The Docket - January 2022

THE

DOCKET The Official Publication of the Lake County Bar Association • Vol. 29 • No. 1 • January 2022

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Contents THE DOCKET • Vol. 29 • No. 1 • January 2022

FEATURES 8 Primer on Former Spouse Medical Benefits

BY MARK E. SULLIVAN

12 10 Things I Hate About You-Zoom

BY CARYN BARONE

A publication of the

16 To Kill a Mockingbird….

24 The Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021

BY DANIEL HODGKINSON, SECRETARY

24 In the Director’s Chair Executive Director’s View

BY GREG WEIDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A REVIEW BY MARY BETH O’BRIEN

18 Gridiron 2022: A Preview

A REVIEW BY MARY BETH O’BRIEN 300 Grand Avenue, Suite A Waukegan, Illinois 60085 (847) 244-3143 • Fax: (847) 244-8259 www.lakebar.org • info@lakebar.org THE DOCKET EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Jeffrey A. Berman,Co-Editor Hon. Charles D. Johnson,Co-Editor Jennifer C. Beeler Hon. Michael J. Fusz Hon. Daniel L. Jasica Kevin K. McCormick Hon. Raymond J. McKoski Tracy Poulakidas Stephen J. Rice Neal A. Simon Hon. ­­­James K. Simonian Rebecca J. Whitcombe Alex Zagor STAFF Greg Weider Executive Director Jose Gonzalez Assistant Executive Director Nancy Rodriguez Receptionist

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COLUMNS 2 President’s Page New Opportunities in a New Year

BY JOSEPH FUSZ, PRESIDENT

4 The Chief Judge’s Page New Venue, New Opportunities

LCBA EVENTS IFC Office Rental Pricing 3 New LCBA Members 26 Calendar of Events 28 Monthly Committee Meetings BC Member Reception Sponsorship Opportunities

BY CHIEF JUDGE MARK L. LEVITT

6 Bar Foundation Thank You for a Bright 2021!

BY DOUGLAS DORANDO, PRESIDENT

22 Foundation & Committee Minutes

Advertising Rates To place an ad or for information on advertising rates, call (847) 244-3143. Submission deadline: first day of month preceding the month of publication. All submissions must be made in electronic format (high resolution PDF or JPG format at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch or more.) See www.lakebar.org/page/Docket_Advertising The Docket is the official publication of the Lake County Bar Association, 300 Grand Avenue, Suite A, Waukegan, Illinois 60085 (847) 2443143, and is published monthly. Subscriptions for non-members are $45.00 per year.

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New Opportunities in a New Year “Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress.”

The

President’s Page

– Charles Kettering

W

hile the concept of “new year’s resolutions” rises and falls around the beginning of the year, legendary American inventor Charles

Joseph Fusz President Tara Devine First Vice President Katharine Hatch Second Vice President Kevin Berrill Treasurer Daniel Hodgkinson Secretary Hon. Patricia Cornell Immediate Past President Dwayne Douglas Hon. Jacquelyn Melius Craig Mandell Sarah Raisch Jeffrey O’Kelley Jeremy Harter

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Kettering’s famous mantra has always held strong.

Each day, each week, each month, each year, we are presented with an opportunity to do something different and forge a different path forward. This is a perspective that I am extremely mindful of as we enter January 2022.

January is a time for reflection for many people, especially after enjoying the festivities of the major holiday season in the United States. I can admit that I am someone who often ruminates over past life experiences and memories, and the beginning of the year is no exception. But I reflect on time with my family and friends, reminisce about loved ones who are no longer with us, and ponder my plans for the future, I also am drawn back to the happy memories I have made with the legal

community here in Lake County, historically and recently. The LCBA Holiday Party that took place on December 3, 2021, was certainly no exception.

I did not know what to expect of the 2021 LCBA Holiday Party, or who would be there. But it was an extremely joyous gathering of our legal colleagues, full of happy reunions and energetic introductions. Moreover, there were three new specific opportunities it gave me: to have a conversation with an attorney I haven’t spoken with at length before, to learn something new about a familiar colleague, and to greet a new member of the bar association.

Many people in the LCBA know attorney Terry Mueller from his participation in the Civil Trial & Appeals Committee. While we have certainly had the

BY JOSEPH FUSZ PRESIDENT

opportunity to greet each other from time to time at events, the LCBA Holiday Party was the first time that we were able to have a longer conversation. Since we no longer practice in the same areas of the law, it is unlikely that we would see each other in a courtroom (Zoom or otherwise) anytime soon. But it was an absolute pleasure to get to know Terry better, and our conversation was the kind of experience that may only come from participation in the Lake County Bar Association.

Additionally, I had a chance to catch up with attorney Joel Skinner as well.

While we have known each other for years and worked on various bar association seminar programs, I unexpectedly learned something new about him this December. With his booming voice and festive

blue “Oy To The World” sweater, Joel was easily recognizable from across the room. But during our conversation, when he was describing one of the more pressing federal civil cases he was handling, Joel happened to mention that he had been in-house counsel at a major health insurance provider for the majority of his legal career.

I was extremely surprised, and as he explained his extensive litigation and advisory experience with that entity, I remarked that he should be sharing this with everyone through a Docket article. Again, I wouldn’t know Joel—or all his prior legal experience—without our mutual association in the LCBA. Finally, I had the opportunity to meet a new LCBA member, attorney Val Munchez-van der Wagt, at the holiday party.

Val was formerly the Chief Underwriter and Chief Underwriter-Risk Management for Allstate Life Insurance, went to DePaul College of Law later in life and then opened her own firm in Libertyville.

I highly doubt that our professional paths would have crossed without the LCBA. It was wonderful to get to meet her, let her know about the various committees and volunteer opportunities we have, and see her networking with Kathleen Georgevich, who Co-Chairs the Trust & Estates Committee with Katherine Shores. I’m extremely hopeful that she, and all our new members, continue to actively participate in events and get more involved.

Anyone who has been

active in the Lake County Bar Association would have hundreds of stories like this from their years of participation; these experiences go directly to the heart of our mission.

There are networking opportunities aplenty at our programming, both for legal professionals and non-attorneys alike, through which our members can interact with people they would otherwise never meet. There are numerous moments of levity that are always remembered; who hasn’t heard Scott Gibson explain that the sgian-dubh and sporran he wears with his kilt to formal events are not his knife and fanny-pack? There are quiet acts of generosity that stay in our hearts; I will never forget when Col. BJ Carroll surprised me at a function with a thoughtful card and unexpected gift for my infant daughter. There are new opportunities to collaborate, and times to celebrate, memorialize, or commiserate. Educational or social, formal or casual, joyous or sorrowful, our association gives us the opportunity to be part of a great community of lawyers, judges and professionals, and the experiences and relationships we gain from it have a tremendous value.

As we enter 2022, we are offered a new opportunity at the bar association, “a new place for new ideas and progress.” We will be announcing our spring programming very soon, and are always looking for new ideas or ways to improve upon past success.

Our committees continue

to be active with regular meetings, and are the best place to suggest new topics to cover and new speakers to introduce. The Docket, our monthly legal publication, is always looking for articles, and our members have a plethora of legal knowledge and experiences to impart. There will also be a host of new volunteer opportunities, including the Gridiron show, 19th Judicial Circuit helpdesks, educational seminars, and community events.

The Lake County Bar Association is at its best when we have the enthusiasm, energy and participation of our members.

In 2022, resolve to do something new. Attend an event you have never gone to. Volunteer to speak at a seminar, play a role in the Gridiron or write a Docket article. Reach out and introduce yourself to a new member, or take the time to reconnect with a past colleague and learn something new. Fill out a “New Program Packet” and propose a new event, committee or concept for the bar association to consider.

Though we may still be dealing with the pandemic, there is no reason we cannot seize the opportunity

to grow as individuals and as an association, and forge a path of progress for the year to come.

As the holiday decorations are stored away for another year and the bitter winds and dreary weather settle in, January can be viewed as a dark, cold month in the middle of winter. But one can always choose to view January as an open invitation to try something new, to reconnect with the past, to take a chance and go in a different direction. The Lake County Bar Association offers our legal community the opportunity to do all of these things, and I invite you to take the time and effort to choose to do so this year.

As always, thank you for everything that you do for the LCBA, and I thank you for the opportunity to serve you as President.

Welcome

New LCBA Members

ATTORNEY Joseph P. Steinfels Lake County Public Defender’s Office

January 2022

3

New Venue, New Opportunities

H

appy New Year! To those of you hoping to find Judge Winter’s monthly thoughts on this page, I can assure you that I tried to convince her to continue her monthly report. But hearing her laugh as she muttered, “it’s all yours, Mark,” means that you are stuck with me!

All kidding aside, it is truly an honor to serve in my new role. It will, however, be an adjustment.

Many of you know that over the course of my career, I have never spent more than vacation time away from a courtroom. Being a “court rat” is both a blessing and a curse. For those of us who spend most of our time in court, there is nothing that quite captures the excitement and uncertainty of the daily courtroom drama.

In fact, during my 20-year tenure as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender, I would often bring work folders to courtroom galleries where I would prepare my cases while observing others’ trials. It seemed that

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I would do anything to avoid spending too much time at my desk. Office life may be an adjustment for me but with new venues, come new opportunities!

Looking back on all the “adjusting” we’ve done together over the last two years, it’s clear we can adapt to and overcome anything.

While our circuit may continue to face challenges, I am excited about the possibilities for all of us. Over the coming months I plan to begin working on several agenda items that will affect how our circuit functions internally and identify ways in which we can continue to expand our ongoing efforts to increase access to justice.

To that end, I will be forming a committee with the goal of establishing and implementing a new strategic plan for the circuit. Strategic planning will necessarily involve a thoughtful and critical evaluation of our courts and our processes with an eye toward enhancing our position as guard-

The

Chief Judge’s Page ians of public access to justice. In order to facilitate the creation and adoption of a long-range strategic plan we will examine every facet of our operations. In addition, we will be exploring new opportunities to extend court services to self-represented litigants.

I am very proud of our circuit’s accomplishments.

Courtrooms in every division continue to operate in person, on Zoom, and through hybrid proceedings. Each division continues to not only function but thrive utilizing our evolving courtroom processes.

Lake County has been a leader in developing and implementing procedures for everything from juror education to courtroom operations. We occasionally experience setbacks, such as a recent outbreak of the virus within our jail. But I can confidently state that we will continue to adapt to

BY CHIEF JUDGE MARK L. LEVITT and overcome any challenges ahead.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish my colleague and predecessor, Judge Diane Winter, all the best as she begins the next chapter of her life.

Judge Winter has served the 19th Judicial Circuit with distinction for over 20 years. In that time, Judge Winter either sat in or presided over almost every type of courtroom in the circuit.

She has distinguished herself as an outstanding judge and administrator, and her daily presence will be sorely missed. To say that she managed our circuit through some of the most difficult times in recent memory is to vastly understate her role in deftly guiding us through a pandemic. Selfishly, I will miss her calm mentorship as I embark on the exciting journey ahead. Good luck to you Judge Winter!

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January 2022

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Thank You for a Bright 2021!

T

hanks to you, the Lake County Bar Foundation’s virtual fundraiser “Breakneck Comedy of Errors” & “Shakespeare by Request” was a smashing success.

As I wrote about in my last article, this fundraisBOARD OF TRUSTEES Douglas Dorando President Carey Schiever Vice President Perry Smith, Jr. Treasurer Joan Fratianni Secretary Nicholas Riewer Past President Jennifer L. Ashley Jeffrey A. Berman Nandia P. Black Kristie Fingerhut Hon. Fred Foreman (Ret.) Scott B. Gibson David J. Gordon Keith C. Grant Fredric B. Lesser Amy L. Lonergan Steven P. McCollum Joseph McHugh Hon. Michael Nerheim Michael Ori Shyama Parikh John Quinn, Sr. Eric Rinehart Melanie Rummel David Stepanich Hon. Henry C. Tonigan (Ret.)

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er was an important step for the Foundation trying to return to some sense of new-normalcy during this pandemic era, raising the funds to continue our philanthropic support of various programs.

My purpose in this article, by contrast, is to thank those of you who have supported the Foundation’s mission through the last year, culminating in this event.

First, I’d like to recognize and express our gratitude to our sponsors, many of whom have been long-standing supporters of the Foundation and its work: • Salvi Schostok & Pritchard; • The Gordon Financial Group at Morgan Stanley; • Lesser Lutrey Pasquesi & Howe LLP; • Churchill, Quinn, Richtman & Hamilton, Ltd.; • FW Family Law Group, LLC; • Strategic Divorce; • Kelleher + Holland, LLC;

also like to express our proBY DOUGLAS DORANDO PRESIDENT • Melanie & Michael Rummel; and • Kenneth Glick.

Thank you also to our performer for the evening, Tim Mooney. Mr. Mooney clearly had fun engaging with our virtual audience, and, in spite of some technical mishaps, took a complicated story and made it approachable in the retelling. If you missed the event, I’d encourage you to check out his YouTube channel, or attend another of his events. We’d

found appreciation to Mr. Mooney for donating back part of his fees to support our organization.

Finally, thank you to each of the members who have supported the Foundation this year, either through direct contributions, attendance at this fundraising event, or simply doing your dues check-off.

I wish you all a very happy holiday season, and best wishes for a happy (and hopefully less virtual) 2022!

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January 2022

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Primer on Former Spouse Medical Benefits

T

BY MARK E. SULLIVAN

he most common question asked by a non-military spouse in a military divorce case is “What Are My Benefits?” While this may sometimes refer to a share of the military pension, allocation of the Survivor Benefit Plan or division of accrued leave, the usual meaning is “What health care benefits can I receive?” A summary of the answers is found below.

INTRODUCTION Code of Federal Regulations is an excellent source for inThe most common question asked by a non-military formation. You’ll find “Benefits for former spouses” at 32 spouse in a military divorce case is “What Are My BenCFR § 161.19, and the tables there show what spouses and efits?” While this may sometimes refer to a share of the former spouses may obtain, depending on the number of military pension, allocation of the Survivor Benefit Plan marital years, the years of military service and the overlap or division of accrued leave, the usual meaning is “What between the two. Here is an example: health care benefits can I receive?”

Table 24, Subpart C of 32 C.F.R. Part 161 A summary of the answers is found Mr. Sullivan - Benefits for 20/20/20 Former Spousbelow. is a retired es of Active Duty, Regular Retired, and First of all, review the facts with Army Reserve Non-Regular Retired Members at Age 60 the client. Does “Jane Doe” need JAG colonel.

He practices medical benefits? Perhaps she already Benefit family law in CHC DC C MWR E has an excellent health care insurance Category Raleigh, North policy. If not, then go over the miliCarolina, and Former tary and marital dates with her—when Spouse: is the author of were the parties married, when did THE MILITARY Unremarried 1,2 1 Yes Yes Yes DIVORCE HANDBOOK (Am. Bar “John Doe” enter military service, and Assn., 3rd Ed. 2019) and many inRemarried No No No No No what number of years represents the ternet resources on military family overlap between the two? law issues.

Unmarried No No Yes Yes Yes Next, check your resources. The

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NOTES: 1. Yes, if the former spouse certifies in writing that the former spouse has no medical coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan.

2. Yes, if: a. Not entitled to Medicare Part A hospital insurance through the SSA. b. Entitled to Medicare Part A hospital insurance and enrolled in Medicare Part B medical insurance with the exception of those individuals who qualify in accordance with section 706 of Pub. Law 111-84.

least 20 creditable years of service for retirement, and 5. At least 20 years of the marriage was concurrent with at least 20 of the years of the creditable service used to determine the military spouse’s retirement.

There is also a 20/20/15 rule for unremarried former spouses who otherwise satisfy all of the criteria as the 20/20/20 former spouse except that they have at least 15 years of concurrent time of the marriage with the military sponsor’s 20 years of creditable service that occurred during a 20-year marriage. 10 USC 1072(2)(G), (H). However, for the 20/20/15 rule, unremarried former spouses will have only one year of TRICARE eligibility after the divorce.

In applying the 20/20/20 and 20/20/15 tests, the rules become complex as to what periods of the military spouse’s service were “creditable” for retirement. These rules vary depending on the branch of the uniformed services in which the SM serves and whether the member is active duty or is an RC (Reserve Component - i.e., Guard or Reserve) member. There is a Former Spouse Determination Program through which Jane can formally request the SM’s branch of service to advise her of the number of years and months their marriage was concurrent with the creditable time used to determine the military spouse’s retirement. The contact information for the individual offices of the uniformed services can be found in the following table.

The most common question asked by a non-military spouse in a military divorce case is “What Are My Benefits?”

Here are the meanings for the benefit abbreviations shown above: CHC - civilian health care; DC - direct care at MTFs (military treatment facilities); C - commissary privileges; MWR - morale, welfare and recreation; E - exchange privileges. Unremarried means a former spouse who has never remarried since the divorce from the servicemember/retiree. Unmarried means one who has remarried, and that marriage ended through death or divorce.

TRICARE AND FORMER MILITARY SPOUSES While Jane Doe is married to John, an active-duty servicemember (SM) or retiree, she is eligible for TRICARE, the military equivalent of medical insurance, which is used for civilian health care. Military treatment facilities (MTFs) are more limited, however.

In February 2020 the Defense Department issued a list of such facilities which will be used only for active-duty personnel, as part of a shift in focus to supporting active-duty readiness. This will have an impact on military retirees and the families of active-duty personnel.

Jane will need to check with the nearest MTF to find out if she can be seen there.

Most of the time, Jane will lose access to MTFs and to TRICARE effective one minute after midnight on the day following the entry of a final decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment. However, if she meets certain criteria as a “20/20/20 spouse,” she can retain full eligibility for TRICARE, pursuant to 10 USC 1072(2)(f ).

These criteria are the following: 1. She must not have remarried, 2. She must not be covered under an employer-provided health insurance program, 3. She must have been married to her former husband, John Doe, for at least 20 years, 4. The member or retiree, John Doe, must have at

Air Force Randolph Personnel Center Total Force Service Centers—San Antonio & Denver 800-525-0102 DSN 665-0102 afpc.pa.task@us.af.mil

Army Human Resource Center of Excellence Fort Knox 1-888-276-9472 usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-askhrc@mail.mil

Army National Guard Field Systems Operations Arlington 800-810-9183 Fax: 703-607-8448

Navy Navy Personnel Command Millington 901-874-3362 Fax: 901-874-2766

Marine Corps HQ U.S. Marine Corps Quantico Manpower & Reserve Affairs 703-784-9529

Coast Guard Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center Topeka Retiree & Annuitant Services 785-339-3441

Public Health Service Division of Commissioned Corp Officer Support Rockville, Md. 240-453-6131 phsdeers@hhs.gov

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Personnel Center Silver Springs 301-713-0850

January 2022

9

The rules on issuing military identification cards for military dependents and former spouses are in a joint service regulation. The Air Force serves as the agency with primary responsibility for its development and publication. See AFI 36-3026_IP. CONTINUED HEALTH CARE BENEFIT PROGRAM (CHCBP) If the servicemember’s spouse for some reason loses eligibility to medical care (such as the entry of a judgment of divorce), the spouse may purchase a conversion health policy under the DoD’s Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP). 10 USC 1086(a). The CHCBP is not part of TRICARE; it is a health insurance plan negotiated between the secretary of defense and a private insurer. The spouse must apply for coverage within 60 days of losing TRICARE eligibility. The DoD sets the premiums for the CHCBP, and they must be paid promptly, either through a credit card on file with the agency or in quarterly advance payments. It is essential that the CHCBP premiums be paid on time and coverage not lapse because reenrollment will not be permitted.

On purchase of the CHCBP policy, the former spouse is entitled, on request, to medical care until the date that is 36 months after (1) the date on which

the final decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment occurs or (2) the date the 1-year extension of dependency under 10 USC 1072(2)(H) (for 20/20/15 spouses with divorce decrees on or after April 1, 1985) expires, whichever is later. 10 USC 1078a(g)(1)(C).

For further information regarding CHCBP coverage and benefits, one can use a search engine to look for “CHCBP,” contact a military medical treatment facility health benefits advisor, or contact the CHCBP Administrator, P.O. Box 740072, Louisville, KY 40201-7472 (800-444-5445). As of this writing, the URL for CHCBP is https://www.humanamilitary.com/beneficiary/benefit-guidance/special-programs/chcbp/.

Certain unremarried former spouses who cannot satisfy the 20/20/20 or 20/20/15 rules may nevertheless be eligible for indefinite medical coverage through the CHCBP (under 10 USC 1078a and 32 CFR 199.20). The criteria the DoD uses at this time is that the former spouse must • not have remarried before age 55, • not be covered under a TRICARE program (20/20/20 and 20/20/15 former spouses), and • receive a portion of military retired pay or receive a survivor annuity (i.e., the SBP) (Note: It is strongly recommended that both of these be involved, not just “either/or”), or • have a court order for military pension division or a written agreement (whether voluntary or pursuant to a court order) providing for an election by John Doe, the member/retiree, to provide SBP coverage for her.

The current DoD contractor for the CHCBP is Humana Military Healthcare Services. The cost as of 2020 for former spouse coverage is about $520 per month, and it increases every year or two. Note that the rules and premiums may change. Be sure to verify information with the contract administrator.

“LEGAL SEPARATION” AND MILITARY MEDICAL BENEFITS Sometimes a spouse will want to know about medical benefits after a decree of legal separation is entered by the court, or the parties have executed a separation agreement. The question is usually, “Does a legal separation defeat my entitlement to military medical care?”

The answer lies in the statute. A “spouse” is defined at 10 U.S.C. §1072(2)A) as being a dependent of a member or former member of the uniformed services.

If the court’s order does not terminate the marital relationship, making the inquiring party an ex-spouse, then the usual military medical benefits are still available to him or her, including the dependent’s military ID card.

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10 Things I Hate About You-Zoom

BY CARYN BARONE 10. YOU’RE ON MUTE: If I never hear those three words again for the rest of my life I will die happy. We are 18 months into this nightmare and I’m sorry to break it to you all but there are many technology flaws with using Zoom.

People cannot connect to the audio. People are constantly on mute. Computers freeze. Internet connections go down. Can you imagine if I was up at the bench giving an argument on a case and I just froze like a statue in the middle of it? These all-day, every-day issues are not a thing when we are in person.

9. NO ABILITY TO MENTOR: If you’ve been paying attention there have been some slight changes in the State’s Attorney’s and Public Defender’s offices, with tons of young, fresh attorneys. There is also a fair share of people who have changed practice areas during the pandemic. As a young ASA, I learned an incredible amount of information being in the courtroom with more experienced defense attorneys and local prosecutors, by them either pulling me aside and giving me advice or by watching their interactions in court. When I joined the Family Bar, I was afforded the same guidance

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and advice in the courtroom; people directing me the wall of forms that were foreign to me and which one I needed to use. There is no way to establish these relationships now over Zoom. I want to be someone who young ASAs or PDs think they can come to for advice, or who can help sua sponte by giving advice.

But Zoom-chatting a person I’ve never met in real life with “Hey, you’re embarrassing yourself when you give the time and weather during your factual basis,” I don’t come off as a mentor, I come off as a jerk.

8. LAZINESS: I start off just about every morning yelling at my two perfect angel children to “Put on your pants, put on your shoes and Caryn get your butts in the car.” I note Barone is this because some of my colleges a partner that “love” Zoom literally give at Soffietti, these things as reasons why. “I Johnson, don’t want to put my pants on.”

Teegen, Argueta, “I haven’t worn shoes in months.”

Bawcum “I don’t want to get in the car and & Barone, drive to work.” Seriously? Have we where she become that lazy of a profession practices that we don’t want to do the basic family and criminal law and is the prosecutor grown-up things like showering, for the Village of Fox Lake. Caryn putting on our work clothes, and moonlights as a Gridiron writer. commuting into the office? I’m

not accepting these reasons for this to be my “new norm.” So put your damn pants and shoes on and get yours butts in the car!

7. OUT OF COUNTY ATTORNEYS: Seriously, who are these people and where are they coming from? For starters, as the pandemic rages and people are out of work, the Lake County Bar of private attorneys aren’t exactly killing it out there. Zoom is giving the opportunity for every Tom, Dick (yes, I chose that on purpose) and Harry from Cook, Kane, DeKalb and Cairo to just Zoom into Lake.

Not only are they taking money out of the pockets of local Lake County attorneys, they don’t know the rules of our sandbox and they don’t play nice in it!

nothing. While there might be some of that going on, what we were really doing was working out our cases. The shuffle of meeting with your client in a room, then the opposing counsel in the hallway, then both lawyers and clients in another room . . . back and forth for an hour . . . was getting cases done. We were walking out with agreed orders that were signed by our clients so they couldn’t later say “I don’t understand.” We were taking the time to communicate with each other because the other lawyer was right there. Now there are unanswered emails and games of phone tag and running from one Zoom to the next and the endless, “let’s get another date,” then more texts and chats where we come back a month later to do it all over again.

I get harassing chats and texts like I’m over here having a dance party or making myself a martini instead of calling their cases.

6. ZOOM COURAGE: We’ve all read the social media comments that the crazy people who live in their moms’ basements make on newspaper articles, hiding behind their computer screens. I’m starting to wonder if some of my colleagues are zooming in from their mom’s basements and hiding behind their computer screens to say things in open court or type things on a chat that they would never dare say to each other in person.

On a Thursday DUI call while I am prosecuting, every lawyer signs in right at 8:50, when there are hundreds of cases up. They all feverishly type that they’re ready at the exact same time and then they can’t understand why they aren’t getting called. I get harassing chats and texts like I’m over here having a dance party or making myself a martini instead of calling their cases.

5. NOTHING IS BEING RESOLVED: Cases are being continued for all of eternity. The reason for this is because the magic of negotiating happens in the courtrooms and in the hallways. On criminal cases, you’ve got your client there, you’re going back and forth with the State and you can say those magic words, “I’ll get my client to plea today if you toss the public service hours.” It’s not that easy to get a hold of the prosecutor to work out a case, get your client in to sign the paperwork, have the State say you filled something out wrong, bring your client back in to re-sign the paperwork, and send it all in before court. In family law cases, I know it seems to outsiders like we were always just hanging out in the hallways and by the coffee area gabbing and doing

4. NO PERRY MASON MOMENTS: There is nothing like having a witness on the stand in an Order of Protection case and getting up there to show them the text message they sent saying, “I’m not afraid of you, you little *bleep* come fight me I dare you,” after they have just testified how scared and afraid they are of the other party. You get to watch the look on their face as they read the text and make facial expressions and stumble to find the right words to defend themselves. Now let’s do that on Zoom: “your honor, I’m going to try to screen share Defense Exhibit 3.” I proceed to fumble around trying to figure out how the hell to actually screen share. I show everyone my open emails and cart full at oldnavy.com and then, once I get it to work, the judge is focused on the big screen and can’t even see the witness react to the text. There are no ah-hah moments because you can’t really confront a witness on Zoom.

3. LAWYERS OVERBOOKING: With the flexibility of Zoom, lawyers literally think they can be everywhere at once—Woodstock, Mundelein, Round Lake Beach, 405, 120, 511, etc., scheduled all at 9 AM. I get it, it’s good for business. What it is not really good for is the practice of law, because everyone is rushed and overbooked and looking to get in and out and on to the next Zoom, which is leading to a lot of the other Zoom issues stated above, such as getting endless dates and being unkind to your colleagues.

January 2022

13

2. ZERO COURTROOM DECORUM: This paragraph could be its own individual article.

I’ve seen people in the bathroom, people on the job painting houses, people cooking dinner over the stove, people in the grocery store shopping, people getting dressed! And for the love of God, people who are charged with DWLR: stop zooming in while driving. Lawyers, stop zooming in while driving! Get your sunglasses off your head, your gum out of your mouth, your shirt buttoned and the cigarette out of

Helping people obtain the benefits that are rightfully theirs.

Do you have a client who cannot work and is struggling to obtain Social Security Disability benefits?

Has your client already been turned down?

your mouth! People are obviously drunk or high and while we used to be able to do something about that before, now we can’t. Are you the lawyer in a tank top and shorts? Stop it! Any and all respect for the courtroom and the judge has completely gone out the window. I’d love to only blame it on the litigants, but unfortunately lawyers are to blame, too.

1. I LIKE REAL LIFE HUMAN INTERACTION!!!: After you’ve read my other nine reasons, it might be hard to tell, but I really, really, really like being around 90% of you in real life. I want to know about your dog, your tennis match, your kid’s Halloween costume, whatever great things are going on in your life. I want to be there for you to lean on regarding what a terrible day you’re having, or the fight you had last night with your teenager. I sit in my office all day and I stare at a computer screen, which I know can’t be good for my health, and I see few-to-no people.

I’m depressed. I’m sad. I love court. I’ve been working in the Lake County Courthouse since I was 18 years old. The Lake County Bar is my second family. I didn’t sign up for a desk job, and if I was going to pick one, this wouldn’t have been it. I MISS AND LOVE YOU GUYS!

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The Docket

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January 2022

15

To Kill a Mockingbird….

Impeccable writing, casting and acting of a classic novel

T

A REVIEW BY MARY BETH O’BRIEN

O KILL A MOCKINGBIRD playing at The Sam S. Shubert Theatre on Broadway is a modern twist on an old classic injected with razor sharp writing and wit from Aaron Sorkin. Directed by Bartlett Sher, the piece competes with many modern day events in a tactful and thoughtful manner. It does not disappoint in any arena.

The scenic design by Miriam Buether is seamless for thoughtful reminder of what we all must do in the face of transitions and the addition of the musicians was a great ugly discriminatory behavior and mob mentality. It made choice to help set the scene. In particular, transforming you stand a bit taller and think a little harder when exitthe stage from the home of Atticus to the courtroom is ing the theatre about how you treat your fellow humans not an easy feat but the beautiful live oak tree arching every single day, stranger or friend. over the home signifies the flavor of From a legal perspective, it was those scenes. The lighting design by odd to see the alleged wronged, Mary Beth Jennifer Tipton also deserves menMayella Ewell and her father Bob O’Brien is a tion as it truly set the mood in every Ewell, seated at the prosecutorial co-founder scene. table. It’s unknown if that was hisand director of Cricket Choosing to have the child torically or regionally, accurate since Theatre characters narrate the scenes while it was not staged in that manner in Company in breaking the fourth wall through the film. Watching the prosecutor Lake Zurich, the perspective of young eyes was a call Tom Robinson “boy” despite adIllinois. She stroke of genius by Sorkin. The entire monishments from the judge made has been a litigator in novel is told from the perspective of one flinch. Was the condescending, Cook and Scout, but including Dill and Jem discriminatory behavior such that a the collar counties, including Lake allowed the audience to clarify their judge’s ruling would be ignored? The County, since 1984. She is also a distinct personalities and ages. Using device of leaving the jury box with Village Trustee in Lake Zurich, the mantra “ALL RISE” throughout empty seats was something that also Illinois, in her second term. the opening to many scenes was a provoked introspection and thought.

16

The Docket

Was it that a jury at that time was all white male, and therefore somewhat faceless? Or are we supposed to stand in those shoes?

Either way, the gesture made one think harder instead of sitting back to be entertained, which is what the best theatre should do.

Initially the thought of using adult actors to play the children in the story was not something I embraced. But, after seeing the performances of Celia Keenan-Bolger (Scout), Hunter Parrish (Jem) and Noah Robbins (Dill) I was convinced that they were up to the task. Of course, Jeff Daniels was a tour de force as Atticus Finch, which he has recognized in media interviews is a great responsibility

given the cherished novel and movie. The surprise was the writing and delivery, with some wry humor, of Atticus. He handled that with grace, while treating the serious tone of the piece with reverence.

Whether you await a possible tour or attend the show on Broadway, this show is worthy of your time. It truly takes one back to an era of history, mid-Depression, that cannot be erased or ignored but, instead, must be looked on as a lesson for us all.

Tickets for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD are available online and in advance. Jeff Daniels will play Atticus Finch until Jan. 22, when Greg Kinnear is slated to take over the role.

Initially the thought of using adult actors to play the children in the story was not something I embraced.

January 2022

17

Gridiron 2022: A Preview

I

n an undisclosed Zoom breakout room, the Docket Editors sat down with 2022 Gridiron Directors Crella Night and Straig Lednam to explore what the March 2022 Gridiron production might entail. The following has been edited for clarity and to ensure appropriate sensitivity. Also, due to the Directors being in the CIA’s Director Protection Program, their names have been changed to mask their true identities.

Eds: Thank you for meeting with us here today.

Straig: nnnn ynn you nnnn of nnnnnes. I can’t believe we agreed to sit with you numbnnnn for this Gnn dnnn interview. nnnn!

Crella: Straig has decreed that there will be no swearing in the upcoming Gridiron, so he’s trying to get it all out of his system in advance.

Eds: That’s refreshing to hear, but we understood that past Gridiron scripts also contained almost no curse words. How will you control the actors this year?

Straig: They will be wearing shock collars.

Crella: Also, the scripts are being proofread by a team of Kindergartners.

Straig: These are the same pre-schoolers who have been tasked with creating the new judicial subcircuits

18

The Docket

in Lake County, so we are confident that the show will conform to all applicable laws and sensibilities.

Eds: Let’s back up a bit. For those who might not be familiar with the show, what are the essential things they should know about the Gridiron?

Crella: The Gridiron is one of the LCBA’s grandest traditions—an evening of sketches and songs that are written, produced, and performed by members of the Bar and Judiciary.

Straig: Also we should note there is no truth to the rumor that the 2020 Gridiron, which took place in late February, was where SARS-CoV-2 began.

Crella: Although for 2022 we will be omitting the traditional pre-show live animal seafood market.

Eds: Why should people plan to attend?

Straig: Listen, if you feel that strongly about it we’ll bring back the damn live market already!

Eds: Actually we were referring to the show more generally, although we would appreciate a selection of hog badgers and Chinese bamboo rats.

Crella: It’s important for our legal community to gather and laugh at itself, preferably while high on nnnn or nnnnnn, although frankly I’d probably have to prosecute you for either of those. Really the fun is all in the edginess and the totally unfair lampooning of the profession and our local colleagues.

Eds: Really?—so every other year you create a show, market it to the legal community, sell them tickets, and expect them to show up to be made cruel fun of?

Straig: That’s it in a nutshell. We used to entice them with a full dinner but then realized that they didn’t really deserve it—and now more people come to the show than ever before!

Crella: This year will be different though. We’ve turned a page and promise not to lampoon any judges, local lawyers, any of Lake County’s premier law firms, or any politicians.

Eds: Wow, what’s left for the show?

Straig: She’s just referring to what will appear on stage. Meantime we will be transporting the crowd into the Metaverse, where we will be totally lampooning all of those people with reckless abandon. This answer was sponsored by Facebook.

Eds: Can you tell us how the Netflix / Dave Chappelle scandal has shaped your thinking on comedy in 2022?

Crella: What’s Netflix?

Straig: Who’s Dave Chappelle?

Crella: Is he the guy running for Lake County’s 43rd subcircuit?

Eds: Okay, let’s make this more direct: we all remember there was a kerfuffle over the last Gridiron. Have you learned anything from that situation, and how do you plan to avoid pressure exerted in the name of “correctness”?

Crella: nnnn nnnnn learn?! nnnn nn nnnn you oughta be nnnnn for nnnn nn nnnn what the nnnnn nnnn God nnnnnn nnnnn moron nnnn, OK? You got that?!

Straig: Sorry, sometimes she breaks into this weird Russian mobster routine. A lot of comedians seem to think that so-called “cancel culture” is killing comedy, but we firmly believe that comedy is just on a ventilator, being pumped full of Ivermectin and monoclonal antibodies. By showtime in March, it will be up and running around again.

Crella: We think Mel Brooks got it right when he said “We are the jesters; that’s our job. We aren’t the kings. It is our duty to whisper in the king’s ear what is going on.

The king doesn’t want to hear bad things, so we make it funny. But we tell the truth.”

Straig: In the end, the key is just to make sure the jokes don’t land like a turd in a bucket of Kool-Aid. Funny nnnn is still funny!

January 2022

19

Eds: Speaking of funny, we have heard that one of you has a beef with the Muppets, is that true?

Straig: Well, I love the Muppets. I mean who doesn’t?

But, I don’t like the two old grouchity nnnnnles who sit in the balcony, Statler and Waldorf. They act like they’re a couple of Appellate Court Judges.

Crella: But let me explain the Muppets because they are a lot like the Gridiron and its cast. The secret of the Muppets is they’re not very good at what they do. Kermit is not a great host, Fozzie Bear is not a good comedian, Miss Piggy is not a great diva . . . None of them are actually good at what they do.

Straig: But they love trying it all! They have joy in what they do, and because of the joy, IT DOESN’T MATTER that they, like the Gridiron actors, are not really good at acting. And that’s like what we strive to be in the Gridiron—fun-loving Muppets.

Eds: Was there ever something you came up with that went too far, even for you?

Straig: Maybe, just once, but I have blocked it out.

No sense in stifling the creative juices.

Crella: Well, there was the time in the nnnn Gridiron nn nnnn nnnnn nnnn nn nnnn nn nnn nnnn nn nnnn nnnnn nnnn nnnnnn nnnnn nnnn nn. And we said, “Okay, maybe too far.” So we caved and cut it, much to the chagrin of nnnn nnnnnnnnn, and a few others. Then again, I guess Straig is right, and we probably shouldn’t talk about that one.

Eds: So, is there anyone or anything off limits for this year’s Gridiron?

Crella: No. As I said, it is ALL fair game.

Straig: I agree. In order for comedy to work its subtle influence, people must be willing to laugh at themselves.

Zero Mostel once said, “Comedy is rebellion against … hypocrisy, against pretense, against falsehood and humbug and bunk and fraud, against false promises and base deceivers ... against all evils masquerading as true and good and worthy of respect.” That is the point. And that is why it makes us laugh.

Eds: This sounds like a great time. How can members of the LCBA get involved in the upcoming production?

Straig: There are many ways. We have a writers’ group that is meeting monthly to draft and refine the script, but their work is done at this point. Once we are

20 The Docket

in rehearsals, which will begin after the winter holidays, we will need actors, singers, dancers, and backstage crew.

But remember the Muppet rule—no great talent is required, just the joy to help make the show come together so that the audience has fun.

Eds: So, with the understanding that no talent is needed to participate, will there be auditions?

Crella: If you have a pulse you have passed the audition. Maybe breathe on some glass to see if it fogs up— got it? Anyone who wants to be in the show can be in the show. Just show up at the informational meeting and you are good to go. Bring yourself and your personality, and let us do the rest.

Eds: What kind of time commitment are we talking about for cast members?

Straig: The performances are scheduled for March 4th and 5th at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest. Starting about five weeks beforehand, we will meet twice per week for rehearsals at the Bar office in Waukegan. Not everyone will be asked to attend every rehearsal. The actual evenings will be determined by consensus and availability of those who are participating.

Crella: On the week of the show—the first week of March—we will meet every night at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest. Those rehearsals can go as late as 10:00 because we are working out the technical kinks and teaching the slackers their parts.

Eds: What about folks who have stage fright, or who just want to get involved in some other way?

Crella: Please reach out to either one of us. You can email Straig at CMandell@bergerschatz.com.

Straig: Watch The Docket and LCBA emails for the date of our first informational meeting in January. And plan to come to the meeting to learn more about the show or, if for no other reason, just to say “hi.”

Eds: Can you give our readers a hint of what they might see if they attend the 2022 Gridiron?

Crella: No spoilers.

Straig: That information is definitely under embargo.

Crella: But we can promise it will be funny and fun.

Plan to be there and join in the laughs.

Eds: Obvious (to us) disclaimer: None of this is true, including the part about the show being funny. But please participate and/or come anyway.

January 2022

21

Foundation & Committee Minutes LAKE COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2021 IN ATTENDANCE:

BY ZOOM: Joann Fratianni Nandia Black Douglas Dorando Hon. Fred Foreman (Ret.) Shyama Parikh Hon. Henry “Skip” Tongan (Ret.) David Stepanich Perry Smith Amy Lonergan Eric Rinehart Joe McHugh Nick Riewer Michael Ori Carey Schiever Melanie Rummel Kristie Fingerhut Rick Lesser Hon. Michael Nerheim Katharine Hatch-Hewlett Keith Grant Jeffrey Berman

BY PHONE: John Quinn, Sr. ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Greg Weider, Executive Director, LCBA, LCBF. I. CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order by President Douglas Dorando at 4:04 p.m.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of October 19, 2021 were presented for approval. Motion to approve the minutes was made by Amy Lonergan and seconded by Mike Ori. Motion carried.

22 The Docket

III. TREASURER’S REPORT: A. STATUS AND BALANCES OF LCBF ACCOUNTS: Treasurer, Perry Smith delivered the reported that there were no real balance changes other than the recurring monthly bills. Also included in the Treasurer’s report is the amount of the real estate loan amount of $263,442.92. A Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report was made by Amy Lonergan and seconded by Melanie Rummel. Motion carried.

B. WARRANT/ APPROVAL OF EXPENSES PAID: The Warrants for Expenses for October 2021 were presented for approval.

Motion to approve the expenses made by Amy Lonergan and seconded

by Jeff Berman. Motion carried.

IV. CONTINUING BUSINESS: A. FUNDRAISING SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING: 1. FUNDRAISING EVENTS UPDATE: The event is set to take place virtually on December 10, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. featuring Tim Mooney and his Breakneck Shakespeare Comedy of Errors and Shakespeare By Request performance.

Kristie Fingerhut reported that there are fifty

entertainment baskets that are available for purchase at fifty dollars each. The baskets will include two LCBF logo glasses, enough mixings for 2 to 4 cocktails and various treats with and explanation of the cocktails as well as of the event. The goal is to have the baskets available for pickup at the LCBA holiday party.

We hope that the event can be advertised in The Docket as well as the weekly LCBA e-news. As of today’s date, we have 18 registered and $4,000 in Sponsorship pledges.

A link to the fundraising event is included with the agenda materials. We will also need an emcee for the virtual event to introduce Mr. Mooney and recognition of our sponsors.

V. NEW BUSINESS: A. BUILDING RENTAL: Unit C was shown to a prospective renter who is also a charitable non for profit entity. A number of issues need to be negotiated including the cost sharing agreement which would include their cost of the mortgage, utilities, etc. The Board will have to approve any final agreement before it is finalized with this entity.

B. TAX RETURNS: A draft of the Tax Returns for 2020 was included with the agenda materials.

Motion to approve the

Tax Returns was made by Jeff Berman and seconded

by Rick Lesser. Motion carried.

C. LCBA/LCBF JOINT MEETING UPDATE: The Executive Boards of both organizations met on November 8, 2021. The issues that were discussed were the formation of a building fund matched by both organizations, and the Build out and phase two of our remodeling project. The LCBF is sympathetic to the donors of that project, but we also have various capital expenses which included a roof issue as well as a four-year loan amount to retire.

The Board decided that we need to get a breakdown of our long-term building expenses and develop a 5-to-10-year plan. Perry Smith volunteered to get us some estimates on expenses to evaluate before the next Board Meeting.

President Dorando will consider appointing a subcommittee to deal with these issues after we see our projected expenses.

VI. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn made

by Jeff Berman and seconded by Nick Riewer.

Motion carried and the Meeting adjourned at 5:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Joann M. Fratianni Secretary

January 2022

23

Board of Directors’ Meeting

The

November 18, 2021 CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes • New Members A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda. The motion was unanimously approved.

DISCUSSION ITEMS • Treasurer’s Report Taxes were adopted and approved by the board via electronic vote.

NEW BUSINESS: Review of LCBA Bylaws & Establishment of Subcommittee

There is a subcommittee being formed to review the LCBA bylaws. It will be chaired by Jeff O’Kelley with the honorable Judge Melius as the committee.

Establishment of a Financial Review Subcommittee There is a subcommittee being formed to review the association’s need for an accounting firm. Tara Devine will chair, with Kevin Berrill and Sarah Raisch making up the committee.

FREE CLE DISCOUNTED CLE BUSINESS MEETINGS LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP THE DOCKET & WEEKLY E-NEWS

24 The Docket

Meeting Minutes

BY DANIEL HODGKINSON SECRETARY

Update on Joint Executive Board Meeting with the LCBF Board liaison to the LCBF Katharine Hatch updated the board of directors on the November 8,2021, joint meeting of the LCBA/LCBF executive boards regarding the cost sharing agreement and funding for future capital improvements for the LCBA building.

Executive Director’s Report There is a significant amount of interest in an in-person Holiday party.

There will be notice sent out to members.

future. Motion passed.

The meeting concluded at 12:48 p.m.

Committee Updates Updates were given on all active committees through the Bar Association.

Gridiron committee proposed a motion to follow vaccination and mask mandate per health guidelines in accordance with the Chicago theater community that would be subject to changes by the board at any time in the

Craig Mandell Director

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Joseph Fusz President Tara Devine First Vice President Kevin Berrill Treasurer Daniel Hodgkinson Secretary Katharine S. Hatch Second Vice President Hon. Patricia Cornell Past President Dwayne Douglas Director

Hon. Jacquelyn Melius Director Jeremy Harter Director Jeff O’Kelley Director Sarah Raisch Director Greg Weider Executive Director

2021 Holiday Gift Drive

The

Grapevine

Patrick A. Salvi was awarded the Leonard M. Ring Lifetime Achievement Award at the December 2 meeting of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

The award has been given annually for 26 years to someone selected by a committee appointed by the ITLA president.

Hal Winer was honored as a WWII Veteran at the Northwestern Game on November 30, 2021, at Ryan Field. He served in the Infantry with the 7th Infantry Division on Okinawa, and when the war ended, he was sent to Korea to take the surrender of the Japanese and was a Military Policeman there until his return to the USA on November 1945. After a long career in Lake County spanning over 50 years, having started in 1962 as a Prosecutor for Deerfield and Vernon Hills, Hal retired at the age of 93 when the COVID pandemic first closed the courts. He misses his colleagues and looks back at his career with immense gratefulness and appreciation.

January 2022 25

Executive Director’s View

J

anuary marks the beginning of my eleventh month with the Lake County Bar Association.

It has been an interesting journey of Zoom meetings, planning and pivoting and trying to wrap my arms around a lot of moving

2

The

2

2 2

Calendar of Events

January 6, 2022 12:15 p.m.

GAL Training Series Child Sex trafficking is real, a plan to limit access to internet predators Presented by: Joseph Fusz Virtual- Zoom 1.0 CLE Credit January 5, 2022 12:15 p.m.

Brown Bag CLE Five Steps to Protect Your Firm from Catastrophic Cyber Attacks Virtual - Zoom 1.0 CLE Credit

26 The Docket

parts. Starting a new job always presents challenges.

Starting a new job during a pandemic is an exercise in adaptability and patience.

There have been good days and not so good days.

Moments of frustration and instances of inspiration. I have truly enjoyed working with the LCBA members who volunteer their time on our committees and boards. I thank each of them for their leadership, energy, and commitment. I eagerly look forward to the day when the barriers of the pandemic are behind us, and we can resume meeting in person on a regular basis.

It is a privilege to have a role in providing professional support, continuing legal education, and networking opportunities to the Lake County legal community.

I want to personally thank each LCBA member who took the time to complete our first member satisfaction survey.

The feedback provided

In the

Director’s Chair

is extremely important.

Member comments will be used both to make short term improvements and help drive the strategic planning process. The strength of any Bar Association is its members.

Member participation is the life blood of our organization. I am grateful to all the LCBA members who have participated in our events, seminars, and committee meetings this year. A special thank you to those who shared their expertise as presenters. I applaud the work of the Lake County Bar Foundation Board of Trustees and the Community Outreach and Diversity Committee in their efforts to make a philanthropic impact on our community.

As we begin the new year, I encourage each member to make the most of their LCBA membership.

Our legal practice and member support committees are always looking to

BY GREG WEIDER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR welcome new participants.

Plans are in place to offer several continuing legal education seminars and brown bags. The Gridiron is just around the corner. Efforts are underway to plan the President’s Awards, Liberty Bell, and Annual Meeting. Before too long the golf outing will be here and with a bit of luck, we’ll have a sunny day for our member picnic.

Providing the best possible member service is a priority for the LCBA staff. If you have a concern, idea for a program, or would like to become more active in the LCBA, please let me know. While we may not agree on every issue my pledge to you is to be available and responsive, and to listen to each suggestion or concern with an open mind.

Again, let me say thank you for your involvement with the LCBA. I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN? The LCBA Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) is a valuable member benefit as well as a public service. LRS provides member attorneys with an opportunity to build business through client referrals. The service benefits the public by helping callers quickly find an attorney in the area of law in which they need help.

The LRS program is designed to assist persons who are able to pay normal attorney fees but whose ability to locate legal representation is frustrated by a lack of experience with the legal system, a lack of information about the type of services needed, or a fear of the potential costs of seeing a lawyer.

Cost is only $200 annually for a Standard listing or $350 for a Premium listing. Download the application at www.lakebar.org/page/LRS or contact the LCBA office for more information.

ATTORNEYS NEEDED IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES • Administrative • Bankruptcy • Commercial • Consumer • Employment • Environmental • Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts and Probate Visit lakecountylawyer.info for a complete list of available categories.

CONTACT THE LCBA AT 847.244.3143 OR INFO@LAKEBAR.ORG

LAKECOUNTYLAWYER.INFO

January 2022 27

Monthly

Committee Meetings

DAY

GO TO

WWW.LAKEBAR.ORG FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE CALENDAR INFORMATION

Bar

Bulletin Board

To place an ad or for information on advertising rates, call (847) 244-3143

28 The Docket

MEETING

LOCATION

TIME

1st Tuesday

Diversity & Community Outreach

Virtual Until Further Notice

12:15-1:15

1st Thursday

Real Estate

VUFN

5:30-6:30

Docket Editorial Committee

VUFN

12:15-1:15

2nd Tuesday

Criminal Law

VUFN

12:15-1:15

2nd Tuesday (Odd Mo.)

Immigration

VUFN

4:30-5:30

2nd Wednesday

Family Law Advisory Group (FLAG)

VUFN

12:00-1:00

2nd Wednesday

Civil Trial and Appeals

VUFN

4:00-5:00

2nd Thursday

Young & New Lawyers

VUFN

12:15-1:15

2nd Thursday

Trusts and Estates

VUFN

12:15-1:15

3rd Monday (Odd Mo.)

Solo & Small Firms

VUFN

12:00 noon

3rd Tuesday

Local Government

VUFN

12:15-1:15

3rd Tuesday

LCBF Board of Trustees

VUFN

4:00

Family Law

VUFN

12:00-1:00

LCBA Board of Directors

VUFN

12:00 noon

VUFN

5:30-6:30

VUFN

5:15-6:15

1st Thursday (Even Mo.)

3rd Wednesday 3rd Thursday 3rd Thursday As Needed

Debtor/Creditor Rights Employment Law

• RSVP to a meeting at www.lakebar.org.

• Meetings subject to change. Please check your weekly e-news, the on-line calendar at www.lakebar.org or call the LCBA Office @ (847) 244-3143.

• Please feel free to bring your lunch to the LCBA office for any noon meetings. Food and beverages at restaurants are purchased on a individual basis.

January 2022 29

300 Grand Avenue, Suite A Waukegan, IL 60085 Tel: 847-244-3143 Fax: 847-244-8259

MEMBER RECEPTION

MEMBER RECEPTION SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

LCBA Member Receptions will generally be held on the 4th Thursday of every month.

Your $500 sponsorship includes: • Recognition in advertising before the event and on signage at the event • Reception from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

• Complimentary beer and wine. Upgrades available for additional fee.

Contact info@lakebar.org to add your name to a reception.