Join us from the comfort of your home or office on March 25, 2015 for this live webcast that increases your knowledge of seizures and penalties in the import/export process, as well as the changes in the law regarding the new Trek Leather decision, which expands individual liability. International and immigration attorneys, business lawyers, commercial practitioners, and those working in the import/export industry – with basic to intermediate practice – attending this online seminar will better understand: what you should know about the increase in seizures of goods and penalties by U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Customs’ penalty regimes under 19 U.S.C. Section 1526, 1592(a), and 1595(a); how U.S. v. Trek Leather expanded individual liability; how to successfully mitigate Customs penalties; why you should disclose Customs violations before Customs learns of them; and how recent court decisions may alter your advice to clients.

The seminar is presented by the ISBA International & Immigration Law Section and qualifies for 1.50 hours MCLE credit.

Click here for more information and to register.

Chief Judge Kathryn E. Creswell has announced that as of March 2, 2015, the 18th Judicial Circuit Court in DuPage County has dedicated Courtroom 3005 as a full time Pro Se (self-represented) courtroom for Domestic Relations matters. Judge Elizabeth Sexton will be presiding. The Pro Se Courtroom will focus on families of married or previously married couples. The Hon. Blanche Hill Fawell, Presiding Judge of Domestic Relations states "This program fits seamlessly with the Illinois Supreme Court mandate for access to justice for self-represented litigants."

The ISBA Marketing & Communications Committee invites ISBA members to march in the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 14. Members can meet the committee at the ISBA Chicago Office, 20 S. Clark, Ste. 900 or join the committee at the parade site, Columbus and Balbo. The exact ISBA parade number will be released the week of the parade.

Contact Chris Bonjean at cbonjean@isba.org if you would like to participate.

ISBA member John Ahern of Chicago recently posted this query to the ISBA Trusts and Estates Section discussion group: "Client has no family and few friends. Client asks her attorney to be the agent on her powers of attorney and trustee on her trust and he agrees. Attorney creates the documents and discloses that he prepared them. He is not a beneficiary. Is there any specific prohibition that anyone is aware of for the attorney?"

Timothy S. Midura of Wheaton responded, saying this in part: "[There's no] 'prohibition.' [But have] your 'eyes wide open' for 1) any estate/beneficiary disputes that [the lawyer] might become a lightning rod for and 2) even higher (or highest) standards of fiduciary conduct/capability due to [being a member of the] legal profession. Bottom line: Be ready and able to do a superb job." Find out more in the March Illinois Bar Journal.

David Clark, a legal consultant and member of the ISBA's Standing Committee on Legal Technology, shows what gadgets every attorney should have when presenting demonstrable evidence.

Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Eleventh Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Pablo A. Eves as associate judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Eves received his undergraduate degree in 1994 from the University of Missouri, and his Juris Doctor in 1998 from the University of Illinois. Mr. Eves is currently affiliated with the McLean County State's Attorney's Office in Bloomington.

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am the owner of a solo practice located in the western Boston suburbs. I have been considering selling my practice. Do you see many practitioners selling their practices?

Nominations are being accepted for ISBA awards, most will be presented on June 19, 2015, at the Annual Awards Luncheon. Additional information is available at www.isba.org/awards

Law Enforcement Award: 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 Friday March 6, 2015.

Diversity Leadership Award: The Diversity Leadership Award recognizes long standing, continuing and exceptional commitment by an individual or an organization to the critical importance of diversity within the Illinois legal community, its judiciary and within the Illinois State Bar Association. Nominations must be received by Friday, March 6, 2015.

Human Rights Section Gertz Award: The Gertz Award recognizes long-standing, continuing and exceptional commitment by an individual or an organization to the protection or advancement of Human Rights. Nominations must be received by Friday, March 6, 2015.

John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award: The award is named in memory of Rock Island attorney John McAndrews, who chaired the ISBA Committee on Delivery of Legal Services and is awarded to individual lawyers, law firms and corporate law departments, and bar associations. Nominations must be received by Friday, March 6, 2015.

The Hon. Lloyd A. Karmeier, Illinois Supreme Court Justice, 5th District, will be honored at the 2015 Lawyers’ Assistance Program Joseph R. Bartylak Award Dinner on Friday, April 17, at the Sangamo Club in Springfield. The keynote Speaker will be the Hon. Robert J. Anderson, incoming President of the Illinois Judges Association. The reception begins at 6 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m.