Comment sought on reappointment of federal magistrate judge Byron G. Cudmore

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Chris Bonjean

The current term of office of the Honorable Byron G. Cudmore, incumbent United States Magistrate Judge for the Central District of Illinois at Springfield, is due to expire August 31, 2013. The United States District Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate judge to a new eight-year term.

Winners of iPad Minis announced for Membership is Tweet contest

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Chris Bonjean

ISBA staffers Lynne Davis, Charles Northrup and Bailey Cunningham display the three iPad Minis to be awarded for the Membership is Tweet campaign.The following members’ tweets (see below) were randomly chosen as the winners of our ISBA Membership is Tweet contest.

Ellen Beth Gill (@EllenBethGill) of Northbrook, Matthew M. Rossetti (@entreprelawyer) of Chicago and Megan Wood (@MeggyLouWoo) of Normal will each receive an iPad Mini for tweeting about their favorite ISBA membership benefits.

Thanks to everyone who participated - all tweets can be viewed at https://twitter.com/ISBAmembership

Best Practice: Ideas for law firms looking to take on more contingency fee work

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Chris Bonjean

Asked and Answered

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

Q. Our firm is an 18 lawyer general practice firm in the western Chicago suburbs. Recently, we are beginning to take on more personal injury cases on a contingency fee work which is creating some cash flow strain. Do you have suggestions regarding firms doing contingency fee work?

Register now for the next YLD Luncheon: Graduating to the Bench

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Chris Bonjean

The Illinois State Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division is hosting a four-part series of Professional Development Lunches (PDLs) aimed at teaching law students and young attorneys practical steps in advancing their career. The next installment will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at noon at the Chicago Regional Office, 20 S. Clark Ste. 900.

Register at www.isba.org/sections/yld/pdl/01-15-2013

Hon. Michael B. Hyman assigned to 1st District Appellate Court

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Chris Bonjean

Effective January 8, 2013, and until further order of the Court, the Hon. Michael B. Hyman, Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, is assigned to duty in the Appellate Court, First District, to the position formerly held by the Hon. Nathaniel J. Howse, Jr., who was elected to the Appellate Court. Judge Hyman shall occupy the rotation position in the Third Division formerly held by the Hon. Marcus R. Salone.

Special Committee on Law School Debt to hold final hearing in Chicago on Dec. 12

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Chris Bonjean

The Illinois State Bar Association's Special Committee on Law School Debt, formed by President John E. Thies, will hold the final of five open hearings on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the Chicago Regional Office, 20 S. Clark. ISBA members are encouraged to attend this meeting to discuss how increasing law school debt is impacting the delivery of legal services.