The Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission honored Thomas P. Sullivan, a partner at the Chicago firm of Jenner & Block, as the 2013 recipient of the George N. Leighton Justice Award on Monday.

The award is given by the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission to honor Retired U.S. District Court Judge George N. Leighton. The award recognizes one who has given exceptional service to the legal community and exhibits the qualities that personified Judge Leighton's character, service and legal career.

"The George N. Leighton Justice Award is given to Thomas Sullivan in recognition of his distinguished service to the legal community in Illinois for more than 50 years," Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman said. "We congratulate him on receiving this most deserving award."

The Illinois Labor Relations Board is seeking attorneys interested in being appointed of Counsel for persons of limited means. When charging parties are unable to pay for adequate representation, the Board may appoint counsel to represent them in proceedings before the Board. Hearings are typically held in Springfield or Chicago. The Board maintains a list of attorneys from which a party may select a representative.

By rule, appointed counsel is compensated at the rate of $75 per hour plus costs, subject to a $5,000 maximum (which can be increased by Board order).

If you would like to be considered for appointment or if you have questions, please contact Deputy General Counsel Sarah Kerley at Sarah.R.Kerley@illinois.gov or (217) 785-4004.

The two requirements for the position are:

• Be licensed in Illinois
• Have experience in contested proceedings

The Illinois State Bar Association, The Appellate Lawyers Association, the Chicago Bar Association and the Women's Bar Association will host a luncheon honoring Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman on Dec. 11. The event will begin with a reception at 11:30 a.m. and a luncheon at noon at the Standard Club, 320 S. Plymouth Court in Chicago.

Tickets are $65 a person and $650 for a table of 10. Contact Tamra Drees at tdrees@chicagobar.org or (312) 554-2057.

Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Friday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions in the civil case In re Karavidas and the criminal case People v. Trzeciak.

CRIMINAL

People v. Trzeciak

By Kerry J. Bryson, Office of the State Appellate Defender

ISBA President Paula H. Holderman speaks with Pam Kuzniar, chair of the ISBA's Family Law Section Council and its CLE coordinator. The ISBA Family Law Section has been hard at work on the complete review and overhaul of both the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution Act (House Bill 1452) and the Illinois Parentage Act. Watch the video to learn how these changes could impact your practice.

Mary Andreoni of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has heard the question before. "What do I do if my laptop is stolen and there's confidential information on there -- the client's name, address, maybe their medical records, their financial records?'"

The answer is straightforward. "The lawyer has an obligation to notify those clients," Andreoni said. Find out more in the November Illinois Bar Journal.

The Illinois Supreme Court is appreciative of the attendance today of key stakeholders of Cook County and the Cook County justice system for substantive discussions on how we might all work together to enhance the administration of justice.

The Court also is grateful for the presence of Chief Judge Eric T. Washington of the Washington, D.C. Court of Appeals, and Tim Murray, executive director of the Pretrial Justice Institute, for helping to facilitate this morning's discussion. Finally, the Court thanks Retired Illinois Chief Justice Ben K. Miller and Retired U.S. District Court Judge David H. Coar for their attendance and for their willingness to ensure that all of us move forward toward a common goal.

Daniel L. Houlihan, of Wilmette, formerly of Beverly, and summer resident of Long Beach, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday night. Dan was a prominent zoning attorney who began his career as an Assistant State’s Attorney, served as an Illinois State Representative and longtime Legislative Counsel for ISBA.

Dan was a long-standing Board of Director Member for Misericordia Heart of Mercy, and a member of Catholic Charities Advisory Board.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 15 from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Boulevard at Old Orchard Road, Skokie.  Funeral will be held on Saturday, November 16 at 10:00 AM at St. Francis Xavier Church, 9th and Linden, Wilmette.

Paula H. Holderman (second from right), president of the Illinois State Bar Association, was one of four speakers at a November 7 Chicago Bar Association seminar at the CBA headquarters themed “Lessons in Leadership: A Conversation with Female Bar Presidents.” With Ms. Holderman in the photo are three former CBA presidents (seated, from left) Terri Mascherin, Aurora Abella-Austriaco and Appellate Court Justice Joy Cunningham. Standing are the event’s moderators Deidre Baumann and Michele Jochner. The panelists discussed their backgrounds, how they prepared for their leadership roles, advancement opportunities in the profession, the gender-equity pay issue, work-life balance and their personal definitions of success.