The Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF), the charitable arm of the Illinois State Bar Association, has received a cy pres award of approximately $11,000 as recommended by McGuire Law, P.C., in Chicago.                 

The donation represents the remaining funds from a class action settlement the firm won in 2015, Murray et al v. Bill Me Later, Inc. (Northern District of Ill., Case No. 12CVO4789), according to Myles McGuire, principal at the firm.

“We chose the Illinois Bar Foundation because of its fine work helping ensure that all Illinois residents receive access to justice,” he said. “Their efforts to support other lawyers who have fallen on hard times financially also figured in to our decision. They were a natural choice.”

The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of February 2016, there were 897 referrals. ISBA helped people in need of legal services find lawyers in the following areas:

ISBA leaders met with law school deans Thursday at the Chicago Office to address the important issues raised in the Report and Recommendation of the Special Committee on the Impact of Current Law School Curriculum on the Future of the Practice of Law in Illinois.

Through this collaborative effort, the ISBA hopes to refine and expand the Report’s recommendations. The ultimate goal is to identify realistic ways that legal educators and the practicing bar can work together to ensure that future generations of Illinois lawyers are fully prepared to represent the interests of clients.

ISBA President Umberto Davi said, “The adoption of this Report is an important step as we strive to begin a discussion with Illinois’ law schools about improving the skills of those entering the practice of law.”

"What can you do to protect yourself from potential clients who come into your office, indicate they want to hire you, and then change their mind?" Barbara Bell of Libertyville asked recently on the ISBA main discussion group. "Do any of you charge a consultation fee?"

She got a range of responses. At one end of the spectrum was Carl Draper of Springfield, who says there are no free consultations in his practice. "I have a set fee that is a very fair price to the client, so I get compensated for my time since appointments are rarely shorter than an hour," he said. "I try to give good advice for the amount of information provided in advance and often get retained to do further work."

On the other side is Michael Poulos of Evanston, who says, "I almost never charge a consultation fee. If the potential client has a case that makes sense, wants to hire me, and has the money, great. Otherwise I chalk it up to goodwill and 'marketing.' That potential client who did not hire me has been known to send a good client my way at some future date."

Read more responses in the March Illinois Bar Journal. And find out more about ISBA discussion groups, many of which are open to all members.

Chief Justice Rita B. Garman and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Quincy attorney Amy C. Lannerd as a Circuit Judge in the Eighth Judicial Circuit.

Ms. Lannerd was appointed Wednesday to fill the at-large vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William O. Mays, Jr. Her appointment takes effect April 12, 2016, and terminates December 3, 2018, when the position is filled by the 2018 General Election.

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am the owner of an estate planning firm in Oklahoma City. I have four associates that work for me in addition to two billable paralegals and three staff support members. I am looking for ways to improve our business development and marketing. The majority of our business comes from past client referrals and referrals from employees and friends. We spend a considerable amount on advertising which includes our website, print ads, collateral materials, newsletters, etc. We would like to do more to increase client business. I would appreciate your thoughts?

Nominations are being accepted for ISBA awards. Please submit all nominations before March 4 (Law Enforcement Award nominations by March 11). Additional information is available at www.isba.org/awards or by clicking the link to the individual award.

On this tech tip, attorney Mark Palmer explains why lawyers should be using virtual private networks to protect their clients' confidential data.

LOVE-ly March 
All you need is love this March and that is exactly what you'll get when you book your The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil tickets on TicketsatWork.com. Enjoy exclusive pricing like tickets starting from $60 and spend the evening singing some of The Beatles most popular songs while in Vegas! Atlanta will also be hosting their own Cirque show when Kurios comes into town March 4 - May 8. TicketsatWork.com is offering the savings over 30% on the production.

JUNE 16-18, 2016  |  ROSEMONT, IL  |  WESTIN O'HARE

Where the rose is red and the train line blue; the nexus of learning and fun await you.

We've redesigned the Annual, something new is a-brew. It's a different kind of conference, and this one's for you.

Starting a practice or needing tech insight? We've got just the program to assist your plight. (It's so close to O'Hare, you can even take a flight.)

Colleagues, a DJ, and the Chicago Katz band; Our Friday night party's never been so grand.

Restaurants, a casino, skydiving and shopping; With so much to do, Rosemont will be hopping.

So join us and network with friends new and old. The 2016 Annual will leave stories to be told.