Every solo journey starts with a single step. Don’t miss this online seminar on January 10, 2018 that explores the practical business concerns of starting your own law firm and the special issues you may face as a woman branching out on her own. Discover how starting a solo practice can help advance women in the legal profession and what we can do as women to support each other in getting our practices off the ground. Learn how to fight the gender biases you will inevitably face and how these biases and stereotypes can affect your confidence. Listen as our panelists use their real-life experiences to advise you on a number key issues, including trust accounts, new clients, former clients, creating a business plan, and much more.

The program is presented by the ISBA Standing Committee on Women & the Law. It qualifies for 2.0 hours MCLE credit, including 2.0 hours Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Learn more and register on the CLE page.

Congratulations to the following prize winners at the ISBA Midyear Meeting:

• $50 Amazon Gift Card - Daniel Kegan
• 3 months of service ($1,287 value) - Sarah Taylor
• $100 Visa Gift Card - Laura Kern
• $100 Amazon Gift Card - Margaret A. Bennett
• TENS unit - Melissa Greathouse
• Bottle of champagne in a wine cooler bottle holder - Haskell M. Pitluck
• $50 gift card - Bridget L. Schott
• $25 Starbucks gift card - Alice Sackett
• Amazon Echo Dot - Jan Strzalka
• $100 Amex Gift Card - Roza Gossop
• Amazon Echo - Melissa Olivers
• $100 Amex Gift Card - Donald Shriver
• $100 Amex Gift Card - John Voorn
• Microsoft Home - Andy Scheifer
• Student Microsoft Office 365 - Kim Dugan
• Spa gift certificate - Bernard Peter
• Amazon Echo show - Joan Amuda
• IBF tickets to Illinois Lawyers Rock - Douglas Olivers

Winners can pick up their prizes at the registration desk on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Today is the last day to save 20% on all orders placed through the ISBA webstore! Our special holiday offer includes ISBA books, client brochures, and merchandise. Take advantage of the Bookstore Holiday Sale by visiting the ISBA Storefront and entering the coupon code "HOLIDAY17" at checkout. 

You can use this coupon code to save on our newest book, The Direct Examination of the Plaintiff's Physician: A Handbook for Illinois Personal injury Lawyers, or on our tried-and-true bestsellers, like the 2018 Daily Diary. 

Shop the ISBA Bookstore now.

Douglas A. Darch, a partner of Baker & McKenzie LLP's Labor & Employment Practice, discusses the withdrawal liability embedded in multi-employer pension plans, the threat withdrawal liability poses to financial well-being, and the steps you can take to mitigate risk.

Kerry Bryson of the Office of the State Appellate Defender reviews the Illinois Supreme Court ruling in the criminal case People v. Casas.

People v. Casas

In 1996, Fernando Casas, Jr., posted bond in a drug case and was released from custody. He regularly appeared at scheduled court dates until June 1998. His bond was forfeited and a bench warrant was issued.  Casas was ultimately tried in absentia and a 20-year prison sentence was imposed.

In April 2014, a traffic stop revealed Casas’s outstanding warrant. Casas was taken into custody and began serving the 20-year sentence.  Then, in December 2014, Casas was indicted for violating his bail bond. Casas moved to dismiss on the basis that the general three-year statute of limitations had expired in 2001 and the state had not alleged any facts to toll or extend the limitations period. The state then filed an amended information alleging that the bond violation was a continuing offense and the limitations period did not begin to run until Casas’s April 2014 arrest.

The circuit court dismissed, relying on People v. Grogan, 197 Ill. App. 3d 18 (1st Dist. 1990), which held that violation of bail bond is not a continuing offense. The state appealed, and the appellate court agreed with the state's assertion that Grogan was wrongly decided and concluded that it should no longer be followed.