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  • May 18, 2011 | Events
    Judges Foundation benefit set for June 3
    The Illinois Judges Foundation will hold its third annual “Batter Up for Justice” benefit on Friday, June 3, in the Terrace Suites at U.S. Cellular Field, where the Chicago White Sox will play the Detroit Tigers. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support a summer Judicial Intern Opportunity Program for qualified women, minority and financially disadvantaged law students. The gates will open at 5:30 p.m., and the first pitch is scheduled at 7:10 p.m. A silent auction will be conducted during the benefit, and fireworks will follow the baseball game. Admission prices, which include food and drinks, are $200 for lawyers and guests, and $150 for judges, law students, government and legal service attorneys. The collegial outing will help provide full-time, minimum six-week internships in state and federal courts, plus stipends, for first- and second-year law students who qualify because of minority status or financial need. The philanthropic event is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservations may be made by calling (312) 554-2008, or e-mailing khosty@chicagobar.org. Sponsorships at various levels are partly tax-deductible.
  • May 11, 2011 | Events
    IBF Wine Tasting Event to benefit Warren Lupel Fund

    The Illinois Bar Foundation will host a Wine Tasting Event to support the Warren Lupel Fund on Wednesday, June 8, at The Tasting Room, 1415 W. Randolph. This reception will feature a pairing of wine and hors d'oeuvres from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Find out more on the IBF website.

    Why is your support so important?

    Donations to the Lupel Fund are used for the Illinois Bar Foundation’s Lawyers Care Program. The Lawyers Care Program provides support to those lawyers or their families who are unable to support themselves due to age, infirmity or other tragedy. The typical subsistence recipients are active bar members. They have a severe and debilitating illness that prevents them from practicing law. The illness is such that their medical expenses have depleted their savings and, with no current income, they can’t support their family or pay their mortgage. The Foundation steps in to keep the family in their home and put some food on the table. We don’t provide anything extravagant, just enough to keep them going through this difficult time. With your help, we can continue.
  • May 5, 2011 | Events | Practice News
    Over 600 new Illinois lawyers admitted to the bar
    [caption id="attachment_19265" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Over 400 new lawyers were sworn-in on Thursday at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago."][/caption] Over 600 new attorneys were admitted to practice in Illinois on Thursday, May 5 with Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court and Illinois Appellate Court administering the attorney's oath at five separate locations. All of the candidates have passed the Illinois State Bar Examination, a required ethics examination and have been certified by the Committee on Character and Fitness. The largest group, 428, were admitted in the First Judicial District during ceremonies starting at 10:30 a.m. in the Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University, 50 East Congress. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke presided over the ceremony with Justice Mary Jane Theis participating. Illinois Appellate Justice Thomas R. Appleton from the Fourth Judicial District made the motion to admit the class and Cook County Associate Judge Brian K. Flaherty will seconded the motion to admit the class. The 628 men and women were certified as candidates and were sworn in as Illinois attorneys Thursday at ceremonies in the five Supreme Court judicial districts: Justice Robert R. Thomas presided over the Elgin ceremony; Justice Rita B.
  • May 3, 2011 | Events
    Judges Foundation slates spring reception
    The Illinois Judges Foundation and its Lawyers Auxiliary Committee will hold their third annual spring reception from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19, in the Walnut Room of the Hotel Allegro, Chicago. Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride of the Illinois Supreme Court will speak, and Chicago attorney Gino L. DiVito, a retired appellate justice, will be honored during the program conducted by the foundation president, Cook County Judge Jesse G. Reyes. Proceeds from the reception will support Judge Harold Sullivan Law School Scholarships and other service projects that include mortgage foreclosure forums, the ABA Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, the Second Chances Program, Chicago Access to Justice, and “Seven Reasons to Leave the Party” educational presentations in high schools. Tickets to the reception, at $100 per person, include hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Judges, law students, government and legal services attorneys may attend for $75 each. Reservations may be made by contacting the Illinois Judges Foundation office at (312) 554-2008 or khosty@chicagobar.org. Payments may be made via Pay Pal by visiting the web site, www.ijafoundation.org, and clicking on Future Events.
  • May 3, 2011 | Events
    Nordic lawyers to hold smorgasbord
    The Nordic Law Club will hold its annual Spring Smorgasbord (formerly the codfish dinner) on Wednesday, May 18, in the Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark, Chicago. The program includes a guided tour of the museum’s immigration exhibits. The event will begin with a 5:30 p.m. reception (beer, wine, aquavit and herring provided), followed at 6:30 p.m. by a smorgasbord of Swedish meatballs, salmon, codfish, salad, potatoes, and rice pudding with lingonberries. Advance reservations at $60 per person must be made by May 13 with Treasurer David G. Clark, Canalia & Clark, Suite C, 419 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321, telephone (219) 836-0008. The Nordic Law Club also has announced resumption of its Lutfisk Open, a golf outing to fund scholarships, on Monday, August 22, at Mission Hills Country Club in Northbrook. Details will be announced.
  • April 28, 2011 | Events | ISBA News
    ISBA's Academy of Illinois Lawyers inducts 7 new Laureates
    [caption id="attachment_19099" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Class of 2011 Laureates includes (front row, left to right): John B. Kincaid, William V. Johnson, Gino L. DiVito, Peter J. Birnbaum; (back row, left to right): David B. Sosin, Leo H. Konzen and presented and chancellor of the Board of Regents John G. O'Brien. Rosalyn B. Kaplan was inducted posthumously."][/caption] The Illinois State Bar Association’s Academy of Illinois Lawyers inducted its 11th class of Laureates during a luncheon on Tuesday, April 26 at The Standard Club, 320 S. Plymouth Court, in Chicago. The 2011 Class of Laureates, who were recognized during a ceremony conducted by ISBA Past President John G. O’Brien, chancellor of the Academy Board of Regents, brings the total to 102 distinguished Illinois attorneys to be so honored. The Academy was established in 1999 to celebrate excellence in the practice of law by individuals who maintain the highest standards of professional and public service. The 2011 class, nominated by their peers in the profession is:
    • Peter J. Birnbaum, Chicago, President and CEO of Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.
    • Gino L. DiVito, Chicago, Partner in Tabet DiVito & Rothstein LLC
    • William V. Johnson, Chicago, President of Johnson & Bell, Ltd.
    • Rosalyn B.
  • April 20, 2011 | Events
    Black Women Lawyers' Association awards 8 scholarships at spring luncheon
    The Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. (BWLA) recently raised thousands of dollars for its scholarship foundation at its annual spring luncheon held April 13 entitled, "State of the Union: The Role of Race & Gender at the Intersection of Law, Business and Human Rights." The annual spring luncheon included a panel discussion at the Hyatt Regency Chicago before 300 BWLA members and supporters. Discussion topics included how the panelists’ organizations address civil rights (nationally and internationally), the contemporary significance and impact of race/ethnicity in the United States, and the societal effect of how TV networks & other forms of media portray women and women of color. Cheryl Mayberry McKissack (President and CEO, Nia Enterprises LLC) moderated the lively discussion between the panelists, which included Chey Blake (Vice President & Enterprises Counsel, A&E Television Networks), Honorable Wiley Branton, Jr. (Pulaski County, Arkansas), Karen Ripley (Chief Legal Officer, MillerCoors LLC), and Adrien K.
  • April 6, 2011 | Events | ISBA News
    Register now for ISBA's 135th Annual Meeting on the Banks of Lake Geneva
    The Illinois State Bar Association will host its 135th Annual Meeting from June 16-18 at the Abbey Resort, Fontana, Wis. This summer the ISBA returns to Lake Geneva, where the leaders of our Association gather in celebration of our accomplishments over the past bar year and sail forward with new plans for the year ahead. In this relaxed collegial atmosphere, memories are made and friendships renewed. So make plans now to bring the family and join us for the ISBA’s 135th Annual Meeting On the Banks of Lake Geneva! The deadline for making your room reservation (Be sure to indicate that you are attending the ISBA Annual Meeting) is on or before May 14th. Reservations received after this date will be subject to availability - rooms at The Abbey typically sell out fast. The deadline for advance registration is June 6th. A schedule of events is available at www.isba.org/annual/schedule Hotel information is available at www.isba.org/annual/hotel Register at https://webarchives.isba.org/annual/reg.html
  • April 5, 2011 | Events
    Lisa Madigan, Jan Schakowsky to receive awards at WBAI's 97th Installation Dinner
    On June 9, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (“WBAI”) will begin a new term of office with its 97th Annual Installation Dinner at the Hilton Chicago, located at 720 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago.  The event begins at 4:00 p.m. with a President’s Reception, followed by cocktails at 5:00 p.m. and a formal dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m. The WBAI’s Annual Installation Dinner is one of the largest annual celebrations within the Chicago legal community, with over 700 judges, attorneys, corporate supporters, and prominent leaders attending each year.  Participants and speakers at this year’s Dinner include keynote speaker Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke, and Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.  Incoming WBAI President Deane Beth Brown, a partner in the Chicago law firm of Beermann Swerdlove LLP, will also detail her goals for the 2011-2012 bar year and unveil her mission for the WBAI, “Promoting Women Leaders in the Legal Community.” To receive more information on the WBAI or the Annual Installation Dinner, to become a sponsor of this event, or to purchase an individual ticket, please contact the WBAI office at 312-341-8530 or visit the WBAI website at www.wbaillinois.org.
  • March 30, 2011 | Events
    LAP honors O'Brien and Barry at Bartylak Dinner
    President Mark Hassakis and Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride are welcomed by Lawyers Assistance Program president Sheila Murphy to the 2nd Annual Joseph R. Bartylak Dinner at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield March 25. Kilbride was featured speaker at the dinner. Retired appellate justice Tobias Barry of Ladd and retired circuit judge E. Michael O'Brien of Peoria were presented the Joseph R. Bartylak Volunteer Service Award. President Hassakis and past ISBA presidents Herb Franks of Marengo and Timothy Bertschy of Peoria were singled out by Murphy for their long support of LAP.