ISBA News

[caption id="attachment_6494" align="alignright" width="300" caption="President John O'Brien presents Judge George Leighton with the ISBA's first Diversity Leadership Award."][/caption] The Illinois State Bar Association honored legendary Judge George Leighton with its first Diversity Leadership Award on Thursday at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. The presentation took place during a special program, Lincoln's Legacy: Lawyers Who Protect Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, that included a keynote address by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and a panel discussion moderated by WTTW Chicago Tonight Host Phil Ponce. Madigan called Leighton "the embodiment of Abraham Lincoln's spirit." Leighton cited the legacy of Lincoln "that we celebrate is the lawyer who protects the pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And this is preserved and things have changed because of diversity programs like this one." During the panel discussion, Leighton cited two major changes in the legal profession during his 63 years as a lawyer. The first is the great advances made in technology and the ability to quickly research a case. The second is the increase of women in the legal profession. Click here to view photos from this event.

The 2008-2009 Annual Report of the Illinois Bar Foundation is now available. The Annual Report highlights the charitable activities of the Foundation and includes a list of donors whose support made these activities possible. The Foundation distributed more than $325,000 to not for profit organizations promoting justice in our state, contributed almost $100,000 to 13 lawyers and their families in financial distress due to medical issues and participated in two joint charitable ventures with the ISBA. "We are proud to say that the IBF has maintained fiscal stability during what has been perhaps the most tumultuous economy decline of the Foundation's existence," said IBF President Vincent F. Cornelius. "Over the course of the last year the Foundation still awarded more than $450,000 in direct assistance." Visit http://www.isba.org/ibf/annualreport.pdf to view the Annual Report online. Call (312) 726-6072 to request a printed copy. As the charitable affiliate of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Foundation's mission is to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity. This past year, through the support of ISBA members, IBF distributed more than $450,000 to support these efforts.

The winners of the ISBA's 2010 Lincoln Award Legal Writing Contest have been named. Geoffrey T. Burkhart, Chicago, took first place with "Voir Dire Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 431(b):  Navigating the Complex Straits of a Seemingly Simple Rule."  His article will appear in the February issue of the Illinois Bar Journal. The second-place winner is Samuel G. Wieczorek, Chicago, who wrote "The Outside Sales Exemption:  Does it Really Apply to Your Client?" Third place is a tie and it goes to Paul A. Rodrigues, Chicago, for "After Caperton:  Judicial Disqualification and Elections in Illinois" and Nicholas P. Cholis, Chicago for "Title VII and Retaliatory Litigation Conduct:  How Attorney Conduct May Expose Your Client to Additional Liability under the Civil Rights Act." The first place winner will receive a check for $2,000, second place $1,000, and third place $500. Plaques will be presented to all four winners at the ISBA Annual Meeting, which will be held June 2010. Twenty-seven manuscripts were submitted in the 2010 contest.  The contest judges were Hon. Mary Jane Theis, Chicago; Hon. Diane M. Lagoski, Mount Sterling; Keith A. Hebeisen, Chicago; Celia G. Gamrath, Chicago; and, A. Ben Mitchell, Mount Vernon. We wish to thank all the winning contestants, and other contestants, for entering the contest.

[caption id="attachment_5945" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Appearing on the shows will be (from left) Joel L. Chupack, Nancy Freeman, Myles L Jacobs and program moderator Martin Dolan."][/caption] "The ABC's of Buying Bank Owned Properties," two half-hour programs presented by Illinois Law, will air on Chicago Access Network Television, Channel 21 during the month of December.  Part I will air on Tuesdays, December 1, 15 and 29 at 10 p.m., and Part II will air on Tuesdays, December 8 and 22 at 10 p.m. Appearing on the shows will be Joel L.