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  • April 28, 2011 | Events | ISBA News
    ISBA's Academy of Illinois Lawyers inducts 7 new Laureates
    [caption id="attachment_19099" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Class of 2011 Laureates includes (front row, left to right): John B. Kincaid, William V. Johnson, Gino L. DiVito, Peter J. Birnbaum; (back row, left to right): David B. Sosin, Leo H. Konzen and presented and chancellor of the Board of Regents John G. O'Brien. Rosalyn B. Kaplan was inducted posthumously."][/caption] The Illinois State Bar Association’s Academy of Illinois Lawyers inducted its 11th class of Laureates during a luncheon on Tuesday, April 26 at The Standard Club, 320 S. Plymouth Court, in Chicago. The 2011 Class of Laureates, who were recognized during a ceremony conducted by ISBA Past President John G. O’Brien, chancellor of the Academy Board of Regents, brings the total to 102 distinguished Illinois attorneys to be so honored. The Academy was established in 1999 to celebrate excellence in the practice of law by individuals who maintain the highest standards of professional and public service. The 2011 class, nominated by their peers in the profession is:
    • Peter J. Birnbaum, Chicago, President and CEO of Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.
    • Gino L. DiVito, Chicago, Partner in Tabet DiVito & Rothstein LLC
    • William V. Johnson, Chicago, President of Johnson & Bell, Ltd.
    • Rosalyn B.
  • April 28, 2011 | ISBA News
    ISBA to host Ask a Lawyer Day this Saturday
    Consult a lawyer - at no cost - on Saturday, April 30 Anyone in Illinois with a question about a legal matter can call and talk to a lawyer – at no cost – on Ask A Lawyer Day, Saturday, April 30. Lawyer volunteers will answer phones at six locations from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Any Illinois resident can call toll-free, or a local number in some areas, for a free phone consultation with a lawyer. The 30th annual Ask A Lawyer Day, part of Law Day activities in Illinois, is a public service sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) in cooperation with bar associations in Chicago, Northwest Suburbs, DuPage County, Lake County and Will County. Lawyer volunteers will be able to answer questions about consumer problems, family law, estate planning, personal injury, or any other legal situations affecting individuals. Callers will be advised of steps they can take to resolve their legal problems and, if they need additional legal services, they will be advised to see their lawyer. If they don’t have a lawyer, they can receive a referral to a lawyer who practices in their area through the referral service offered by participating bar associations. “We find that many people hesitate to see a lawyer, even when they know they have a legal problem,” said Mark Hassakis of Mt.
  • April 27, 2011 | ISBA News
    2 days left to vote in ISBA election
    Have you voted yet? There are only two days left to vote in the ISBA election. Online voting ends at 4:30 p.m. CT on Friday, April 29. Paper ballots must be received at VR Election Services in Texas by 4:30 p.m. CT on Friday, April 29, 2011 in order to be counted. VR Election Services, ISBA’s election provider, has e-mailed e-ballots to members with valid email addresses and mailed paper ballots to members without email addresses. If you haven’t received your e-ballot, please check your email spam under the suffix vres.us. If your e-ballot is not in your spam folder, please contact VRES at (800) 218-4026 or email custserv@vres.us. The Tellers of the Election will complete the Canvass of the Election no later than May 4, 2011. All members with their dues paid by March 1st are eligible to vote if there is a contested election in their area. The two contested elections are Cook County Board of Governors, and Downstate under 37 Board of Governors. Because there is no 3rd Vice President contest, out-of-state members do not vote.
  • April 18, 2011 | ISBA News
    Voting underway in ISBA election
    VR Election Services, ISBA’s election provider, has e-mailed e-ballots to members with valid email addresses and mailed paper ballots to members without email addresses. If you haven’t received your e-ballot, please check your email spam under the suffix vres.us. If your e-ballot is not in your spam folder, please contact VRES at (800) 218-4026 or email custserv@vres.us. Online voting ends at 4:30 p.m. CT on Friday, April 29th. Paper ballots must be received at VR Election Services in Texas by 4:30 p.m. CT on Friday, April 29, 2011 in order to be counted. The Tellers of the Election will complete the Canvass of the Election no later than May 4, 2011. All members with their dues paid by March 1st are eligible to vote if there is a contested election in their area. The two contested elections are Cook County Board of Governors, and Downstate under 37 Board of Governors. Because there is no 3rd Vice President contest, out-of-state members do not vote.
  • April 12, 2011 | ISBA News | Member Services
    Illinois Lawyer Finder makes over 700 referrals in March
    The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of March 2011, ISBA helped people in need of legal services find lawyers in the following areas:
    • Administrative Law - 10
    • Animal Law - 6
    • Bankruptcy - 15
    • Business Law - 16
    • Civil Disputes - 54
    • Civil Rights - 30
    • Collection - 32
    • Consumer Protection - 16
    • Contracts – 9
    • Criminal Law - 58
    • Education Law - 11
    • Employment Law - 78
    • Estate/Probate Law - 21
    • Family - 148
    • Government Benefits -14
    • Health Law - 8
    • Immigration - 3
    • Insurance Disputes - 8
    • Intellectual Property - 4
    • Municipal Law - 11
    • Personal Injury - 103
    • Real Estate - 31
    • Social Security - 17
    • Tax - 7
    • Workers Compensation - 11
    These numbers do not include additional referrals made through the online Lawyer Finder service. Want to be part of the ISBA Lawyer Finder Service?  Call (800) 252-8908 and ask for the Legal Department, or visit www.illinoislawyerfinder.com Clients should call (800) 922-8757.
  • April 12, 2011 | ISBA News
    “Discipline Issues in Special Education” to air on Illinois Law on April 19
    [caption id="attachment_18793" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Appearing on “Discipline Issues in Special Education” will be (from left) John A. Dively, Jr., moderator Nancy Z. Hablutzel, Deborah Decker and Mary Kay Klimesh."][/caption] “Discipline Issues in Special Education,” a half-hour program presented by Illinois Law, will air on Chicago Access Network Television, Channel 21 in Chicago, on Tuesday, April 19 at 10 p.m. Illinois Law is a cable production of the Illinois State Bar Association. Appearing on the show are John A. Dively, Jr., associate professor and chair of educational leadership at Eastern Illinois University; program moderator Nancy Z. Hablutzel, a Chicago lawyer; attorney Deborah Decker, of Tabet DiVito & Rothstein, LLC, in Chicago; and attorney Mary Kay Klimesh, of Seyfarth Shaw, Chicago. Previous Illinois Law programs are available for online viewing at www.illinoislawyernow.com/tag/illinois-law-video/
  • April 6, 2011 | Events | ISBA News
    Register now for ISBA's 135th Annual Meeting on the Banks of Lake Geneva
    The Illinois State Bar Association will host its 135th Annual Meeting from June 16-18 at the Abbey Resort, Fontana, Wis. This summer the ISBA returns to Lake Geneva, where the leaders of our Association gather in celebration of our accomplishments over the past bar year and sail forward with new plans for the year ahead. In this relaxed collegial atmosphere, memories are made and friendships renewed. So make plans now to bring the family and join us for the ISBA’s 135th Annual Meeting On the Banks of Lake Geneva! The deadline for making your room reservation (Be sure to indicate that you are attending the ISBA Annual Meeting) is on or before May 14th. Reservations received after this date will be subject to availability - rooms at The Abbey typically sell out fast. The deadline for advance registration is June 6th. A schedule of events is available at www.isba.org/annual/schedule Hotel information is available at www.isba.org/annual/hotel Register at https://webarchives.isba.org/annual/reg.html
  • April 4, 2011 | ISBA News
    ISBA's David Anderson presented with Illinois Outstanding Service Award
    ISBA Associate Executive Director David Anderson was presented with the Illinois Outstanding Service Award ensuring that mobilized National Guard members have had access to legal services and representation by attorneys in civil cases throughout the state on Friday at the Military Issues CLE held at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office. Making the presentation were (from left) Capt. Mark Huzeker, USN, Commanding Officer, US Navy JAG Midwest Region, Colonel Nicholas S. Rantis of the Illinois Air National Guard, ISBA Associate Executive Director Anderson, Major General Clyde J. "Butch" Tate II, Deputy Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army, and Justice Steven H. David of the Indiana Supreme Court.
  • April 1, 2011 | ISBA News
    Illinois Law programs review the foreclosure process (April 2011)
    Mortgage Foreclosure - The Early Stages Mortgage Foreclosure - Litigation Process
  • March 31, 2011 | ISBA News
    ISBA offering free booklet to help citizens reform local juvenile justice system
    The Illinois State Bar Association is offering a free booklet on its website to help citizens learn how to reduce juvenile delinquency in their community and provide alternatives to youth imprisonment. Called “Juvenile Justice in Illinois,” the booklet includes a description of the need, a summary of programs already in place, and action steps to implement a local program. Compiled by ISBA President Mark D. Hassakis, of Mt. Vernon, the booklet is an outgrowth of the focus during his presidency to draw attention to the issue of juvenile justice and help foster change. “What would the juvenile justice system look like if we knew our sons, daughters and grandchildren would go through it?” he has asked. “We must all get involved if changes are to be made.” Hassakis notes that the state spends significant funds to incarcerate youth but does little to rehabilitate them. “The solution is to develop a customized approach for each youth who has either entered the juvenile justice system or is incarcerated in it,” he states. One program that is making a difference, he continues, is Redeploy Illinois, which in its first three years, diverted 382 youth from state juvenile prisons. Some 40 counties have also started Juvenile Justice Councils.  A fact sheet in the booklet lists action steps to develop a council that can lead to improved juvenile delinquency prevention measures. The ISBA, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides education and services to its lawyer-members and information to the public.  For further information, visit www.isba.org.