ISBA News

[caption id="attachment_15843" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Illinois Bar Foundation President Vince Cornelius (from left), Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke and Gala Co-Chair Jerold Solovy enjoy the Illinois Bar Foundation's Annual Gala at the Four Seasons. Burke was honored by the Foundation as the 2010 Recipient of the Distinguished Award for Excellence. "][/caption] On October 15th, more than 400 people attended the Illinois Bar Foundation’s 13th annual Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel. Lawyers and Judges alike joined to show their dedication to the Foundation’s cause and recognize our 2010 Recipient of the Distinguished Award for Excellence, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke. We’re very pleased to report that the evening was quite successful and grossed more than $450,000. Thanks to all of you who supported the event, we met or exceeded every goal for our 2010 Gala. These important funds will be used to help support the Foundation and the many organizations and individuals who receive our assistance. The night started with a silent auction of more than 90 great items, including spa treatments, theatre tickets, and several trips. Guests were able to bid on the auction items of their choice throughout the night on computerized terminals spread throughout the ballroom. During dinner, guests were also given the opportunity to bid on 4 live auction items.

The Illinois State Bar Association will be honoring the 2010 Class of Distinguished Counsellors on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, 301 E. North Water. The event will begin with a reception at 11:15 a.m. and a luncheon at noon. Click here to view the invitation. Click here to read a recent news article on Distinguished Counsellors Harvey Stephens and Edward Cunningham. Click below for the list of this year's Class.

[caption id="attachment_15472" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Justice Mary Jane Theis"][/caption] Former ISBA Board member Mary Jane Theis will take the oath today as the newest member of the Illinois Supreme Court, the fourth woman to sit on the state’s highest tribunal. Justice Theis, an Appellate Court judge in Illinois for the past 17 years, will be sworn in by Retired Chief Justice Thomas R. Fitzgerald. Justice Fitzgerald announced his retirement last month and the Supreme Court appointed Justice Theis to fill his vacancy. Justice Thomas L. Kilbride was elected by his colleagues to become Chief Justice, an appointment which also becomes effective on Tuesday. Justice Theis’ ceremony is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. October 26 in the ceremonial courtroom on the lower level of the James R. Thompson Center. Among those who will be speaking at the ceremony will be Attorney General Lisa Madigan; Retired U.S. District Court of Appeals Judge Abner J. Mikva; Illinois Appellate Court Justice Joy V. Cunningham; and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton. Justice Theis will join Justices Rita B. Garman from the Fourth Judicial District and Anne M. Burke from the First Judicial District to mark the first time in history three women will sit on the Illinois Supreme Court at the same time.

One of our nation's guiding principles is "Justice For All". But for many of our fellow Americans, the promise of equal access to justice has not been fulfilled. In an effort to bridge the "Justice Gap", ISBA President Mark Hassakis is encouraging ISBA members to consider performing some Pro Bono work. If you can’t afford to donate the time, consider donating money instead. There is no better time to start than during National Pro Bono Celebration Week, which kicks off today. The ISBA Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services has a wonderful website where you can learn more - www.isba.org/probono.   In addition, ISBA is providing members the opportunity to learn pro bono basics and earn CLE credit on a variety of topics including family law and juvenile justice.