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  • October 9, 2020 | ISBA News
    President Orsey’s Statement on the Importance of Judicial Independence

    An independent judicial branch of government is foundational to our American democracy. While it means that our judges and courts should be free of influence from the other branches of government, it also means that the judiciary should be free of influence from private or special interests. The rule of law means nothing if judges are not able to impartially decide both public and private legal disputes with complete independence.

    1 comment (Most recent April 15, 2021)
  • October 8, 2020 | ISBA News
    ISBA Board of Governors Approves Three Ethics Opinions

    The Illinois State Bar Association’s Board of Governors approved three new Professional Conduct Advisory Opinions on September 25 during its regularly scheduled Board meeting.

    The opinions address an attorney’s duty to disclose confidential information about a client’s fraud to third parties in an effort to prevent, lessen, or rectify the fraud; a lawyer’s responsibility to hold funds whose ownership is disputed until the dispute is resolved; and the ethical Rules that do not bind an attorney to continue proceeding with an appeal of a court’s decision appointing a guardian for a client who currently lacks mental capacity, in the manner discussed between the lawyer and the client previously, when the client had adequate mental capacity.

  • October 2, 2020 | ISBA News
    Campaign Season for ISBA Election Underway

    Campaign season for the 2021 Illinois State Bar Association election began October 1, for open leadership seats of third vice president (outside Cook County) and one seat each for the following Board of Governors seats: Area 1 (Circuit 18), Area 6 (Circuits 7, 8, and 9), and Area 8 (Circuits 3 and 20). There is also one Board of Governors seat in Cook County. There are 26 open seats for Cook County Assembly.

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    September 30, 2020 | ISBA News
    2020 ISBA Awards Recognition

    The ISBA honored Section Council and Committee awardees for the 2019-2020 year. Although there was no in-person ceremony this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several recipients were presented their awards from ISBA President Dennis Orsey and ISBA Past President David Sosin at various locations throughout the state. 

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    September 28, 2020 | Events | ISBA News
    2020 ISBA Leadership Academy Graduation

    The inaugural class of the ISBA Leadership Academy graduated on September 24 during a virtual ceremony. This landmark program is designed to train the next generation of professionals to become effective leaders in the Illinois legal community. Congratulations to the graduates!

  • September 23, 2020 | ISBA News
    Notice of Website Maintenance and Downtime

    The login for the ISBA website will be disabled at noon on Thursday, September 24. This will affect access to CLE, Fastcase, ISBA Central, the store, members-only content and other features requiring login. We estimate it will take 1-5 hours to bring these services online.

    During this time, the ISBA website pages not requiring a login will be available, and discussion emails via ISBA Central will still function. If you login to CLE, Fastcase, and ISBA Central before noon, you might be able to use them during the downtime.

  • September 21, 2020 | ISBA News
    ISBA President Dennis Orsey Issues Statement on the Passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

    With the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, our nation has lost one of its most brilliant and compassionate legal minds. The Illinois State Bar Association mourns her passing and this great loss to the legal community.

  • September 18, 2020 | ISBA News
    Video of 2020 Illinois Supreme Court Candidates’ Forum

    On September 16, Illinois State Bar Association President Dennis Orsey and Appellate Lawyers Association President John Fitzgerald co-hosted the 2020 Illinois Supreme Court Candidates’ Forum for the Fifth Judicial District Seat. The event featured Illinois Appellate Justices David Overstreet and Judy Cates, who are seeking the seat of retiring Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier in the November election.

  • September 17, 2020 | ISBA News
    ISBA Encourages Attorneys to Volunteer as Election Poll Workers, Judges

    The state of Illinois is facing a potential shortage of poll workers and judges for the upcoming November election due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Poll workers and judges play an essential role in ensuring that precincts stay open and elections are fairly held. To help sustain this foundational aspect of our democracy, the Illinois State Bar Association is encouraging interested members to consider volunteering as poll workers and judges during the upcoming election.

    1 comment (Most recent September 30, 2020)
  • August 28, 2020 | ISBA News
    Attorney Juan Thomas Discusses Economic Justice for Black Lawyers with John Rogers Jr.

    Attorney Juan Thomas, who is a member of the ISBA Board of Governors, recently spoke with John Rogers Jr., founder, chairman and CEO of Ariel Investments, about economic justice for Black lawyers.