Do you know how to determine which chapter of bankruptcy your client needs? Are you familiar with the rights of both a landlord and a tenant in a bankruptcy case? Do you understand the interplay between a divorce and a simultaneous bankruptcy?
Join us March 8 in Chicago or via live webcast for a look at the current developments and cutting-edge issues that you need to be aware of to effectively advise your client on all aspects of their bankruptcy case.
You are invited to represent the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) alongside the DuPage County Bar Association by marching in the 2019 West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Naperville on Saturday, March 16. An annual tradition for ISBA, participating in the parade is a great opportunity to represent the association and our lawyers to the public.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Naperville North High School. Members interested in participating can meet at the high school between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. The ISBA parade number will be released the week of the parade and will be updated here.
Contact Rhys Saunders at rsaunders@isba.org if you would like to participate or for additional information.
The Illinois Supreme Court announced today several changes to the assessment system by which fees, fines, and other court costs are paid by civil and criminal case litigants.
These changes are a result of Public Act 100-0987, which was passed by the legislature in 2018 in order to simplify the imposition, collection, and distribution of court assessments. The changes include Civil Assessment Schedules as well as fee waivers in amended Rule 298 and new Rule 404.
The changes are effective July 1, and the new assessment structure, not including the waivers, expires Jan. 1, 2021.
Attorney Kristin Olson discusses tips to avoid having to deal with the ARDC through better communications. Tips include writing monthly case status letters, returning phone calls on a timely basis, responding promptly to emails, and explaining a case to a client.
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. Our firm is a 16-attorney personal injury insurance defense firm located in Dallas, Texas. I am a member of our three-person management committee. We have been experiencing associate attorney and staff turnover. Recently, we had all employees complete confidential surveys concerning their thoughts and feedback concerning the firm. One theme that was central to all was that the firm has poor communications with employees. I would like to hear your thoughts on what we need to do to improve.
Don’t miss ISBA’s 10th Annual Animal Law Conference, which highlights important animal law updates and examines the advances made in this rapidly-evolving area of practice, on March 1 in Chicago or via live webcast.
Registration is $25. The ISBA would like to offer a special thanks to this program's financial supporter, Brooks McCormick Jr. Trust for Animal Rights Law and Policy, for helping to make this opportunity possible.
The Office of the State Appellate Defender has openings for the position of assistant appellate defender in Springfield and Mt. Vernon.
The position will provide criminal appellate representation to indigent clients. Responsibilities include reading records, conducting research, drafting briefs and other documents, and presenting oral arguments.
To limit the number of frivolous malpractice claims and thus lower insurance costs, Illinois and 27 other states require attorneys to consult a health-care professional before filing a medical-malpractice suit. But for those bringing a medical-malpractice case, such prelitigation requirements can present a daunting, complex maze. In February’s Illinois Bar Journal, Christopher Michels explores the required steps for bringing a healing-arts malpractice claim in Illinois in his article, “The Malpractice Maze: Bringing a Healing-Arts Malpractice Suit and the Requirements of Section 2-622.”
Studies show that the average American worker is interrupted every two to three minutes while on the job. At that rate, it’s a wonder anyone can finish daily tasks, let alone major projects.
The ISBA’s whitepaper on managing distractions in a digital age provides four fronts to address distractions and how to overcome them in the workplace. Those fronts include promoting physical and mental health, putting value on workplace and organizational health, creating a time, task and email methodology, and better understanding attention- and distraction-management skills.
The Candidate Report for the 2019 ISBA Election is below. All members of the association (except non-lawyer members) with their dues paid by March 1, 2019 are eligible to vote.
(N.B.: Pursuant to the Policy and Procedures for Election approved by the ISBA Assembly, in those instances where there are more candidates than positions to be filled, nominees are listed on the ballot by the date of filing. Where two or more people filed on the same date, ballot positions were determined by lot. Ballot positions are listed next to the candidate’s name.)