Mediation is designed to resolve differences both in and out of the courts. It requires a very different mindset than courtroom litigation. Join us in Chicago on January 13^th for this week-long mediation training and learn how to resolve conflicts in a non-adversarial, non-confrontational manner, allowing peaceful resolutions between parties.

The program is taught by Richard Calkins and Fred Lane– two nationally recognized mediators, authors and educators. Until 20 years ago, both Mr. Calkins and Mr. Lane were well-known and highly regarded litigators. Since then, however, they have successfully mediated over 5,000 cases.

Mr. Calkins and Mr. Lane have developed an approach that encourages the mediator to be a peacemaker, deemphasizing the antagonism involved in formal litigation. This five-day course has considerable hands-on training and requires each participant to complete two full mediations as a mediator. Course topics include an introduction to mediation, caucus form of mediation, qualities of a peacemaker, ethical considerations, other Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, advanced mediator techniques, and arbitration.

The program qualifies for 40.0 hours MCLE credit, including 40.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register.

Please join us at the 16th Annual Holiday Party and show your support for the IBF/ YLD Children's Assistance Fund. Tickets can no longer be purchased online, but will be available at the door.

WHEN: Friday, December 6, 2013, 6:00pm-10:00pm

WHERE: Cubby Bear Lounge, 1059 W. Addison, Chicago, Illinois

WHAT: Open Bar, Warm Appetizers, and Live Music by Stache!

COST: $40 per person, available for purchase at the door

Illinois State Bar Association President Paula H. Holderman presented on authentic networking for young lawyers on Nov. 14 at the John Marshall Law School. President Holderman has made issues facing new and young lawyers a key focus of her presidency.

Pictured with President Holderman is John Marshall Associate Dean Margaret Frossard (center) and event attendees.

By Emily Vock and Eric Bulman, Land of Lincoln Assistance Foundation, Champaign

As our nation takes time to reflect on the sacrifices of veterans and celebrate their heroism, the legal community would be remiss if they did not stop to consider what we can do to give back to the men and women who have selflessly served our country.

The Joint Midyear Meeting will kick off Thursday night with the opening reception and will be followed by "Pathways to the Academy: Becoming a Law Professor or Administrator." Two Master Series programs will be held on Friday and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be the luncheon speaker. New Chief Justice Rita Garman will speak at the Annual Supreme Court Dinner. Register at isba.org/events/midyear/13/reg See you at the Midyear!

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced that, for a limited time, Illinois-based corporate counsel who failed to obtain a required limited law license will now be able to obtain that limited license without the risk of discipline. The program is effective January 1, 2014 and will expire one year later.

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

Q. Our law firm is a New Orleans 14-attorney firm that focuses its practice on business representation in both litigation and transactional matters. We have four equity partners. The other ten attorneys are associates. We have been discussing implementing a non-equity partnership tier and how we should handle compensation and other perks. We would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

A. I believe that the non-equity partnership tier should be meaningful and distinctive - both internally and externally. Consider the following:

1. List non-equity partners as partners on the firm's website and other firm marketing collateral material. If you feel you must make a distinction list the equity members as managing partners.
2. Allow non-equity partners to attend some partner meetings and have input as non-voting partners into management decisions.
3. Allow one non-equity partner to be elected to the Executive Committee as a non-voting partner.
4. Allow non-equity partners to serve on firm committees.
5. Pay dues to a Country or other similar club for the non-equity partner.
6. Tie a portion of the non-equity partner's compensation to a bonus based upon firm performance.

While you want to create incentives - status and economic - for the non-equity partnership tier be careful that you don't diminish the desire for future equity partnership.

Click here for our partnership blog

Click here for articles on other topics

The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar announced on Tuesday a fee increase to take the Illinois bar examination.

The fee to take the bar exam will increase from $400 to $500. A late filing fee will increase from $600 to $700. The fee for those applying late at the last possible deadline will remain at $1,000.

The fee increases are effective January 1, 2014, and will begin for those applying to take the bar examination in July 2014.

Refine your legal writing skills with this Master Series seminar that teaches you how to draft concise language, avoid ambiguous wording, and identify which information is essential for inclusion in your writing!

Gone are the long, flowing e-mail messages with pretty graphics and lots of attachments. Today’s communication – almost 100% electronic – is immediate, brief, clear, and powerful. Designed to boost your instant (or near-instant) message drafting skills, this program examines the ways in which lawyers’ traditional training in writing and communication ill-prepares them for this new age of “short and to the point.” Lawyers are communicating with clients and each other far differently than their mentors did – and far differently than how they were taught in law school – and many need help making the transition. Join nationally acclaimed speaker, Steven Stark, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on December 13^thas he teaches the principles of good legal writing in these areas: technical writing; memos; letters and e-mails; litigation writing; and contract drafting.

The program qualifies for 3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours approved Professional Responsibility MCLE credit.

Click here for more information and to register.

Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions in the civil cases Wells Fargo Bank v. McCluskey, Hartney Fuel Oil Company v. Hamer, The Board of Education of Roxana Community Unit School District No. 1 v. The Pollution Control Board, Schultz v. Performance Lighting, Inc., Rogers v. Imeri and the criminal cases People v. Radojcic and People v. Pikes.