ABA formal ethics opinion: Ethics Counsel and Reporting. But what about Himmel?By Frank M. GrenardCorporate Law Departments, February 2009On October 17, 2008, the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professionalism jumped into the somewhat muddied water of outside counsel disclosure requirements to its corporate clients in issuing Formal Opinion No. 08-453.
Maintain ethical corporate governance during the economic downturnBy R. Stephen ScottCorporate Law Departments, January 2009The current economic downturn poses many new challenges to corporations. Failure to maintain ethical corporate governance, to save costs or to avoid delayed actions, may only complicate or derail the corporate objectives, as the automakers and Bank of America have learned. Failure to meet important stakeholder expectations will surely lead to loss of the public’s support, while exceeding those expectations should lead to greater support and achievement of the corporate objectives.
Mandatory disclosure and expanded ethics requirements for government contractorsBy John E. JensenCorporate Law Departments, January 2009Starting on December 12, 2008, new rules require all federal contractors to disclose to the government violations of many federal criminal laws and any false claims made to the government. These changes are likely to cause contractors to reassess their ethics and compliance programs. The changes will present contractors with challenging questions, such as whether a disclosable violation has occurred.
Evaluating the ethics of ADR programsBy Kurt KamrathFamily Law, December 2008The practice of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is rife with ethical dilemmas. It does not take much time in the field before a practitioner will find a conflict between two central aspects of ADR.
Evaluating the ethics of ADR programsBy Kurt KamrathAlternative Dispute Resolution, June 2008The practice of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is rife with ethical dilemmas. It does not take much time in the field before a practitioner will find a conflict between two central aspects of ADR.
Due process and ethical issues for administrative judgesBy William A. PriceAdministrative Law, March 2007Due process requirements of the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions, and the requirements of both professional and judicial ethics, may apply to actions of ALJs.
Reaching Out or Overreaching—Judicial ethics and the self-represented litigantBy Paul E. FreehlingAdministrative Law, February 2007On January 8, 2007, Cynthia Gray, Director of the Center for Judicial Ethics of the American Judicature Society (AJS), spoke to the Administrative Law Judges Committee of the Chicago Bar Association.
Practice Update: Who is your client? What document can you discloseBy Bernard WysockiGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, October 2006From a practical standpoint, it is important when you see a potential third party involvement, to secure written retainer and defining your representation.
The Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics ActBy Lynda K. Given & Timothy A. StrattonEducation Law, September 2005This article will summarize pertinent provisions of the Act, including those related to the Article 10 Gift Ban and the Article 5 Prohibited Political Activities.
Attorney General’s Office issues opinions on the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act*By Lynn PattonAdministrative Law, November 2004Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office recently issued two opinions regarding the implementation of the new State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (added by Public Act 93-615, effective November 19, 2003, as amended by Public Act 93-617, effective December 9, 2003, to be codified at 5 ILCS 430/1-1 et seq.).
State Officials and Employees Ethics Act-Applicability to municipalitiesBy John H. BrechinLocal Government Law, October 2004In late 2003, the Illinois General Assembly passed two bills representing significant ethics reform legislation. Public Act 93-615 became affective November 19, 2003.
Attorney General’s office issues opinions on the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act*By Lynn PattonGovernment Lawyers, September 2004Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office recently issued two opinions regarding the implementation of the new State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (added by Public Act 93-615, effective November 19, 2003, as amended by Public Act 93-617, effective December 9, 2003, to be codified at 5 ILCS 430/1-1 et seq.).
Attorney General’s office issues opinions on the State Officials and Employees Ethics ActBy Lynn PattonLocal Government Law, July 2004Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office recently issued two opinions regarding the implementation of the new State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (added by Public Act 93-615, effective November 19, 2003, as amended by Public Act 93-617, effective December 9, 2003, to be codified at 5 ILCS 430/1-1 et seq.).
Illinois’ commitment to ethicsBy Claire A. ManningAdministrative Law, March 2004The passage of new ethics legislation at the end of 2003 marks an era of legislative reform in a state that has, for too long, carried a sullied, and unfortunate reputation for politics-by-purchase.
Ethics reform a top priority in 2003 fall veto sessionBy James W. ChipmanAdministrative Law, February 2004After months of intense negotiations, the Illinois General Assembly passed an ethics package that included all of the components Gov. Blagojevich outlined in his amendatory veto of the original legislation last summer.
Governmental ethics: Public Acts 93-615 & 93-617By Phillip B. LenziniHuman and Civil Rights, February 2004In its zeal to close the door after the horses have left the barn, the Illinois General Assembly has created Public Act 93-615, the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, and Public Act 93-617, an act in relation to governmental ethics.
Ethics cornerBy Rosalyn B. KaplanGovernment Lawyers, November 2003Although part of the Web site is still “under construction,” public information about Illinois attorneys, an explanation of the operation of the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (“ARDC”) rules, and links to use for researching ethics issues are currently available at: .
News you can use: Ethics bill updateGovernment Lawyers, November 2003On August 26, 2003, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich filed his long-anticipated amendatory veto of House Bill 3412. House Bill 3412, among other things, creates the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act and prohibits state officers and state employees of the executive and legislative branches of state government and the office of the Auditor General from engaging in political activities on state time.
Ethics cornerGovernment Lawyers, August 2003Assistant Attorney General Ed Carter, Supervisor of Financial Crimes Prosecutions for the Illinois Attorney General's office, recently published the article "Limits of Judicial Power: Does the Constitution Bar the Application of Some Ethics Rules to Executive Branch Attorneys?" in the Winter 2003 issue (Vol. 27, No. 2) of the Southern Illinois University Law Journal.
Ethics cornerBy Nancy J. KatzGovernment Lawyers, November 2000Government lawyers face all the ethical dilemmas faced by lawyers in private practice, in addition to some unique problems.
State Gift Ban Act—Governor’s Ethics CommissionAdministrative Law, March 2000The State Gift Ban Act became effective January 1, 1999. This new Act prohibits Illinois governmental employees, elected officials and specific family members from receiving gifts from prohibited sources with some exceptions. Pursuant to the Act, the Governor's Ethics Commission has published the following informational material.
