Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am a senior partner in a 14 attorney intellectual property firm in Memphis. We are planning on having a firm retreat in January 2016. We have never had a retreat before. Our plan is to have a one-day retreat facilitated by a consultant with specific focus on competitive strategy and marketing. We have just decided this week that we would like to do this and are just beginning the planning process. I would like to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

A. Here are my thoughts:

Chief Justice Rita B. Garman of the Supreme Court of Illinois has begun an application process for an At-Large Circuit Court vacancy in the Eighth Judicial Circuit.

The vacancy is created by the resignation of Judge William O. Mays, Jr., effective January 15, 2016. Judge Mays has been an At-Large Circuit Judge in the Eighth Judicial Circuit since 2006.

Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled by Supreme Court appointment. The application process will lead to the final Court approval. Applicants will undergo an evaluation and screening process.

Notice of the vacancy has been posted in the courthouses throughout the Circuit. The application form and instructions may be obtained by visiting the Illinois Supreme Court's website at www.illinoiscourts.gov and following the instructions in the "Latest News" scroller announcing the Eighth Judicial Circuit vacancy.

You may know that under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you might be eligible for a tax credit that could save you considerable money on health insurance . But did you know that as a Illinois State Bar Association member,  you have a fast, reliable and convenient way to learn if you qualify?

The Illinois State Bar Association has established a relationship with Mercer Marketplace*, which makes an insurance solution available to you from the insurance agent and broker GetInsured. Through this service, you can learn if you qualify for tax credits. You also can learn just how much these credits could save you on ACA-compliant health insurance available in your area.

Visit the website to learn if you qualify for tax credits.

The ISBA Assembly took action on a host of items during the Joint Midyear Meeting on Dec. 12 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. The 203-member Assembly is the supreme policy making body of the Association.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita Garman gave a report on the Court to start the meeting. ISBA Mutual President Jon DeMoss followed and reported that a 10 percent dividend has been approved for policy holders.

Judge Michael Chmiel presented the report of the Special Committee on Rule 711. This included a recommendation to the Supreme Court of Illinois to make a change to Rule 711 to allow law students with a 711 license to practice with private attorneys – not just not-for-profit or governmental agencies. The Assembly approved the recommendation.

Justice Ann Jorgensen and Board member Dennis Orsey, co-chairs of the Special Committee on Law School Curriculum, presented the committee's final report and recommendations and they were approved.

Curtis B. Ross, Chair of the Assembly Finance Committee, presented a dues restructuring proposal to drastically reduce the number of dues categories that includes a slight increase after 10 years of no dues increases. The proposal was unanimously approved.

Assembly member Lori G. Levin presented a request for the Assembly to support the Equal Rights Amendment and the measure was approved.

Board Member David Sosin presented on the ABA Resolution regarding Model Regulatory Objectives. It was recommended that the Assembly oppose the measure -- which it did.