Mediation is designed to resolve differences both in and out of the courts. It requires a very different mindset than courtroom litigation. Join us in Grafton on February 18^th for this week-long mediation training and learn how to resolve conflicts in a non-adversarial, non-confrontational manner, allowing peaceful resolutions between parties.

The program is taught by Richard Calkins and Fred Lane—two nationally recognized mediators, authors and educators. Until 20 years ago, both Mr. Calkins and Mr. Lane were well-known and highly regarded litigators. Since then, however, they have successfully mediated over 5,000 cases.

The program qualifies for 40.0 hours MCLE credit, including 40.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (PMCLE subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register.

The Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County has posted a notice that there are five vacancies in the office of associate judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Applications are being accepted for these vacancies, as well as additional vacancies which may occur during the nomination process, the will be filled by vote of the Circuit Judges of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Any attorney who is a U.S. citizen, a resident of Cook County and licensed to practice law in Illinois may apply by completing two signed originals of the application prescribed by the Director of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts to the address below:

• Michael J. Tardy, Director
• Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts
• 222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th Floor
• Chicago, Illinois 60601

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2013. An application can be obtained from the Offices of the Chief Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County, 50 W. Washington, Room 2600, Richard J. Daley Center, Chicago, IL 60602. Applications may also be obtained from the Illinois Supreme Court's website at http://www.state.il.us/court/Administrative/Forms/Assoc_Judge/default.asp.

Applications may not be submitted electronically or via facsimile. At the close of the application process, the Director shall certify to the Chief Judge a list of those applications who have timely filed and provide a copy of those applications.

Twenty local and specialty bar associations have made contributions and/or created teams to participate in the Lawyers Feeding Illinois program. This program aims to raise a million meals for needy Illinois families. Many bar associations are also matching contributions. Sign up your team or bar association today at www.lawyersfeedingil.org.

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews bills in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. In this episode he covers IMDMA and temporary relief (House Bill 1004), Integrative Family Therapy (House Bill 1018), Family law and false allegations of child abuse or neglect (House Bill 1019), Child support and payor’s fee (House Bill 1041), Income-withholding notices (Senate Bill 1169) and Uniform Collaborative Law (House Bill 1029). More information on the bill is available below the video.

IMDMA and temporary relief. House Bill 1004 (Pritchard, R-DeKalb) allows party to request and the court to grant temporary relief that includes the following: (1) require a party to surrender to the court or the petitioner's attorney any United States or foreign passport issued in the name of a child; (2) require a party to place the name of a child in the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program of the United States Department of State; or (3) enjoin a party from applying on behalf of a child for a new or replacement passport or visa. Recently introduced.

The website AVVO.com, famous for its lawyer-rating system, has launched a new service that allows prospective clients with traffic tickets to receive "bids" for representation from nearby lawyers. Shortly after the program debuted in mid-December 2012, the ISBA's criminal law e-discussion group lit up with comments that the system degrades the practice of law and creates ethical pitfalls for the lawyers who use it. But AVVO.com founder and CEO Mark Britton defended the new service as merely taking the next technological step forward in making connections between attorneys and potential clients. Find out more in the February Illinois Bar Journal.

President John E. Thies discusses the ISBA's Special Committee on Law School Debt. The committee recently completed the final of five hearings held around the state. The group heard testimony on the significance of law school debt on the long term delivery of legal services and found the impact of this crisis is being felt far and wide.

The ISBA Senior Lawyers Section and the ABA Retirement Funds Program will co-host a program titled "Retirement Readiness" on March 6 from noon-1:30 p.m. at the ISBA's Chicago Regional Office.

Nominating petitions for the 2013 ISBA Election are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at either the Illinois Bar Center, 424 South 2nd Street, in Springfield or the ISBA Chicago Office at 20 S. Clark Street, 9th Floor, Chicago. Petitions must be physically submitted with original signatures. Petitions submitted via email or fax will not be accepted. (See Election Policy Para. 3.4.)

More information is available at www.isba.org/elections

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am sole owner of a law firm in Western Kentucky. My practice consists of myself, a legal assistant, a part-time bookkeeper, and a part-time contract attorney. The practice is limited to employment law - both plaintiff and defense side. Approximately 80% of my business is contingency fee and 20% is time-billed and or retainer. While the practice has done OK over the past 15 or so years, worrying about paying bills (cash flow) is a constant source of stress for me and my family. I do no marketing - all of my business comes from lawyer referrals. Do you have any suggestions?

Master the basics of administering a guardianship estate with this informative full-day seminar in Bloomington on February 15^th! Discover the various issues surrounding guardianship estates for disabled persons as respected estate planning practitioners guide you through a number of topics, including who qualifies as a disabled person and why a guardian may be necessary; types of guardianship estates and who may serve as a guardian; the guardianship appointment process; requirements for opening and closing the guardianship estate; the powers, duties, and limitations of the guardian; investment requirements and fiduciary accountings; contested guardianships and how to avoid and/or settle them; the roles of the Public Guardian and Office of State Guardian; and the ethical issues to consider when acting as Power of Attorney.

The program is presented by the ISBA Trusts and Estates Section and qualifies for 6.5 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register.