An ISBA proposal would allow qualified students to practice under the supervision of an attorney in the private sector, not just in legal aid or other governmental settings.
Law students and recent, unlicensed graduates can gain practical experience as attorneys before they graduate and pass the bar exam. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 currently allows senior law students and recent grads to counsel clients, appear in court, and otherwise engage in legal practice under attorney supervision in public interest or service areas such as legal aid clinics, the public defender's office, or a law office of the state of Illinois or its subdivisions.
An ISBA-championed amendment to Rule 711 would expand its scope to allow senior students and recent graduates to practice in the private sector as well. The ISBA Assembly approved the proposal in December for submission to the Illinois Supreme Court.
The ISBA Special Committee on Rule 711 was created by ISBA President Umberto S. Davi and chaired by Judge Michael Chmiel, who sits on the Circuit Court for the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit in McHenry County. The committee consisted of Judge Chmiel, a law professor, two law students, and eight practicing attorneys. Find out more in the March Illinois Bar Journal.
ISBA members, sign up to receive The Bar News' biweekly e-newsletter by emailing emailpreferences@isba.org
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February 25, 2016 |
Practice News
3 comments (Most recent February 26, 2016)
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The Whiteside County Bar held its monthly meeting on Feb. 24 at the Candlelight Inn in Rock Falls. ISBA President Umberto S. Davi was the featured speaker. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride, ISBA 3rd Vice President James F. McCluskey and Whiteside County Bar President Michelle Buckwalter-Schurman were also in attendance. ISBA member Trent Bush served as the event organizer.
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February 24, 2016 |
Practice News
Asked and Answered By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC Q. Our firm is an 18 attorney firm in Chicago that was formed by the existing four equity partners 10 years ago. We have four equity partners (founders), eight income (non-equity partners), and six associates. The income partners are not required to contribute capital. We are considering admitting a couple of the income partners as equity partners and also approaching possible laterals. What should we require in the form of buy-in or capital contribution?
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February 23, 2016 |
Events
Please register now for the ISBA Young Lawyers Division Wine Tasting Networking event. Join your peers for an evening of socializing and wine tasting! When: Friday, February 26, 2016, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Where: ISBA Chicago Office - 20 S. Clark Street, Suite 900 Online registration and more information available at www.isba.org/sections/yld/winetasting
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The Black Bar Association of Will County hosted its Barrister's Ball "Night of Stars" on Feb. 20 at the Clarion Hotel in Joliet. ISBA President Umberto S. Davi and ISBA President-Elect Vincent F. Cornelius attended the event.
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February 22, 2016 |
ISBA News
Ballots for ISBA elections won't be distributed for another month, but it's not too early to get acquainted with the candidates' backgrounds. Voters will select from contested races for third vice-president and the Board of Governors. You can view candidate bios in the March Illinois Bar Journal.
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February 22, 2016 |
Practice News
Chief Justice Rita B. Garman announced on Monday that the Illinois Supreme Court has concluded its four-year pilot project permitting news cameras in Illinois courtrooms and has adopted a permanent Policy for Extended Media Coverage (EMC) in the Circuit Courts of Illinois. The pilot project, which was launched by the Supreme Court on January 24, 2012, allowed the use of media cameras in certain courtrooms on an experimental basis. Since then, 15 judicial circuits have been approved to implement EMC, and more than 450 media requests have been made under the Policy. Based on the success of the pilot project and the Court's continued goal of promoting greater transparency, accountability, and accessibility to the court system, the justices have amended the Policy to terminate its status as a pilot project and to allow each circuit court to decide whether it wishes to implement EMC. “At every level of the judicial system, we do the people’s work, and the people have an interest in observing how the judicial process functions,” Chief Justice Garman said. "We are pleased with the success of the pilot project and with the great cooperation we have received from the media. It is time to make EMC more widely available."
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February 19, 2016 |
Practice News
People v. Ligon By Kerry J. Bryson, Office of the State Appellate Defender Dennis Ligon was armed with a BB gun when he approached a woman exiting her vehicle and took it from her. He was convicted of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a dangerous weapon other than a firearm (AVH/DW), a Class X felony. He was sentenced to natural life under the Habitual Criminal Act.
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February 19, 2016 |
Practice News
Attorney Sarah Toney discusses 5 ways to boost your firm's online presence.1 comment (Most recent February 20, 2016)
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February 19, 2016 |
Practice News
The Board of Directors of ISBA Mutual Insurance voted at their December 2015 meeting to declare a $1.9 million dividend. "We, at ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, are so proud of the progress and advancements (free policy enhancements, technology improvements and service gains) that the officers, staff and board have made this year,” said Chairman of the Board, John G. Locallo, "We are once again pleased to report a further dividend for all our member lawyers. After all, this is your Mutual and it’s a great feeling as Chairman to announce a return of your money. Have a great year!" Efficient operations, careful risk selection and successful investment management allowed ISBA Mutual to return $18.3 million in premiums since 2000. Lawyers and law firms insured by ISBA Mutual received a dividend for the past 11 consecutive years. ISBA Mutual provides malpractice insurance to Illinois lawyers and is available exclusively to members of the Illinois State Bar Association.1 comment (Most recent February 19, 2016)