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  • January 28, 2015 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Succession plans for the solo practitioner

    Asked and Answered

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

    Q. I came across your firm while researching law partnerships. The short story is as follows: I am a sole practitioner and have been practicing for over 35 years. I have a high volume practice and employ 7-8 people. Business is good and actually on the rise. I have a great office manager and outstanding loyal staff. The practice is on semi-autopilot for me. I have a young associate lawyer in my office that shares space and is learning my practice but actually seems to be making his own way in a different practice area. He wants to buy into my practice.

  • January 27, 2015 | Practice News | ISBA News
    Ready to Lead? Nominate Yourself for an ISBA Committee or Section Council

    Nominations due by Feb. 2!

    By Umberto S. Davi, ISBA President-Elect

    Looking for a chance to lead? To grow? To make a difference in the Illinois State Bar Association and the legal profession? Then consider nominating yourself for one of our many section councils and committees for 2015-16.

  • January 23, 2015 | Practice News
    Parker appointed associate judge in 4th Circuit

    Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Fourth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Kevin S. Parker as associate judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

    2 comments (Most recent January 26, 2015)
  • January 23, 2015 | Practice News
    Quick takes on Friday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions

    Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Friday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions in the civil cases Ferris, Thompson & Zweig, Ltd. v. Esposito, Williams v. BNSF Railway Company, Lutkauskas v. Ricker and Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star of the State of Illinois v. Topinka and the criminal cases People v. Simpson, People v. Chenoweth and People v. Taylor.

    CIVIL

    Ferris, Thompson and Zweig, Ltd. v. Esposito

    By Alyssa M. Reiter, Williams, Montgomery & John Ltd.

    This case involves the question of subject matter jurisdiction as between the Workers’ Compensation Commission and the circuit court.  The Court held that an attorney fee dispute based upon referral agreements wherein the plaintiff referred workers’ compensation claims to the defendant fell within the circuit court’s jurisdiction.

    Plaintiff sued defendant in circuit court, asserting that, pursuant to written agreements, plaintiff agreed to act as co-counsel in representing two women who had workers’ compensation claims.  After the cases settled, defendant refused to pay plaintiff its share of fees. 

  • January 22, 2015 | Practice News
    2 finalists named for DuPage associate judge vacancy

    Chief Circuit Judge Kathryn E. Creswell is pleased to announce that following a January 21, 2015 meeting of the Circuit Judges of the 18th Circuit Court, two finalists for the Office of Associate Judge have been selected and certified to the Illinois Supreme Court. The finalists are seeking to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Liam C. Brennan to Circuit Judge. From these names, the Circuit Judges will select one appointee by secret ballot.

  • January 22, 2015 | Practice News
    Ethics Question of the Week: Can I wear a shirt with my firm’s logo during a TV appearance?

    Q.  May I wear a shirt with my firm’s logo on it during a television appearance?

  • January 21, 2015 | Practice News
    ISBA Statehouse Review for the week of January 21, 2015

    ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers The Attorney Act and citizenship (Senate Bill 23), Juror fees (Senate Bill 59), Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (Senate Bill 45), Open Meetings Act (House Bill 175), Respondents in discovery (House Bill 96) and Discovery and depositions (House Bill 95 ). More information on each bill is available below the video.

  • January 21, 2015 | Practice News
    Chief Justice Garman announces applicants, screening committee for 7th Circuit vacancy

    Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman announced Wednesday the formation of a judicial screening committee for the Seventh Judicial Circuit.

    Chief Justice Garman established the screening committee to assess the qualifications of those persons who have applied for appointment to the at-large Circuit Court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Patrick J. Londrigan on December 8, 2014. Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill interim judicial vacancies until the next General Election.

  • January 21, 2015 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Pros and cons of hiring children of law firm partners

    Asked and Answered

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

    Q. I am a partner in a four partner firm located in Houston. We have three associates in the firm. One of our partners has a son just finishing law school and he would like him to join the firm. We have never had children of partners work in the firm before and I am concerned about setting a precedent. We have a good relationship among all of the attorneys and I do not want to see our relationship tarnished. I would appreciate your thoughts.

  • January 18, 2015 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court disbars 6, suspends 14 in latest disciplinary filing

    The Supreme Court of Illinois announced the filing of lawyer disciplinary orders on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, during the January Term of Court. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law.

    1 comment (Most recent January 26, 2015)