Chief Circuit Judge Kathryn E. Creswell is pleased to announce that following a Feb. 25, 2015 meeting of the Circuit Judges of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, two finalists for the office of Associate Judge have been selected and certified to the Supreme Court. The finalists are seeking to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Paul M. Fullerton to Circuit Judge. From these names, the Circuit Judges will select one appointee by secret ballot.

While nothing is guaranteed in life or law, attorneys and firm management consultants say taking a step back and looking at the big picture, whether you're a solo practitioner or at a large firm, is essential to knowing where you've been, where you're going -- and how you will keep growing. And such a strategic planning process is the best way to achieve success in the long run, even if it seems like you've been doing just fine dealing with the day to day.

Find out from the experts how to sharpen your saw and make your practice more successful in the March Illinois Bar Journal.

Ballots for ISBA elections won't be distributed for another month, but it's not too early to get acquainted with the candidates' backgrounds. Voters have an extraordinary number of choices this year, with contested races for third vice-president, four of six board of governors seats, and the assembly. You can view candidate bios in the March Illinois Bar Journal.

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers Guardianship of a disabled adult (House Bills 2504, 2505 and 2506), Municipalities and bankruptcy (House Bill 298), The Probate Act of 1975 (House Bill 1332), Court-appointed counsel (House Bill 1417), The Security Deposit Interest Act (House Bill 1319) and IMDMA and dissipation (House Bill 1520). More information on each bill is available below the video.

ISBA Officers attended the ABA House of Delegates meeting earlier this month in Houston. On hand for the meeting were (from left): ISBA 2nd Vice President Vincent F. Cornelius, ISBA Immediate Past President Paula H. Holderman, ISBA President Richard D. Felice, ABA Past President Laurel G. Bellows, ISBA President-elect Umberto S. Davi and ISBA 3rd Vice President Hon. Russell W. Hartigan.

The 2015 ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational, which is co-sponsored by the ISBA and the Illinois Trial Team of the U of I College of Law, will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, 2015 at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign. The deadline to sign up is March 6.

Q. My client wishes to pursue a course of action that, although it is perfectly legal, may not be in their best interest. Do I have a duty to advise them of this?

A. Rule 2.1 states: “In representing a client, a lawyer shall exercise independent professional judgment and render candid advice. In rendering advice, a lawyer may refer not only to law but to other considerations such as moral, economic, social and political factors, that may be relevant to the client’s situation.” Comment 5 to that rule goes further and states: “In general, a lawyer is not expected to give advice until asked by the client.  However, when a lawyer knows that a client proposes a course of action that is likely to result in substantial adverse legal consequences to the client, the lawyer’s duty to the client under Rule 1.4 may require that the lawyer offer advice if the client’s course of action is related to the representation. A lawyer ordinarily has no duty to initiate investigation of a client’s affairs or to give advice that the client has indicated is unwanted, but a lawyer may initiate advice to a client when doing so appears to be in the client’s interest.”

Networking and Social Event sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division

Join your peers for an evening of socializing and wine tasting! 

When: Friday, February 27, 2015
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: ISBA Chicago Office - 20 S. Clark Street, Suite 900

Cost: $40 at the door

Online registration has closed, tickets are available at the door.

Asked and Answered

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

Q.  I am a partner and a member of the Executive Committee of a 250 attorney firm in the midwest. We have had a succession plan in place for several years for our senior partners. Several have completed their phasedowns successfully and others are struggling. One of our challenges is many of our mid-career partners are simply not ready. I would appreciate your thoughts.