The Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. The award is given sparingly to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement. Nominations must be received by Wednesday, February 18, 2015.

Find out more and download the nomination form at www.isba.org/awards/lawenforcement

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am a founding partner in a 17 attorney firm with nine partners and eight associates located in Chicago's west suburbs. We represent business firms and other institutional clients. I am the primary rainmaker in the firm. I am 60 and am planning on retiring when I am 65. My concern is how to effectively transition clients. I would appreciate your thoughts.

The Circuit Court of Cook County’s Executive Committee today ordered the reassignment of Judge Beatriz Santiago from her current assignment after the Judicial Inquiry Board (JIB) filed a complaint against her on February 6, 2015, with the Illinois Courts Commission.

The ethical issues government attorneys encounter differ from those faced by private practitioners. Join us in Springfield on March 6, 2015 for a lively program that’s comprised of skits, scenarios, and group discussions, allowing participants to gather invaluable information on identifying potential ethical dilemmas and applying the Rules of Professional Conduct in a fun and interesting way. Government attorneys with basic to intermediate practice experience will benefit from the ethical information presented throughout this seminar.

The seminar is presented by ISBA’s Standing Committee on Government Lawyers and qualifies for 4.0 hours MCLE credit, including 4.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register.

Join ISBA members for a group admission to the Supreme Court of the United States on Monday, June 8, 2015 in Washington D.C.

Only 50 spots are available so sign up now for the ISBA's biennial trip to the U.S. Supreme Court! A special group hotel room rate is available at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel for the admittee, family and guests.

To be eligible, you must be an active lawyer member of the ISBA, admitted to practice more than 3 years, and not have any adverse disciplinary action pronounced or in effect during that 3-year period.

As part of its continuing effort to promote public confidence in the administration of justice, the Illinois Supreme Court has announced that a client whose case is not completed due to the death or disability of his or her attorney, and who has made reasonable efforts to pursue civil remedies, is now eligible to apply for reimbursement of unearned fees paid to the attorney.

When adopted in 1994, Supreme Court Rule 780 created a Client Protection Program (CPP) Trust Fund to reimburse certain losses incurred by clients of Illinois lawyers. The rule was created to provide a mechanism for a client to obtain reimbursement if the attorney engaged in dishonest conduct causing the client financial loss. The fund is administered by the Illinois Attorney and Registration Commission (ARDC).

According to Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman, “The Court recognizes that a client may also incur such a loss when the attorney dies or becomes disabled during the representation. By amending this rule, we signal to the public that we are equally concerned about the client who suffers a financial loss due to events outside the attorney’s control, such as death or disability.”

The amendment is effective immediately. Claimants may apply for reimbursement through the CPP. More information on submitting a claim is available at: https://www.iardc.org/clientprotection.html.

Visit with general counsel of four leading Chicago construction firms. Hear firsthand what they expect from their attorneys. Find out from the clients who hire you how you can best serve them. Also, discover what they look for in construction attorneys to do work for their companies.

• When: Tuesday, March 10, 2015, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Where: ISBA Chicago Office, 20 S. Clark, Suite 900
• Register: https://www.isba.org/sections/construction/generalcouncilforum

Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced Friday that the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Anne T. Hayes as an associate judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.

Ms. Hayes received her undergraduate degree in 1996 from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and her Juris Doctor in 2004 from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. Ms. Hayes is currently affiliated with the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office in Wheaton, Illinois.

A review of Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court criminal opinion in the case People v. Smith.