Join us in Chicago on January 25th and learn how to effectively manage the succession planning transaction – from preparing the business for sale and identifying potential buyers to winding down the business and tying up any loose ends. Business advice attorneys, general practitioners, and trusts and estate lawyers with basic practice experience who attend this full-day seminar will learn how to help clients prepare employees for the transition; effectively manage the proceeds of sale; create (and complete) the pre-sale checklist; transition the family business to the next generation; draft the necessary documents for the sale/purchase of a business; recognize important intellectual property issues throughout the transaction process; address environmental issues and concerns with the business; close down a business – with or without a purchaser for the business; and deal with the ethical considerations that may arise throughout the succession planning process.The program is presented by the ISBA Business Advice and Financial Planning Section and qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).Click here for more information and to register.

Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Friday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions in the civil cases Cooney v. Rossiter, EMC Mortgage Company v. Kemp, In re Marriage of Mathis and In Fennell v. Illinois Central Railroad Company.

Illinois Supreme Court spokesman Joe Tybor is reporting the the Court has ordered the chief judge of the 22nd Circuit (McHenry County) to assign a judge from that circuit to preside over People v. Vanecko. Cook County Judge Arthur Hill recused himself from the case earlier this week.Vanecko is the nephew of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the 2004 death of David Koschman.

Effective January 1, Illinois will be among the states that have enacted a modified version of the “make whole” doctrine for subrogation claims, Rockford lawyer Mark Rouleau writes in the latest issue of Trial Briefs, newsletter of the ISBA Civil Practice Section."The 'Make-Whole' or 'Made Whole' Doctrine is an equitable principle that a third party insurance company claimant will not receive any of the proceeds from the settlement or adjudication of a claim, except to the extent that the settlement funds exceed the amount necessary to fully compensate the insured for the loss suffered," Rouleau writes. "Only after the injured party has been fully compensated for all the loss does the third party claimant receive payment from the settlement or judgment." Read his article and find out more.