The Circuit Court of Cook County and the Illinois Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission (ATJ Commission) today have announced a partnership that will allow individuals to appear for cases remotely in three different divisions of the Cook County Circuit Courts.

The Remote Video Pilot program will launch on Dec. 2, 2019, and run through Nov. 30, 2020. Two judges from each of the chancery, county, and domestic relations divisions will oversee the use of remote video in their courtrooms.

Mark your calendars for the ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational, March 14-15, 2020, at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign-Urbana!

Help us make the 2020 invitational a success by participating! All lawyers, judges, law students, and paralegals are invited to volunteer as judges and jurors for the 2020 invitational, which provides an opportunity for students to learn what it is like to prepare and present a legal case before the Illinois courts. 

Volunteer registration information will be distributed in January 2020. No trial experience is necessary.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced the filing of lawyer disciplinary orders on Nov. 19, 2019. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law.

By Neil Hartigan, former Illinois Attorney General

For the last 60 years I’ve been involved in public life, I’ve known many talented people who’ve made important contributions, but only a few are exceptional people. One of those is Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Burke, who as an elected justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois has just been chosen by her fellow justices as the new chief justice. She’s the perfect choice.

The role of the chief justice is a multifaceted one. She will lead the court in deciding the law on the most and important questions confronting our state. The judicial record and reputation are important. Fortunately, Justice Burke’s 30-year record of judicial experience is outstanding.

Join us online from 1 until 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 to learn how to advise your clients on the cannabis industry.

Cannabis applications are already more complex than any other licensed business in the country, and Illinois’ version includes additional provisions for social equity in the cannabis industry (410 ILCS 705/), which is creating interesting partnerships with people traditionally left behind in business ownership. Attorneys with basic practice experience who are looking to expand their knowledge of the cannabis industry will better understand: the different types of licenses and their terminology; how to put together a winning team for your client; home grow questions; maintaining a drug-free workplace after legalization; the issues and trends with social use, tax, and zoning; and social equity’s role in an Illinois cannabis-based businesses.

At the Dec. 7, 2019 meeting of the ISBA Assembly, two “Under 35” delegates to the ABA House of Delegates will be elected, one from Cook County and one from the area outside Cook County. The nominees for these positions must be members of the ISBA in good standing from the appropriate area and be under the age of 35 at the time the ABA term commences. The elected delegates will serve for two-year terms commencing June 2020 and will join the ISBA delegation at the ABA annual meeting in Chicago in August 2020.

The advent of smartphones containing audio and video capabilities gives virtually everyone the means to preserve evidence. More often than not, audio and video information will be the most persuasive evidence the jury will see or hear. In his November 2019 Illinois Bar Journal article, “What Every Trial Lawyer Needs to Know About Audio Recordings,” William Hanson reminds us that in Illinois, a person commits eavesdropping when he or she knowingly, intentionally, and without consent uses an eavesdropping device in a surreptitious manner for the purpose of overhearing, transmitting, or recording all or any part of any private conversation. Hanson goes on to unpack the differences between legality, authenticity, and consent as these concepts pertain to audio recordings.

The ISBA has announced the addition of a new “Profile Plus” option on the Illinois Lawyer Finder directory.

Members will still have access to a free “Basic Profile,” but will now also have the option to upgrade to “Profile Plus,” which features a number of additional fields to optimize the member’s profile.

With the free “Basic Profile,” members will be able to select up to five different practice areas, as well as post their contact information, education history, title, and a profile photo.