Asked and Answered

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

Q. We are a 17-attorney firm in Dayton, Ohio. Several of our founding partners are retiring and we have been contemplating a merger with another law firm but are not sure where to start. I would appreciate your ideas.

A. Start by determining your merger objectives. Why do you want to merge? What do you hope to achieve? Is merger compatible with your strategic plan? What size of firm are you considering?

Once you are sure that merger exploration - in general - makes sense - you should insure that your house is in order. In other words - can anything be done to enhance the value and/or marketability of your firm? For example:

The Supreme Court of Illinois announced the filing of lawyer disciplinary orders on March 12, 2015, during the March Term of Court. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law.

The Illinois State Bar Association’s Law Student Committee would like to invite you to a "Speed Networking Event" on Wednesday, April 15 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Chicago Office, 20 S. Clark. Borrowing concepts from speed dating, the event will facilitate short, focused conversations between current law students and distinguished ISBA members in a relaxed setting. Topics that will be addressed include networking, business development, and landing your first job.  

If you would like to meet seasoned attorneys with a wealth of information about practicing law in Illinois, while gaining some insight into the forward-thinking events and services offered by the ISBA, please register for this free event at https://www.isba.org/speednetworking. 

Whether you’re in-house counsel or a private practitioner representing corporations, you need the ethical background and knowledge to effectively advise your clients on a number of legal topics. Attorneys with intermediate practice experience attending this seminar in Chicago on March 27, 2015 will better understand: the Federal prosecutor case analysis in charging corporations and corporate officers with criminal activity; how the new medical marijuana laws will affect workplace drug policies; and how to incorporate the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct to in-house and corporation representation.

The seminar is presented by the ISBA Corporate Law Department and qualifies for 4.0 hours MCLE credit, including 2.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register.

Chief Circuit Judge Kathryn E. Creswell is pleased to announce that following a tabulation of ballots, the Circuit Judges of the 18th Judicial Circuit, DuPage County, have appointed Joseph T. Bugos to the position of Associate Judge.

Chief Justice Rita B. Garman and the Illinois Supreme Court have scheduled a special evening session of oral argument on Tuesday, March 17, and have invited Gov. Bruce Rauner and the entire Illinois legislature to observe the Court in session. It is uncertain when an evening session was last held in the Illinois Supreme Court Building, but it is believed to have been more than a century ago.

The Court will hear oral arguments in a case involving an amendment passed by the legislature to the Illinois Juvenile Court Act. A portion of the amendment was ruled unconstitutional by a Circuit Court and the case is on direct appeal to the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Garman explained that the special evening session is an opportunity for members of the General Assembly to observe first-hand the interaction of the functions of the three branches of government and the operation of the checks and balances essential to our system.

"The case involves an amendment that was debated and passed by the legislature, signed by the Governor, applied by the State in an individual case, challenged by a defendant, and declared unconstitutional by the Circuit Court," said Chief Justice Garman. "It affords a window into how our constitutional system operates and the balance among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches."

Circuit Clerk Keith S. Brin today announced the launch of his office’s 2015 Summer Internship Program. The application process opens on Monday, March 16th.  Ten paid full-time summer internships will be available.  

The internship program, dubbed the New Initiatives Internship, provides undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to gain experience and exposure to public service and government.  Interns will work extensively on outreach and program development.     

“Interns in our office will be doing meaningful work,” explained Circuit Clerk Brin.   The internship experience is designed to be a hands-on experience.  Students working as interns in the Circuit Clerks office will learn how the different pieces of government and law are inter-connected and fit together to make the big picture work.   

 “Not only does the internship provide a chance for college students to earn money over the summer, but it also provides them with exposure to people, places, contacts and a professional work environment that will, ultimately, give them a truly competitive edge in the job market, “ said continued Brin.   

The application process, expected to be highly competitive, opens March 16th.  Applications will be available on the Circuit Clerks website.    

Interns must be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university, demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, and possess the ability to work in a fast past environment.