The Bar News

Bar News Sections

ISBA News

  • December 12, 2011 | ISBA News
    ISBA Assembly gets update from Chief Justice Kilbride, approves legislative package

    The Illinois State Bar Association's Assembly met on Saturday at the conclusion of the Midyear Meeting at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers Chicago.

    Highlighting the meeting was an e-business update from Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride. Justice Kilbride noted that the court is developing e-filing standards to be in place throughout the state. This would allow different vendors to have a framework to work with from county to county. He expects e-filing to be open across the state voluntarily by April 3, 2012.

    The Assembly also approved the ISBA legislative package for 2012.

  • December 12, 2011 | Member Services | ISBA News
    Illinois Lawyer Finder makes 654 referrals in November

    The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of November 2011, ISBA helped people in need of legal services find lawyers in the following areas:

  • December 9, 2011 | ISBA News | Events
    Three photo galleries from ISBA/IJA Joint Meeting posted

    The ISBA/IJA Meeting in Chicago is underway and three new photo galleries have been posted. Please check them out below.

  • December 8, 2011 | ISBA News | Events
    ISBA/IJA Joint Midyear Meeting underway in Chicago

    The ISBA/IJA Joint Midyear Meeting kicked off on Thursday in Chicago with Basic Skills Course 6.0 for new admittees.

    The meeting will include the annual Illinois Bar Foundation Fellows Awards Breakfast on Friday morning, and a reception and dinner Friday evening honoring the Illinois Supreme Court with remarks by Justice Mary Jane Theis.

    Two IJA/ISBA programs with MCLE credit will be held on Friday morning. “The Legacy of Myra Bradwell: In the Light of Experience,” will feature an in-depth panel discussion about the Illinois woman who became the first female to gain entrance to the Illinois bar and, in the process, influenced the future of Illinois law. “Revitalizing the Jury Trial,” presented by Chief Judge James F. Holderman and Professor Stephan Landsman, will include video presentations about various problems and solutions arising with 21st century juries.

    On Saturday, the 203-member policy-making Assembly of the ISBA will convene. Also, the IJA will conduct training sessions at the Sheraton for judges who want to deliver its two student education programs. At 9 a.m., a training for a new civics program, “Bringing the Courtroom to the Classroom,” will be presented. At 10 a.m., a training for the IJA’s “7 Reasons to Leave the Party,” will be held. Eighty judges have already registered for the civics training.

    Find out more and register at www.isba.org/jointmeeting.

    Visit Illinois Lawyer Now for frequent updates and photos.

  • December 6, 2011 | ISBA News | Events
    ISBA honors Class of 1961 Distinguished Counsellors

    The Illinois State Bar Association honored members who have been admitted to practice for 50 years at a luncheon on Wednesday at the Westing Michigan Avenue in Chicago. ISBA Past President Herbert H. Franks spoke on behalf of the 2011 Class of Distinguished Counsellors.

    Click here to view photos from the event.

    Here is the Bar Class of 1961 honored as Distinguished Counsellors:

  • November 30, 2011 | ISBA News
    Civil Union and Employment Discrimination programs to air on Illinois Law

    “Understanding the New Illinois Civil Union Act,” and “Protecting Against Employment Discrimination” will air on Chicago Access Network Television, Channel 21 in Chicago, on Tuesdays in December at 10 p.m. These half-hour programs are presented by Illinois Law, a cable production of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

    “Understanding the New Illinois Civil Union Act” will air on December 6 and 20 at 10 p.m. Appearing on the show are Jennifer Shaw, of Jennifer A. Shaw, PC, in Edwardsville; program moderator Nancy K. McKenna, a Chicago lawyer; Richard Wilson, of Law Offices of Richard A. Wilson, PC, in Chicago; and Rachael N. Toft, of Law Offices of Rachael Toft, in Chicago.  Wilson and Shaw are members of the ISBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee.

  • November 17, 2011 | ISBA News
    Russell Scott to receive Illinois Bar Foundation's Distinguished Service to Law and Society Award

    The Illinois Bar Foundation will honor Belleville attorney ISBA Board member Russell K. Scott with the foundation’s prestigious 2011 Distinguished Service to Law and Society Award. The award will be presented at a meeting of the ISBA's Midyear Meeting in Chicago.  Past recipients of the award include U.S. Senators Alan Dixon and Paul Simon, Illinois Supreme Court justices, federal judges and noted attorneys. Scott is a senior litigation officer with Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. and co-manager of the firm’s Southern Illinois Practice Group, based in Belleville.

    The award honors Scott for significant contributions to law, society and the Illinois Bar Foundation and The Fellows program. Founded more than 50 years ago, the foundation ensures meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those of limited means, and assists lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity.  Find our more at www.illinoisbarfoundation.org.

    With Greensfelder, Scott’s practice includes the defense of legal and medical malpractice suits, product liability actions, industrial accident cases, premises liability, automobile, construction, insurance coverage, class action, toxic tort, general commercial and personal injury litigation. He is also a certified mediator.

    Scott was inducted into the Academy of Illinois Lawyers in 2009. He is a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and fellow and board member of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution.

  • November 17, 2011 | Events | ISBA News
    Early bird deadline for YLD Holiday Party is Nov. 21

    Please join us in supporting the 14th Annual Holiday Party to benefit the Illinois Bar Foundation/ISBA Young Lawyers Division’s Children’s Assistance Fund. Over the past decade, we raised over $400,000 and collected countless toys and books that were donated to children’s waiting rooms throughout the State of Illinois. Please continue this worthy tradition by joining us this year in person or support our event with your generous contribution:

    WHEN: Friday, December 2, 2011, 6:00-10:00 p.m.

    WHERE: Cubby Bear Lounge, 1059 W. Addison, Chicago, IL (see map)

    WHAT: Open Bar, Warm Appetizers, Live Music by Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press, and FUN!

    COST:

    • $35.00 per person, for tickets purchased by November 21, 2011
    • $30.00 per law student, per tickets purchased by November 21, 2011
    • $40.00 per person, for tickets purchased after November 21, 2011

    Click here to register

    The YLD Children's Assistance Fund is a fund of the Illinois Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable entity.

  • November 9, 2011 | ISBA News | Practice News
    Nearly 2,200 new attorneys admitted in Illinois

    Nearly 2,200 new attorneys were admitted to practice in Illinois on Thursday, November 10 with Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court presiding and administering the attorney’s oath at five separate locations.

    All of the candidates have passed the Illinois state bar examination and an ethics examination, and have been certified by the Committee on Character and Fitness.

    The largest group, 1,600, were admitted in the First Judicial District during ceremonies starting at the McCormick Place West Skyline Ballroom. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Freeman presided over the ceremony, with Justices Anne M. Burke and Mary Jane Theis participating.

    Justice Freeman introduced Cook County Associate Judge Frank B. Castiglione, who made the motion to admit the class.

    The Hon. Joseph N. Casciato, retired associate judge, seconded the motion to admit the class.

    Illinois State Bar Association President John G. Locallo was one of two bar association presidents to address the class.

    The 2,155 men and women were certified as candidates and  were sworn in as Illinois attorneys Thursday at ceremonies in the five Supreme Court judicial districts.

    The new attorneys will bring the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to approximately 90,200.

    Click here to view pictures from the 1st District Admission Ceremony

    1 comment (Most recent November 11, 2011)
  • November 8, 2011 | Practice News | ISBA News
    Nominations being accepted to represent ISBA on ABA House of Delegates (under age 35)

    At the December 10, 2011 meeting of the ISBA Assembly, two “under 35" delegates to the ABA House of Delegates will be elected, one from Cook County and one from the area outside Cook County.  The nominees for these positions must be members of the ISBA in good standing from the appropriate area and under the age of 35 as of August 10, 2012.  The elected delegates will serve for two-year terms commencing June, 2012 and will join the ISBA delegation at the ABA meeting in Chicago in August, 2012.

    The current incumbents are Kelly Gandurski, of Chicago, who is eligible for re-election and Jean Kenol of Joliet, who is not eligible for re-election.

    Nominations must be made in writing by at least 20 ISBA members in good standing from the appropriate area.  Nominations must be filed with the office of the Executive Director no later than Monday, November 21, 2011.  Further information and nominating petitions are available from the office of the Executive Director, Illinois State Bar Association, 424 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL 62701 or by contacting Kim Weaver at (800) 252-8908 or kweaver@isba.org.