The Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) Chicago is seeking an attorney for the Consolidated Legal Center (CLC), St. Louis, Missouri.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced the filing of lawyer disciplinary orders on January 21, 2021. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law.

The Secretary of State’s office is looking for an attorney to serve as assistant general counsel in the Springfield office advising the vehicle services department. The duties of this position include drafting legislation and administrative rules, advising the department regarding compliance with existing laws and regulations, answering questions regarding the licensing of vehicle dealerships, and participating in formulating policies for the operations of the department. The attorney will also assist the personnel department in collective bargaining agreements and litigation concerning personnel actions, and represents the Office of the Secretary of State at arbitration proceedings.

Justice James D. Heiple, the author of the controversial 1994 “Baby Richard” adoption case ruling, passed away on January 18 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria from complications following a brain hemorrhage. He was 87. During his time on the Illinois Supreme Court, Justice Heiple authored 175 majority opinions, 98 dissents, 27 special concurrences and 18 partial concurrences/partial dissents.

The 2021 first place winner of the Lincoln Award Legal Writing Contest is Deanna Shahnami, Rockville, Maryland, who wrote “Liberties and Lockdowns: Illinois COVID-19 Restrictions and First Amendment Rights.” Her article will appear in the February issue of the Illinois Bar Journal.

Join us from noon until 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 4 from the comfort of your home or office as we offer a comprehensive update on the executive actions, legislative changes, and caselaw developments that will impact U.S. immigration law in 2020/2021. Immigration law attorneys, general practitioners, and new lawyers with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this online program will better understand: the immigration law changes that took place throughout 2020; how the presidential election will impact immigration law; the changes to be aware of in immigration enforcement standards, including the new executive orders on interior security and border enforcement; the issues relating to the Public Charge Rule and designation; and changes effecting refugees, asylum and special immigrant juveniles.

In Smart Oil LLC v. DW Mazel, LLC, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit confirmed that lawyers are essential in real estate transactions. The Seventh Circuit recognized its role in interpreting contracts and giving effect “to the intention of the parties as expressed in the agreed terms.” Lawyers are the client’s advocate, charged with articulating the client’s precise intentions in the agreement, and then guiding the transaction with careful attention to detail through closing. According to William J. Anaya in his January 2021 Illinois Bar Journal article, “Old Wine in New Cases,” Smart Oil offers insights to environmental and real estate lawyers and a cautionary tale for those who seek to cleverly avoid or circumvent settled law in modern real estate transactions. Anaya advises lawyers who represent sellers and buyers in transactions and litigation are well served in reading this Seventh Circuit’s primer on settled law in Illinois.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants for the Cook County Public Defender position.

The term of office for the current Cook County Public Defender expires on March 31, 2021.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. has announced that he will use the Alliance of Bar Associations as his committee to evaluate candidates for vacancies on the Circuit Court of Cook County and First District Appellate Court.

To be eligible for consideration for appointment to the circuit court, the candidate must be a lawyer in good standing, licensed to practice law in Illinois for 12 years, and a resident of Cook County.

The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of December 2020 there were more than 300 referrals given.

Here are the results for December 2020: