In August, the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates approved changes to its Model Rules of Professional Conduct concerning advertising. In October’s Illinois Bar Journal, ISBA General Counsel Charles Northrup, in light of the ABA’s decision, revisits the fundamental principle set out in Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct (IRPC) 7.1 — that lawyers may not make false or misleading communications about themselves, their practices, or their services. Given the ABA’s recent action, Northrup suggests revisiting this fundamental principle is worthwhile.

The Fellows of the Illinois Bar Foundation thank our latest new and upgraded Fellows for their commitment to supporting the mission of the Illinois Bar Foundation. Funds from the Fellows program make a direct impact on the lives of those in need, including our colleagues and their families during times of crisis and those who cannot otherwise afford legal representation. Fellows’ pledges are payable over 10 years and start at just $100 per year, or less than $9 per month. 

By Michael G. Bergmann

Coordinated by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Pro Bono Week is intended to inspire even greater pro bono participation by lawyers throughout the nation. This initiative provides an opportunity for legal organizations across the country to collaboratively commemorate the vitally important contributions of America’s lawyers and to recruit and train the many additional volunteers required to meet the growing demand. The Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service undertook this initiative to provide a format for showcasing the incredible difference that pro bono lawyers make to our nation, to our system of justice, to our communities and, most of all, to the clients they serve. For more information, visit www.celebrateprobono.org.

Asked and Answered 

By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

Q. I am the owner of an estate planning firm in Milwaukee, Wis. I have five associates and four paralegals working in the firm. More of my time is spent on managing the practice and marketing than on servicing clients. I am trying to develop financial goals for the firm, but I am clueless as to what financial indicators or ratios I should be looking at and what constitutes good or bad performance. Anything that you are willing to share would be appreciated.

Mediation is designed to resolve differences both in and out of the courts. It requires a very different mindset than courtroom litigation. Join us Oct. 22 – Oct. 26 in Chicago for this Master Series seminar that trains practitioners to resolve conflicts in a non-adversarial, non-confrontational manner, allowing peaceful resolutions between parties.

In response to the growing need for Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP) services in the collar counties and beyond, the non-profit organization has opened an office in Kane County.

People seeking assistance can schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Diana Uchiyama, a licensed psychologist and lawyer.

LAP is an organization that helps Illinois lawyers, judges, law students, and their families concerned about alcohol abuse, drug dependency, or stress-related issues like anxiety, burnout, depression, and many others. Services include individual and group therapy, assessments, education, peer support, and intervention.

The Illinois Supreme Court updated the Illinois Rules of Evidence on Sept. 28, including provisions that provide guidance for evidence derived from electronic sources.

Amendments to Rules 803(6), 803(7), and 803(8) clarify that the burden of showing “lack of trustworthiness” is on the party-opponent.

Chicago Police Commander Thomas Lemmer received a Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on September 28 at the Chicago Police Department Headquarters. ISBA President James McCluskey presented the award.

The Law Enforcement Award recognizes sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. 

While attorneys and law firms need to be focused on, and aware of, cybersecurity, they often must turn to specialists to ensure their devices, storage, and communication tools are adequately locked down.

Read the Illinois Bar Journal’s October 2018 cover story to learn how tech-savvy Illinois attorneys are setting up their devices, servers, cloud storage services, email, and other client communication tools to ensure they’re cyber-secure and safe from hackers. Several technology experts also provide lots of recommendations and advice.

Campaign season for the 2019 Illinois State Bar Association election begins today, October 1, for open leadership seats of third vice president and one seat each for the following Board of Governors seats: Area 2 (Circuits 17, 19 and 22), Area 4 (Circuits 10, 14 and 15), Area 5 (Circuits 5, 6 and 11), Area 7 (Circuits 1, 2 and 4), Under Age 37 – Cook County, and Under Age 37 Outside Cook County (Circuits 1-23). There are also 45 open seat