2013 Press Releases

December 20, 2013

Illinois State Bar Association Recognized by Feeding Illinois For Campaign that Raised More Than 4.6 Million Meals

The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) was recognized by Feeding Illinois for the success of Lawyers Feeding Illinois, an initiative during Urbana lawyer John Thies’s presidency of the bar in 2012-13 to raise food and funds for the benefit of Illinoisans facing hunger.

December 18, 2013

Paula H. Holderman Named a State Delegate of American Bar Association

Paula H. Holderman, president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), has been named Illinois Delegate to the American Bar Association (ABA) for a three-year term beginning with the adjournment of the 2014 ABA annual meeting in August. She will succeed Robert A. Clifford, of Clifford Law Offices, in Chicago.

December 5, 2013

IJA/ISBA Joint Midyear Meeting to Feature Mayor Emanuel, CLE Programs, Dinner Honoring Supreme Court

CHICAGO, IL – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be the keynote speaker at a noon luncheon on Friday, December 13, during the Midyear Meeting of the Illinois Judges Association (IJA) and Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, 301 E. North Water Street.

November 22, 2013

Illinois State Bar Association Website Offers Free Disaster Legal Information for Tornado Victims

SPRINGFIELD, IL – To help victims of the recent tornadoes cope with some of the legal issues they may face as a result of the storms, the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) reminds Illinois citizens and lawyers that it offers a manual, “Disaster Legal Services Manual,” containing useful information and resources.

October 25, 2013

Illinois State Bar Association to Honor 1963 Class of Distinguished Lawyers for 50 Years of Service

The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) will honor the 1963 Class of Distinguished Counsellors for 50 years of service to the Illinois bar at a luncheon at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W. Jackson Boulevard, on Thursday, November 14, 2013. A reception will be held at 11:15 a.m., followed by a luncheon and program at 12 noon.

August 13, 2013

Early Bird Pricing Available Through Sept. 6 for Illinois State Bar Association’s Solo & Small Firm Conference

The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) 9th Annual Solo and Small Firm Conference will be held Thursday through Saturday, October 3–5, at the Westin Northwest Chicago, 400 Park Boulevard, in Itasca. Early registration discounts are available through September 6, 2013.

August 2, 2013

James McCluskey Elected Secretary of Illinois State Bar Association

James F. McCluskey, a founding member of the law firm Momkus McCluskey, LLC, in Lisle, has been elected secretary of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

August 2, 2013

Cook County Judge Celia Gamrath Elected Treasurer of Illinois State Bar Association

The Honorable Celia G. Gamrath, a judge in the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, has been elected treasurer of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

June 24, 2013

Richard Felice Installed as President-Elect of Illinois State Bar Association

Richard D. Felice, a lawyer in private practice in Wheaton, has moved up the organizational ladder of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), becoming president-elect of the organization. Previously, he served as third and second vice president and will be installed as president in June 2014-15.

June 24, 2013

Umberto Davi Installed as Second Vice President of Illinois State Bar Association

Umberto Davi, of Willowbrook, a principal in the Western Springs Law Firm of Umberto S. Davi, P.C., has been installed second vice president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA). Previously, he served as third vice president and will be installed as president in June 2015-16.

June 21, 2013

Paula H. Holderman to Become 137th President of Illinois State Bar Association

Paula H. Holderman, chief attorney development officer at Winston & Strawn, LLP, in Chicago, will be installed on Friday, June 21, as the 137th president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) at the organization’s annual meeting at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis.

June 11, 2013

Illinois State Bar Association Applauds Increase in Court Funding

John E. Thies, president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), today applauded the action of the Illinois General Assembly to increase court funding to $302.3 million, up from $281.1 million last year.

May 23, 2013

Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors Votes to Accept Report on Court Underfunding

An Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) special committee has issued a 64-page report that addresses the serious funding crisis facing Illinois courts.

May 9, 2013

Illinois State Bar Association Elects Vincent F. Cornelius As Third Vice President

Vincent F. Cornelius has been elected third vice president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA). He will serve one year in each of three vice presidential offices and then become president of the statewide organization in 2016. Cornelius is the principal of The Law Offices of Vincent F.

April 11, 2013

Consult a Lawyer – At No Cost On Saturday, April 27, During Ask-A-Lawyer Day

Anyone in Illinois with a question about a legal matter can call and talk to a lawyer – at no cost – on the 32nd Annual Ask-A-Lawyer Day, Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 12, 2013

Illinois State Bar Association Board Accepts Report Calling for Law School Reform

The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) today released a 53-page report, supported with research and testimony from statewide hearings, that calls for dramatic changes in the way law schools deliver education.

“The current system of educating law students is unsustainable,” said ISBA President John E. Thies, of Urbana, IL.  “The debt burden of new attorneys, combined with the difficult job market, is having a detrimental effect on the public’s ability to access quality legal services.”

March 5, 2013

Lawyers Feeding Illinois Surpasses Goal of Raising One Million Meals to Feed State's Food Insecure

Lawyers in Illinois took a big bite out of the state’s hunger problem by surpassing a goal to raise one million meals during a two-week food and fundraising drive from February 18-March 1.

Lawyers Feeding Illinois, an initiative of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), has raised $211,303, enough for 1,056,515 meals, and the dollars and non-perishable food supplies are still flowing in, according to ISBA President John E. Thies, of Urbana.