The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Midyear Meeting

  • December 10, 2009 | Events | Practice News
    Joint Meeting to host important program on Military and Veterans’ Laws
    The Illinois Judges Association will present "Ten Things Lawyers and Judges Need To Know About Military and Veterans' Laws" at the ISBA/IJA Joint Meeting on Friday, Dec. 11. This program will take place from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in Chicago Ballroom 10 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E. North Water Street. Participating in this program will be Joseph Butler and Brian Clauss, Co-Executive Directors of the John Marshall Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic; John Costello, Illinois Attorney General's Office and Colonel Richard Fox, Illinois Army National Guard.
  • December 9, 2009 | Events | ISBA News
    ISBA honors 1959 Class of Senior Counsellors
    [caption id="attachment_6432" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Former Governor and Class of 1959 honoree Jim Thompson spoke on behalf of his fellow classmates."][/caption] The Illinois State Bar Association and President John O'Brien honored the 1959 Class of Senior Counsellors at a luncheon Wednesday at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. Former Illinois Governor and class member Jim Thompson spoke for his fellow classmates by looking back at his 50-year legal career. Thompson recalled working on criminal defense cases as a third-year law student at Northwestern. After a turn in the courtroom on a certain case, he received a call from an Illinois State Supreme Court Justice. "Son," Thompson recalled the justice saying, "unless you want to be disbarred before you are barred, I suggest you stay out of the courtroom until you have a law license." Thompson also recalled the great changes that have taken place over the last 50 years in the legal profession and especially in technology. "We all had typewriters and carbon paper back then," he said. "I was the last person at Winston & Strawn to get a computer. I thought it would mess up my desk." Congratulations to all of the members of the 1959 Class of Senior Counsellors. Click here to view the photo gallery from this event.
  • November 18, 2009 | Events | ISBA News
    Lincoln's Legacy: Lawyers Who Protect Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
    [gallery link="file" columns="2"] The Illinois State Bar Association's Joint Meeting begins with a special program on Thursday, Dec. 10, Lincoln's Legacy: Lawyers Who Protect Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- including a keynote address by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and a panel discussion moderated by WTTW Chicago Tonight Host Phil Ponce. The event begins at 1 p.m. and is sponsored by the Diversity Leadership Council. In celebration of President Obama's Call to Service and International Human Rights Day (Dec. 10), learn how lawyers are making a difference through their work in advancing human rights, equality and other social movements. Find out about opportunities to make a difference and how you can make a contribution to social justice through volunteerism as well as with the clients you serve. A variety of organizations that provide services fitting the "Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness" will be on hand so that you can explore this marketplace to discover how you can best use your talents to "make a difference". 1:00 p.m.     Welcome & Introductions by President John O'Brien 1:30 p.m.     Keynote Address by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan 1:45 p.m.     Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness Panel moderated by Phil Ponce, WTTW-TV 2:45 p.m.     Diversity Leadership Award Presentation 3:00 p.m.     Call to Service Marketplace
  • November 6, 2009 | Events
    Illinois Judges Annual Meeting
    Judge Ann Claire Williams, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, will keynote the annual Judges Luncheon during the joint meeting of IJA and the Illinois State Bar Association, Dec. 10-12 in Chicago. Programs will include "Ten Things Lawyers and Judges Need to Know About Military and Veteran's Laws" and "Dynamics of Domestic Violence and Its implications on Custody and Visitation."