Asked and Answered

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

Over the last two weeks I responded to a question concerning starting a new law practice and I outlined the first to phases of start-up. Eventually, you must address and face Phase III.

Phase III – Partnership – Internal/Other Firm

Eventually the question of partnership arises – whether sooner based upon the need or desire to transition an associate into a partnership or to add a practice area by acquiring a lateral partner with his/her book of business. Maybe you are thinking about merging with another firm. Or maybe you have been solo or a sole owner for your entire career and are now contemplating retirement and are looking for a succession/exit strategy and now must either bring in a partner, merge with another firm, or sell your practice. Partnership with another attorney creates another set of interpersonal dynamics and another set of skills that will need to be developed at this stage of your practice.

More clients -- and lawyers for that matter -- are looking for value-based alternatives to the billable hour. The good news? They can be a win-win for attorney and client. Read all about it in the February Illinois Bar Journal.

Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride announced on Tuesday that the Supreme Court has approved a policy for a pilot project to allow news cameras and electronic news recording in Illinois trial courtrooms for the first time. Read the order for extended media coverage.

The policy is effective immediately and invites the Circuit Courts in the state to apply for approval from the Supreme Court to take part in the experimental program. Once a Circuit is approved by the Supreme Court, media may request to electronically cover eligible cases in that Circuit.

"This is another step to bring more transparency and more accountability to the Illinois court system," said Chief Justice Kilbride. "The provisions of this new policy keep discretion in the chief circuit judge and the trial judge to assure that a fair and impartial trial is not compromised, yet affords a closer look at the workings of our court system to the public through the eyes of the electronic news media and news photographers.

"I am thankful to all of my fellow justices on the Court for giving a willing ear, thoughtful consideration and unanimous approval to this experiment. It is new to Illinois, but has been standard practice in many other states. I am confident that through the diligence of our chief circuit judges and our trial judges, along with the professionalism of the news media, that it may become a standard practice in our state too."

Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Friday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions in the civil cases Sandholm v. Kuecker and Powell v. Dean Foods Company and criminal cases People v. Adams, People v. Gutierrez, People v. Washington and People v. Rinehart.

CIVIL

Sandholm v. Kuecker

By Michael T. Reagan, The Law Offices of Michael T. Reagan

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews bills in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers: Senate Bill 2534 (mortgage foreclosure); House Bill 3979 (association bylaws), House Bill 3981 (expert witness) and House Bill 3850 (local government). More information on each bill is available below the video.

Eight bands have been selected to perform at the Illinois Bar Foundation’s 2nd Annual Lawyers Rock Legends at Buddy Guy’s Legends on Feb. 16, 2012. Click here to order tickets

The bands (in alphabetical order) that will be playing live at Buddy Guy's Legends on
Feb. 16 are:

• 5-thirty
• CAC Attack
• Clark Stereo
• Hans & The Hormones
• Jack Salamander
• Joe Bisceglia
• One More Time
• The Vazquez Blues Band

More information on the event is available at www.illinoisbarfoundation.org.

In In re Marriage of Petersen, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that divorced Mom could not force Dad to pay for kids’ college expenses that predate the filing of her petition for contribution. But Peterson did not stop a son from recovering college expenses retroactively from his parents, according to a recent Illinois Appellate Court opinion. Read Mike Kalcheim's analysis in the latest ISBA Family Law newsletter.

Lester Munson will be the keynote speaker at the Third Annual Joseph Bartylak Dinner at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield on Friday, March 23, 2012.

Munson is an ESPN sportswriter, a popular Chicago media personality, and a long-time LAP volunteer.

The Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP) will present the Joseph R. Bartylak Award to J. Nelson Wood of Mt. Vernon and Chicago for his exemplary work as a volunteer for the organization.

The reception is at 6:00 PM and the dinner at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $75. For information contact Judge James Radcliffe, LAP’s associate director, at (618) 444-9706 or bartylakdinner@illinoislap.org.