; and William A. Peithmann, principal of The Peithmann Law Office, second vice president. Lisa M. Nyuli, partner at Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel P.C. was elected third vice president. Mark L. Karno, principal of Mark L. Karno & Associates, L.L.C., was elected as treasurer and Lauren Tuckey Murray, of counsel at Bellows Law Group, was elected as secretary.

The state legislature earlier this year sent a number of measures to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner. The ISBA has provided an update on the status of bills that are of interest to members. 

Asked and Answered 

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

Q. I am a partner in an 18-attorney firm in Milwaukee. Over the years our firm has held retreats, but the results have been disappointing – a lot of talk and little action. We have the same problem in our monthly partner meetings. We spend a lot of time in meetings – discussions and decisions made but little implementation. This week we are having a partner vote to decide on whether to have a retreat this year. Frankly, I will vote against it and I think it will be a waste of time. What are your thoughts concerning law firm retreats?