The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of February 2014, ISBA helped people in need of legal services find lawyers in the following areas:
Here are the results for February 2014:
Joan C. Williams, a law professor and prolific author on work and family issues, will be the keynote speaker at a “Celebrating Women in the Profession” luncheon hosted by the Illinois State Bar Association on Thursday, March 13, at the Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson, Chicago.
ISBA would like to thank sponsors for this program, including:
ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. In this episode he covers Victims’ rights amendment (HJRCA 1), Electronic surveillance and bail bonds (House Bill 3744), Court-services fee (House Bill 5453), Disabled adults (Senate Bill 2954) and The Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act (Senate Bill 1941). More information on each bill is available below the video.
For the first time, people can legally drive in Illinois with cannabis in their systems, as long as they aren't impaired. But the Medical Cannabis Act introduces inconsistencies into DUI law that are likely to inspire litigation. Here's an overview from the March Illinois Bar Journal.
Q. A client has asked me to handle her divorce, but I’ve never done one. Can I ethically represent her?
A. Lawyer competence to handle any given matter is addressed in RPC 1.1. Comment [2] provides that “a lawyer need not necessarily have special training or prior experience to handle legal problems of a type with which the lawyer is unfamiliar” and that “a lawyer can provide adequate representation in a wholly novel field through necessary study.” In addition, Comment [4] says that “a lawyer may accept representation where the requisite level of competence can be achieved by reasonable preparation.” A novice lawyer could also associate with a lawyer of “established competence” in the field at issue in order to competently represent the client.
ISBA members can browse past ISBA Ethics Opinions at www.isba.org/ethics
Don’t miss this discussion in Fairview Heights on Friday, March 14th regarding the increasingly complex issues occurring in traffic law and DUI court, as well as the new case law and legislation mandated by the Illinois General Assembly! State’s attorneys, public defenders, judges, and attorneys practicing in the DUI and traffic courts – with all levels of experience – who attend this full-day seminar will better understand: the jury selection process in DUI and misdemeanor cases; how the traffic law arena is affected by the legalization of medical marijuana; the ethical obligations you have as a traffic law attorney; how new legislation has impacted the defense of Operating Under the Influence; and much more!
The program is presented by the ISBA Traffic Laws and Courts Section and qualifies for 5.50 hours MCLE credit, including 0.75 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. I am an attorney in Miami. I have been out of law school for five years. I worked with a small firm for a year and then went solo and have been doing contract work for other law firms for the past four years. For the past year I have been trying to get a position as an associate with a small firm - but have not had any success. Recently, I had an interview with a 2 attorney (2 partners in their early 70s) firm and I thought the interview went well - I believe that I impressed them with my legal knowledge and skills. However, I did not get the position. They advised me that they were looking for less of a lawyer and more of a business person. What am I doing wrong?
The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the creation of a Civil Justice Division within the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC), charged with supporting the Court’s multi-dimensional initiatives to improve access to justice throughout the state. In addition, Chief Justice Rita B. Garman has named Timothy W. Kelly of Bloomington as the next chairman of the Access to Justice Commission.
In 2012, the Court established an Access to Justice Commission to “promote, facilitate, and enhance equal access to justice with an emphasis on access to the Illinois civil courts and administrative agencies for all people, particularly the poor and vulnerable.”
The Commission, made up of dedicated volunteers, has made great strides in improving access for non-native English speakers and in standardizing various forms and procedures, making them more user-friendly for pro se litigants.
Review the latest information in employment, housing, and public accommodation discrimination cases under the Illinois Human Rights Act with this informative presentation in Chicago on March 13th! [The seminar will also broadcast via the Internet as a live webcastfor those unable to attend live in Chicago.]
