The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) is seeking a part-time law clerk beginning January 2019.

The law clerk’s responsibilities include conducting legal research and preparing memoranda/pleadings regarding all areas of law for the litigation division of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. There is potential for a third-year law student with a 711 license to assist in presenting evidence during hearing matters, including depositions and witness testimony, under the supervision of an attorney.

Illinois Supreme Court and Illinois Appellate Court justices welcomed 1,283 new attorneys to the legal profession on Nov. 8 during admissions ceremonies held at five different locations across the state. 

ISBA staff members were in attendance at all five ceremonies to welcome the state's newest attorneys to the profession, take photos, and talk about the benefits of ISBA membership, which is free for one year for new admittees. Member benefits can be activated by filling out the New Admittee Membership Form. 

All of those who were sworn in have passed the Illinois State Bar Examination and a required ethics examination and were certified by the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. They bring the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to approximately 98,000.

Gain a better understanding of the Illinois Uniform Powers of Appointment Act with this half-day seminar in Chicago or via live webcast on Dec 13. Attorneys in the practice areas of estate planning, probate, tax planning, trust construction, tax preparation, trust and estate administration, beneficiary and fiduciary representation, and chancery who attend this program will gain a better understanding of: the Illinois Uniform Powers of Appointment Act; powers of appointment; the background of the Uniform Act and the Illinois Act; the provisions under the Illinois Act; changes to the Uniform Act; and drafting powers of appointment, including modifications.

The Illinois Bar Foundation will honor Hon. Dennis J. Burke, Ret., and Ruth Ann Schmitt with the 2018 Distinguished Service to Law & Society Awards at the annual Fellows Breakfast on Dec. 7 at the University Club Chicago. Richard R. Winter will receive the 2018 Honorary Fellow Award.

Asked and Answered 

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

Q. I am the owner of an elder law firm in Phoenix, Arizona. I have one full-time associate, one part-time associate, and three staff members. I am earning around $300,000 a year from the practice and my full-time associate’s salary is $100,000 a year. I am 60 years old and would like to retire and be out of the practice in five years. I would like to begin phasing down and working part time in the next year or two. My full-time associate has been with the firm for 10 years. I feel that I should be entitled to some sweat equity from the practice in the form of retirement compensation or buy-out. With this said I would prefer that my practice “stay in the family” and be sold to my associate rather than selling my practice to an outside buyer. I would appreciate your suggestions.