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  • September 13, 2017 | Practice News
    Best Practice Tips: Institutionalizing Your Law Practice

    Asked and Answered

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am the sole owner of a six-attorney estate planning practice in Phoenix, Arizona. The five associates have been with me from five to fifteen years. I just turned 55 and would like to retire when I am 65, either by selling my practice to another firm or to one or more of my associates. I would like to receive some remuneration for the sweat equity that I have invested (goodwill). I have tried over the years to set up my practice in a way that it is not “just me.” I changed the name of my firm to a trade name that does not include my name, arranged the lawyers’ names on our letterhead and website alphabetically, and eliminated designations such as principal and associate. I believe that I have made it difficult for clients and prospective clients to know who the boss is. I hope that this will make my firm more salable and appealing in the future. I would appreciate your comments.

  • September 11, 2017 | Practice News | CLE | ISBA News
    Satisfy Your Professional Responsibility Requirements with Online CLE

    Beginning with the N-Z reporting period ending June 30, 2019, Illinois attorneys must complete at least one our of diversity and inclusion CLE and one hour of mental health and substance abuse CLE during each two-year reporting period, or participate in a yearlong Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program (S. Ct. Rule 795(d)).

    The rule changes reflect an effort to address the impact of the legal profession's diversity challenges on the justice system. Additionally, the new rules seek to encourage lawyers to explore ways to increase their health and well-being because statistics show that judges and lawyers suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues at a significantly higher rate than does the general population.

    ISBA has several courses to help you satisfy the requirements under the new MCLE rule change, including:

  • September 11, 2017 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Harris as Circuit Judge in the Fifth Subcircuit of Cook County

    Robert F. Harris has been appointed a Cook County Circuit Judge in the 5th Subcircuit by Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court. 

    Mr. Harris was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Edward Washington.
    The appointment takes effect September 21, 2017, and will conclude on December 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election.

    "I'm deeply honored to be chosen from a field of accomplished and talented people to be selected as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County," Harris said. "I look forward to this new path as a servant to the public and I will work hard to become an exemplary member of the judiciary."

  • September 8, 2017 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Beach as Circuit Judge in the Sixth Subcircuit of Cook County

    Charles S. Beach was appointed as a Cook County Circuit Judge in the 6th Subcircuit by Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court.

    Mr. Beach was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Hon. Richard C. Cooke. The appointment takes effect Sept. 15, 2017 and will conclude on Dec. 3, 2018, when the position is filled by the November 2018 General Election.

  • September 7, 2017 | ISBA News | Practice News
    ISBA Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program

    Jeff Salling, e-discovery counsel and director of business development at Complete Discovery Source, discusses how the ISBA Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program helped bridge the gap between law school and the practice of law. 

  • September 6, 2017 | Practice News
    Best Practice Tips: Key Financial Goals and Metrics for Law Firms

    Asked and Answered

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am a newly-elected managing partner of a 14-lawyer firm in San Diego. Although I was elected to this position, I feel disadvantaged because I don’t have a financial background. What metrics/measurements should I be looking at?

  • August 31, 2017 | Practice News
    Circuit Court Sanctions Nonlawyer for UPL - ARDC v. Akinlemibola

    In this Order on the ARDC’s Motion for Summary Judgment, Ms. Akinlemibola was found guilty of contempt of court for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, including by holding herself out to the public via a website that she was authorized to provide legal services. Ms. Akinlemibola was ordered to pay $5,000 to the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation. ARDC v. Grace Akinlemibola, Cook County No. 17 MC1-600006 (August 31, 2017).

  • August 30, 2017 | Practice News
    Legislative Roundup: Which Bills Have Been Signed? Vetoed?

    In the August Illinois Bar Journal, ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington summarizes legislation of particular interest to lawyers. In the weeks since the article first appeared, most of the bills described there have been acted on by Governor Rauner. Which did he sign? Which did he veto? Read the updated version, which includes links to the public acts and veto statements.

  • August 30, 2017 | Practice News
    Best Practice Tips: Acquiring a Personal Injury Practice

    Asked and Answered

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am a non-equity partner in a four-attorney personal injury plaintiff law firm in Newport Beach, California consisting of the firm owner, two associates, and myself. The owner is planning on retiring and has provided me with a proposal to sell me his practice. How do I determine whether this is an opportunity or a potential curse? Your advice would be appreciated.

  • August 24, 2017 | Practice News
    Beginning the Deal: Three Tips for Representing Residential Home Purchasers

    Justin C. Strane, partner at Ansari & Shapiro, LLC, provides three tips for handling residential real estate contracts and representing home purchasers.