ISBA President Richard D. Felice received the Alumnus of the Year Award from Northern Illinois University (NIU) College of Law on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at a ceremony at the University Club of Chicago. View photos from the event at iln.isba.org/gallery/796/president-felice-receives-niu-alumnus-of-the-year-award

Felice (’79) was selected for the award based on outstanding achievements in his career, demonstrated service to the NIU College of Law, demonstrated service to his community, and professional integrity.

During his year as president, Felice is placing special emphasis on three projects. The first is the formation of a Task Force on the Impact of Law School Debt on the Future of the Profession to address the tremendous challenges facing new lawyers, including staggering law school debt and a stifling job market. The second initiative is the formation of a Solo and Small Firm Practice Institute Series, offering educational programs to solo and small firm practitioners in five settings throughout the state. The third program focuses on civics education. Working with the ISBA’s Law Related Education Committee, the organization is expanding its civics education programming to high school students and will also work with Illinois Judges Association on its “Courtroom in the Classroom” project.

ISBA President Richard D. Felice will receive the Alumnus of the Year Award from NIU College of Law on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The ceremony will be held at the University Club of Chicago, 76 E. Monroe from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The 2014 award recipients were selected based on outstanding achievements in their careers, demonstrated service to the NIU College of Law, demonstrated service to their community, and professional integrity.

During his year as president, President Felice is placing special emphasis on three projects. The first is the formation of a Task Force on the Impact of Law School Debt on the Future of the Profession to address the tremendous challenges facing new lawyers, including staggering law school debt and a stifling job market. The second initiative is the formation of a Solo and Small Firm Practice Institute Series, offering educational programs to solo and small firm practitioners in five settings throughout the state. The third program focuses on civics education. Working with the ISBA’s Law Related Education Committee, the organization is expanding its civics education programming to high school students and will also work with Illinois Judges Association on its “Courtroom in the Classroom” project.

Patrick Dempsey (center), a retired police officer who is director of the Jeanine Nicarico Children’s Advocacy Center, received a 2014 Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on July 24. ISBA President Richard D. Felice (right) presented the award as DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin looks on. Berlin nominated Dempsey for the award.

The ISBA’s Law Enforcement 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. It is given to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement. In addition to Dempsey, four other law enforcement officers from judicial districts throughout Illinois are being honored.

Richard D. Felice, a lawyer in private practice in Wheaton, was installed as president of the Illinois State Bar Association at the organization’s 138th Annual Meeting on Friday, June 20 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis. View photo galleries from the Annual Reception and the Annual Installation Dinner.

During his year as president, Felice will place special emphasis on three projects. The first is the formation of a Task Force on the Impact of Law School Debt on the Future of the Profession to address the tremendous challenges facing new lawyers, including staggering law school debt and a stifling job market. The task force “will study in depth the concept of practice-ready new lawyers and consider constructive changes to law school curricula,” he said.  Second district appellate Justice Ann Jorgensen will chair the committee.

The second initiative is the formation of a Solo and Small Firm Practice Institute Series, offering educational programs to solo and small firm practitioners in five settings throughout the state. Working with other stakeholders in the practice of law, the institute will provide a variety of programming to help lawyers enhance their practices.