The Illinois State Bar Association had its mobile billboard in the lineup of Sunday's Gay Pride Parade in Chicago – one of more than 200 entries. The parade entry was a collaborative effort between the ISBA, CBA, and LAGBAC (the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago).
The Illinois Supreme Court announced Monday that it has amended rules that would expand mediation for child custody cases to include requests by a custodial parent to move a minor child to another state.
Mediation programs for child custody and visitation cases have been a requirement for each judicial circuit in Illinois through Supreme Court Rule 905.
The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of a full-time United States magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. The official location for the position will be Peoria, Illinois. Full-time magistrate judges are appointed to eight-year terms of office by the judges of each respective United States district court.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, amended to protect against identity theft and the disclosure of sensitive information through electronic filing, goes into effect Monday, July 1 with two of its provisions being deferred.
A requirement that birth dates and the names of minor individuals be excluded from documents in civil cases has been deferred until Jan. 1, 2014. The delay will allow attorneys and state agencies that handle high volumes of affected cases additional time to adapt to the new requirements. In the interim, the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committeee will schedule a public hearing on the deferred provisions.
In response to additional inquiries from judges, practitioners, clerks and other court partners, the following clarifications are offered:
By Wendy Vaughn, Clinical Assistant Professor,
NIU College of Law, Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic
During its 137th Annual Meeting, the Illinois State Bar Association awarded Bernard H. Shapiro with the Joseph R. Bartylak Memorial Legal Services Award at award luncheon on June 21, 2013. For the last 35 years, Bernard H. Shapiro (Bernie) has dedicated his legal career and devoted his considerable intellect and legal acumen to meeting the basic needs of residents of Northern Illinois in his role as attorney, mentor, advocate, trainer, and Director of Litigation at Prairie State Legal Services (Prairie State).
In her nomination letter, Sarah Megan, who also serves as Director of Litigation at Prairie State, writes that Bernie is “the lynchpin of our legal aid program,” “the soul of our organization,” and “a role model for not only all our staff, but for all legal aid staff.” Ms. Megan explains that Bernie’s fellow attorneys “rely on his superb legal analysis and strategy as well as his pragmatic problem solving skill. We learn from his example of excellence; always focused on achieving our clients’ goals, providing our clients the highest caliber legal services in a most compassionate and respectful way.”
A reviewing court can be an intimidating place, especially for the occasional appellate practitioner. An Illinois circuit judge and former supreme court clerk offers 10 practical tips to put you at ease and strengthen your case on appeal in the July Illinois Bar Journal.
United States Bankruptcy Judge Thomas L. Perkins of the Central District of Illinois has applied to be reappointed by the United States Court of Appeals to a new 14-year term when his current term expires on July 19, 2014. A United States Bankruptcy Judge is a judicial officer of the United States District Court who exercises the authority of the district court with respect to any action, suit, or proceeding under Chapter 6 of Title 28 of the United States Code. 28 U.S.C. § 151.
Comments are invited from the public and the bar as to whether Judge Perkins should be reappointed. Those comments should be in writing and sent by July 30, 2013 to:
Collins T. Fitzpatrick
Circuit Executive
219 S. Dearborn Street
Room 2780
Chicago, IL 60604
Five women lawyers will be featured in the “100 Women of Influence” special section in the July issue of Today’s Chicago Woman magazine. They are: Anita Alvarez, State’s Attorney, Cook County; Laurel Bellows, Managing Principal, The Bellows Law Group P.C.; President, American Bar Association; Paula H. Holderman, Chief Attorney Development Officer, Winston & Strawn LLP; President, Illinois State Bar Association; Susan Levy, Managing Partner, Jenner & Block; and Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, State of Illinois. The special “100 Women of Influence” feature is a list of the most accomplished women in their respective fields.
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. I am the sole owner of a 8 attorney practice in Houston. I am 55 years old and am beginning to think about retirement. The other attorneys are associates in the firm. What do I need to be thinking about in order that I can transition out of my practice and have money for retirement. While I have put some money in a 401k, I am not yet financially secure enough to retire.
A. You are not alone. As the baby boom generation ages - more and more attorneys are asking this question. Unless you have an appropriate Exit Planning Strategy and put in place a sound Exit Plan, it is doubtful that you will be able to cash in on the full value of the goodwill that you have created. To exit successfully you need:
