The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Central Illinois

  • November 8, 2013 | Events
    IBF to honor Judge Michael McCuskey at Champaign County Fellows Reception

    The Illinois Bar Foundation will host a Champaign County Fellows Reception honoring U.S. District Judge Michael P. McCuskey on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 5-6:30 p.m. This event will be held at Crane Alley Restaurant, 115 W. Main Street, Urbana.

    Tickets to this reception are $35 and include appetizers and drinks. To register, please click here or call the IBF directly at 312.726.6072.

    The Illinois Bar Foundation is the charitable arm of the ISBA and is dedicated to improving access to justice to those most vulnerable, helping attorneys and their families in need, and to providing year-long legal Fellowships to new attorneys working in legal aid clinics.

    The Fellows of the Illinois Bar Foundation are a unique group of attorneys and judges, who have committed, by direct payment or pledge over 10 years, sums of money ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.

    Fellows pledge payments are retained in a special fund of the Foundation, and are used for making grants, helping lawyers and their families in need, and providing legal fellowships to new attorneys in their alma mater’s legal aid clinic.

    Fellows Officers of the Illinois Bar Foundation:

  • November 4, 2013 | Practice News
    Stephen Mathers appointed associate judge in 9th Circuit

    The Illinois Supreme Court announced Monday that former Circuit Judge Stephen C. Mathers has been assigned to the bench in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. He is a 32-year veteran of the judiciary.

    The assignment, effective November 12, terminates on December 1, 2014, when the position will be filled by the 2014 General Election.

  • October 29, 2013 | Events
    Chief Justice Garman to administer oath to new attorneys in Springfield

    Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman will preside over the Fourth Judicial District Bar Admission Ceremony on October 31 in Springfield.

    The 10 a.m. program will be held at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 South Sixth Street.

    Chief Justice Garman, in her first bar admission ceremony as the Chief Justice, will administer the attorney's oath to 82 new lawyers in the Fourth Judicial District.

    All of the candidates have passed the Illinois State Bar Examination, a required ethics examination, and were certified by the Committee on Character and Fitness.

    Hon. Steven H. Nardulli of the Seventh Judicial Circuit will be the keynote speaker. Danville attorney Kerry R. Clapper will make the motion to admit the class. Hon. Jeffrey B. Ford of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Hon. Esteban F. Sanchez of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, and Springfield attorney Saul J. Morse, will second the motion. Springfield attorney and ISBA Board member Jennifer Hammer will also address the class.

    Other guests of the Supreme Court will be Chief Circuit Judges Millard S. Everhart of the Fifth Circuit, Dan L. Flannell of the Sixth Circuit, Leslie J. Graves of the Seventh Circuit, Richard D. Greenlief of the Eight Circuit, and Elizabeth A. Robb of the Eleventh Circuit.

    A reception will follow.

  • October 24, 2013 | People
    Sean Patrick O'Brien 1976-2013

    Sean Patrick O’Brien, 37, of Morton Grove, passed away suddenly and tragically in a car accident on Sept. 22, 2013.  

    Sean was very close to his family, extended family, and friends. He received his double Bachelor’s degree from  Illinois State University.  His master’s degree in Political Science from University of Illinois and then he went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton law school.  Shortly after law school Sean began a career working at the Illinois Department of Criminal Justice Information Authority where he is well respected amongst his peers. One of his main contributions was developing an organizational model of their system in which many states throughout the country have implemented.

    He is survived by his beloved wife and soul mate  Lisa ( Weiland) O'Brien.  Beloved oldest son of John and Linda O’Brien.  Loving brother of Erin (Brent) Eggleston, Moreen (Jacob) Lusk and Kevin “Shorty” O’Brien.  Adored uncle of Isabelle and Matthew Eggleston, Ethan Lusk and Brandon and Jeremy Flores.  Dear son in law of Pam (and the late Steven) Weiland.  Fond brother in law of Karyn Weiland Flores.  Loved nephew of Richard and Colleen Atwood and Greg and Mary O'Brien. 

    Charitable donations may be made in Sean's memory to the following organization:

    Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Illinois Chapter
     

  • October 24, 2013 | Events
    Rita B. Garman to be installed as Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court on Oct. 28

    The elevation of Justice Rita B. Garman to become Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court will be marked by an installation ceremony Monday, October 28 at the Vermilion County Courthouse in Danville.

    Justice Garman will become the 119th Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, the second woman in Illinois to be Chief Justice and the second woman to head one of the three branches of government in Illinois.

    "I am honored and humbled to have been chosen by my colleagues to serve as Chief Justice," Justice Garman said. "This office has been held by many great jurists, several of whom I have served with and count among my friends. I welcome the challenges and the responsibility that go with the role of Chief Justice because I know that I can count on the support of my colleagues at all levels of the judiciary and the members of the Illinois bar."

    Justice Garman was elected to the Court from the Fourth Judicial District, which is made up of 30 counties that stretch across central Illinois from west to east.

    Her selection as Chief Justice on the seven-member Court culminates her long service to the people of Illinois. There are more than 950 judges in Illinois, and Justice Garman has served in the judiciary longer than all of them--except one.

  • October 23, 2013 | CLE
    CLE - Drug Case Issues and Specialty Courts

    Increasingly, drug cases are part of the criminal caseload throughout Illinois. As such, it is important for attorneys to educate themselves on the tools needed for handling these types of cases and to be prepared for the unique issues that drug cases often present. Join us in Springfield on November 14th or Chicago on November 22nd! Attorneys with basic to intermediate experience practicing in criminal courts throughout the state who attend this seminar will better understand: the recently passed legislation involving drug and criminal cases; the most common issues involving pre-trial motions in drug cases; search and seizure issues, including the use of dogs to find drugs in homes and vehicles; how to utilize the veteran’s courts to assist your clients; what to expect in drug and other specialty courts; and much more!

    The seminar is presented by the ISBA Criminal Justice Section and qualifies for 5.25 hours MCLE credit.

    Click here for more information on the Springfield program.

    Click here for more information on the Chicago program.

  • October 1, 2013 | Practice News
    Schoenbein appointed associate judge in 10th Circuit

    Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the 10th Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Kirk D. Schoenbein as an associate judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit.

    Mr. Schoenbein received his undergraduate degree in 1984 from Western Illinois University in Macomb and his Juris Doctor in 1987 from the University of Illinois College of Law. Mr. Schoenbein is currently affiliated with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Peoria.

  • September 30, 2013 | CLE
    CLE - Estate Administration Boot Camp

    Master the basics of administering a decedent’s probate estate with this full-day seminar in Bloomington on October 23rd! Follow along as respected estate planning practitioners guide you through the estate administration process – from the initial meeting with clients to closing the estate. Trusts and estate professionals with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand: What needs to be discussed during the initial client meeting; how to determine if probate is necessary or appropriate; the appropriate procedures for locating heirs and legatees; how to prepare an Affidavit of Heirship; how to handle claims against the estate; the tax consequences of distributions from the estate; when to use disclaimers and Powers of Appointment; how to create a plan for distribution; how to avoid conflicts of interest; and much more!

    The program is presented by the ISBA Trusts & Estates Section and qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 0.75 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • September 23, 2013 | CLE
    CLE: Real Estate Law Update – 2013

    Join us in Normal on Oct. 17 to update your knowledge on the recently-enacted real estate-related legislation and current case law that will impact your practice! It is important that attorneys working in the real estate arena keep abreast of the ongoing changes and developments taking place in this important field of practice. Real estate lawyers, transactional attorneys, and commercial banking/bankruptcy practitioners – with basic to intermediate practice experience – attending this program will better understand: the real estate issues that can arise during the dissolution of a marriage; the economic development incentives being offered by municipalities throughout Illinois; how the landmark Cypress Creek case has affected lien disputes; important tax issues that can affect real estate transactions; the ethical and malpractice issues to consider when representing a client during a real estate case; and much more!

    The program is presented by the ISBA Real Estate Law Section and qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • September 20, 2013 | People | Events
    Memorial service for Justice Moses Harrison II to be held on Sept. 24

    The Illinois Supreme Court will hold a memorial service in honor of the late Justice Moses W. Harrison II. Tributes will be given by Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride; Steve Miller, senior law clerk to Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier; Paula H. Holderman, president of the Illinois State Bar Association; and Leonard Amari from the Justinian Society of Lawyers.

    WHAT: Memorial Service honoring the late Justice Moses W. Harrison II
    WHEN: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 – 1:30 p.m.
    WHERE: Former Supreme Court Chambers, State Capitol Building, Room 212, Springfield

    Justice Harrison was born in Collinsville and educated in Collinsville public schools. He received his undergraduate degree from Colorado College and his law degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in 1958. After the private practice of law, he was appointed as a circuit judge in 1973 by the Illinois Supreme Court and was elected in 1974 to that position. At the time of his appointment, he was senior partner of the law firm of Harrison, Rarick and Cadagin in Collinsville.

    In 1979, Justice Harrison was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court in the Fifth Judicial District. He was elected in 1980 to that position and was retained by voters in 1990.

    Justice Harrison was elected to the Supreme Court in 1992. He served as Chief Justice from January 2000 until his retirement in September 2002.