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CLE – Family Law Skills: Practice Makes Perfect

Join us in Chicago on March 4 from 8:25 a.m. to 4 p.m. for this unique and interactive CLE format!

The seminar is comprised of role-playing, speaker demonstrations, and two-hours of mensa doctrina where our distinguished faculty members answer your individual questions as you move from table to table at 15-minute intervals. But that’s not all! The program also includes traditional lectures covering topics such as initial client interviews, fact pleading, affidavits, avoiding Supreme Court Rule 137 sanctions, securing documents through discovery, exparte motion, burdens of proof … and much more. This creative alternative to traditional CLE programs is designed to encourage attorneys to meet and mingle while mastering the art of the family law practice – proving that learning can be fun!

The program, sponsored by the ISBA Family Law Section Council, qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit.

Click here for more information and to register.

Breaking legal news for Monday, February 8

This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day.

CLE – For Experienced Lawyers: The Basics of Elder Law

Back By Popular Demand!!!

Chicago LIVE Webcast!

Thursday, February 18, 2010 Thursday, February 18, 2010

ISBA Regional Office OR 8:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

20 S. Clark Street, Suite 900

8:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

With the baby-boomer generation approaching retirement age, it’s important for lawyers to keep abreast of elder law basics! This popular four-hour seminar—originally presented at the 2009 ISBA Winter CLE Fest*—examines the numerous opportunities for pro bono assistance; explores the reporting requirements and practice rules for pro bono work; explains the fundamentals of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term insurance; and discusses adult guardianship options, including the Healthcare Surrogate Act. The program closes with a panel discussion in which all the speakers come together to discuss the physical, mental, and financial issues involved in avoiding the nursing home. The program is designed for attorneys with all levels of experience who have an interest in learning the basics of elder law.

The program, presented by the ISBA Senior Lawyer Section and co-sponsored by the ISBA Elder Law Section, qualifies for 4.0 hours MCLE credit, including 0.50 hours approved Professional Responsibility MCLE credit.

Click here for more information and to register.

*Attorneys cannot claim credit for attending/completing the same course twice within a 12-month period.

ISBA takes page from history to launch unique billboard campaign

These three billboards will be unveiled along I-55 on Feb. 8.

Back during the Depression of the 1930’s, Burma Shave pioneered the idea of consecutive, cost-effective roadside advertising.

Today, the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) announced it will unveil three consecutive billboards on I-55 in Feb. 8 and three side-by-side billboards inside Chicago’s Metra Station in March. Each triad of billboards will feature the following message: “Is she or isn’t she … not all lawyers are … see if your lawyer is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association” and includes the ISBA’s consumer Web site address, www.isbalawyers.com

“Prior to the recession, obtaining this prime billboard space at a reasonable price would have been virtually impossible because published ad rates were high, lengthy in duration and non-negotiable,” said John Bailen, chair of the ISBA Committee on Strategic Marketing for Illinois Lawyers. “We feel fortunate to have found three consecutive billboards – available at the same time – in such high-visibility locations.”

Overseen by the ISBA Committee on Strategic Marketing for Illinois Lawyers, the ongoing advertising campaign is aimed at building confidence in the legal profession and educating consumers about the value of hiring a lawyer. The campaign includes print advertising and information about the ISBA Member Mark and Member Firm Mark, which is currently being used by more than 1,000 members on stationery, business cards, Web site and other communications venues.

The Chicago firm & Wojdyla, headed by David Wojdyla, is the ISBA’s ad agency. Public relations services are provided by Chris Ruys Communications, Inc., of Chicago.

The 35,000-member ISBA, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides professional services to Illinois lawyers, and education and services to the public.

Illinois Supreme Court decides caps violate separation of powers

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled today that legislation requiring judges to reduce jury awards of noneconomic damages to victims of medical malpractice violates the separation of powers clause of the Illinois Constitution.

In their amicus brief, the Chicago Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association had urged the court to uphold its previous decisions in which the General Assembly attempted to reduce awards for noneconomic damages.

ISBA President John O’Brien noted that this was the third time in the last 35 years that the Supreme Court of Illinois has considered and struck down legislative efforts to cap awards given by juries. “The Court has spoken on this issue in defense of our Constitution and the role of the judiciary and juries.”

ISBA brief on LeBron

Illinois Supreme Court summary Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital

Aldermen Burke and Fioretti presented with ISBA Lincoln street banners

John Bailen, Russell Hartigan, Ald. Fioretti, Ald. Burke and ISBA President John O'Brien

ISBA President John G. O’Brien presented ISBA street banners to Aldermen Robert Fioretti and Ed Burke, both lawyers, in gratitude for their assistance in the bar association’s commemoration of the 200^th birthday of Abraham Lincoln.

The banners were displayed at various locations in downtown Chicago and in Springfield during the year-long celebration. Also on hand for the presentation at Burke’s City Hall office were ISBA Board Member Russell Hartigan and John Bailen, chair, ISBA Committee on Strategic Marketing.

Best Practice: Should we merge with another firm?

Asked and Answered

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

Q. We are a small six attorney litigation firm. We have two partners and three associates. One of the partners wants to retire within the next five years. The other partner will continue to practice for another 10-15 years. We love practicing law and consider ourselves to be very good lawyers. However, we find firm management and administration to be a challenge and we are not skilled in this area nor do we want to be. We have a good book of business and clients. Recently, we began discussing the possibility of merging with another law firm. What are your thoughts about firms like ours merging with another law firm?

A. Obviously, merger or acquisition of law firms is becoming more and more commonplace. Hildebrand reported 57 completed mergers/acquisitions in 2009 in firms with five or more attorneys). However, research indicates that 1/3 to 1/2 of all mergers fail to meet expectations due to cultural misalignment and personnel problems. Don’t try to use a merger or acquisition as a life raft, for the wrong reasons and as your sole strategy. Successful mergers are based upon a sound integrated business strategy that creates synergy and a combined firm that produces greater client value than either firm can produced alone.

Right reasons for merging might include:

1. Improve the firm’s competitive position
2. Increase specialization – obtain additional expertise
3. Expand into other geographic regions
4. Add new practice areas
5. Increase or decrease client base
6. Improve and/or solidify client relationships

Tuesday’s Cook County judicial primary results

Illinois Lawyer Now has results for Tuesday’s judicial primaries. Click the link below for the full list of Tuesday’s races from Cook County with ISBA ratings for each candidate. All races are now accounted for.

Tuesday’s Illinois judicial primary results for all circuits outside of Cook

Here are the results for Tuesday’s judicial primaries for all circuits outside of Cook. Click the link below for the list of results from around the state with ISBA ratings for each candidate.

Two cheers for the new Illinois Freedom of Information Act

An important new law amends Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act, Open Meetings Act, and the Attorney General Act, all with the goal of making public records more accessible. But will it work as intended? In the February Illinois Bar Journal, Alison K. Hayden summarizes — and sometimes criticizes — the key changes.

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