Lawyers and judges are needed to support civics engagement in our schools by attending one of the hearings offered by the Illinois Task Force in Civic Education Report.
The Task Force recommends that Illinois require a high school course in civic, that civics education include the skills of citizen involvement, and that teachers be better prepared to teach civics.
The hearings schedule, is as follows with times tentatively set at 4-6 p.m. in each location:
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.
The Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) will present its Distinguished Award for Excellence to Peter J. Birnbaum, president and CEO of Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. on Oct. 17 at the 16th Annual Gala.
The 2014 Gala will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago. The event is co-chaired by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke, Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton, and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. IBF board co-chairs are Deane B. Brown, Beermann Pritikin Mirabelli Swerdlove LLP, and Shawn S. Kasserman, Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, LLC.
The award, selected by the Illinois Bar Foundation’s board of directors, celebrates one attorney each year for making a major contribution to law and society. Past winners include Mayor Richard M. Daley, Scott Turow, Mary A. Dempsey, Jerold S. Solovy, Joseph A. Power, Jr., Bernard M. Judge, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Burke, and Newton N. Minow. IBF is the charitable arm of the Illinois State Bar Association,
The Juvenile Justice Initiative will honor Cook Couny Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Jenner & Block Partner Jeffrey D. Colman for their work ensuring individualized and proportionate justice for every child in conflict with the law.
The event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark, 45th floor, Chicago. RSVP is required and no tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are $100 each ($50 for students and nonprofit). Sponsorships and ad space are available. Please visit www.jjustice.org for more information and to buy tickets.
The 2014 ISBA Midyear Meeting and Joint Meeting with the Illinois Judges Association will be held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, Chicago, Illinois from Dec. 11– 13. Take advantage of this opportunity to make your reservations for lodging early. Reservations at the Sheraton may either be made online at www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/isba2014 or by calling 800.325.3535. Please be sure to advise that you are attending the ISBA/IJA Meeting when making your reservation. Rates for 2014 are $149 for single or double occupancy, plus tax. Check-in after 3:00 p.m. and check-out before 12:00 p.m.
The deadline for making reservations for lodging is on or before November 17. Reservations received after this date will be subject to availability. The deposit will be forfeited for all no-shows, early departures and cancellations less than 72 hours prior to arrival.
Watch in the coming months for additional details, schedule of events and registration information on our website www.isba.org and Illinois Lawyer Now.
The Best Practices for Solo and Small Firm Practitioners – Fall 2014 will be held on Friday, September 19, 2014 from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at Four Points Sheraton, 319 Fountains Parkway, in Fairview Heights.
Considered the premier event in Illinois dedicated to meeting the needs of solo and small firm lawyers, this full-day seminar offers attendees numerous educational sessions, networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall that showcases services and products to help solo and small firm lawyers expand their careers and improve the efficiency of their law practices.
The Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Bar Foundation, Illinois Judges Association, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, Alliance of Illinois Judges, Illinois Judicial Council and the Jewish Judges Association of Illinois are teaming up for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) 20th annual Race Judicata Sprint for Justice 5K Run/Walk. This fundraising event takes place on Sept. 4 in Chicago’s Grant Park.
T-shirts will be provided for team members. All proceeds from Race Judicata go to the general operating costs of CVLS, which works to provide legal services to the poor and working poor of Chicago. The four organizations will host a tent that will serve as the main gathering point for team members. Food and water will be available at the tent. The entry fee is $34 through August 22nd. Register under the team name WBAI, ISBA, IBF, IJA, AIJ, IJC, JJAI at www.cvls.org/judicata.
When: Saturday, September 13, 2014, Noon – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets will be available for pick up at 11:15 AM on race day at the will call window, Grandstand Entrance (east side off of Wilke Road entrance).
Where: Arlington Park Racecourse, Arlington Heights - ISBA will be at umbrella covered picnic tables located near the 1/8 mile pole.
Cost: $9.00 per adult, $2.00 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.
Deadline: Register by Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at www.isba.org/sections/younglawyersdivision/dayattheracesreg
For information on permitted and prohibited items in the park, please visit: http://www.arlingtonpark.com/plan-your-visit/general-information/park-policies
Questions: Please email Lynne Davis, ldavis@isba.org or Rachel McDermott, rmcdermott@isba.org
A roast to celebrate ISBA Past President Herb Franks' more than 50 years of service in the legal profession will be held on Aug. 8 at Donley's Village Hall Banquets, 8512 S. Union Road in Union. The evening begins with cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner and roast at 7 p.m. Donation levels range from $75-$500. All proceeds from the event will benefit Prairie State Legal Services.
Featured roasters include Illinois Supreme Court Justices Anne Burke and Thomas Kilbride, Secretary of State Jesse White, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, McHenry County Judge Michael Caldwell, Appellate Court judges Richard Goldenhersh and Mary Schostock and ISBA Past Presidents Paula H. Holderman and Tim Eaton. Attorney General Lisa Madigan will make the opening remarks.
For more information, contact Ann Sprague at asprague@fgmlaw.com or (815) 923-2107.
In 1991, Anita Hill told the truth about an unjust workplace reality many women were silently facing and still are today: sexual harassment. Join us for a film screening as we look back twenty-three years to one woman's raw testimony, which ignited a national conversation about gender equality and power in the workplace. Tickets are $20 and ISBA members can use the code below to buy one ticket and get one free (limited availability).
What: "Anita: Speaking Truth to Power" Film Screening and Speak Out
When: Tuesday, August 5, 2014, 5–8 p.m.
Where: Corboy Law Center, 25 E. Pearson St., Chicago, IL
Register: womenemployed.force.com/events/CnP_PaaS_EVT__ExternalRegistrationPage?event_id=a0eF0000008APB2
Discount code: ISBABOGO
Come enjoy appetizers, a drink, and a powerful film screening followed by a speak out with other Chicagoland women about the risks and rewards of speaking truth to power.