2011 Pro Bono Week: Kindness to Strangers
The Chicago Bar Foundation and Chicago Bar Association's Annual Pro Bono Week will be held from Monday, October 24, to Friday, October 28, 2011. See schedule and registration at www.chicagobar.org/probonoweek
Renew Your Membership Now
The CBA ...It's Where You Belong. No dues increase, no increase in $125 CLEAdvantage Plan, free MCLE credit for attending committee meetings live or webcast, new online member business referral directory, business savings, networking events, no travel costs or section fees, and more. Call 312-554-2020.Unemployed or having financial difficulty? See reduced dues request form
Members Needed for Judicial Evaluation Committee
The CBA Judicial Evaluation Committee is looking for members to serve in its Investigation Division. The Committee evaluates candidates for the bench and sitting judges seeking retention. CBA members with a few years of practice experience are encouraged to please apply. If you are a current JEC member there is no need to reapply. Applications are available at www.chicagobar.org. Applications should be returned to Therese Kurth via fax 312-554-2054 or tkurth@chicagobar.org. on or before October 31.
Moot Court Competition (Volunteers Needed) - November 17-19
The Young Lawyers Section will host its 30th Annual Moot Court Competition on November 17-19, 2011, at the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago. This year we have 32 teams competing from across the country. The YLS needs attorneys to act as competition judges and brief graders. Volunteer brief graders are asked to review and critique approximately 4-5 briefs near the middle of October and volunteer competition judges are needed on the evenings of November 17 and 18 (5:30 or 7:30 p.m.). Competition judges may be eligible to earn Illinois MCLE credit. For more information, contact the CLE Department. To volunteer, contact Jenni Bertolino at or 312-554-2031 and indicate your volunteer preference.
Supreme Court Announces MCLE Rule Changes
The Supreme Court of Illinois has amended its minimum continuing legal education rules (MCLE Rules) and the MCLE Board’s fee schedule effective September 27, 2011. With those changes, the Court has given attorneys even more options to complete their MCLE requirements. These options include participating in non-traditional activities without the $20.00 fee, carrying over excess professional responsibility credit as professional responsibility hours and satisfying a portion of the requirement for newly-admitted attorney by participating in a mentoring program approved by the Commission on Professionalism. For more information, click here.
Legal Services Corporation Funding
As Congress finalizes the FY 2012 appropriations in the coming weeks, funding for legal aid is one of the many items being negotiated and could be drastically reduced. The Chicago Bar Foundation needs your help to make sure that the Illinois Congressional delegation understands the importance of Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funding. For more information and to take action, please click here or contact Danielle Hirsch, Director of Advocacy, at 312-554-4952
