Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am the sole owner of a 25-attorney litigation boutique firm in Los Angeles. I am the only equity partner with nine non-equity partners and 15 associates. I am concerned that if I don't provide a path to equity partnership, some of my senior talent may gradually defect to other firms or split off to create their own firms. I also believe that providing a path to equity partner for deserving non-equity partners is the right thing to do. Therefore, I am planning on admitting two non-equity members this year. Should I require capital contributions?

The Northern District of Illinois, Chicago Office is accepting applications for Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) openings in its Criminal Division in Chicago, Illinois. The applicant selected will represent the U.S. Government as an AUSA in a wide range of unique and complex cases.

Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least 2 years post-J.D. experience.

Preferred qualifications: Excellent academics, significant litigation experience, criminal law experience (for our Criminal Division), strong legal writing skills, and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

United States citizenship is required.

Congratulations to David Saltiel for winning the Beats Studio Wireless Headphones from ISBA travel partner Go Next. Over 1,300 members participated in this contest. Don't forget to visit our Member Appreciation Month website for upcoming promotions.

Don’t miss this opportunity to keep apprised of all major Illinois insurance case law developments, as well as a look forward as we continue through 2016. Attorneys working in the insurance law arena who attend this online seminar on June 2, 2016 will gain a better understanding of automobile insurance developments, changes to commercial insurance coverage, the various forms of life and health insurance coverage, and recent developments with additional insureds.

The seminar is presented by the ISBA Insurance Law Section and qualifies for 2.25 hours MCLE credit.

Click here for more information and to register.

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers IMDMA cleanup (House Bill 3898), Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (Senate Bill 323), Cannabis civil penalties (Senate Bill 2228), Limited Liability Company Act (House Bill 4361), Income shares and child support (House Bill 3982), Land Trust Beneficiary Rights Act (House Bill 4697) and Trust law (Senate Bill 2842). More information on each bill is available below the video.

The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) will kick off a new term of office on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, during its 102nd Annual Installation Dinner at the Chicago Hilton Towers, located at 720 S. Michigan Avenue. The event will feature keynote speaker Mary Cranston and presentation of the Myra Bradwell Woman of Achievement Award to Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court Rita B. Garman.  The Annual Dinner serves as one of the largest annual celebrations within the Chicago legal community, with over 700 judges, attorneys, corporate supporters and prominent community leaders in attendance each year.  The cocktail reception begins at 5:00 p.m. with dinner to follow at 6:00 p.m. 

A bill that would prohibit Illinois from suing prison inmates to recover the cost of their incarceration passed the Senate last month. SB 2465 is sponsored by Senator Daniel Biss of Evanston. In October 2015, the Illinois Bar Journal reported on the practice of funding the government with fees and fines collected from criminals. Suing prisoners for their costs is even more unfair, according to some observers.

Unlike fines, which are tied to the crime itself, fees for things like inmate room and board are designed to raise revenue. According to an article from the Brennan Center for Justice, the mean annual state corrections expenditure in 2010 was $28,323 per inmate. Find out more about the problem and the proposed legislation in the May IBJ.

Authorization pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 39 has been received by the Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit to post a notice of vacancy for associate judge. The associate judge position is the result of the resignation of Associate Judge Jane Hird Mitton effective July 4, 2016. Applications are now being accepted for this vacancy which will be filled by vote of the Circuit judges of the 18th Judicial Circuit.

Attorney Kathleen Curtin discusses what you need to know about qualified domestic relations orders.

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am a member of our firm's executive committee. We are a 16-attorney business transactional firm in Seattle. Recently the firm has lost several key clients and we want to know what we can do determine why this happened and what we can do to improve client retention. I would appreciate your suggestions.