Learn the ins and outs of navigating an enforcement case under Section 31 of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/31), including the requirements and process from start to finish with this live webcast on October 22, 2015. Hear from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office regarding what each agency looks for when making decisions and how they handle a Section 31 case.

The program is presented by the ISBA Environmental Law Section and qualifies for 1.25 hours MCLE credit.

Click here for more information and to register.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the adoption of several rule changes designed to bring attorney ethics rules up to date with advances in technology and developments in global legal practices.

During its September Term, the Court approved amendments to the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct and Supreme Court Rules 705 and 716. The Supreme Court Rules Committee recommended the changes to the Court after reviewing the proposals and holding a public hearing on July 22, 2015, in Chicago.

All of the rule changes take effect January 1, 2016.

"It's well into the evening and you're alone in the office, catching up on a few things," malpractice prevention maven Karen Erger writes in the October Illinois Bar Journal. "You're feeling tired, but virtuous: Is that the top of your desk you're seeing? Awesome! Staying late to take care of lingering tasks was a great idea, even if the greasy dinner you ordered in was not.

"Then it appears. The Mistake. The one you made. It does not matter what it is - blown deadline, failure to file a document, violation of a rule - each area of practice has its own special traps and snares.

"At first, you can't believe your eyes. Your face flushes, and you break out in a cold sweat. You would not, could not make such an error. Shock and disbelief give way to fear and shame as you become more and more certain you goofed up.

"This dark night of the soul comes to many lawyers. What you do in these fraught hours matters so much more than whatever it was you did to bring about this situation. In the words of Nikki Giovanni, 'Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts.'"

So how should you respond? Read Erger's column and find out.

The Illinois State Bar Association will honor the Class of 1965 Distinguished Counsellors on Thursday, Nov. 12. This title is conferred annually upon those ISBA members who are completing their 50^th year of practice.

The 2015 Class will be honored at a special luncheon at The Standard Club located at 320 South Plymouth Court, Chicago on Nov. 12. A reception will begin at 11:15 a.m., and lunch is scheduled for noon.

Tickets to the luncheon are available and may be purchased online at www.isba.org/distinguishedcounsellorsluncheon. Any questions regarding the luncheon may be directed to Kim Weaver at kweaver@isba.org.

Congratulations to the 1965 Class of Distinguished Counsellors:

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am the managing partner of an eight-attorney firm in Austin, Texas, that was formed last year when several of us left another firm. The most frustrating part of the managing partner job is managing the people - this includes other partners, associates and staff. How do I deal with people that are not following firm policy or doing things they should not be doing?

Joseph Tybor, the longtime Chicago journalist and press secretary for the Illinois Supreme Court, died Saturday at his home in Countryside. He was 68.

Tybor’s 30-year journalism career included comprehensive coverage of a broad array of subjects, including the Vietnam War, Notre Dame football and his must-read “On the Law” column that ran weekly in the Chicago Tribune.

For the past decade and a half he was a diligent advocate for the Illinois Supreme Court and spearheaded key changes to the Open Meetings Act, which allowed cameras into Illinois courtrooms for the first time.

"My colleagues and I are deeply saddened by Joe’s passing. He was truly dedicated to his role as the voice of the Illinois Supreme Court, and we watched in awe as he continued to carry out his duties even as he fought his illness," Chief Justice Rita B. Garman said. "He was an example to us all of courage and strength. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, in which he took such great pride. We will miss his professionalism, his optimism, and his cheerful demeanor."

“His relationships with reporters and his love and passion for the law made him such an absolute great fit at the Supreme Court,” Tybor’s son, Adam Tybor, said. “He was amazing at his job - he fought for his beliefs."

Join us for a mock trial program in Chicago on October 23, 2015 that offers you a greater understanding of the complexities surrounding a construction trial involving a design-build project where the plaintiff is claiming breach of contract, negligent and defective design, while the defense claims that the fault lies with the work performed by the plaintiff’s other contractors. Construction law attorneys and real estate practitioners with all levels of practice experience who attend this full-day seminar will learn how to construct a strong opening statement, examine witnesses, and present a strong closing argument.

The seminar is presented by the ISBA Construction Law Section and co-sponsored by the ISBA Real Estate Law Section. It qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 6.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register.