Dow, Zelazo appointed associate judges in Will County

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Chris Bonjean

Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced Wednesday that the Twelfth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Elizabeth D. Hoskins Dow and Kenneth L. Zelazo as associate judges of the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Ms. Hoskins Dow received her undergraduate degree in 1989 from the Yale University in New Haven, CT and her Juris Doctor in 1993 from Boston College Law School in Newton, MA. Ms. Hoskins Dow is currently affiliated with Bailey & Glasser LLP in Joliet.

Mr. Zelazo received his undergraduate degree in 1979 from the Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, and his Juris Doctor in 1983 from Loyola University in Chicago, IL. Mr. Zelazo is currently affiliated with The Law Office of Bob O'Dekirk, LLC in Joliet.

Best Practice: Improving law firm profitability

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Chris Bonjean

Asked and Answered

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

Q. I am the sole owner of a three attorney firm in San Francisco. I started the firm seven years ago. We are an estate planning firm. Everyone is working hard and putting in the hours but we are not making any money. I am only making around $110,000 net income/earnings after overhead. Should I take a meat ax to my expenses?

CLE: Family Law Financial Litigation

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Chris Bonjean

Join us in Chicago on June 25, 2015 for the trial practice tools you need to evaluate the financial issues in a matrimonial case while learning from seasoned litigators as they prepare themselves (and you) for an upcoming mock financial trial! From case assessment through closing argument, this seminar gives you the information you need to analyze, organize, and present persuasive facts that are essential for reaching a favorable ruling during a financial trial. Armed with a hypothetical case fact pattern and supporting business valuation report (which will be provided to registrants prior to the program), attendees will leave with a greater understanding of: how to assess a client’s position regarding maintenance, child support, business valuation, and possible dissipation claims; how to use discovery and other tools to flush out relevant facts and admissions; how to present a storyline favorable to the client; the ethical issues that arise when a client fails to disclose relevant data; how to conduct direct and cross-examination of business valuation experts; how witness choice and the structure of testimony impact a financial trial; the factors courts consider in determining child support, maintenance, and property distribution – as well as the essential evidence needed to present such cases; the key elements of a persuasive oral and written closing argument; the court’s expectations from family practitioners during a financial trial; and much, much more.

The seminar is presented by the ISBA Family Law Section and qualifies for 7.50 hours MCLE credit, including 7.50 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

IBF hosts Friends of Tom Golf Outing

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Chris Bonjean

The Illinois Bar Foundation hosted the first annual golf outing honoring Tom Leahy, past President of the ISBA and a longtime supporter of the charitable work of the Foundation, on June 8 at Harborside International Golf Course. The event benefits the Illinois Bar Foundation and the Post-Graduate Legal Fellowship at Loyola Law School. View photos from the event at http://iln.isba.org/gallery/900/ibf-friends-of-tom-golf-outing