Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans and the Nominating Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County today announced the names of the 26 candidates that they selected to appear on the ballot from which the circuit judges will vote to fill 13 associate judge vacancies.

Proposed legislation would revise the HCPOA form to make it easier to understand and help principals better communicate their wishes about end-of-life treatment. Find out more in the April Illinois Bar Journal.

ISBA President Paula H. Holderman interviews ISBA Past President and current Chair of ISBA Mutual John G. O'Brien about the company's history and activities to celebrate its 25th anniversary year.

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. In this episode he covers Parenting time (House Bill 5425), Parenting time (House Bill 1452), Constitutional amendment and victims’ rights. (HJRCA 1), Workers’ Compensation Act (Senate Bill 3287) and Sale of distressed condominium units (Senate Bill 2664). More information on each bill is available below the video.

Q. While acting as a mediator, I know that a lawyer appearing before me has committed acts of misrepresentation. Do I have to report that misconduct?

A. Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 8.3(a) states that “(a) lawyer who knows that another lawyer has committed a violation of Rule 8.4(b) or Rule 8.4(c) shall inform the appropriate professional authority.”  Rule 8.4(c) makes engaging in misrepresentation a violation of the Rules. ISBA Advisory Opinion 11-01 further explores this issue and concludes that nothing about a mediator’s role, and particularly the absence of any attorney-client privilege between the mediator and any party, extinguishes a reporting obligation.

ISBA members can browse past ISBA Ethics Opinions, access our Ethics Hotline, and other resources on the ISBA Ethics Page.

Disclaimer.  These questions are representative of calls received on the ISBA’s ethics hotline.  The information provided below is meant as an educational tool to highlight potentially applicable Illinois RPC or other ethics resources that might help the lawyer answer the question posed.  The information provided isn’t legal advice.  Because every situation is different, often complex, and the law is constantly evolving, you shouldn’t rely upon this general information without conducting your own research.    

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am the managing partner of a 16 attorney insurance defense law firm in Kansas City. We have two equity partners, four non-equity partners, and 10 associates. Only the two equity partners bring in client business. Since our clients are insurance companies, most of our work is new business from existing clients. Unlike other firms doing insurance defense work our billing rates are low and we have to put in a lot of billable hours and maintain a high ratio of associates and non-equity partners to equity partners.

In the past our associates stayed for a while and left after several years. By the time they reached the higher compensation levels they left and we replaced them with lower cost associates. In the last few years - with the economy and the oversupply of lawyers - they are staying much longer. We are concerned about our reducing profit margins and at what point an associate or non-equity partner's compensation is "maxed out." We would appreciate your thoughts.

The ISBA Intellectual Property Law Section will host "Become a Professional Writer: Industry Tips & Tricks," a networking event on April 23, 2014 at the ISBA Chicago Office, 20 S. Clark, Ste. 900. The event begins with registration and sign in from noon-12:15 and luncheon and panel from 12:15-1:15 p.m. Cost is $10 for ISBA members/$20 for non-members. Register at www.isba.org/sections/ip/2014networkingevent

The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee will seek comment at a public hearing Friday, April 4 in Chicago on a proposed change to address the scope of electronically stored information, limitations on its use, production, and how such information is managed.

Proposal 14-01 is presented in the form of amendments to Supreme Court Rules 201, 204, 214, 216, 218 and 219. A copy of this and other proposals are available on the Supreme Court website at: http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/SupremeCourt/Public_Hearings/Rules/default.asp