Since Illinois voters have the responsibility to elect judges, the Illinois State Bar Association feels it has an obligation to share with the public information about qualifications of judicial candidates. The lawyers who practice alongside candidates for judicial office are in a unique position to assess the professional qualities that are necessary for good judges.
ISBA Young Lawyer of the Year Award: Nominate a young lawyer to be honored by the ISBA for their contribution to the advancement of the Bar of Illinois and participation in the ISBA. To be eligible, the nominee must be under the age of 36 and an ISBA member. One award will be given to a young lawyer practicing outside Cook County, and one to a young lawyer practicing within Cook County. Fill out the nomination form at www.isba.org/awards/yld. Forms are due on April 4, 2014.
ISBA Law Student Public Service Award: Nominate an Illinois law student to be honored by the ISBA for their participation in activities that enhance professional responsibility and provide service to the public. The award is based on extracurricular accomplishments and service related activities during the law school career. The ISBA will award one $250 donation in the name of the final winner to a non-profit organization of the winner’s choice. Fill out the nomination form at www.isba.org/awards/lawstudent. Forms are due on April 4, 2014.
ISBA President Paula H. Holderman interviews 1st District Appellate Justice Jesse Reyes. They discuss the importance of diversity in the bench and bar and why community outreach to inspire youths to join the legal profession is so important.
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Join us in Quincy on Friday, March 28th to get the updates you need on a number of general practice areas! Topics include: courtroom probate practice; technology to help your practice; bankruptcy advice for disability clients; using social media as evidence; current criminal law trends; conceal and carry laws; insurance issues; limited scope representation; and office risk management. General practice attorneys with all levels of practice and experience will benefit from attending this informative seminar.
The program is presented by the ISBA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section and co-sponsored by the Adams County Bar Association. It qualifies for 7.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).
ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. In this episode he covers IMDMA and life insurance (House Bill 5825), Guardianship for minors (House Bill 5686), UM/UIM arbitration (House Bill 5575), FOIA (House Bill 5875), IMDMA Rewrite (House Bill 1452), Victims’ Constitutional amendment (HJRCA 1) and Electronic voting in associations and condos (Senate Bill 3040). More information on each bill is available below the video.
As Judge Barbara Crowder notes in the January issue of Trial Briefs, last year's supreme court rule changes were "not major." Then again, there was a little drama here and there. (Rule 138, anyone?)
If you're looking for a compendium of the 2013 changes, the good judge has written one. One nice touch is her organizational scheme, which groups the rules by topic, such as "the Internet is here to stay" and "Limited Scope Representation: Multiple rules allow counsel to assist litigants within a case." Read it here.
The Illinois Supreme Court announced Thursday the appointment of Chief Circuit Judge S. Gene Schwarm to the Appellate Court in the Fifth Judicial District. Chief Judge Schwarm will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Appellate Justice James M. Wexstten, effective January 29, 2014.
The appointment is effective April 1, 2014 and will expire December 5, 2016, when the position will be filled by the winner of the 2016 General Election
“I am honored to be selected to fill the vacancy in the Fifth District Appellate Court," Chief Judge Schwarm said. "My humble thanks go to Justice Lloyd Karmeier and the Supreme Court for giving me this opportunity.
"I am especially pleased to follow retiring Justice Jim Wexstten, an outstanding jurist and colleague."
St. Charles North High School, in St. Charles, placed first in the 32nd annual Illinois State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Invitational held at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign March 8 and 9, 2014.
Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale came in second place, and third place went to Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights. Hinsdale Central also received the highest team average on the Written Law Exam which was administered in conjunction with the Invitational. Teams from 44 Illinois high schools traveled to Champaign to participate in the program. St. Charles North will represent Illinois at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Madison, Wisconsin.
“The mock trial competition lived up to its billing this year, with solid competition from throughout the State,” says Hon. Michael J. Chmiel, of Woodstock, chair of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Law Related Education for the Public, which conducts the program. “The student competitors were well-prepared and very civil, and all augurs well for the legal profession in the future.”
The ISBA and Young Lawyers Division would like to thank our 2014 sponsors and attendees, along with our host, Mahoney’s Pub & Grille, for making this year’s Bean Bag Tournament such a successful event!. View pictures from the event at iln.isba.org/gallery/748/yld-bean-bag-tournament-2014
This year, we raised over $3,000 for the IBF/YLD Children’s Assistance Fund. The Children’s Assistance Fund provides funding to organizations throughout Illinois that provide legal assistance to children, open/maintain children’s waiting rooms in courthouses, work to reduce recidivism of juveniles, and/or work to reduce the incidents of domestic violence in families with children.
The Children’s Assistance Fund has distributed grants in excess of $285,000 over the past fifteen years, due, in large part, to the widespread support and participation in our annual fundraisers. Once again, thank you for your generosity.
