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Tingey Injury Law Firm, Unsplash

The names of seven new associate judges, selected in a vote of Cook County Circuit Court judges, were announced by Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.

Ballots listing the names of 14 finalists, chosen from 74 interviewed applicants, were distributed to 265 circuit judges. Ballots were due on April 27.

The Alliance of Bar Associations and the Chicago Bar Association evaluated the candidates. Each candidate was interviewed by an 11-member Nominating Committee comprised of Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II of the Circuit Court of Cook County and 10 members of his leadership team.
Continue Reading Seven New Cook County Associate Judges Named

Lady Justice background.
Tingey Injury Law Firm, Unsplash

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, the Illinois State Bar Association formally filled its comment in opposition to the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) Proposed Rule concerning “Review of State Bar Complaints and Allegations Against Department of Justice Attorneys.”

The Proposed Rule, which was filed by the DOJ last week, relates to state disciplinary agencies’ investigations and prosecutions of DOJ attorneys. It would establish a process for the DOJ to review bar complaints and allegations against its attorneys. Under the Proposed Rule, before a current or former DOJ attorney could participate in any disciplinary investigation by a state disciplinary authority,…
Continue Reading ISBA Files Comment Opposing Proposed Department of Justice (DOJ) Rule Seeking To Interfere With State Disciplinary Investigations Involving DOJ Attorneys

Photographer: Corey Martin (http://www.blackrabbitstudio.com/) This picture is part of a photoshoot organised and funded by ODISSEI, European Social Survey (ESS) and Generations and Gender Programme (GGP) to properly visualize what survey research looks like in real life.
ODISSEI, Unsplash

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission Lawyers’ Assistance Program has invited the participation of lawyers in an important survey about stress, mental health, substance use, and gambling in the Illinois legal profession.

Your contribution is greatly appreciated. If you have not yet submitted your responses, please take the survey. The deadline is Tuesday, November 25.

Your voice matters—by sharing your opinions, observations, and experiences, the Illinois Supreme Court Commission Lawyers’ Assistance Program can better support lawyers in their work and personal lives.

Participation in this survey is completely anonymous. There is no way to know the identity of any lawyer…
Continue Reading Illinois Supreme Court Commission Lawyers’ Assistance Program Survey on Stress, Mental Health, Substance Use, and Gambling in the Legal Profession

Smokeball Bill Free Trust Accounting and Billing Software

Small law firms across Illinois just scored a major win. Smokeball, the industry-leading legal practice management software platform and legal AI trailblazer, today announced an exclusive relationship with the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) to provide all members with complimentary access to Smokeball Bill, its powerful trust accounting and billing solution.

With this initiative, thousands of solo and small firm practitioners across Illinois will be able to simplify trust accounting, streamline billing, and stay compliant, freeing up more time for what matters most: serving clients.
A Home-State Milestone
This marks Smokeball’s 19th free product program with a state bar…
Continue Reading Illinois State Bar Association Offering Free Trust Accounting & Billing Software to All Members With Smokeball Bill

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A leading appellate attorney reviews the Illinois Supreme Court opinion handed down Thursday, October 5.
People v. Reyes, 2023 IL 128461
By Kerry J. Bryson, Office of the State Appellate Defender

In 2012, Jorge Reyes was convicted of aggravated driving under the influence. In additional to a prison sentence, Reyes was ordered to pay various fines and fees. Subsequently, Reyes filed a petition to revoke the fines in his case, pursuant to 730 ILCS 5/5-9-2.1 Section 5-9-2 states that “[e]xcept as to fines established for violations of Chapter 15 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, the court, upon good cause…
Continue Reading Quick Take on Illinois Supreme Court Opinion Issued Thursday, October 5, 2023

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Our panel of leading appellate attorneys reviews the two civil opinions handed down Thursday, September 21, 2023, by the Illinois Supreme Court.
MB Financial Bank, N.A. v. Brophy, 2023 IL 128252
By Amelia Buragas, Illinois State University

In MB Financial Bank, N.A. v. Brophy, the Illinois Supreme Court overruled the appellate court’s judgment holding that the City of Joliet owed more than $6 million in back property taxes to the former owner of a property subjected to condemnation proceedings. The unanimous opinion authored by Justice Cunningham, concluded that the plaintiff was not entitled to repayment of property taxes that…
Continue Reading Quick Takes on Illinois Supreme Court Opinions Issued Thursday, September 21, 2023

Illinois Supreme Court News

Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that 396 out of 400 Illinois associate judges who filed requests for reappointment to their office for a new four-year term have been retained.

Having certified the results of more than 400 total ballots cast in Illinois’ 25 circuit courts, Director Meis informed that each successful candidate received votes that tallied three-fifths or greater in favor of their reappointment. Four associate judges did not receive the requisite number of votes for reappointment. The new term of office for each reappointed associate judge will begin on July…
Continue Reading Administrative Director Announces Results of Associate Judge Reappointments

ISBA News

Working with other states and entities across the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) is the co-sponsor of a proposed Resolution and Report in the ABA House of Delegates that seeks to reaffirm longstanding ABA policy adopted in July 2000 that sharing legal fees with nonlawyers and the ownership or control of law practices by nonlawyers is inconsistent with the core values of the legal profession.

A goal of reaffirming the existing ABA policy is to provide guidance within the ABA as various groups consider possible changes to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct and other policy…
Continue Reading Illinois State Bar Association Co-Sponsors Proposed American Bar Association Resolution and Report on Nonlawyer Ownership of Law Firms and Sharing Legal Fees With Nonlawyers