The Illinois State Bar Association's Task Force on the Impact of Law School Curriculum and Debt on the Future of the Profession will hold seven open hearings throughout the state. The Task Force was established by President Richard D. Felice and is chaired by Hon. Ann Jorgensen, Justice of the Second District Appellate Court. ISBA members are encouraged to attend these hearings to discuss the core skill sets that new lawyers should have and how law schools can graduate more “practice ready” lawyers.

Those who provide comments should focus on:

Senior Attorneys Who are Hiring:

1. What hiring criteria do you use?
2. Setting aside experience, what criteria are most important to you?
3. How do you assess the skill levels of a recent graduate?
4. How long before you will allow new graduates to work primarily on their own?
5. What can law schools do to better prepare their graduates for practice?
6. Besides, for example, full-time employment benefits, what other arrangements have you considered or used?

New Attorneys Seeking or Facing First Jobs:

1. What was the most useful course(s) you took in law school?
2. What was offered that you now wish you had taken?
3. What do you wish had been offered?
4. What would you change about your education in terms of preparing you for practice?

The hearings will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

• Wednesday, September 17, SIU School of Law, Carbondale
• Thursday, September 18, Four Points by Sheraton, Fairview Heights
• Wednesday, October 8, Hilton Garden Inn & Suites, Champaign
• Thursday, October 9, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, East Peoria
• Thursday, November 6, Winnebago County Bar Association, Rockford
• Wednesday, December 10, ISBA Chicago Regional Office, Chicago

Please contact Kim Weaver at kweaver@isba.org if you would like to appear before the Task Force. Please note which hearing you will be attending and which of the above topics you will address.

The Task Force is extremely interested in the insight and experience of all ISBA members and strongly encourages written comments from those who cannot attend. Send comments to kweaver@isba.org