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.

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.