Events

The Illinois Judges Foundation will honor the chief judges of the state’s judicial circuits during its second annual Spring Reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 20, in the Renaissance Hotel, State Street and Wacker Drive, Chicago. Cook County Judge Jesse G. Reyes, president of the foundation, and Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans will participate in presentation to each circuit chief of a memento inscribed “Hail to the Chief.” The foundation also will welcome and honor the family of the late Harold W. Sullivan, a former Cook County presiding judge and founder of the Illinois Judges Association. The annual Judge Harold Sullivan Law School Scholarship is among beneficiaries of the reception. Others service projects that the foundation supports include the ABA Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, the Second Chances Program, Chicago Access to Justice, and the “7 Reasons to Leave the Party” high school education presentations. Tickets to the reception, at $125 per person, include hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Law students may attend for $75 each. A portion of the contribution is tax-deductible. Reservations may be made by contacting the Illinois Judges Foundation office at (312) 554-2008 or ijf@chicagobar.org, or by accessing the web site, www.ijafoundation.org.

Dan Houlihan, who was Legislative Counsel for the Illinois State Bar Association for more than 30 years, is being honored by Misericordia/Heart of Mercy Home in Chicago as “BUM of the Year” at the Misericordia BUMS Golf Outing on Monday, June 14. Misericordia, which is a residential facility for developmentally and physically disabled children and adults from throughout the Chicagoland area, is a cause near and dear to Dan's heart. BUM of the Year is one of the highest honors given to Misericordia supporters and is indicative of the high regard in which Dan is held by Misericordia and others. The outing will be held at both Olympia Fields and Flossmoor Golf Clubs, and foursomes and sponsorships are still available.

[caption id="attachment_11238" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ISBA President John O'Brien with 81-year-old new admittee Agnes Prindiville"][/caption] Agnes Prindiville always wanted to be a lawyer. Her father and social norms helped lead her on the path to become a teacher. After a career in the classroom, Prindiville is ready for a new career after being sworn-in with 471 other new admittees Thursday at McCormick Place. ISBA President John O'Brien, Illinois Native American Bar Association President Matthew Beaudet and University of Chicago Law School Professor Randolph N. Stone addressed the new admittees. Nearly 700 new lawyers were sworn-in around the state, bringing the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to almost 88,000. Prindiville recently told the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin that when she was in her 70s, "I had this very latent desire to go to law school to study law." So she took the LSAT and enrolled at DePaul University as a part-time law student in 2004. Now that she's a licensed attorney, Prindiville isn't planning on racking up any billable hours. "I don't expect to make a salary," she told the Law Bulletin. "I expect to do things pro bono.

Anyone in Illinois with a question about a legal matter can call and talk to a lawyer – at no cost – on Saturday, May 1, Ask a Lawyer Day. Lawyer volunteers will answer phones at four locations around the state from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Any Illinois resident can call 1-800-252-8908, toll-free, or a local number in some areas for a free phone consultation with a lawyer. The 29th annual Ask A Lawyer Day, part of Law Day activities in Illinois, is a public service sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association in cooperation with bar associations in Cook County, DuPage County, and Will County. Lawyer volunteers will be able to answer questions about consumer problems, family law, estate planning, personal injury, or any other legal situations affecting individuals. Property owners who have damage from spring storms and who have questions about their legal rights are encouraged to call for information. Callers will be advised of steps they can take to resolve their legal problems and, if they need additional legal services, they will be advised to see their lawyer.  If they don’t have a lawyer, they will receive a referral through a referral service in their area. Phone numbers to talk to a lawyer on May 1 are:

• From anywhere in Illinois – ISBA       (800) 252-8908 (toll free) or (217) 525-1760
• The Chicago Bar Association             (312) 554-2001
• DuPage County Bar Association        (630) 653-9109
• Will County Bar Association               (815) 773-1150

Each of the bar associations operates a lawyer referral service for people who need legal services but do not have a lawyer.