The Illinois State Bar Association's Special Committee on Law School Debt, formed by President John E. Thies, held the final of five open hearings on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the Chicago Regional Office. The committee heard from several lawyers with over $100,000 in law school debt. One lawyer, who has sued three area law schools, said that law student loans need to be capped and need to be made dischargeable in bankruptcy. Many of the law students who spoke said they are on payment plans that don't cover the cost of the interest on their loans - so no principal is being paid off and additional interest is accruing.

The committee is co-chaired by Dennis J. Orsey of Granite City and Appellate Justice Ann B. Jorgensen. President Thies will deliver a report on what the committee learned at the June Assembly Meeting and will share the information with the American Bar Association.

[A version of the following article by Chicago writer Maria Kantzavelos will appear in the January Illinois Bar Journal as part of a longer piece about the Illinois Supreme Court's e-filing initiative.]

Effective Jan. 1, attorneys and parties involved in civil cases in circuit courts statewide must include an email address for service of documents on appearances and on all pleadings filed in court. The amendments to Supreme Court Rule 11, announced in October, make the following changes:

Asked and Answered

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

Q. Our 16 attorney firm is having our first planning retreat next week to plan for 2013. I have been charged with putting together the agenda and program. Do you have any suggestions that we as a firm might consider or think about adopting?

A. Here are a few ideas that you might want to consider.

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today announced beginning January 14, 2013, the public will not be permitted to bring cell phones and other electronic devices into any Circuit Court of Cook County courthouse facility except for the Richard J. Daley Center Courthouse.  The ban will affect only those courthouse facilities in which criminal matters are heard.*

The ARDC, Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, and others are sounding the alarm about a harsh new IRS reg that takes effect at the turn of the year. Here's what the ARDC posted on its website.

"Lawyers who accept debit and credit card payments from clients need to be aware of a recent IRS regulation scheduled to take effect January 1, 2013, which has the potential to adversely impact client trust accounts if certain precautions are not taken before January 1, 2013.

Are you the competitive type? Do you like to win? The clock is ticking … only 4 days left for Early Bird Registration for ISBA's friendly competition to support the food banks of Illinois. Register online at www.lawyersfeedingil.org by Dec. 17 and your team will receive 100 extra points!  
 
At the ISBA, we like to win too – and we've got a tough challenge to raise one millions meals.  Of course, the true winners will be the 1.9 million children, seniors, and families that are helped by your generosity and support.  Will you join us? We can't do it without your help. Register today! You just never know – the bonus points you receive by registering early may just put your team over the top.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit tossed Illinois' ban on concealed weapons Tuesday and is giving the Legislature 180 days to draw up a concealed carry law. Illinois is currently the only state without a concealed carry law.

Read the 7th Circuit's decision at http://www.ca7.uscourts.gov/tmp/NY0NTSHX.pdf