ISBA News

[caption id="attachment_8090" align="alignright" width="300" caption="These three billboards will be unveiled along I-55 on Feb. 8."][/caption] Back during the Depression of the 1930's, Burma Shave pioneered the idea of consecutive, cost-effective roadside advertising. Today, the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) announced it will unveil three consecutive billboards on I-55 in Feb. 8 and three side-by-side billboards inside Chicago's Metra Station in March. Each triad of billboards will feature the following message:  "Is she or isn't she ... not all lawyers are ... see if your lawyer is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association" and includes the ISBA's consumer Web site address, www.isbalawyers.com "Prior to the recession, obtaining this prime billboard space at a reasonable price would have been virtually impossible because published ad rates were high, lengthy in duration and non-negotiable," said John Bailen, chair of the ISBA Committee on Strategic Marketing for Illinois Lawyers.  "We feel fortunate to have found three consecutive billboards - available at the same time - in such high-visibility locations." Overseen by the ISBA Committee on Strategic Marketing for Illinois Lawyers, the ongoing advertising campaign is aimed at building confidence in the legal profession and educating consumers about the value of hiring a lawyer.

Nominations are being accepted for ISBA awards that will be presented on June 25 during the 134th Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront. Nominating forms are available at www.isba.org/awards. General Practice The Matthew Maloney Tradition of Excellence Award is sponsored by the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section. Nominees must be ISBA members who have been in general practice for at least 20 years and have made significant contributions to the profession and community. Nominations are due by Friday, March 26. The nominating form is available at www.isba.org/awards/gp. Community Leadership The Community Leadership Award is sponsored by the Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Nominees should be lawyers, judges, lawyers, members of state or local legislative bodies, educators or community activist groups who have worked to eliminate discrimination and foster understanding of legal issues relating to the LGBT community. Nominations are due by April 16. The nominating form is available at www.isba.org/awards/sogi. Young Lawyers The ISBA Young Lawers Division presents two Young Lawyer of the Year awards - one for Cook County and one for outside Cook County. Nominees must be ISBA members under age 36 who have achieved excellence in litigation, advocacy or counseling, and have contributed to the profession through public service and pro bono activity.

The ABA Young Lawyers Division will honor Justin Heather, co-editor of the Illinois State Bar Association's YLD newsletter, with its National Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. The YLD will present the award during the ABA Midyear Meeting in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Feb. 6. The YLD presents this award annually to a young lawyer who exemplifies professional excellence, service to the legal profession and the bar, service to the community, and who has a reputation for the advancement of legal ethics and professional responsibility. Heather, a litigation associate with the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, concentrates his practice on complex corporate litigation. He represents clients in a variety of disputes, including international gas and oil matters, intellectual property, securities law, bankruptcy, franchise law, complex commercial contracts, and mergers and acquisitions. In his eight years of practice, Heather has logged more than 4,000 pro bono hours, more than 10 times the ABA's recommended 50 hours a year. His pro bono service involves working with such clients as death row inmates, West African citizens suffering political persecution, and other clients in various race and disability discrimination lawsuits. In addition to his frequent pro bono contributions, Heather actively supports a variety of bar activities.

No one knows better than fellow Section Council members how much time and effort Editors put into the Section or Committee Newsletter! If you believe your Newsletter Editor has done an exceptionally good job this year, why not honor him or her with a nomination for the prestigious Austin Fleming Award? Click here for more information and to download a nomination form. Questions? E-mail Katie Underwood, newsletter managing editor, at kunderwood@isba.org.