Don’t miss this opportunity on May 15^th to update your knowledge on a number of key professional conduct areas, including: trust account requirements and complying with Rule 1.5 of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct; what to include on retainer agreements; avoiding sexual misconduct and knowing which conduct has been disciplined by the ARDC; how other states define sexual misconduct; and sexual harassment in the workplace. The program will be held in Chicago and via live webcast (for those unable to attend onsite).

The program is presented by ISBA’s Standing Committee on the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commissionand qualifies for 2.75 hours MCLE credit, including 2.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register for the CHICAGO program.

Click here for more information and to register for the LIVE WEBCAST.

ISBA President John E. Thies asks Illinois Bar Foundation President Hon. Debra Walker how IBF is addressing the issue of access to justice in Illinois. They also discuss the IBF Lawyers Care Fund - how lawyers help take care of their own.

Darryl K. McPherson, a United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois, today received the 2013 Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association at a ceremony held at the E.M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn, in Chicago. ISBA President-elect Paula H. Holderman presented the award.

The ISBA’s Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. It is given sparingly to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement.

During his time at the helm of the U.S. Marshals Service for the Northern District of Illinois, Marshal McPherson has made a significant contribution to preventing and minimizing the impact of crime. He has also led the Marshals Service in getting involved in numerous community and charitable events that shed a favorable light on law enforcement.

If parents treat a child they have not legally adopted as their own, he can pursue an inheritance even in the absence of their express or implied contract to adopt him, the high court ruled a few weeks ago in DeHart v. DeHart.

In allowing the plaintiff's case to proceed under the newly recognized equitable-adoption doctrine, probate lawyer Matthew R. Davison said the supreme court has opened the door for members of "modern families" to protect their rights whenever evidence shows it was the parents' intent not only to love and provide for a child but also to make that child a permanent part of their family. Find out more in the May IBJ.

Cook County Circuit Clerk Dorothy Brown will host an Expungement Summit will be held on Saturday, June 8 at the New Faith Baptist Church International, 25 S. Central, Matteson. This is a full service expungement summit serving both adults and juveniles.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and doors close at 6 p.m. Call (312) 603-5200 for additional information or visit www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org.

Volunteer attorneys will be on site to help with expungement and sealing applications. Attorneys interested in volunteering must attend an MCLE training course on May 15 or May 22 from 3-5:30 p.m. at the County Building, 69 W. Washingon, 17th floor. RSVP for the training to mrnoel@cookcountycourt.com

Volunteer attorneys will receive 2.5 General MCLE credits.

Asked and Answered

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

Q. Our firm is a relatively new firm. Several of us left a large firm in Dallas and started the firm last year. We have 17 attorneys - 10 of us are partners. When we started the firm we each put in a little cash and obtained a line of credit which we have used extensively and we are at our limit. Is this a good practice? Should the partners contribute more capital? How much? I would appreciate your ideas.

The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), the administrative agency that regulates licensed Illinois lawyers, has filed its year 2012 Annual Report with the Supreme Court of Illinois. The report was released to the public this morning when a copy was posted on the ARDC website: www.iardc.org.

A summary of the annual report entitled Highlights from the Annual Report is available below. Click here for the full report.

Be a part of the conversation. Join us on Law Day – Wednesday, May 1 – as we host an open discussion on the challenges facing Illinois lawyers and the legal profession.

What are the issues facing you and your colleagues? Law school debt? Keeping up with technology? Finding work? Competition from DIY law? Maintaining a work/life balance?

Tweet to #IllinoisLawyers to share your thoughts and experiences.

Ground Rules: Keep it clean. Keep it constructive. Keep it on topic.

Visit us on Twitter @ISBAlawyer and @ISBAmembership.

Learn more about the Town Hall Meeting via Twitter at www.isba.org/illinoislawyers.