CARPLS Legal Hotline, Chicago

Volunteer hotline attorneys wanted to give advice to low-income clients in the areas of landlord/tenant, consumer debt, and family law. Day and night shifts are available. Malpractice insurance is provided.

Daily shifts: Mondays - Fridays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. A minimum commitment of 1 shift per week over a 10-week session is requested. 

Evening shifts: Mondays or Wednesdays  5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. A minimum commitment of 36 hours over a one-year period is requested (about 1.5 shifts per month). 

Our next training cycle begins Wednesday, March 23, 2016 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. CLE credit and dinner are provided. For more information, contact Leslie Wallin at (312) 421-4427 or lwallin@carpls.org or go to http://www.carpls.org/getinvolved/pro-bono-opportunities/.

The ISBA Marketing & Communications and Bar Services & Activities committees hosted a joint meeting on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Chicago Office. Marketing & Communications Chair Kristi Vetri and Bar Services Chair Pepi Camerlingo scheduled the meeting so the two groups could brainstorm on ideas to improve the association and determine possible areas of collaboration.

The two groups gathered for a photo after the meeting. The two chairs are shown sitting (Vetri at left, Camerlingo at right) with ISBA President Umbero S. Davi surrounded by their fellow committee members.

Back by popular demand! Enhance your professional excellence by attending this full-day seminar in Quincy on March 18, 2016 that gives you the opportunity to update your knowledge in a number of general practice areas! Attorneys with basic to intermediate levels of practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand: how new technology can help you run your practice more efficiently; the recent cases and rulings of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission; the changes in family law that affect how divorces are handled in Illinois; how to avoid abusing social media in your practice; the common tax issues affecting farm corporations; the special issues and considerations that can arise when representing disabled or injured clients; the recent cases involving search and seizure at both the state and federal level; the recent changes to how attorneys represent banks and financial institutions; and how to incorporate civility into your practice.

The seminar is presented by the ISBA General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Section and qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 2.25 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis has announced two judicial vacancies in the Cook County Circuit Court.

At-Large Vacancy

The At-Large vacancy is created by the retirement of Circuit Judge Michelle D. Jordan, who was elected a judge in November 2004. Judge Jordan's retirement took effect January 1, 2016.

Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Theis will make a recommendation to the Supreme Court after applicants for the position undergo a screening and evaluation process.

That process will include an evaluation by the Alliance of Bar Associations, which is made up of 11 bar groups in the Cook County area, and the Chicago Bar Association. Further review will be conducted by a special judicial screening committee that Justice Theis established in 2013 and is co-chaired by retired U.S. District Court Judge Wayne R. Andersen and retired Illinois Appellate Court Judge Michael J. Gallagher.

To be eligible for consideration for appointment, the applicant must be a lawyer in good standing licensed to practice law in Illinois and a resident of Cook County.

The deadline for submission of applications is 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2016.

Notice of the vacancy and details of the application process are posted on the Illinois Supreme Court's website at www.illinoiscourts.gov. From there, follow the instructions on the "Latest News" scroller announcing the At-Large vacancy.

People v. Boston

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

In 1997, Tonya Pipes was found stabbed to death in her bathtub. A bloody palm print, in Pipes’ blood, was recovered from the wall above the tub.

The print was not immediately matched to anyone.

Please join us on Friday, April 8 for the Joseph R. Bartylak Dinner benefiting the Lawyers Assistance Program. The event will be held at the Sangamo Club at 227 E. Adams Street in Springfield. 

The event will consist of a reception beginning at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Cheif Justice Rita B. Garman will be the keynote speaker. Judge John Gorman will receive the Joseph R. Bartylak Award and Matthew Hutmacher will receive the President's Award.

The 2016 Illinois Pollution Control Board: The Chairman's View

Wednesday, April 13, 2016,
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
ISBA Chicago Office (map and directions)
20 S. Clark, Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60603
312-726-8775

The ISBA Environmental Law Section Council is pleased to invite you to join us to hear Mr. Gerald M. Keenan, Chairman of the Illinois Pollution Control Board (Board), speak at our April 13, 2016, Professional Development Luncheon, on the initiatives of and challenges facing the Board in 2016 and beyond.

Get the tips and advice you need to successfully conduct your next labor and employment trial with this full day seminar in Chicago or via live webcast on March 18, 2016! Attorneys with intermediate practice experience working in the areas of labor/employment, racial and ethnic minorities, disability law, women’s rights, civil practice, corporate law, administrative law, local government, and sexual orientation and gender identity who attend this seminar will leave with a better understanding of: how fine-tuning your voir dire skills can help you make an impression on jurors during your next trial; why you should strike or keep a juror during the voir dire process; why the opening statement is one of the most important steps throughout a trial; how to present your evidence during your direct examination – even when the subject matter is sensitive in nature; how to handle objections during cross-examination; what the judge is thinking and why they rule accordingly during arguments on objections; how to use the cross-examination process to your advantage during a trial; how to make an impression on the jury during your closing argument; why performance, showmanship, and the art of persuasion is so important during a trial; and much more! Each segment of the seminar is presented as a mock-trial demonstration followed by an explanation showing what was done right or wrong, as well as tips for how to enhance your trial skills.