Early in 2016 the Illinois Supreme Court entered order M.R. 18368, which set the timeline for mandatory e-filing statewide. By July 1, 2017, e-filing of civil cases will be mandatory for the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts. Beginning January 1, 2018, e-filing of civil cases will be mandatory in all Illinois circuit courts.

In anticipation of these deadlines, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) hired Texas-based Tyler Technologies to roll out a centralized, statewide e-filing system. Tyler's Odyssey File & Serve platform is currently used in 19 states.

According to AOIC Director Michael Tardy, the unified e-filing system will increase efficiency and streamline the litigation process for lawyers and pro se litigants. Tardy says the decision to use Tyler was based in part on the company's success providing statewide e-filing for Indiana (a state half the size of Illinois) and Texas (a state twice the size).

He also says that SB 3162, signed into law on August 19, 2016 and now PA 99-0859, imposes court automation fees which will be used to get e-filing "up and running." Given that the court has set a hard deadline for compliance with its order, Tardy says that the court system will continue to find ways to make statewide e-filing a reality.

Find out more about mandatory e-filing, including why clerks of the Illinois Appellate Court are worried about the looming deadline, in the October Illinois Bar Journal.

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am the firm administrator for a small personal injury five attorney practice in Des Moines, Iowa. The firm's owner is approaching retirement and is planning on approaching other law firms regarding sale of the practice or merger. He has asked me for reports in order that we can value the practice. QuickBooks is the only software that we use. What reports should I use to establish a value for the practice?

Lead in Water, Who's Problem is It?

Tuesday, October 25, 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 Justin DeWitt and Kathryn Pamenter speak at our October 25, 2016, Professional Development Luncheon on the challenges we face regarding lead in water. This panel presentation will include an in-depth look at Senate Bill 550, which requires schools to test for lead in drinking and cooking water sources.

Tired of not knowing when, or even if, your clients are going to pay their bill? Take the guess work out of the equation by scheduling payments in advance. With LawPay’s scheduled billing feature, you can automatically run payments without collecting client card information each time. It's your guaranteed solution to getting paid on time. Use LawPay's payment authorization forms to pre-schedule client billing.

Celebrate Pro Bono Week October 24-28 with various programs and events across the state.

By Michael G. Bergmann

Coordinated by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Pro Bono Week is intended to inspire even greater pro bono participation by lawyers throughout the nation. This initiative provides an opportunity for legal organizations across the country to collaboratively commemorate the vitally important contributions of America’s lawyers and to recruit and train the many additional volunteers required to meet the growing demand. The Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service undertook this initiative to provide a format for showcasing the incredible difference that pro bono lawyers make to our nation, to our system of justice, to our communities and, most of all, to the clients they serve. For more information, visit www.celebrateprobono.org.

Stay up to date on current developments and trends in the real estate law arena with this full day seminar that offers a look at new legislation and case law, as well as best practices tips resulting from actual ARDC cases and discussions on a potpourri of interesting short topics! The program is available in Bloomington on October 27, 2016 and in Lombard on November 2, 2016. Commercial real estate attorneys, residential estate lawyers, and general practitioners with basic practice experience who attend this program will better understand: the recent case law developments and real estate legislation that can impact your client; the ethical issues raised by recent ARDC decisions; whether or not to recommend a trust in connection with real estate transactions; how to advise clients on homeowner and commercial real estate insurance policies; what to do when the seller fails to vacate the premises; damages to property that occur immediately prior to closing; contractor mechanic’s lien priority issues; and more!

Leaves are changing but great savings remain! The fall brings discounts up to 32% off Lenovo Tablets, Laptops, and PCs. Shop now and save big!

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Nominations due by February 1!

By Russell W. Hartigan, President-Elect

Looking for a chance to lead? To grow? To make a difference in the Illinois State Bar Association and the legal profession? Then consider nominating yourself for one of our many section councils and committees for 2017-18.

As president-elect, it's my privilege to make appointments to section councils and committees for the coming fiscal year. These small but influential groups are the lifeblood of the ISBA. They produce newsletters and CLE programs, propose legislation and rules, and help ISBA serve and protect its members in countless ways.

Chief Circuit Judge Kathryn E. Creswell is pleased to announce that following an October 6, 2016 meeting of the Circuit Judges of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court, two finalists for the Office of Associate Judge have been selected and certified to the Illinois Supreme Court. The finalists are seeking to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Associate Judge Karen M. Wilson to Circuit Judge. From these names, the Circuit Judges will select one appointee by secret ballot.