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  • August 31, 2013 | People
    ISBA Past President William Paul Sutter 1924-2013

    ISBA Past President William Paul Sutter, 89, of the Village of Golf, Florida and Northfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2013 after a brief illness.  Bill was born in Chicago on January 15, 1924 to Harry Blair and Elsie Paul Sutter.  He graduated from Yale University in the Class of 1945 as a member of Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.  Bill’s time at Yale was interrupted while he served his country in World War II.  He was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Field Artillery stationed in the Philippines. Bill received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan in 1950 and was a member of the Order of the Coif.

    Upon graduation from Michigan, Bill joined Hopkins & Sutter, the Chicago law firm co-founded by his father.  Bill twice argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and he served as President of the Illinois State Bar Association from 1973-1974.

  • August 28, 2013 | People
    Ronald M. Brown 1934-2013

    Ronald M. Brown, 78, of Phoenix, passed away July 30, 2013. Ron was born in Cheyenne, Wyo. to Evelyn and Max Brown. He spent most of his life in Chicago, where he raised three sons, and practiced law for more than 30 years. He was a graduate of the University of Chicago and Chicago-Kent College of Law. He was honored as Senior Counsellor recognizing more than 50 years of service in the Illinois Bar. Ron was a lifelong Cubs fan and avid golfer. He retired to Phoenix in 1995. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Marlene. He is also survived by three sons: Neil Brown of St. Petersburg, Fla.; Steven Brown of Phoenix; Howard Brown of Ahwatukee; daughters-in-law Gelareh Asayesh and Belinda Brown; grandchildren Aaron, Mina, Cameron, Max, Eric and Elizabeth; sister and brother-in-law Patricia and Martin Buck of Chicago. A private memorial will be held in Phoenix in the fall. Donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley

  • August 28, 2013 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court to convene in Chicago

    Believed to be 1st time court will hear full term outside Springfield

    The Supreme Court will convene for its September 2013 Term in the Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago. The first oral arguments are scheduled for Tuesday, September 10 in the 18th floor Courtroom.

    Traditionally, the Supreme Court convenes to hear oral arguments in Springfield. It is believed that this is the first time that a full Term of the Court will be held outside the 105-year-old building since it opened in 1908.

    Gov. Pat Quinn announced June 6 the release of $12.6 million to rehabilitate the historic Illinois Supreme Court Building in Springfield. During the construction period which began June 17, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Chicago. Rehabilitation is scheduled to be completed at this time next year. The Springfield office of the Supreme Court Clerk and other Springfield Supreme Court staff moved to an interim location at the Herndon Building, 421 East Capitol Avenue in Springfield. Telephone numbers remain the same.

    This will not be the first time that the Supreme Court has heard oral arguments outside Springfield. Five years ago, the Supreme Court heard two oral arguments at the Mt. Vernon courthouse as part of events marking the 150th anniversary of the court building and the 2009 bicentennial celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birth. That courthouse was used by the Supreme Court from 1857 until 1897, when the Court was consolidated in Springfield. The Court then met in the current state Capitol building until the Supreme Court Building at its present location opened nine years later.

    1 comment (Most recent August 29, 2013)
  • August 27, 2013 | Events | ISBA News
    Register by Sept. 3 for YLD Day at the Races

    The ISBA Young Lawyers Division will host a Day at the Races Networking and Social Event on Saturday, Sept. 7 from noon-6 p.m. at Arlington Park Racecourse. Tickets will be available for pick up at 11:15 AM on race day at the will call window, Grandstand Entrance (east side off of Wilke Road entrance).

  • August 23, 2013 | CLE
    CLE: Advanced Mediation/Arbitration Training

    Due to popular demand – and recommended for attorneys who have previously taken a mediation course or have some mediation experience – this course was created to meet your advanced mediation needs!

    Join us in Chicago on September 25th – September 27th for the opportunity to learn how to design creative resolutions, how to handle difficult attorneys and clients, and know which mechanisms to utilize in order to reach a settlement. Gain a better understanding of the benefits of opening statements, the good qualities and successful techniques of a peacemaker, and when (or if) a lawyer should modify his fees. Discover the problems with mediation, how to handle parties with subrogation interests, and how to grow your mediation practice. Each day closes with hands-on training that requires attendees to participate in various classroom mediation exercises, including a full mediation as a mediator.

    The program is taught by Richard Calkins and Fred Lane—two nationally recognized mediators, authors and educators. Until 20 years ago, both Mr. Calkins and Mr. Lane were well-known and highly regarded litigators. Since then, however, they have successfully mediated over 5,000 cases. Mr. Calkins and Mr. Lane are co-authors of the “Mediation Practice Guide” and “Lane & Calkins Mediation Practice Guide.” [The “Lane & Calkins Mediation Practice Guide, 2nd Edition” is included with the purchase of this program.] They are co-founders of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution, which was established in 2001.

  • August 23, 2013 | Practice News
    New Cook County court initiative aimed at keeping dangerous drivers off the road

    Traffic offenders’ nationwide driving court record data to be available at sentencing

    Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County Timothy C. Evans announced that, for the first time ever, prosecutors throughout Cook County will receive data from nationwide court records for traffic offenders enabling them to provide judges with better information at the time of sentencing for minor traffic cases, thanks to a collaboration between the Circuit Court of Cook County, the Illinois Secretary of State and the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

    "From the judges’ viewpoint, this is a tremendous leap forward in their ability to help keep the public safe by keeping dangerous drivers off the road. Judges hearing traffic matters rely on prosecutors to provide the most complete information possible at the time of disposition and sentencing,” said Chief Judge Evans. “Our goal is to ensure that prosecutors working in traffic courtrooms throughout the Circuit Court receive comprehensive information, so that judges can take it into account before exercising their discretion,” said Chief Judge Evans.

  • August 22, 2013 | Practice News
    Cook County Elder Justice Center to open Sept. 3


    The Circuit Court of Cook County is proud to announce the opening of The Cook County Elder Justice Center (CCEJC), an innovative elder-friendly facility that is designed to help elderly citizens navigate the Cook County Court system.

    The CCEJC is part of the Circuit Court’s Elder Law and Miscellaneous Remedies Division. The CCEJC is conveniently located and easily accessible on the lower level of the Richard J. Daley Center, Room CL-16.

    The unique purpose of the CCEJC is to serve as a resource center for citizens of Cook County who are aged 60 and older. The CCEJC will provide information and support needed to help older adults avoid becoming victims of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. The CCEJC will also provide referrals to the appropriate legal and social service agencies.

    • Opening Date: September 3, 2013
    • Hours: Monday through Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    • Location: 50 West Washington Street, Room CL-16
    • Telephone: (312) 603-9233
  • August 21, 2013 | ISBA News | Events
    YLD Professional Development Luncheon: Financial Planning for Young Attorneys

    This is the first luncheon in a three-part luncheon series aimed at teaching law students and young attorneys practical steps in developing their legal careers. Each luncheon will feature esteemed panelists discussing a variety of topics, while also taking questions from the audience. The first luncheon program will feature two panelists with financial planning backgrounds discussing investing in your future while also paying off your student loans.

    When/Where:

    • Monday, September 30, 2013, Noon-1
    • ISBA Chicago Office, 20 S. Clark, Suite 900

    Speakers:

    • Kevin C. Koney, CFP®, CRPC®, CMFC®, Certified Financial Planner™ Patricia A. Koney & Associates, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
    • Kurt Winiecki, CPA, J.D., President, CEO & Founder, Winiecki Wealth Management

    Moderator:

    • George Schoenbeck, Co-Chair of YLD’s Professional Development Committee, Associate, Sosin & Arnold LTD

    Register at www.isba.org/sections/yld/pdl/09-30-2013

    Cost: $10 includes lunch

    No MCLE credit is available for this program.

  • August 21, 2013 | People
    Alison O'Hara Barasa 1963-2013

    By Nancy Gier, Special to the Tribune

    After stints as an attorney in both the public and private sectors, Alison O'Hara Barasa joined the family business and went on to become the first female chairman of Follett Corp. in its nearly 140-year history.

    Mrs. Barasa joined Follett as senior counsel in 1999 and worked in litigation, contracts, employment and benefits. The company supplies educational materials to schools and is based in River Grove.

    Mrs. Barasa became Follett's chairman in 2011 and gained a reputation as a catalyst for change and an innovator in moving the company forward in digital content and technology, despite battling breast cancer, colleagues said.

    "Her tenure will be viewed as a pivot point in the company's next 140 years," said Mary Lee Schneider, Follett president and CEO.

    Mrs. Barasa, 50, died of complications from breast cancer Saturday, July 20, at Midwest Palliative Care in Glenview, according to her husband, James Barasa. She was a resident of Glenview.

    Schneider sat on Follett's board with Mrs. Barasa for more than 10 years.

    "She pushed us to look at everything differently. She invited discussion and she felt that the best decisions were made through conversation," Schneider said. "She challenged how the family was involved with the business. There were no sacred cows with Alison."

    Mrs. Barasa also served as Follett's acting president and CEO after her cousin Charles Follett retired in 2012. Schneider took over as president and CEO this year.

  • August 21, 2013 | ISBA News | Events
    Register now for YLD Day at the Races

    The ISBA Young Lawyers Division will host a Day at the Races Networking and Social Event on Saturday, Sept. 7 from noon-6 p.m. at Arlington Park Racecourse. Tickets will be available for pick up at 11:15 AM on race day at the will call window, Grandstand Entrance (east side off of Wilke Road entrance).