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  • June 18, 2018 | Practice News
    The Folly of Overemphasizing Emphasis

    Justice Michael B. Hyman of the Illinois Appellate Court – and one of the Illinois Bar Journal’s regular columnists – has had enough of bold, underlined, italicized, and ALL-CAPPED words and phrases. Don’t even get him started on redundant exclamation points!!! 

    We all may agree that such stylizations are all too common in our emails, texts, and social media posts. But Justice Hyman says such bad habits are making their way into legal documents meant to sway his opinion. In his June "Judging Your Writing" column, the justice – in no uncertain terms – says this isn’t a good idea. 

  • June 18, 2018 | Practice News
    Illinois State Bar Association Assembly Approves Proposed Rule on Succession Planning

    The Illinois State Bar Association Assembly approved a proposed rule on succession planning for lawyers during the 2018 Annual Meeting. 

    It would require all Illinois licensed private practice lawyers to name a designated representative on their ARDC registration documents or certify that they have made a similar designation in a succession plan or other valid document. The designated representative would have the authority to take limited fiduciary action in the event that the designating attorney dies, becomes disabled, disappears, or abandons the practice.

    2 comments (Most recent June 21, 2018)
  • June 14, 2018 | Practice News
    Spiros Law Files Suit against Peoples Gas on Behalf of 17 Mahomet-area Residents who had their Drinking Water Contaminated by a Gas Leak

    Spiros Law, P.C., filed a lawsuit June 13 in Champaign County Circuit Court against The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company (Peoples Gas) on behalf of families affected by a gas leak from Manlove Field, an underground natural gas storage facility operated by Peoples Gas in rural Mahomet. 
     
    The lawsuit is brought on behalf of 17 people who reside in six homes serviced by five private water wells. The complaint outlines 52 counts against Peoples Gas and one of its top employees, Thomas Davis, that include negligence, private nuisance, trespass, breach of contract, consumer fraud, and battery. The plaintiffs are seeking an award of damages for health exposures, property damage, financial loss for decreased property value, loss of use and enjoyment of their property, loss of quality of life, emotional distress, and punitive damages. The complaint also requests a court-ordered injunction prohibiting Peoples Gas from injecting any more natural gas into the ground below the Mahomet Aquifer.

  • June 13, 2018 | Practice News
    Best Practice Tips: Law Firm Strategic Planning – Culture as an Essential Ingredient

    Asked and Answered 

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

    Q. Our firm is a 12-attorney firm – eight partners and four associates – in Phoenix. It was founded by the current partners 20 years ago. We are an eat-what-you-kill firm – partners receive their fees, overhead is allocated, and their compensation is their individual profit. While we have an administrator who handles the day-to-day management of our operations, we have done a poor job of long-term management and planning. One of our partners has suggested that we develop a strategic plan. However, I believe this would be difficult for us given that we never meet, have different ideas about our future, have never been able to agree on any major decisions, are unwilling to be accountable to each other, and have a general attitude of mistrust. I do not believe we even have a firm culture. In essence we are eight separate practices operating under the guise of a partnership. Your comments are most welcomed.

  • June 13, 2018 | Practice News
    Mevorah Law Offices LLC Providing Divorce and Personal Injury Lawyer Services at New Naperville Office

    Mevorah Law Offices LLC has announced the opening of a new office in Naperville. The office is located at 1730 Park St., Suite 202, south of Diehl Road.

    Clients are invited to schedule a consultation at the Naperville office by calling (630) 420-1000. Mevorah Law Offices LLC offers free case evaluations and Saturday and evening appointment hours.

  • June 12, 2018 | Practice News
    Quick Takes for Your Practice: New Divorce Issues Related to Pets

    Attorney Angela Peters discusses the treatment of pets in divorce cases.

    1 comment (Most recent June 14, 2018)
  • June 6, 2018 | Practice News
    Best Practice Tips: Law Firm Succession Planning – Getting the Conversation Started

    Asked and Answered 

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

    Q. Our firm is a 17-attorney business law firm in Chicago. Our clients consist of mid-size companies and a few Fortune 500 companies. There are eight partners and nine associates in the firm. Four of the eight partners are in their early 60s and the other four partners are in their 40s and 50s. The four senior partners are the founders of the firm. Consequently, we have not had to deal with succession of partners until now. While we realize that we need to be thinking about succession planning, we have not made much headway. The senior partners are reluctant to discuss their retirement plans and timelines. We would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

  • June 5, 2018 | Practice News
    Quick Takes on Illinois Supreme Court Opinions Issued Friday, June 1

    The Illinois Supreme Court handed down one opinion on Friday, June 1. The court determined that the appellate court lacked jurisdiction to review a circuit court clerk’s imposition of fines that were not ordered by the circuit court.

    People v. Vara

    By Kerry J. Bryson, Office of the State Appellate Defender

    Following his conviction of child pornography, defendant Ricardo Vara was sentenced to a three-year prison term and ordered to pay various fines by the court. Subsequently, the circuit clerk recorded those fines in an electronic accounts receivable record. The clerk also recorded other mandatory fines that had not been imposed by the judge. On appeal, Vara challenged the clerk’s imposition of those additional fines, arguing that while they were mandatory, they were void because the clerk lacked the authority to impose fines. The appellate court agreed and vacated the fines in question.

  • June 1, 2018 | Practice News
    U.S. Attorney's Office Seeks Assistant U.S. Attorney

    The U.S. Attorney's Office Central District of Illinois is accepting applications for an assistant United States attorney opening in its Criminal Division.

    Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least three years post-J.D. legal experience. U.S. citizenship is required.

    Preferred qualifications: At least five years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience, strong advocacy skills, academic credentials, superior legal research and writing skills, quick analytical ability to accurately and precisely articulate critical case-related issues, criminal prosecutorial courtroom experience, good interpersonal skills, the ability to work in a supportive and professional team environment with client agencies, support staff, and other attorneys, and a demonstrated instances of sound legal and ethical judgment.

  • May 31, 2018 | Practice News
    PILI Announces 2018 Class of Law Student Interns and Graduate Fellows

    The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) has announced the 2018 class of summer interns and fellows. This year, 49 summer law student interns and 76 graduate fellows will provide 42,400 hours of legal services at any of PILI’s 57 participating agencies. 

    PILI’s Law Student Internship Program connects law students from across the country with public interest law agencies in Illinois and pays them for their work. Summer 2018 PILI interns come from 19 law schools and include rising 2Ls and 3Ls. They will each provide 400 hours of legal services at 28 legal service agencies, for a total of 19,600 hours served. See a full list of the 2018 law student interns.