The Illinois State Bar Association, in partnership with the American Bar Association’s Senior Lawyers Division, has filed a resolution for action by the ABA’s House of Delegates at the upcoming ABA Annual Meeting in August.The resolution reaffirms the ABA policy – adopted in 2000 – that law firms shall not be owned by non-lawyers and legal fees shall not be shared with non-lawyers. Proposals that would change this policy have been circulated in connection with the work of the ABA’s Commission on Ethics 20/20.President John E. Thies briefed the ISBA Assembly on the proposed changes, and the need for the ISBA’s action. “Ethics 20/20 has been tasked with looking at the impact of technology and globalization on the legal profession – these are not bad subjects to consider. However, this inquiry is being used directly or indirectly as a means of advancing proposals which seek to do some of the very same things which were defeated during the battle over Multi-Disciplinary Practice,” Thies said. A number of states have already indicated their support for the ISBA/Senior Lawyers Division resolution, including Arizona, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Thies added: “this is about defending the core values of our profession against the encroachment of non-lawyers – to the detriment of clients. It’s gratifying that so many other states are lining up behind us, and I expect this to continue as we approach the ABA meeting in August.”

Asked and AnsweredBy John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMCQ. Our firm has recently gone through a series of partner defections - we were a 40 attorney firm - now we are 10. In our last partnership meeting we had some discussions about the possibility of dissolving the firm. If this comes to pass - do you have any tips or suggestions regarding winding down the firm?A. Winding down a firm is like starting a firm but in reverse, harder, and has more steps. Sort of like building a house and then later tearing it down. You will have to deal with:Clients (notification, termination of representation, and disposition of case files)Retired partnersCurrent partnersEmployees (associates and staff) - job placement, severance, etc.Unlike other businesses - the major asset of a law firm are its clients, employees, and partners - many of which may have already defected or walked out the door. You may be left with only the liabilities.One of your priorities will be to decide who will manage the winddown and who will manage internal and external communications. Then you will need to develop a project management plan and dissolution/winddown plan/checklist. Major priorities will include:Bank LoansBuilding LeaseRetainer Obligations to ClientsEquipment LeasesRetirement and Other Payouts to Former PartnersFirm should consider if it will retain a caretaker or trustee to manage the winddown.You should make sure that you review the ethical requirements with your state bar association concerning:

John E. Thies, a shareholder at Webber & Thies, P.C., in Urbana, was installed Friday as the 136th president of the Illinois State Bar Association at the Annual Meeting at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wis. His installation marks the first time both a father and son have led the Association. Thies’ father, Richard L. Thies, was ISBA president from 1986-87. View pictures from the Annual Dinner and Reception.“It’s a great responsibility and opportunity. As the largest state-wide organization of Illinois lawyers and judges, the ISBA has an enormous capacity to champion the core values of our system of justice, and the lawyers who serve it,” John Thies said. “As ISBA President, it is my top priority to make the most of this capacity for the benefit of our membership and the public our members serve.”During his term as president, Thies will place special emphasis on four major projects that derive from his own experiences in life and the law. A Law School Debt task force will examine the heavy educational debt burden faced by new lawyers as they begin their careers and how that impacts the delivery of legal services. A Committee on Fair and Impartial Courts will coordinate the ISBA’s efforts to identify and publicize threats to fair and impartial courts due to lack of funding.

"Need an Adult Guardianship for Someone Close?" and "Seeking an Adult Guardianship: What's Next?" aired on the Illinois Law cable program in June and July. These programs were moderated by the Hon. Cheryl Cesario and featured Margaret Benson, Nancy Spain and Gregg Garofalo. "Seeking an Adult Guardianship: What's Next?" begins at 26:23 in the video.