The Illinois Supreme Court on Sept. 26 amended Rules 206, 212, 306, 308, 315, and 342. All changes go into effect Oct. 1.

Amended Rule 206 makes it explicitly clear that a “party has the right to use the video recording of a deposition or any part thereof in lieu of reading from a stenographic transcript of the deposition.”

Amended Rule 212 states that discovery depositions may be used “as a former statement, pursuant to Illinois Rule of Evidence 801(d)(2).”

Join us online from noon until 1 p.m. on Oct. 17 for “Copyright of Architectural Drawings.” Get the background knowledge you need regarding how the Copyright Act was changed to include protection for architectural designs. Intellectual property lawyers, construction law attorneys, and new lawyers with basic practice experience who may have clients in need of copyright advice won’t want to miss this online program that explores the history of the Architectural Works Copyright Protection Act of 1990 and examines a number of important cases that followed the Copyright Act amendment.

ISBA members believe the greatest threat to the legal profession is competition from nonlawyer legal services. But when asked to identify the biggest threat to their own practice, members said the unwillingness or inability of clients to pay. The two assertions are arguably correlated: Clients who struggle to pay may look for cheaper alternatives next time. The findings are among many thought-provoking results from the 2019 Economic, Marketing, and Business Health Survey conducted this spring by Readex Research on behalf of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on the Future of Legal Services. The purpose of the survey is to “better understand the current economic climate [and] marketing and business practices among ISBA members … in private practice.” More than 800 private-practicing members completed the survey, which is summarized in October’s Illinois Bar Journal.

Join us Oct. 16-17 for a two-day program that is designed to help attorneys who are appointed to represent children. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 906(c), an attorney should receive 10 hours of education every two years in: child developments; roles of guardians ad litem and child representatives; ethics in child custody cases; relevant substantive state, federal, and case law in custody and visitation matters; and family dynamics, including substance abuse, domestic abuse, and mental health issues. Topics for this seminar include: how to become a guardian ad litem and what the work entails; understanding the differences between a guardian ad litem, child representative, and attorney for the child; guardian ad litem appointments; child development and issues in family law matters; Illinois Supreme Court rules, Illinois caselaw, and statutory update; the ethical dilemmas facing guardian ad litems and child representatives; domestic violence issues; and how DCFS procedures relate to family law cases.

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to low-income individuals in central and southern Illinois, is seeking a staff attorney at the Northern Regional Office in Springfield.

The position includes representing senior citizens in civil cases and transactional matters involving critical legal needs in a 12-county service area. It also requires travel to senior centers on a regular basis and participation in community legal education and outreach.

On September 9, 2019, Illinois lawyer Charlene Marsh was found guilty of indirect criminal contempt for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law by holding herself out as a lawyer and preparing pleadings in federal court on behalf of a pro se litigant. Ms. Marsh charged the client approximately $23,000 for 68 hours of legal research and document preparation. Ms. Marsh was ordered to pay $23,000 in restitution, $500 in court costs, sentenced to two years’ probation, and permanently enjoined from engaging in any further acts of the unauthorized practice of law. The case is ARDC v. Charlene Marsh, No. 17 MC1-600052 (September 9, 2019) 

The Illinois Supreme Court has amended Rule 767, which pertains to reinstatement petitions for lawyers who have been disbarred or suspended.

The changes go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

The amended Rule clarifies what attorneys must include in a petition for reinstatement.

Two articles in September’s Illinois Bar Journal explore the pros and cons of communicating with clients via texting, Facebook, and other digital and online tools. In the first article, ISBA members from a recent ISBA Central discussion thread debate best communication practices. In the second, Affinity Consulting’s Cyara Hotopp lists the do’s and don’ts of texting clients. The respective articles are available online:

• Communicating With Clients
• SMS SOS

The ISBA is now accepting applications and nominations for the 2020 Leadership Academy.

This landmark program is designed to train the next generation of professionals to become effective leaders in the Illinois legal community.

The ISBA will accept as many as 20 candidates this year. ISBA members with three to 10 years of legal practice experience are eligible to participate.