Congratulations to the winner of the Member Benefits Tweet-Off!

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Chris Bonjean

Congratulations to Brandon Hummel for winning the ISBA’s May Member Appreciation Month Member Benefits Twitter Contest.

EClips keeps you current, CLE keeps you wise, both can be had for an incredible price! Best small lawyer resource in IL.

The prize is a new 9.7" iPad Pro. These were the instructions: In 140 characters or less, tell us how you're using an ISBA member benefit and why it's valuable to your practice. Our panel of judges will choose the winning tweets based on cleverness, relevancy and helpfulness.

Annual Meeting pre-registration deadline is June 10

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Chris Bonjean

Registration is now open for the 140th ISBA Annual Meeting. Join us at our new convenient location in Rosemont, IL for three days packed with learning and networking opportunities. The deadline for pre-registration is June 10.

We're offering 2 tracks of Solo and Small Firm Practice Institute programming, focusing on Transforming Your Practice with Technology and Establishing Your New Solo/Small Firm Practice.

We're also rolling out the red carpet for today's new lawyers. Come Friday to hear from The Good Wife's legal technical advisor and stay for an afternoon of improv with our Young Lawyers Division, followed by an all-night party celebrating the profession. 

It's the best ideas merged into one exciting conference, with more than 16 hours of CLE, 58 business meetings, an exhibit hall, and the Chicago Catz Band. It's Annual:Redone, with #moreCLEmoreFUN.

View the schedule at www.isba.org/annual/schedule

Register at www.isba.org/annual/registration

Lawyers who offer mortgage modification help can be sued for redlining

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Mark S. Mathewson

A recent decision by the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, holds that redlining discrimination actions can apply to parties that purport to provide loan modification assistance.

Typically, redlining is the practice of offering loans to minority borrowers that include terms less desirable than those offered to similarly qualified white borrowers. In People v. Wildermuth, 2016 IL App (1st) 143592, the first district held that those who target minorities with false promises of providing a loan modification for a fee are considered mortgage lenders under the Illinois Human Rights Act ("the Act"). Find out more in the June Illinois Bar Journal.

Best Practice: How to set up a law firm executive committee

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Chris Bonjean

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am a partner in a 12-attorney firm in Downers Grove, Ill. We have eight partners and four associates. We are managed by committee of the whole - all partners are involved in all decisions. We have been considering moving to an executive committee. How do we set it up?

Supreme Court fills Cook County vacancies on Appellate, Circuit courts

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Chris Bonjean

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the assignment of Cook County Circuit Judge Mary L. Mikva to the Illinois Appellate Court for the First Judicial Circuit and the appointment of Chicago lawyer Clare J. Quish as an at-large Cook County Circuit Judge.

Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis recommended to the Court that Judge Mikva be assigned to fill the Appellate Court vacancy that was created by the April 15, 2016, death of Justice Laura Liu. Judge Mikva's assignment is effective on July 15, 2016, and until further order of the Supreme Court.

"I am honored to be given this challenging opportunity to serve on the Appellate Court," Judge Mikva said. "I hope to use it to help strengthen the public's faith that our legal system is fair, efficient, evenhanded, and compassionate."

June ticket and travel discounts for ISBA members

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Chris Bonjean

New Magic

Walt Disney World is spreading the magic this June with brand new attractions and experiences. On June 21, Epcot will take guests on an adventure to Arendelle on the new ride Frozen Ever After. The park will also welcome royal sisters Queen Elsa and Anna at a new meet-and-greet at the Norway pavilion. Disney's Hollywood Studios is offering a galactic event when the new nighttime experience Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular explodes into the sky beginning June 17. Mickey Mouse will bring his friends from The Princess and the Frog, Tangled and Frozen in the new musical Mickey's Royal Friendship faire on June 17. You can experience all of this and more on TicketsatWork.com when you save over $20 and get 2 days free at Walt Disney World!.

From New York to Vegas

No matter where you are this June you can experience some of the best shows in the country. In New York come experience Cirque du Soleil's latest production, Paramour. The show is set in the glamorous world of Golden Age Hollywood and tells the tale of a young poet who must choose between love and art. Right now you can save over 24% on Paramour tickets. Meanwhile in Las Vegas, take in the energetic and innovative show Blue Man Group at the Luxor and save more than $62 on tickets.

Deal of the Month: Save over $20 on Walt Disney World Tickets and Get 2 Days Free