Asked and Answered 

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

Q. Our firm is a 12-attorney firm – eight partners and four associates – in Phoenix. It was founded by the current partners 20 years ago. We are an eat-what-you-kill firm – partners receive their fees, overhead is allocated, and their compensation is their individual profit. While we have an administrator who handles the day-to-day management of our operations, we have done a poor job of long-term management and planning. One of our partners has suggested that we develop a strategic plan. However, I believe this would be difficult for us given that we never meet, have different ideas about our future, have never been able to agree on any major decisions, are unwilling to be accountable to each other, and have a general attitude of mistrust. I do not believe we even have a firm culture. In essence we are eight separate practices operating under the guise of a partnership. Your comments are most welcomed.

Attorney Angela Peters discusses the treatment of pets in divorce cases.

Lockport Police Chief Terry Lemming received the ISBA Law Enforcement Award on June 6 during a Lockport City Council meeting. ISBA Board member Sonni Choi Williams and Lockport Mayor Steven Streit presented the award.

The ISBA Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize 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. It recognizes those who excel in law enforcement.

Chief Lemming, who was nominated by Williams, was recognized for co-creating Lockport Love, a non-profit organization that raises money for families in need.

Use your free online CLE hours to help meet your MCLE requirement. Haven't met your 30 hours yet? Use your ISBA free online CLE benefit – up to 15 hours per bar year included with your membership at no extra cost – before the June 30 deadline! With more 400 hours of online CLE programming, there's something for everyone.

Illinois became the 30th state to adopt the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) June 8 when the Illinois Supreme Court approved it to be the main component for bar admission. 

The UBE is a nationwide test that allows test takers to transfer scores between states, which improves mobility of Illinois attorneys. It will be given for the first time in Illinois in July 2019. 

The Illinois Board of Admission to the Bar held public hearings in Springfield, Carbondale, and Chicago in 2016 to provide information on the UBE and to seek comments regarding its potential adoption. The comments received were overwhelmingly supportive of the change. That same year, the Illinois State Bar Association Board and Assembly issued recommendations that the supreme court should adopt the UBE. 

Asked and Answered 

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

Q. Our firm is a 17-attorney business law firm in Chicago. Our clients consist of mid-size companies and a few Fortune 500 companies. There are eight partners and nine associates in the firm. Four of the eight partners are in their early 60s and the other four partners are in their 40s and 50s. The four senior partners are the founders of the firm. Consequently, we have not had to deal with succession of partners until now. While we realize that we need to be thinking about succession planning, we have not made much headway. The senior partners are reluctant to discuss their retirement plans and timelines. We would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

Fraud can happen to anyone, but who is responsible for catching it? On Feb. 14, 2013, Rita Crundwell, former comptroller for Dixon, Ill., was sentenced to 19 and a half years in prison for stealing more than $53 million from the city during a 20-year period. Subsequent to her conviction, the city successfully sued its auditors, settling their claim against them for $40 million. 

Join us in Fontana, Wis., on June 15 during ISBA’s Annual Meeting for an examination of the case and a discussion regarding what role attorneys and auditors should play in uncovering fraud. The program concludes with a lively discussion among our speakers: Devon Bruce, the lead attorney for the city of Dixon in the lawsuit against its auditors; Kelly Richmond Pope, documentary director, accountant, and white collar crime expert; and Brick Van Der Snick, an ISBA member whose secretary managed to steal more than $150,000 from his law firm.