In Illinois – and across the country – the demand for legal services for low-income individuals and families far exceeds the supply. But individual attorneys, legal aid organizations, law firms, corporate law departments, and bar associations across the state are working to close the gap or mitigate its effects through pro bono and volunteer service.
Karen A. Enright, partner at Costello, McMahon, Burke & Murphy, discusses five tips to prepare for and take a defendant doctor's deposition.
The Illinois Supreme Court handed down an opinion today in People v. Chairez. At issue in this case was the constitutionality of a section of the unlawful use of a weapon statute that prohibits an individual from carrying or possessing a firearm within 1000 feet of a public park. Kerry Bryson of the Office of the State Appellate Defender reviews the court's ruling.
Over the past several years, constitutional challenges to various provisions of the unlawful use of weapons (UUW) statute have made their way through the courts. Chairez involves another such challenge, specifically with regard to the provision prohibiting an individual from carrying or possessing a firearm within 1000 feet of a public park [720 ILCS 5/24-1 (a)(4), (c)(1.5)].
In 2013, Julio Chairez pled guilty to possessing a firearm within 1000 feet of a park in Aurora. Subsequently, Chairez filed a post-conviction petition arguing that the statute violated the second amendment and seeking to vacate his conviction. The circuit court agreed, and the case proceeded directly to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Don’t miss ISBA’s Illinois Animal Law Conference in Carbondale on February 9, 2018! Get the updates you need to affectively advise your clients on a number of important animal law topics. Family law attorneys, animal law practitioners, environmental law lawyers, agricultural law attorneys, and counsel for municipalities with all levels of practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand: what Hurricane Harvey and Irma have taught us about animals and natural disaster planning and recovery; the regulation of feral and community cats; what you need to know about assistance animals; how the Bad Newz Kennels case has affected animal laws; how to handle the family pet in marriage dissolution cases; the regulations affecting humane care, animal control, and dangerous/vicious dog proceedings; the developments in farm animal protection; the ethical issues to be aware of when handling an animal law case; and much more.
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. Our firm is an eight-attorney estate planning firm in the Chicago area. Our firm has grown from two attorneys to our present size in four years. We have five partners and three associates. Firm management is currently handled by a managing partner. The partners have been discussing hiring a legal administrator. We were thinking of hiring someone with experience in managing law firms and a solid background in human resources and bookkeeping/accounting. One of our clients suggested that we hire someone with a strong academic background, such as an MBA or CPA who has served as the CEO of a mid-size corporation. What are your thoughts?
Effective January 1, Illinois is the first state to require judges to consider the welfare of family pets when determining who gets what after a divorce. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act ("IMDMA") now provides that the court "shall take into consideration the well-being of the companion animal." 750 ILCS 5/503(n) (emphasis added).
The Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc.(LOLLAF) is looking for a staff attorney for the Southern Illinois University Medical-Legal Partnership at the Center for Family Medicine (SIU-MLP) operating out of LOLLAF's Northern Regional Office. The SIU-MLP is a collaborative partnership between LOLLAF and SIU Center for Family Medicine wherein healthcare providers refer patients for legal assistance in order to address social determinants affecting patient health outcomes.
The deadline to submit nominating petitions for the ISBA election is tomorrow, Wednesday Jan. 31, at 4:30 p.m. at either the Illinois Bar Center, 424 South 2nd Street, in Springfield, or the ISBA Office at 20 S. Clark Street, 9th Floor, Chicago.
Members of the ISBA will elect a third vice president, six seats on the Board of Governors, and 22 seats on the Assembly in Cook County this spring.
Every year, the Illinois State Bar Association presents awards to recognize individuals for their commitment and service to the profession, their communities, and the association. Award recipients are selected through a nomination process, and members are encouraged to nominate persons who meet the criteria for each award. Please submit the online nomination form, available following the links below, for the following awards no later than March 2.
All eyes will be on U.S. Bank Stadium on Feb. 4 as the Eagles take on the Patriots at Super Bowl LII. With Tickets At Work, you can get a discount and still be part of the action with savings of over 20 percent on tickets and pre-game hospitality events.
Shop a variety of individual ticket packages (100 and 300 Level Seats) and awesome pre-game events, featuring top talent like Kelly Clarkson.
These offers are provided to you through the Illinois State Bar Association’s Member Marketplace.
Want to sign up? It's free and easy:
1. Visit Tickets At Work online
2. Use your company code: ISBA
3. Read and follow the easy steps on our site, and once registered you can access all tickets, events, hotels and more online for free.