News

Practice Management and Legal Technology Conference
New, one-day practice management and legal technology conference at the CBA. Earn IL ethics/professionalism credit. Only $99 for members, CLEAdvantage $15! Click here for the day's agenda. Register online or call 312-554-2056.

New Rule Provides Unlimited FDIC Coverage to IOLTA Accounts
The FDIC has published a final rule that extends unlimited deposit insurance coverage to client funds deposited in IOLTA accounts at participating financial institutions. Learn more.

LexisNexis Offers Improved Solo/Small Firm Online Community
CBA member benefit provider, LexisNexis, has relaunched its online solo/small firm community, www.lexisone.com. The site offers free case law, forms, and more.

Purchase CBA Event Photos Online
Did you get a pic with your favorite speaker or leader at a CBA event? Members can now view and purchase the latest CBA photos at http://chicagobar.shutterfly.com.

Volunteers Needed to Evaluate Judges
The Judicial Evaluation Committee is looking for volunteers to serve in its Investigation Division. The Committee evaluates candidates for the bench and sitting judges seeking retention. You must be a CBA member with a few years of practice experience to apply. If you are a current JEC member there is no need to reapply. Submit an application to Therese Kurth via fax 312-554-2054 or email.

e-Mentoring Volunteers Needed
The YLS is teaming up with Chicago Public Schools’ Richards Career Academy to host its annual e-mentoring program. The program serves approximately 40 high school students enrolled in Law & Public Safety. Over a 16-week period, lawyer volunteers commit to participating in a January 28 kick-off lunch at the CBA, a weekly email exchange, a mid-term visit to Richards Career Academy, and a May closing lunch at the CBA. Topics of the e-mail exchanges include substantive legal topics in their curriculum, college/law school prep, job interviewing, and the practice of law. For more information or to volunteer, email YLS Project Coordinator Erin Pritchard or Richard Lee.

Donate Gift Cards to Aid Battered Women
The CBA Alliance for Women is hosting a gift card collection drive to benefit the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women's Network Winter Stock-Up Drive. Members are asked to donate gift cards of any denomination which will be distributed to local domestic violence shelters. Help individuals leaving violent homes stock up on clothing, bedding and other needed personal items. Gift cards can be mailed through January 31, 2009, to either Melissa Dickey, Jenner & Block, 330 N. Wabash Ave Chicago, IL 60611 or dropped off at the CBA Building (or mailed), care of Toria Emas, 321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604. For information on the Battered Women's Network visit www.batteredwomensnetwork.org.

Alliance for Women Award Nominations
The CBA Alliance for Women is soliciting nominations for its Founder’s Award and Alta May Hulett Award. The Founder’s Award, established in 1994, honors outstanding women lawyers who have significantly contributed to the advancement of women in the legal profession or other areas, and whose careers exemplify the highest level of professional achievement, ethics, and excellence. Recipients are lawyers who: (1) Reflect the highest standards of professional ethics and excellence; (2) Utilize vision, leadership, and the support of others to contribute to the advancement of women in the legal profession or other areas; and (3) Promote communication, collegiality, and support for positive change among women within the legal profession. The criteria for a second annual award, the Alta May Hulett Award, are the same as for the Founder’s Award, but nominees for the Alta May Hulett Award must have been qualified to practice law for fifteen years or fewer. To nominate a woman for the Founder’s Award or the Alta May Hulett Award, please send a letter of nomination and any supporting materials to the Alliance Awards Committee, c/o Jean K. Janes, Kaplan Higher Education Corp., 311 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3300, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (jjanes@kaplan.edu) by January 31, 2009. The 2008-2009 winner will be announced in early March and honored at a luncheon in May 2009.

CBA Membership Visa Credit Card - Earn 1% Cash Back and 12,500 Bonus Points with Your First Purchase!
The CBA Membership Visa Credit Card is the only credit card that also doubles as your membership card! Plus, the Card allows you to earn triple reward points on CBA purchases, including your membership dues, special events, lunch charges, seminars and more. And, you'll earn free special bonus points for attendance at specific CBA activities, including committee meetings and seminars. You can also elect to auto bill your membership dues on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. To sign up for the card or learn more, visit www.chicagobar.org/visa.