Join us in Chicago on April 25^th for an in-depth look at the basic estate planning tools you need to effectively assist your estate planning clients! Learn the essentials of the initial client meeting, the appropriate use of advanced directives and the ethical considerations in the estate planning process. Don’t miss this opportunity to update your basic knowledge of wills, trusts, and formulating your client’s estate plan. Trusts and estate professionals, new attorneys, small and closely-held business counsel, financial planners and accountants with beginning to intermediate experience who attend this seminar will: learn how to obtain relevant information during the initial client meeting; be better prepared to draft dispositive provisions in a will; understand how to personalize a client’s will; learn to recognize potential gift and estate tax issues; understand the importance of funding trusts; learn to recognize potential gift and estate tax issues; be able to avoid the various pitfalls that may arise throughout the estate planning process; and better understand the ethical considerations in estate planning, including engagement letters, identifying conflicts, and complying with the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct.

The program is presented by the ISBA Trusts & Estate Section Council and qualifies for 6.25 hours MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced Monday the applicable dates for new rules aimed at mitigating abuses and uncertainty in mortgage foreclosures, and helping those who face the loss of their homes by imposing several requirements on mediation programs and lenders seeking to foreclosure.

The rules were announced February 22, and their effective date is May 1.

However, under amendments filed on Monday Supreme Court Rule 114, which requires a lender to attest that the lender has complied with the requirements of any applicable loss mitigation program, will apply to all judgments on or after the May 1 effective date of the rule no matter the foreclosure filing date.

"Because the affidavit (required under Rule 114) must be filed prior to the entry of a foreclosure judgement, the effective date requires application to any case where a judgment of foreclosure has not yet been entered," state amended comments to Rule 114. "Thus, although a case may already have been filed prior to the effective date (May 1) of Rule 114, the Rule would apply if a judgment of foreclosure has not yet been entered."

Supreme Court Rule 113, which establishes practices and procedures in mortgage foreclosure cases, was amended to make clear that it applies only to those foreclosure actions filed on or after the effective date of May 1, 2013.

Historically rich. Culturally diverse. Environmentally magnificent. For decades, the Caribbean’s largest island—roughly 90 miles away from U.S. soil—has been but a mystery, perceived through secondhand sources and beyond the grasp of American travelers.

This exclusive opportunity to explore Cuba is organized and operated by Go Next, Inc., who has been issued a People-to-People license by the U.S Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that authorizes registered travelers of the educational exchange program to visit Cuba. Go Next invites you to personally experience the people, culture, landscape and architecture of this distinct Caribbean nation on a week-long journey developed for the Illinois State Bar Association.

With an intimate group of only 25 travelers, share enriching activities that illuminate the realities of Cuban citizens and provide an ideal gateway into their daily lives. Through informative and educational People-to-People exchanges, uncover Cuba’s sheer beauty, paradoxes and remarkable intrigue on this unforgettable adventure. Space is limited, so sign up now. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to unravel the mysteries of a fascinating country through its most candid, inspiring source—its people.

View the Cuban Discovery brochure with itinerary and reservation form

Illinois State Bar Association President John E. Thies discusses e-filing in the courts with Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride.

Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions in the civil case In re Estate of Boyar and the criminal cases People v. Fitzpatrick, People v. Le Mirage, Inc. and People v. Hunter.

The Illinois State Bar Associaiton's Lawyer Finder service connects consumers to Illinois lawyers - by phone Mondays through Fridays, and around the clock at illinoislawyerfinder.com.

Here are the results for March 2013:

• 626 phone referrals made by Lawyer Finder staff
• Most requested areas of law: Family (118), Employment Law (74), Personal Injury (68), Criminal Law (57), Real Estate (55), Civil Disputes (50)

• 23,713 visits to IllinoisLawyerFinder.com (21,251 unique visitors)
• 693 clicks to Find a Lawyer (from campaign landing pages only)
• 895 unique calls to Find a Lawyer
• Top 3 online topics: Employment Law, Divorce, General/Find a Lawyer

Want to be part of the ISBA Lawyer Finder Service? Call (800) 252-8908 and ask for the Legal Department, or visit www.illinoislawyerfinder.com

Clients should call (800) 922-8757.

Northern Illinois University College of Law will open a free legal clinic this fall in Aurora, focusing on legal issues that may contribute to health problems in the area’s indigent population. NIU Law will partner with both Hesed House - a comprehensive homeless resource center in Aurora that will house the clinic - and Aunt Martha’s Health Center.

You can find clients on Facebook and LinkedIn. Or, more to the point, they can find you. But only if you go about it the right way. The good news? That usually means following your interests and passions and being yourself. Find out more in the April Illinois Bar Journal.

ISBA President John E. Thies participated in a discussion on law school debt Tuesday on the WILL-AM 580 program Focus. Thies was joined in the discussion by Northwestern Professor Steven Harper, author of the new book "The Lawyer Bubble."

Listen to the discussion at will.illinois.edu/focus/player/the-lawyer-bubble
 
Read the report and recommendations of the ISBA's Special Committee on the Impact of Law School Debt on the Delivery of Legal Services at www.isba.org/committees/impactoflawschooldebtondeliveryofle