Editor's note: It is tradition that longtime ISBA member John W. Damisch (John the Farmer) provide his personal recap from annual meetings. Here’s his colorful take on last weekend’s 2010 Annual Meeting (click here to read his take on last year's Annual Meeting):
This year I was not going to give a critique of the ISBA Annual meeting ... but some people asked for it so this is only my personal reading.
Outside it was hot, hot, hot ... inside cool, cool, cool. George Mahoney and John O'Brien were dressed like peacocks in their best ... gorgeous clothes and frequent changes! Mark Hassakis had the best bow tie for the annual dinner.
Travel to St. L. was by American Airlines (price was $219 r.t.) plus the monorail from STL to the Hyatt Hotel ($1.75 each way). Judge Terry Brady and Paula Holderman on the plane going to - and Judge Alex White on the return.
Rooms were spacious ... good view of the Mississippi River, bridge and the Casino Queen sitting near the bridge.
Opening reception sponsored by ISBA Mutual had delicious groceries ... meat, piles of shrimp, Asian, Mexican, American, and an open bar. (only saw one person that was over served) couple hundred friends and new friends. The biggies (Mark H, officers, Board members etc) ... went out on a bus out for dinner.
At 9:30 p.m there was a reception for Mark H. on the roof of the hotel, overlooking the Arch, and under full moon, more extensive groceries and full bar.
ISBA News
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June 29, 2010 |
ISBA News
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June 28, 2010 |
Events | ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_12730" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier swears in Mark D. Hassakis as the ISBA's 134th President."][/caption] Mt. Vernon attorney Mark D. Hassakis was sworn in as the new Illinois State Bar Association President on Friday night at the Annual Meeting in St. Louis. Hassakis, the first Greek American president of the ISBA, joined his father’s firm after receiving his J.D. in 1976. The firm now concentrates in all types of injury and wrongful death cases, both work and non-work related. In addition, the firm represents clients at administrative hearings before the Secretary of State for driving relief in DUI and other excessive violation cases. Hassakis’ guiding theme for his 2010-2011 term will be “Lawyers Care,” demonstrating his pride in the profession and the extraordinary efforts lawyers make every day to go above and beyond in their service to their communities and the profession. He will spotlight examples of the beneficial role lawyers voluntarily undertake to help shape a brighter future for our state and its citizens. "ISBA lawyers and the heart of the ISBA, the Illinois Bar Foundation, will spotlight our lawyer and judge members giving well beyond the great professional work they do, highlighting the extraordinary effort being made in the communities in which we live," Hassakis said.
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June 28, 2010 |
ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_12519" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Appearing on the show will be (from left) Martin A. Dolan, Hon. Stuart Shiffman (ret.), Nancy S. Marder and program moderator Latham Williams."][/caption] Anatomy of a Trial, two half-hour programs presented by the Illinois State Bar Association, will air on Chicago Access Network Television, Channel 21 in Chicago, during the month of July. Part I will air on Tuesdays, July 6 and 20 at 10 p.m., and Part II will air on Tuesdays, July 13 and 27 at 10 p.m. Appearing on the show to discuss the process of a personal injury trial are Martin A. Dolan, of Dolan Law Offices, PC, in Chicago; Hon. Stuart Shiffman (ret.), of Springfield; Nancy S. Marder, a professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law; and program moderator Latham Williams, of Hudson Highland Group, Inc., in Chicago. “Illinois Law” is a cable production of the ISBA.
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June 25, 2010 |
Events | ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_12606" align="alignright" width="259" caption="ISBA President John O'Brien presents a Board of Governors Award to Peoria attorney Sonni C. Williams."][/caption] The Illinois State Bar Association presented awards in several categories at the Awards Luncheon on Friday at the Annual Meeting in St. Louis. President John O’Brien honored the following recipients (click here to view a photo gallery from this event): The Board of Governors Award was presented to Hon. Thomas R. Fitzgerald, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court; Hon. Alexander P. White, Cook County Circuit Judge and Sonni C. Williams, attorney for the City of Peoria and chair of the Standing Committee on Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law. The Matthew Maloney Tradition of Excellence Award was given to Langdon D. Neal, Chairman of the Chicago Board of Elections and principal and owner of Neal & Leroy, LLC, one of the oldest minority-owned and operated law firms in the U.S. Lawrence A. Wojcik of DLA Piper and attorneys from Caterpillar Inc. received John C.
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June 24, 2010 |
ISBA News
The Illinois State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting kicked off Thursday night in St. Louis with an Opening Reception and Workshop on “Who Me? A Law School Professor,” presented by the Southern Illinois University School of Law. This year's Annual Meeting and CLE Fest are being held at the Hyatt St. Louis at the Arch. Click here to view our photo gallery from the Opening Reception. Click here for a schedule of events. The ISBA Assembly will meet Saturday morning. Click here for the Assembly Agenda.
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June 23, 2010 |
ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_12466" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Mark D. Hassakis"][/caption] Mt. Vernon attorney Mark D. Hassakis will be sworn in as the new Illinois State Bar Association President on Friday night at the Annual Meeting in St. Louis. Hassakis, the first Greek American president of the ISBA, joined his father’s firm after receiving his J.D. in 1976. The firm now concentrates in all types of injury and wrongful death cases, both work and non-work related. In addition, the firm represents clients at administrative hearings before the Secretary of State for driving relief in DUI and other excessive violation cases. Hassakis’ guiding theme for his 2010-2011 term will be “Lawyers Care,” demonstrating his pride in the profession and the extraordinary efforts lawyers make every day to go above and beyond in their service to their communities and the profession.
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June 21, 2010 |
ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_12408" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ISBA President John O'Brien, honoree Ralph DeBartolo and ISBA Board of Governors member Jim Morici"][/caption] ISBA President John G. O’Brien presented the Law Enforcement Award to Ralph DeBartolo on May 27 at the 3rd District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows. DeBartolo is chief of the Cook County Sheriff's Department's Office of Court Services. This award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. The award is given sparingly to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement. Chief DeBartolo is receiving the award for his tireless efforts to improve security measures and emergency procedures in the Rolling Meadows courthouse, as well as his volunteer efforts to help increase awareness and respect for the local Italian-American community. Since joining the Sheriff’s Office in 1989, he has distinguished himself in providing safety and security for local judges, court personnel, inmates and the public. He streamlined operations and significantly increased the collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and the legal community. DeBartolo was one of the founding officers of the Italian-American Police Officers Association and has served as its chairman and president.
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June 16, 2010 |
ISBA News
The Assembly of the Illinois State Bar Association will meet on June 26 at 9 a.m. during the 134th Annual Meeting in St. Louis. The Agenda is available for view below. Agenda for June 26, 2010, Meeting of the Assembly
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June 15, 2010 |
ISBA News
"Dealing with Debt Collectors & Relief Scams" and "Medical Malpractice: Start to Finish," half-hour programs presented by the Illinois State Bar Association, will air on Chicago Access Network Television, Channel 21, on Illinois Law in June. "Dealing with Debt Collectors & Relief Scams" will air on Tuesdays, June 15 and June 29 at 10 p.m. This program focuses on avoiding debt relief scams and how to deal with debt collectors. "Medical Malpractice" will air on Tuesday, June 22 at 10 p.m. Appearing on the show will be: program moderator Sam Kavathas of Kavathas & Castenes; Karen M. Enright of Winters Enright Salzetti & O’Brien, LLC; Judge Elizabeth Budzinski, Cook County Circuit Court; and Ronald W. Kalish of Steinberg Goodman & Kalish. “Illinois Law” is a cable production of the ISBA. The 35,000-member organization, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides professional services to Illinois lawyers, and education and services to the public.
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June 11, 2010 |
ISBA News
The IBF/YLD Children's Assistance Fund appoved a grant of $5,500 to sponsor an ISBA/YLD Summer Intern at Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) for the summer. YLD Chair Kelley Gandurski is pictured presenting the check to PILI Director of Programs Michael Bergmann. This grant will provide for intern Susanna Bucaro, a law student at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, to work at the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation this summer.