Asked and Answered By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC Q. We are a 16-lawyer firm - eight partners and eight associates located in Memphis. We handle business transactional work and litigation for small to mid-size companies. However, for the past 40 years our mainstay has been small community banks. With recent bank mergers and new banking regulations, our banking business has dropped off significantly. We have reached a desperate stage and we must replace this business quickly or consider possible dissolution. We have talked with a possible lateral partner that has a $300,000 book of debtor bankruptcy business. Is adding a lateral partner a good strategy for us?

As of Friday, August 26, 2016, Rhonda Crawford is no longer employed as a law clerk/staff attorney assigned to the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Markham courthouse. On August 17, 2016, Crawford was suspended without pay by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans following allegations that she adjudicated two cases from the bench in a Markham courtroom while wearing a judicial robe. On August 26, 2016, Chief Judge Evans terminated her employment. Rules governing judicial conduct, specifically Illinois Supreme Court Rule 63 (A) (6), prevent Chief Judge Evans from commenting further on the matter. The rule states: “A judge should abstain from public comment about a pending or impending proceeding in any court, and should require similar abstention on the part of court personnel subject to the judge’s direction and control.”

ISBA President-Elect Hon. Russell W. Hartigan served as the guest speaker to the Union League Club's Attorney Group on Aug. 24. Judge Hartigan spoke on the many benefits of ISBA membership.  

Join your peers for an afternoon of socializing and horse racing at this annual event!  When: Saturday, September 24, 2016, Noon – 6:00 p.m. Tickets will be available for pick up at 11:15 a.m. on race day at the will call window, Grandstand Entrance (east side off of Wilke Road entrance). Where: Arlington Park Racecourse, 2200 W Euclid Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 ISBA will be at the Canopy Tables in the Winners Circle Section. (Map and Directions) Cost: Cost: $9.00 per adult, $4.00 per youth age 4-17. Tickets are complimentary for children 3 and under. General Admission cost includes admission to the park, a daily racing guide, and a fabulous day of Thoroughbred racing! Lunch is not included but our seating area is BYOB! Please register by Wednesday, September 21, 2016 For information on permitted and prohibited items in the park, please visit: http://www.arlingtonpark.com/visit/general-information Questions: Please email Blake Howard at bhoward@isba.org.