In People v. Rizzo, 2016 IL 118599, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned a circuit court ruling that refusing to allow supervision for aggravated speeding is too harsh a penalty compared to those for other Class A misdemeanors.

At issue in Rizzo was whether Illinois' sentencing guidelines for aggravated speeding are unconstitutional. The Unified Code of Corrections did not allow court supervision for those charged with violating Illinois' aggravated speeding law. (That provision has since been amended to allow supervision for some, but not all, drivers charged with aggravated speeding.)

The Illinois State Bar Association will honor the Class of 1966 Distinguished Counsellors on Thursday, Oct. 13. This title is conferred annually upon those ISBA members who are completing their 50^th year of practice.

The Board of Governors is pleased to announce the 2016 Class will be honored at a special luncheon on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at the Union League Club. A reception will begin at 11:15 a.m., and lunch is scheduled promptly at noon.

Tickets to the luncheon are available and may be purchased online at www.isba.org/distinguishedcounsellorsluncheon. Any questions regarding the luncheon may be directed to Kim Weaver at kweaver@isba.org.

Congratulations to the 1966 Class of Distinguished Counsellors:

Join the American Bar Association for their Fall 2016 Meeting, I Should Have Known Better - Construction & Design Defects & Project Delays, October 5-7 at the Swissotel, 323 E Wacker Dr Chicago, IL 60601.

Whether you are a transactional lawyer or litigator, you face projects gone wrong.  Don't miss these valuable sessions:

1. Cutting-edge "Consecutive" Plenaries that will explain how best to navigate and prevent a project facing delays and defects.
2. Insurance: Learn about new developments in insurance products and coverage disputes.
3. Technology: Navigating wearable technology, new FAA paperwork, and your client's document management system.
4. A View from the Bench: Gain insights on how to best get your point across from a panel of distinguished judges.
5. Getting Better with Delays: Sharpen your pencil and learn about the latest legal developments and best practices for presenting your delay claim.
6. Beyond the Shades of Grey: Join a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and top Chicago litigator and learn the fine ethical line between preparing a witness and putting words in their mouth.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride is seeking public comment on five attorneys who have applied to fill a resident Circuit Court vacancy in Fulton County in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

The vacancy will be created upon Circuit Judge William C. Davis' retirement, effective September 5, 2016. Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Kilbride uses an extensive application, evaluation and interview process to make recommendations to the full Court for judicial vacancies in the Third Judicial District.

The five attorneys who have applied to fill the vacancy are Bruce C. Beal of Cuba, Jeremy A. Beard of Dunlap, Curtis S. Lane of Canton, Jeff L. Neigel of Canton, and Hugh F. Toner III of Peoria.

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am the firm administrator of a 16-attorney firm in San Diego. We have six equity members, four non-equity members, and six associates. We also have four paralegals and six staff members. We are managed by a three member executive committee. Each month I provide the equity members and the executive committee with the same reports from our software system. They are quite numerous. The equity members and the executive committee complain that they get too many reports and they don't look at them while the non-equity members and the associate complain that they don't get access to any financial information. Do you have any suggestions?

ISBA members receive 5% off monthly plans and free activation (a $95 value). Mention promo code ‘ISBA’.
 
Delivering exceptional customer experiences is what Ruby® is all about—which is why they provide a number of options for customizing your call-handling instructions. Their new Spanish-speaking service is no different, with several ways to direct callers in order to create the best experience.

Learn how to help your clients generate revenue stream from the intellectual property they already own! Many of your clients are ready to take their intellectual property rights to the next level...are you ready to advise them? Join us via the Internet on September 8, 2016 for this in-depth look at how you can help your clients achieve their business goals and avoid the pitfalls created by licensing their intellectual property. Intellectual property attorneys and general practitioners with basic practice experience who attend this online seminar will better understand: the benefits of licensing; how to use licensing to leverage intellectual property; what types of intellectual property should be licensed; the various types of licenses and what each protects; important terms of licensing agreements and the difference between assignment and licensing; using intellectual property as collateral; how to monitor licensees; addressing and resolving licensing disputes; and keeping an eye out for antitrust concerns. 

The USAO has one Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) position available in the Criminal Division in our Fairview Heights office. The United States Attorney's Office (USAO), Southern District of Illinois (SDIL), is a fast-paced, collegial, and energetic office which seeks to maintain the highest standards of excellence in the enforcement of federal laws and the representation of the United States.  Our headquarters are located in Fairview Heights, Illinois, a suburb of St. Louis, MO.  Our branch offices are located in Benton and East St. Louis, in or near the federal courthouse. The office presently employs 32 attorneys and 34 support staff.

Join the Illinois Bar Foundation and the Friends of Tom Leahy for a Leahy Memorial Happy Hour on Thursday, September 8 in Chicago to celebrate the life of Tom Leahy. The proceeds from this event will support the Foundation's Legal Fellowships program at Tom's alma mater, Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Tickets are $100 and sponsorship opportunities are available. For tickets and sponsorship information, please call 312-726-6072 or click here.