Illinois Supreme Court

As part of its continuing effort to promote public confidence in the administration of justice, the Illinois Supreme Court has announced that a client whose case is not completed due to the death or disability of his or her attorney, and who has made reasonable efforts to pursue civil remedies, is now eligible to apply for reimbursement of unearned fees paid to the attorney.

When adopted in 1994, Supreme Court Rule 780 created a Client Protection Program (CPP) Trust Fund to reimburse certain losses incurred by clients of Illinois lawyers. The rule was created to provide a mechanism for a client to obtain reimbursement if the attorney engaged in dishonest conduct causing the client financial loss. The fund is administered by the Illinois Attorney and Registration Commission (ARDC).

According to Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman, “The Court recognizes that a client may also incur such a loss when the attorney dies or becomes disabled during the representation. By amending this rule, we signal to the public that we are equally concerned about the client who suffers a financial loss due to events outside the attorney’s control, such as death or disability.”

The amendment is effective immediately. Claimants may apply for reimbursement through the CPP. More information on submitting a claim is available at: https://www.iardc.org/clientprotection.html.

Learn about the new Supreme Court policy regarding the certification of interpreters with this informative two hour seminar! Interpreters play an important role in the judicial process by helping non-native English speakers overcome any language barriers that may exist. Any attorney or judge who uses interpreters should attend this seminar to better understand: the difference between an interpreter and a translator; how the Illinois Supreme Court’s Language Access Policy establishes statewide standards for language access in the courts and how it will affect court procedure and your trial practice; how the new policy creates a framework for the certification of foreign language interpreters and establishes a registry for both sign language and foreign language interpreters; how the recently adopted Illinois Code of Interpreter Ethics defines the proper role of an interpreter and their scope of practice; the difference between consecutive and simultaneous interpretation and why this matters in court; how to use an interpreter more effectively during trials and depositions; how to find a good interpreter; how to prepare your client for using an interpreter; and much more!

The program takes place in Chicago on February 19, 2015; however, for those unable to attend the onsite, this program will also broadcast via live webcast.

The Supreme Court of Illinois announced the filing of lawyer disciplinary orders on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, during the January Term of Court. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law.

The Illinois Supreme Court has reassigned Cook County Circuit Judges Cynthia Y. Cobbs and Stuart E. Palmer to the First District Appellate Court. Both assignments are effective Jan. 7, 2015 with Palmer's term expiring Dec. 5, 2016. Cobbs' assignment is effective until further order of the court.