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  • November 30, 2011 | ISBA News
    Civil Union and Employment Discrimination programs to air on Illinois Law

    “Understanding the New Illinois Civil Union Act,” and “Protecting Against Employment Discrimination” will air on Chicago Access Network Television, Channel 21 in Chicago, on Tuesdays in December at 10 p.m. These half-hour programs are presented by Illinois Law, a cable production of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

    “Understanding the New Illinois Civil Union Act” will air on December 6 and 20 at 10 p.m. Appearing on the show are Jennifer Shaw, of Jennifer A. Shaw, PC, in Edwardsville; program moderator Nancy K. McKenna, a Chicago lawyer; Richard Wilson, of Law Offices of Richard A. Wilson, PC, in Chicago; and Rachael N. Toft, of Law Offices of Rachael Toft, in Chicago.  Wilson and Shaw are members of the ISBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee.

  • November 17, 2011 | ISBA News
    Russell Scott to receive Illinois Bar Foundation's Distinguished Service to Law and Society Award

    The Illinois Bar Foundation will honor Belleville attorney ISBA Board member Russell K. Scott with the foundation’s prestigious 2011 Distinguished Service to Law and Society Award. The award will be presented at a meeting of the ISBA's Midyear Meeting in Chicago.  Past recipients of the award include U.S. Senators Alan Dixon and Paul Simon, Illinois Supreme Court justices, federal judges and noted attorneys. Scott is a senior litigation officer with Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. and co-manager of the firm’s Southern Illinois Practice Group, based in Belleville.

    The award honors Scott for significant contributions to law, society and the Illinois Bar Foundation and The Fellows program. Founded more than 50 years ago, the foundation ensures meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those of limited means, and assists lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity.  Find our more at www.illinoisbarfoundation.org.

    With Greensfelder, Scott’s practice includes the defense of legal and medical malpractice suits, product liability actions, industrial accident cases, premises liability, automobile, construction, insurance coverage, class action, toxic tort, general commercial and personal injury litigation. He is also a certified mediator.

    Scott was inducted into the Academy of Illinois Lawyers in 2009. He is a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and fellow and board member of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution.

  • November 17, 2011 | Events | ISBA News
    Early bird deadline for YLD Holiday Party is Nov. 21

    Please join us in supporting the 14th Annual Holiday Party to benefit the Illinois Bar Foundation/ISBA Young Lawyers Division’s Children’s Assistance Fund. Over the past decade, we raised over $400,000 and collected countless toys and books that were donated to children’s waiting rooms throughout the State of Illinois. Please continue this worthy tradition by joining us this year in person or support our event with your generous contribution:

    WHEN: Friday, December 2, 2011, 6:00-10:00 p.m.

    WHERE: Cubby Bear Lounge, 1059 W. Addison, Chicago, IL (see map)

    WHAT: Open Bar, Warm Appetizers, Live Music by Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press, and FUN!

    COST:

    • $35.00 per person, for tickets purchased by November 21, 2011
    • $30.00 per law student, per tickets purchased by November 21, 2011
    • $40.00 per person, for tickets purchased after November 21, 2011

    Click here to register

    The YLD Children's Assistance Fund is a fund of the Illinois Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable entity.

  • November 9, 2011 | ISBA News | Practice News
    Nearly 2,200 new attorneys admitted in Illinois

    Nearly 2,200 new attorneys were admitted to practice in Illinois on Thursday, November 10 with Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court presiding and administering the attorney’s oath at five separate locations.

    All of the candidates have passed the Illinois state bar examination and an ethics examination, and have been certified by the Committee on Character and Fitness.

    The largest group, 1,600, were admitted in the First Judicial District during ceremonies starting at the McCormick Place West Skyline Ballroom. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Freeman presided over the ceremony, with Justices Anne M. Burke and Mary Jane Theis participating.

    Justice Freeman introduced Cook County Associate Judge Frank B. Castiglione, who made the motion to admit the class.

    The Hon. Joseph N. Casciato, retired associate judge, seconded the motion to admit the class.

    Illinois State Bar Association President John G. Locallo was one of two bar association presidents to address the class.

    The 2,155 men and women were certified as candidates and  were sworn in as Illinois attorneys Thursday at ceremonies in the five Supreme Court judicial districts.

    The new attorneys will bring the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to approximately 90,200.

    Click here to view pictures from the 1st District Admission Ceremony

    1 comment (Most recent November 11, 2011)
  • November 8, 2011 | Practice News | ISBA News
    Nominations being accepted to represent ISBA on ABA House of Delegates (under age 35)

    At the December 10, 2011 meeting of the ISBA Assembly, two “under 35" delegates to the ABA House of Delegates will be elected, one from Cook County and one from the area outside Cook County.  The nominees for these positions must be members of the ISBA in good standing from the appropriate area and under the age of 35 as of August 10, 2012.  The elected delegates will serve for two-year terms commencing June, 2012 and will join the ISBA delegation at the ABA meeting in Chicago in August, 2012.

    The current incumbents are Kelly Gandurski, of Chicago, who is eligible for re-election and Jean Kenol of Joliet, who is not eligible for re-election.

    Nominations must be made in writing by at least 20 ISBA members in good standing from the appropriate area.  Nominations must be filed with the office of the Executive Director no later than Monday, November 21, 2011.  Further information and nominating petitions are available from the office of the Executive Director, Illinois State Bar Association, 424 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL 62701 or by contacting Kim Weaver at (800) 252-8908 or kweaver@isba.org.

  • November 7, 2011 | Member Services | ISBA News
    Illinois Lawyer Finder makes 699 referrals in October

    The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays.  The Servicemakes referrals in a number of areas of law.  For the month of October 2011, ISBA helped people in need of legal services find lawyers in the following areas:

  • November 3, 2011 | ISBA News | People
    Paula Holderman receives the 2011 “Women with Vision” Award

    ISBA 2nd Vice President and Winston & Strawn chief attorney development officer Paula H. Holderman will be honored by the Women's Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) with the 2011 "Women with Vision" award. Ms. Holderman will be presented with the award at the WBAI's Joint Professional Dinner on Nov. 3, 2011 in Chicago.

    The "Women with Vision" Awards were first presented in 1997 by the WBAI to honor and recognize women who have demonstrated visionary approaches in their professional endeavors and who have made a contribution to the well-being and empowerment of women.

    Ms. Holderman will take office as ISBA president of the in 2013. Ms. Holderman is also a member of Winston & Strawn's diversity committee as well as a chair of the Women to Women (W2W) initiative.

  • November 3, 2011 | ISBA News | Events
    ISBA to recognize Class of 2011 Distinguished Counsellors

    The Illinois State Bar Association will be recognizing members who have been admitted to practice for 50 years at a luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 7. We are pleased to invite you to join President John G. Locallo as the Association recognizes the 2011 Class of Distinguished Counsellors.

    The luncheon to recognized the 2011 Class of Distinguished Counsellors will be held at The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago, 909 N. Michigan. There will be a reception at 11:15 a.m. and lunch at noon. Tickets are available at $65 per person and advanced registration is required. To purchase tickets, please complete and return the attached registration form.doc.

    If you have any questions, please contact Kim Weaver by e-mail at kweaver@isba.org or by telephone at (800) 252-8908.

    Here is the Bar Class of 1961 to be honored as Distinguished Counsellors:

    1 comment (Most recent November 4, 2011)
  • November 2, 2011 | ISBA News
    Internet Crime programs now available for online viewing
     

    Internet Crimes and Internet Crime Prevention, two half-hour programs presented by “Illinois Law,” will air on Chicago Access Network Television, Channel 21 in Chicago, during the month of November. Internet Crimes will air at 10 p.m. on Tuesdays, Nov. 1, 15 and 29, and Internet Crime Prevention will air at 10 p.m. on Tuesdays, Nov. 8 and 22. Both programs are available below.

  • November 2, 2011 | ISBA News | Events
    Register now for ISBA, IJA Joint Meeting - hotel registration deadline is Nov. 12

    Please join us in Chicago Dec. 8-10 as lawyers and judges from around our great state gather to conduct the business of the bench and bar at the ISBA/IJA Joint Meeting. No matter what role you are seeking, we have a scene for you – from networking to business meetings to CLE programs and social events – there is a part for everyone to play.

    We begin Thursday with a show for the newest members of our profession designed to meet the Basic Skills requirement while learning from a faculty of judge and attorney stars. Following the program we invite everyone to join us for the Opening Reception where you can mix and mingle with colleagues and new acquaintances.

    Friday we’ll gather with the IBF to present awards to the leaders in our profession and find out which bands will be conducting the score for the Lawyers Rock Legends sequel in 2012.

    The rest of the day will be dedicated to outstanding educational programming including the double-feature Joint IJA/ISBA Programs – The Legacy of Myra Bradwell: In the Light of Experience and Revitalizing the Jury Trial, a luncheon presentation, and a Master Series ethics program by the nation’s favorite “Humorist at Law”, Sean Carter, on Divine Ethics: Avoiding the Chasm of Incivility.

    Later that evening we’ll throw an after-show party to remember as we salute and honor the Supreme Court of Illinois, featuring Mary Jane Theis, Justice, Supreme Court of Illinois.