More than 170 general counsel and corporate legal officers demand big law firms commit to diversity or they’ll take their business elsewhere. The open letter comes on the heels of dismal law firm diversity numbers from the National Association for Law…
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As the legal community celebrates Black History Month, the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) reports mixed lawyer diversity numbers. Law firms have historically struggled with lawyer diversity. However, the industry appears to be prioritizing a diverse workforce. Seventy-five percent…
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When Steven Elrod assumed the role of president of the Chicago Bar Association (CBA) in June 2018, he set his agenda to focus on the three C’s: civics, collegiality and civility. Since then, he has instilled civility throughout the CBA’s…
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The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) has released new Principles for a Fair and Ethical Recruitment Process (Recruitment Principles). The NALP Board of Directors voted to make significant changes in its law school recruitment standards to meet the diverse…
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Want a say in the future of the Illinois judicial branch? The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) requests feedback from the Illinois legal and judicial communities on priorities for the Illinois Judicial Conference (IJC). The input will be…
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Judges in the Northern District of Illinois have amended the mandatory disclosure requirements for its Mandatory Initial Discovery Pilot (MIDP) program. The three-year Federal Judicial Center (FJC)-sponsored pilot requires exchanges of discovery in participating courts before the commencement of discovery…
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At this celebratory time of year, it’s important to reflect on our future, both personally and professionally. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure of family and client needs; not to mention staying on top of the continuously evolving…
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Last month, the American Bar Association issued Formal Opinion 483 addressing a lawyer’s obligation after an electronic data breach or a cyberattack. Under the opinion, a data breach “involves the misappropriation, destruction or compromise of client confidential information, or a…
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Last month, lawyers across America participated in a national celebration of pro bono service. The annual event is an opportunity to reflect on the legal profession’s responsibility to provide access to justice for all. The Preamble of the Illinois Rules…
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Utah is making new moves to improve access to justice. After announcing plans to license paralegals to practice law in limited circumstances, Utah is the first state to launch an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) pilot program, moving small-claims cases from…
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Earlier this month, The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) and the legal tech platform Paladin announced the launch of a new online Illinois Pro Bono Opportunity Guide. The guide is a response to our growing digital society, where the next generation…
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Each October, Pro Bono Week shines a light on lawyers who are volunteering their time to ensure access to justice for all. The difficult economy and rise in self-represented litigants have resulted in an increased need for pro bono services….
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