Changes to the Rules of Professional Conduct adopted this fall by the Illinois Supreme Court reflect the growing importance of technology and how attorneys use it in their practices. The changes address outsourcing attorney work, technology and attorney competence, lead generation services, communications with potential clients, and disclosure of information to prevent conflicts of interest, among other issues. The court also adopted rules allowing lawyers to advise clients about using, growing, and selling medical cannabis even though it is a federally controlled substance (see LawPulse, December 2014 Illinois Bar Journal) and requiring prosecutors to reveal post-conviction exculpatory evidence (see LawPulse, September 2015 Journal). The majority of the changes are effective January 1. They are posted on the supreme court website. For example, comment 8 to Rule 1.1, which addresses attorney competence, now says that attorneys must remain abreast of "changes in…relevant technology," including their risks and benefits. Charles J. Northrup, ISBA general counsel, believes that staying up to date on the technology used in your practice is the "minimum threshold." But given that the rule speaks in terms of "relevant technology," it might extend further. Find out more in the December Illinois Bar Journal.

Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the 10th Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Suzanne L. Patton as an associate judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit. Ms. Patton received her undergraduate degree in 1996 from Illinois State University in Normal and her Juris Doctor in 1999 from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Ms. Patton is currently affiliated with the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office in Peoria.

Are you a senior attorney contemplating retirement….or a young lawyer looking to acquire a practice? Then don’t miss this one-hour online seminar on January 26, 2016 that shows you how to get started on the succession and transition process! Topics include: the approaches that other attorneys have taken to transition out of their practices, as well as what other firms are doing; the various opportunities available for young lawyers; where and when to get started, including goals, timeline, and basic valuation; how to find candidates and opportunities; the pros and cons of an internal succession or partnerships; Of-Counsel arrangements; the ethical considerations (Rule 1.17) that can arise; and much more!

For the first time in nearly a century, the fees to obtain an Illinois law license and to certify documents will increase next year. The Illinois Supreme Court approved these fee increases and other amendments to Rule 313 during its November Term. The increases will take effect July 1, 2016.