The next YLD Professional Development Luncheon, "Changing Course: Alternative Careers for Attorneys," will be held on Feb. 11 at the Chicago Regional Office. YLD Professional Development Luncheons are aimed at teaching law students and young attorneys practical steps in developing their legal careers. This luncheon program will address utilizing legal skills outside of a traditional law firm setting. Register by Feb. 7 at www.isba.org/sections/yld

The 2014 Annual Meeting will be held at the Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin from June 19–21. Take advantage of this opportunity to make your reservations for lodging early. To make reservations at the Grand Geneva, please call 855.833.5345 and reference reservation code #75C7TU or indicate you are attending the Illinois State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting. Rates for 2014 are $177 for single or double occupancy, plus resort fee and tax. A deposit of first night’s lodging is required. Check-in after 4:00 p.m. and check-out before 12:00 p.m.

The deadline for making reservations for lodging is on or before May 19, 2014. Reservations received after this date will be subject to availability. The deposit will be forfeited for all no-shows, early departures and cancellations less than 7 days prior to arrival.

Lake County Circuit Clerk Keith S. Brin announced Tuesday that his office will offer a series of in-person and online training courses and seminars in advance of the Electronic Filing Systems much-anticipated live release. The training courses and seminars will be offered free of charge.

Interested parties can register to receive immediate notification when training dates are announced by going to the Circuit Clerk’s web site at  www.lakecountyil.gov/CircuitClerk/Pages/default.aspx

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am a 64-year-old solo practitioner in Arlington, Va. There are no other attorneys in the firm - I have one legal assistant. My practice is concentrated in estate planning and estate administration. I have just started giving thought to retirement and what to do with my practice. I want to provide continuity for my clients, security for my employee, and salvage any sweat equity from my practice if there is even such a thing? Personally, I question whether there is any potential for receiving any value from the practice - I think when you are done you are done. What are your thoughts?

"[The case of Des Moines lawyer Robert Wright, Jr.,] is a good reminder to be vigilant about scams and to discern glitter from gold when evaluating legal matters," Karen Erger writes in the February Illinois Bar Journal. "But is also stands as a stark reminder of the perils of doing business with clients and the importance of compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct -- whether the transaction takes place in Nigeria or Naperville." Read the amazing but true story.

Join us from the comfort of your home or office on Friday, Feb. 21 for this live webcast that offers you the insights you need to select/present your own expert and successfully attack the expert of opposing counsel. Get the bench's perspective on expert practice, including the most common mistakes litigators make in expert practice. Attorneys practicing law in the federal court – with all levels of practice experience – who attend this live webcast will better understand: what's required to qualify your expert to testify; the scope of expert discovery; attacking opposing counsel's expert testimony during the deposition, in a Daubert motion, and at trial; and ways to improve the comprehension of your expert's testimony.

The program is presented by the ISBA Federal Civil Practice Section and qualifies for 1.5 hours MCLE credit.

Click here for more information and to register.

Ruby_® Receptionists makes stellar impressions and sets your practice apart – at a fraction of the cost of an on-site employee. From their offices in Portland, Oregon, Ruby’s live virtual receptionists handle your calls with care – using your custom greeting, transferring calls to you wherever you are, and answering basic FAQs about your firm. You’ll have the peace of mind that your clients will each be treated warmly and professionally by a smart, highly-trained, cheerful receptionist. Best of all, callers think Ruby works in your office.

Your first 14 days are free, and as a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, you’ll receive free activation and 5% off your monthly service! To get started, call 866-611-7829 or visit www.callruby.com/isba.

Please save the date for the Illinois State Bar Association's "Celebrating Women in the Profession Luncheon" on Thursday, March 13 at the Union League Club in Chicago.

Special Keynote Speaker: Professor Joan Williams is described by The New York Times as having “something approaching rock star status” in her field.

Host committee in formation; Sponsorships available. For more information regarding sponsorships or program details, please contact Kim Weaver at kweaver@isba.org.

ISBA President Paula H. Holderman speaks with ISBA Secretary James F. McCluskey, Chair of the ISBA Facilities and Technology Committee. They speak about the upcoming expansion of the ISBA's Chicago Regional Office and how ISBA members can reserve meeting space once it is finished.

The matrimonial bar has been raising concerns about the privacy provisions of newly amended Supreme Court Rule 138 for some time. Central to their criticism is that the rule, though well-intentioned, seems to conflict with key statutory provisions and could put lawyers between a rock and a very hard place.

Turns out it isn't just divorce lawyers who are feeling the squeeze. Northbrook attorney and ISBA member Julie Kolodzieg described a pressure point for estate planners. She noted that 755 ILCS 5/6-1 “says an original Will cannot be altered (alteration is a felony) and also requires the original Will to be filed with the Circuit Court clerk (failure to do so is also a felony)….Therefore we have a statute which requires a Will … to be filed with the court in unredacted form while at the same time having a duty under [Rule 138] to NOT file it unless under impoundment [because it contains personal identity information that must be omitted from the public record].”

Fortunately, Chicago lawyer and former Trusts and Estates Section chair Mary Cascino has some constructive suggestions for lawyers caught in the middle. Read her article in the latest ISBA Trusts and Estates newsletter.