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 The court weighed in on whether section 13-217 of the Code of Civil Procedure applies to voluntarily withdrawn postconviction petitions in People v. Simms, and in Palm v. Holocker, demonstrated the principle that a party seeking review of a statutory construction ruling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.

The ISBA has launched a new search engine that includes filters to help users more easily find resources and information online.

The main search now includes CLE programs, Illinois Lawyer Now posts, and YouTube videos. Users can filter search results by content type, practice area, year, and more.

The ISBA Assembly appointed four “At Large” delegates to the ABA House of Delegates during their meeting held Dec. 8 during the ISBA Joint Midyear Meeting in Chicago.

The two delegates from Cook County are Emily Masalski of Chicago and Hon. Russell W. Hartigan (ret.) of Western Springs. The two delegates from outside Cook County are John Thies of Urbana and David Schaffer of Naperville.