Nominations are being accepted for ISBA awards that will be presented on June 21, 2013, at the Annual Awards Luncheon. Additional information is available at www.isba.org/awards

The Illinois State Bar Association's Special Committee on Law School Debt, formed by President John E. Thies, will hold the final of five open hearings on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the Chicago Regional Office, 20 S. Clark. ISBA members are encouraged to attend this meeting to discuss how increasing law school debt is impacting the delivery of legal services.

The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee is seeking comment on proposals providing for expedited appeals from final judgements in delinquent minor proceedings and allowing a defendant's appearance via closed circuit television or video conferencing.
These proposals, and others, will be aired at a public hearing of the Supreme Court Rules Committee on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 at 10 a.m. in Chicago. Anyone wishing to testify at the public hearing should advise the Committee in writing no later than Monday, Dec. 3.

Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court civil opinions in Center Partners, Ltd. v. Growth Head GP, LLC, Carr v. Koch and Toftoy v. Rosenwinkel et al.

Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court criminal opinions in People v. Leach, People v. Tate, People v. Hughes, People v. Giraud and People v. Meerman.

IJA President Rita Novak and ISBA President John E. Thies discuss events that will take place during the upcoming IJA/ISBA Joint Midyear Meeting in Chicago Dec. 13-15.

Please join us at the 15th Annual Holiday Party and show your support for the IBF/ YLD Children’s Assistance Fund. Initially created to assist with the opening of children’s waiting rooms in courthouses across the State of Illinois, the IBF/YLD Children’s Assistance Fund has since grown, and now provides funding to organizations across the State of Illinois that provide legal assistance to children, maintain children’s waiting rooms in courthouses, work to reduce recidivism of juveniles, and/or work to reduce the incidents of domestic violence in families with children. The YLD has raised more than $350,000.00 for the Children’s Assistance Fund over the past 14, due, in large part, to the widespread support and participation in our annual Holiday Party. We hope that you will help us continue this worthy tradition by joining us in person or, if you cannot attend, by contributing to the cause.

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

WHERE: Cubby Bear Lounge, 1059 W. Addison, Chicago, Illinois

WHAT: Open Bar, Warm Appetizers, and Live Music by Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press!

COST: $40 per person

Alternatively, please consider participating in our “Friends of the Children” sponsorship campaign. All participants will be thanked, with logos displayed, both during and after the Holiday Party.

On November 28, the Illinois Supreme Court promulgated Supreme Court Rule 10-101, "Standardized Forms." Paragraph (a) of the new rule reads as follows: "The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice shall establish a process to develop and approve standardized, legally sufficient forms for areas of law and practice where the Commission determines that there is a high volume of self-represented litigants and that standardized forms will enhance access to justice."

So what is the Commission, and what are these forms designed to do? Read Adam Lasker's background piece in the December IBJ (the article was written a couple of weeks before the rule's adoption).

The Illinois Supreme Court announced on Tuesday that the Hon. Robert G. Kleeman, Associate Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit, is appointed Circuit Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit, at Large, to the position presently held by the Honorable Hollis L. Webster, who is retiring from judicial office on Dec. 31, 2012.

This appointment is effective Feb. 4, 2013, and terminates on Dec. 1, 2014.

Asked and Answered

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

Q. Our 17 attorney firm has had less than stellar revenues and profitability for the last several years. Our billing and realization rates are in line, we have a good mix of partners and associates, we have managed our expenses effectively, and our accounts receivable are at satisfactory levels. The culprit is utilization - billable hours. Partner annual billable hours are around 1100 hours and associate billable hours are around 1300. Everyone seems to be working hard. I would be interested in your thoughts?

A. Sounds like you have given the RULES (rates/realization, utilization, leverage, expenses, and speed/collection) formula careful thought and analysis. I agree that you have a problem with utilization. General guidelines for partners and associates for annual billable hours are in the 1700 range with litigation firms being much higher and smaller general practice firms being lower - sometimes in the 1500 range. However, 1100/1300 billable hours is a problem and should be looked into to determine the exact nature of the cause. Causes could be any one or a combination of the following: