Asked and Answered  By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC Q. I am the owner of a solo real estate practice in Merced, California. I have two staff members that work for me. I am the only attorney in the firm. I am sixty years old. While I am concerned about the long-term exit from the practice, I am also concerned about office coverage in case something would happen to me in the short term. I appreciate any recommendations that you may have.

New attorneys will be admitted to practice in Illinois on Thursday, May 10, with Illinois Supreme Court and Illinois Appellate Court justices presiding and administering the attorney's oath to 401 new attorneys at five separate locations across the state.  All of the candidates set to be sworn in have passed the Illinois State Bar Examination and a required ethics examination and were certified by the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. They will bring the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to approximately 96,500. The largest group, 275, will be admitted in the First Judicial District during three ceremonies at the James R. Thompson Center Assembly Hall, located at 100 W. Randolph St., in Chicago. The ceremonies will be at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke will preside over the 9 a.m. ceremony, Illinois Appellate Justice Cynthia Y. Cobbs will preside over the 11:30 a.m. ceremony, and Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis will preside over the 2:30 p.m. ceremony.  

We've partnered with ISBA Mutual Insurance Company to bring back pro photographer Kari Bedford for one day of free business portrait sittings for 84 lucky members.   Enter to win a free sitting by completing the online form by 4:30 p.m. on May 16. Only 1 entry per member will be accepted. The portrait sittings will be at the ISBA Chicago Office on Thursday, May 24 from 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

For Member Appreciation Month, we're giving five lucky members a Sonos One Smart Speaker or a Visa gift card of equivalent value – winner's choice! All you need to do to enter is renew your ISBA membership by May 31, 3018.  You can renew online or by phone at (800) 252-8908. All major credit cards accepted. Invoices will be mailed at the end of May. Important Disclosures: This drawing is sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Bar Center, 424 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701. Only ISBA members are eligible to participate in this drawing. Prize may be taxable to the extent provided by law. The estimated odds of winning this prize depends on the number of entries. Entries must be submitted prior to May 31, 2018. Winner will be chosen by a random drawing within 24 hours of the close of the giveaway. Winner will be notified via email within 5 business days after the drawing. Prize may not be exchanged or transferred. If you are unable or unwilling to accept your prize, ISBA reserves the right to select another winner for that prize. No purchase is necessary to be entered into this drawing, and a purchase will not increase the chances of winning the prize. Visit our Member Appreciation Month page to stay on top of this month's activities.