The Supreme Court of Illinois has announced the filing of lawyer disciplinary orders entered during the January Term of Court. The court disbarred two lawyers, suspended 16, reprimanded three and censured three. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law.
ISBA President John E. Thies reports on the success of the recent ISBA/IJA Joint Midyear Meeting held in Chicago. Events included the annual luncheon to honor ISBA Distinguished Counsellors, CLE programs on Social Media and the Crisis in Court Funding, festive Law School Alumni Receptions, the Joint ISBA/CBA Supreme Court Dinner and the Assembly meeting.
ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews bills in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. In this episode he covers Medical malpractice and tobacco litigation (House Bill 5151), Small Estate Affidavit (House Bill 25), Uniform Collaborative Law Act (Senate Bill 31), Victims’ Rights (HJRCA 1) and Local governments and debt collection (Senate Bill 36). More information on the bill is available below the video.
The ISBA Young Lawyers Division hosted “Graduating to the Bench,” the second of a four-part series of Professional Development Luncheons on Tuesday, Jan. 15. Participants included (from left) YLD Luncheon co-chair Matt Coleman, YLD Chair Meghan O’Brien, Speakers Al Durkin, Judge William Holdridge, Judge Nancy Katz, Judge Thomas Hogan, Moderator and Luncheon co-chair Heather Pfeffer and Luncheon co-chair Jessica Durkin. The fourth and final Professional Development Luncheon will be held on March 13 and will focus on alternative careers in the law.
Can we protect victims of domestic violence while "minimizing the abuse of the legal system" from unwarranted orders of protection, as author and dowstate attorney John J. Racklin puts it? He thinks so. In his article in the latest issue of the ISBA's Family Law newsletter, he offers several suggestions.
Take filing fees, for example. "I believe that charging a filing fee would make people think twice about filing frivolous pleadings. In addition, the county would be able to recoup some of the costs incurred in these cases," Racklin writes. And what about indigent petitioners? "They could request to have their fees and costs waived as is already allowed in other civil cases." Read his proposals here.
Two Central Illinois TV stations highlighted the Lawyers Feeding Illinois program in news reports last week. ISBA President John E. Thies led a group of local attorneys and bar leaders on a visit to the Central Illinois Food Bank in Springfield. The Lawyers Feeding Illinois competition begins Feb. 18 - but donate and sign your team up now at lawyersfeedingil.org
Video from WAND can be viewed at http://www.wandtv.com/global/Category.asp?c=182814&clipId=8193154&autostart=true
Video from WICS can be viewed at http://www.wics.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_9063.shtml
Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced Wednesday that the Tenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Timothy J. Cusack as an associate judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit.
Mr. Cusack received his undergraduate degree in 1984 from Marquette University in Milwaukee, and his Juris Doctor in 1989 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Mr. Cusack is currently affiliated with the Peoria County Public Defender's Office in Peoria.
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. I am the sole owner of a law firm in Tucson, Arizona. I have seven associates working for the firm. I have one very senior level associate that I want to consider for partnership. I want to do this to keep him interested (he has been approached by other firms) and I envision him being a cornerstone of my succession plan - 10 years out. How should I start the process with him?
A. It sounds like you have found the person - or whom you believe is the right person for partnership. However, just because he has been a good associate does not mean that he will be a good partner - the relationship will be different. But at least he is somewhat of a known quantity since you know him and have worked with him for several years.
Here are a few ideas of where you might start:
The Illinois Bar Foundation will host the annual Lawyers Rock Legends on Thursday, Feb. 28. This evening of Rock, Motown, Jazz & Blues will take place from 7-11:30 p.m. at Buddy Guy's Legends, 700 S. Wabash.
Proceeds from this event benefit the IBF's M. Denny Hassakis Fund.
Includes: 10 premium seats; select a band to perform and announce the band on stage; name/firm name on IBF website and event materials; appetizers, beer, wine, and soda.
Includes: 5 premium seats; an opportunity to announce a band on stage; name/firm name on IBF website and event materials; appetizers, beer, wine, and soda.
Includes: 1 premium seat; appetizers, beer, wine, and soda
(Limited tickets are available).
Includes: Admission (standing room only); appetizers, beer, wine, and soda.
Learn more and register at www.illinoisbarfoundation.org or by calling the Illinois Bar Foundation at 312.726.6072.
Special accommodations will be granted to those with disabilities, please call ahead.
CARPLS Legal Hotline in Chicago is looking for volunteer attorneys to give advice to low-income clients in the areas of landlord/tenant, consumer debt, and family law. Hotline shifts are M-F 9-1 or 1-5. We seek a minimum commitment of 1 shift per week over a 10-week session. Training (with CLE credit) and malpractice insurance provided.
Our next two training cycles begin Thursday, January 24, 2013 from 4-8 and Thursday, April 4 from 4-8. For more information contact Leslie Wallin at 312/421-4427 or lwallin@carpls.org or go to http://www.carpls.org/getinvolved/hotlinevolunteer/.