The 2018 ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational, which is co-administered by the ISBA and the Illinois Trial Team of the University of Illinois, took place on March 24-25 at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign. First place went to the St. Charles North Mock Trial Team from St. Charles North High School. They will be competing at the National High School Mock Trials in Reno, Nevada in May.

Pictured from left to right are Hon. Michael J. Chmiel, Standing Committee on Law Related Education for the Public Chair Kateah McMasters, and President Hon. Russell W. Hartigan (ret.).

Not all heroes wear capes. You can make a difference in your community by volunteering for Ask A Lawyer Day, our annual event that recognizes and celebrates Law Day, on April 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. As a volunteer, you will answer calls and field general legal questions from Illinois residents. This is a state-wide public relations effort that helps enhance the image of the profession and receives considerable attention from the public and the media.

Volunteers are needed to answer calls at the Illinois Bar Center offices in Springfield*. There are also opportunities to volunteer remotely by answering questions by email. Breakfast and training will be provided for volunteers.

To sign up, complete the Ask A Lawyer Day Sign Up form online. Questions may be sent directly to Sara Anderson. 

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am a partner in a six-lawyer insurance defense litigation firm in Jackson, Mississippi. There are three partners and three associates in the firm. Our firm has been at its present size for many years, revenues have been flat, and profits have been shrinking. The partners have been discussing the pros and cons of growth and we would like to significantly grow the practice. A couple of our insurance company clients have asked us to open offices in other states and we are giving this consideration. Initially, we would open two other offices and we anticipate that this would require us to hire six additional attorneys. We appreciate any thoughts that you have.

The Illinois ARDC has implemented a new, first-in-the-nation self-assessment program for practicing attorneys that do not carry malpractice insurance.

Historically, Illinois has not required lawyers to carry malpractice insurance. While that's still the case, effective January 1, 2018, lawyers that do not carry malpractice insurance are required to take a free, four-hour online self-assessment course about law firm operations before they register for 2019.

Get a better understanding of how to achieve the maximum benefit from employing interns, externs, and clerks! Supervising law students is challenging in today’s diverse and fast-paced legal market. Different learning styles, level of competencies, and workplace expectations require supervising attorneys and law firms to develop effective supervision techniques to ensure a productive experience for all involved.

Voting is now underway in the 2018 ISBA Election.

ISBA's election provider Election America emailed e-ballots to members with valid email addresses and mailed paper ballots to members without valid email addresses today, Monday, March 26. The last day to request a paper ballot will be Friday, April 13. 

Only attorney members who have paid their dues by March 1, 2018 are eligible to vote. 

There are three contested seats this year: third vice president, Board of Governors, First Judicial District — Cook County, and Board of Governors, Area 8 — Judicial Circuits 3 and 20. All members may vote for third vice president. Members may also vote for any office that falls in the geographical area of their ISBA address.

Candidate biographies are available in the March Illinois Bar Journal.

Third Vice President 1 to be elected (3 candidates)

• Anna Krolikowska, Northbrook
• Stephen M. Komie, Chicago
• John Nisivaco, Chicago

The United States Attorney Office for the Northern District is accepting applications for an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) opening in its Civil Division in Chicago. The applicant selected will represent the U.S. government as an AUSA in a wide range of defensive and affirmative civil litigation on behalf of the United States, its agencies, and its employees.

Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least 2 years post-J.D. experience. United States citizenship is required.

The Illinois Supreme Court handed down four unanimous opinions on Thursday, March 22. The court considered the manner, scope, and extent of voir dire in People v. Encalado, concluding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the defendant’s proposed voir dire question. Relying on statutory construction principles and legislative intent, the court upheld a first degree murder conviction in People v. Manning. In People ex rel. Berlin v. Bakalis, the court directed the circuit court to vacate the defendant's one-year term of mandatory supervised release and impose the mandatory four-year term required under the Unified Code of Corrections. Lastly, the court affirmed the lower courts' ruling that State Farm's insured could recover underinsured motorist coverage in Thounsavath v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Co.

People v. Manning

By Kerry J. Bryson, Office of the State Appellate Defender

Arthur Manning was charged with first degree murder arising out of the stabbing death of a “highly intoxicated and ultimately an unwelcome visitor at a residence occupied by defendant” and others. At trial, there was evidence of a fight between the decedent and several of the residents including Manning, who had been armed with a knife. The jury was instructed on self defense and second degree murder at Manning’s request.