Child custody cases often involve the use of a guardian ad litem (GAL), a child representative, an attorney for the child, or some combination of the three. However, the way these important participants are used varies dramatically from circuit court to circuit court.
The ISBA's Family Law Section Council's Committee on Representing Children wants to start a statewide dialogue on how attorneys are used to represent children. Marilyn Longwell and Treva O'Neill describe this effort in the September 2015 ISBA Family Law newsletter ("We need a statewide dialogue on the use of attorneys appointed to represent children," at http://bit.ly/1MKN7Pl).
Longwell and O'Neill recognize that economic and other factors may prevent creating a uniform system across the circuits. The committee hopes to "form a consensus as to what are the best practices in using attorneys to represent children" and to "accommodate for economic and other factors which impinge on those practices." Find out more in the December Illinois Bar Journal.
ISBA members, sign up to receive The Bar News' biweekly e-newsletter by emailing emailpreferences@isba.org
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December 3, 2015
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The Diversity Scholarship Foundation hosted its Annual Unity Award Dinner and 13th Swearing-In of Bar Presidents Ceremony on Dec. 1 at Chicago Hilton & Towers. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles Freeman received the Unity Award while the following individuals were honored as Advocates for Diversity: Hon. Patrice Ball-Reed, Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County; Hugo Chaviano, Director, Illinois Department of Labor; Hon. Robert E. Gordon, Justice, Illinois Appellate Court, First District; Sharon A.
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December 2, 2015 |
Member Services
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December 2, 2015 |
Practice News
Asked and Answered By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC Q. I am the owner of a solo practice family law firm in Jackson, Mississippi. I have been in practice four years. I have been approached by a senior solo attorney that has a well established family law practice that generates $800,000 annually and is looking to sell his practice. We envision a merger where I would make an initial payment upon merging my firm with his and then buyout his interest over a five-year period. We have agreed on a fixed price for his ownership interest. However, we are not sure how to handle compensation. He wants to continue to work for another five to seven years. We would appreciate your thoughts.
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December 2, 2015 |
Practice News
Attorney Morris Lane Harvey discusses temporary relief in family law cases.
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December 1, 2015 |
Practice News
Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit Kenneth Deihl is pleased to announce that Springfield attorney Jennifer M. Ascher has been appointed as Associate Judge and will be assigned to Sangamon County. Ms. Ascher was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the impending retirement of Associate Judge Steven H. Nardulli. Ms. Ascher will take her oath of office and start on January 11, 2016. Commenting on the selection, Chief Judge Kenneth Deihl states, “Ms. Ascher is a talented and respected family attorney. Her extensive trial practice and professional demeanor makes her well suited for judicial office. We look forward to her service in our justice system.” Ms. Jennifer Ascher received her undergraduate degree in 1999 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Juris Doctor in 2003 from Saint Louis University School of Law. She is currently a partner at Sorling Northrup, where she has practiced family law nearly exclusively for the past twelve years. During her tenure, she represented clients in Sangamon County and surrounding counties. She is a Springfield native where she resides with her family. Ms. Ascher previously served as president of the Central Illinois Women’s Bar Association and the Sangamon County Bar Association.
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November 25, 2015 |
Practice News
Asked and Answered By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC Q. I am the managing partner of a 27 lawyer insurance defense firm in Orlando, Florida. In the last seven years we have grown from 10 lawyers to 27. Our firm is very dependent upon a handful of insurance companies and we are looking at ways to diversify our practice. Our rapid growth has caused us to outgrow our management structure. A few years ago we hired our first firm administrator to manage the business operations of the firm. We are now considering establishing a business development/marketing position to help focus our business development efforts. I would appreciate your thoughts.
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November 23, 2015 |
Practice News
By Susan Zielke, ISBA Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services As we celebrate Veterans Day, it is time to remember and thank the men and women who have served our country. According to the U.S. Department of Justice Access to Justice Initiative, there are more than 22 million U.S. veterans and 1.4 million service members, many of whom face serious challenges dealing with unemployment, health problems, and homelessness. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Project CHALENG survey consistently finds that four of the top 10 unmet needs of homeless veterans involve legal assistance for eviction and foreclosure prevention, child support issues, driver’s license restoration, and outstanding warrants and fines. Other top 10 unmet needs also have a legal component such as family reconciliation assistance and financial guardianships.
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The Lawyers' Assistance Program hosted its Annual Dinner on November 13 at the Union League Club of Chicago. Lester and Judy Munson served as the keynote speakers.
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November 20, 2015
The ISBA Board of Governors heard from the committees regarding important items to the legal community at its meeting on Nov. 13 at the Chicago Office. It received and approved the final report from the Task Force on the Impact of Law School Curriculum and Student Debt on the Legal Profession. Task Force Chair Justice Ann Jorgensen presented the report to the Board. The Special Committee on Supreme Court Rule 711 presented a proposed amendment to the Rule to allow law students with a 711 license to practice with private attorneys – not just not-for-profit or governmental agencies. Committee Chair Judge Michael Chmiel presented the report. Both items were approved by the Board and will go before the ISBA Assembly on Dec. 12.