The Illinois Supreme Court announced Thursday that April G. Troemper, who presently serves as Associate Judge in the Seventh Judicial Circuit, has been appointed as at-large Circuit Judge for that Circuit.

Judge Troemper was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Patrick J. Londrigan on December 8, 2014. Judge Londrigan had served as Circuit Judge since 2004. Judge Troemper’s appointment is effective April 2, 2015, and will continue until the position is filled by the November 2016 General Election.

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers Wills deposited with county recorders (Senate Bill 1596), Insured’s Independent Counsel Act (Senate Bill 1296), Guilty pleas (House Bill 2569), Administrative Review Law (Senate Bill 1447), Wrongful Death Act (House Bill 2713) and Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (House Bill 2691). More information on each bill is available below the video

Wills deposited with county recorders. Senate Bill 1596 (Kotowski, D-Park Ridge) amends the Counties Code to allow a county recorder to implement a county will depository. If the recorder does create a depository, it must also provide a form affidavit for a depositor of a will to file with the deposited will. States the requirements of the form affidavit. Provides for the duties of the county recorders for acceptance of wills, storage of wills, release of wills, and destruction of wills. Provides for different fees the county recorder may charge. Scheduled for hearing next Tuesday in Senate Judiciary Committee.

Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15 regulates the safekeeping of client funds. In most cases, this means depositing client funds into an IOLTA account (IOLTA stands for "interest on lawyers trust accounts").

If there's an overdraft on an attorney's IOLTA account, amendments to Rule 1.15 implemented in 2011 require the bank holding the account to notify the ARDC. And the investigation that often follows such a notice can expose bookkeeping lapses that result in disciplinary action.

Michael P. Downey, a partner at Armstrong Teasdale in St. Louis who represents attorneys before the ARDC, says the overdraft notice and other 2011 changes to Rule 1.15 are a game changer for Illinois practitioners. The rule now requires attorneys to maintain accurate records of all funds entering and leaving their IOLTA accounts. It also requires them to retain copies of client retainer agreements, bills sent to clients, and applicable bank records, among other documents. Unsuspecting attorneys who accidentally overdraw their IOLTA accounts may be in for a more in-depth examination of their record keeping practices. Find out more from Matt Hector's article in the March Illinois Bar Journal.

Q. I’m about to participate in a trial that may receive some publicity. Do any rules govern what I can and cannot say to the press?

Don’t miss this annual event in Quincy on Friday, March 27, 2015 that helps you strengthen your professional excellence, while updating your knowledge in a number of general practice areas! Topics include: search and seizure, guardians ad litem, legal writing, elder abuse, eavesdropping, courtroom administration, employment law updates, and medical marijuana. General practice attorneys with basic to intermediate levels of experience will benefit from attending this informative seminar.

The seminar is presented by the ISBA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section and co-sponsored by the Adams County Bar Association. It qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register.

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am the managing partner of a 17-attorney firm in San Francisco. We have a firm administrator that we hired four years ago and he manages our financial and HR matters. I haven't a clue as to what goes on financially and this is becoming more of a concern for me and my other partners. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

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

Sign up by March 13 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.

The 21st Judicial Circuit, Iroquois and Kankakee Counties, Illinois, is seeking individuals interested in becoming approved mediators for non-divorce civil cases. The qualifications necessary in order to be approved as a mediator may be found at www.co.kankakee.il.us/21stJudicial/pdf/Rules.pdf

For further information and/or to request an application, interested parties may call:  Adrianne Haley 815/937-2915  or e-mail ahaley@k3county.net or send completed applications to:

• Chief Judge’s Office/ Attn: Adrianne
• Room 203 B
• 450 E. Court St.
• Kankakee, IL 60901-3917

Applications can also be found at the above internet link and sent to the same addresses listed above.