Play ball! ISBA sections will field teams June 22
The ISBA Real Estate Law Section and the State and Local Taxation Section don't always see eye to eye, but they're going to play ball during the ISBA Annual Meeting this month in Fontana, Wis.
Softball, that is, and 16-inch barehanded for the aficionados or with mitts optional for the slight of hand. The grudge match will take place Friday afternoon, June 22, on the field across from The Abbey.
The ceremonial first pitch is expected about 4 p.m., but the celebrity designee has not been revealed. Each team will provide one umpire, but their identities also are top secret until game time.
Team captains are Timothy "Sluggo" Moran, incoming chair of the State and Local Taxation Section Council, and Steven "Babe" Bashaw, outgoing chair of the Real Estate Law Section Council who reportedly will arrive on his Harley Davidson wearing red tights.
Bashaw has resorted to the transactional law discussion group listserv "to hurl accusations, insults and threats at our most righteous and bodacious members," Moran beefed. "I therefore expect all of our members to uphold the integrity of our group and reply in kind."
Ground rules will be enacted, and likely broken, as the contest progresses except for the inviolable village prohibition of alcoholic beverages on park district property (spectators take notice).
"This should be an opportunity to have some fun, meet some new people, and sprain some ankles," Moran said. "My wife bets that I'm likely to be the first who'll be wheeled off on a stretcher."
Obviously, substitute players will be sorely needed. Members of the two sections who want to participate may contact their team captains in advance, or just show up before game time.
Trooper's basketball skills raise imageof enforcement
An ISBA Law Enforcement Award was presented May 1 to John Paul Merrifield, an Illinois state trooper from Collinsville, during the Madison County Bar Association's Law Day luncheon in Edwardsville.
Belleville attorney Jack Carey, a member of the ISBA Board of Governors, presented the award to Merrifield for his unique methods of enhancing the image of law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
A former professional basketball player with the Harlem Magicians and more recently with the Harlem All-Stars, the 6-foot-6 state trooper uses his athletic talent to draw the attention of children and young adults to his anti-crime, anti-drug messages.
A 1995 graduate of the Illinois State Police Academy who has been with the state police since 1994, Merrifield also has been a counselor in Texas at a children's rehabilitation hospital and a psychiatric hospital. He has a degree in sociology from Missouri Southern State College.
After graduation, he played pro ball in Israel, Portugal and Spain before being recruited for the Magicians by legendary Harlem Globetrotter Marques Haynes. He has toured all 50 states plus USO ventures to entertain troops in Africa, Germany and Iceland.
During his basketball travels, Merrifield often helped local officers affiliated with DARE in student assemblies to warn of the hazards of using drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and to explain the importance of obtaining a good education.
Since earning the rank of trooper, Merrifield has taken courses in search and seizure, violent crime tracking and linking, and motor carrier safety. He attended the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Instructor Development Program, and is an instructor for the Regional Institute for Community Policing.
A native of Greenville in Bond County, Merrifield was nominated for the ISBA award by 3rd Circuit Judge John D. Knight as a constant promoter of the state police and a positive law enforcement role model whose efforts help break down barriers between youths and police officers.
Merrifield also received a Respect for Law Award a year ago from the Westside Optimists Club in Belleville.
Moonlight cruise slated June 22
ISBA members and guests who attend the Annual Meeting this month are invited to sail Lake Geneva on a moonlight cruise from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 22, aboard the "Lady of the Lake," with appetizers, cash bar and entertainment.
The cruise from the Fontana Municipal Pier is sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division, but open to all adults. The fee is $25 plus the Annual Meeting registration of $30 if paid before June 14 ($25 plus $60 after that date). See form on page 13.
The ISBA Board of Governors on May 2 adopted the following resolution of appreciation for the initiatives and stewardship of President Herb Franks (right) during his term office.
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WHEREAS, the members of the Illinois State Bar Association look to their leaders to represent their best interests in matters affecting the legal profession and the practice of law; and
WHEREAS, Herb Franks brought to the job of President of the Illinois State Bar Association a strong understanding of the challenges facing today's practitioners, and the insight and leadership skills necessary to respond to these challenges; and
WHEREAS, he gave voice to the concerns of many ISBA members who are seeing a growing trend of legal services being advertised and performed by non-lawyers; and
WHEREAS, he created the Task Force on the Unauthorized Practice of Law and directed it to seek out the most egregious cases of profiteers who prey on an unsuspecting public and to take necessary action to halt their unauthorized activities; and
WHEREAS, during his term he oversaw the filing of numerous lawsuits seeking to protect the public from unlicensed and unregulated purveyors of legal services, and in so doing, he touched a responsive chord with many members of ISBA; and
WHEREAS, Herb Franks played a key role in bringing to fruition the planning phase for a major expansion of the Illinois Bar Center in Springfield, a project that will result in a headquarters facility that will serve the space and function requirements of the association for decades to come, and will enhance the association's prestigious location in the heart of the Capitol complex; and
WHEREAS, President Franks directed that a first-ever operational study be conducted to assess the association's strengths and weaknesses, and oversaw the implementation of recommendations, developed jointly by volunteers and staff, to strengthen the ISBA's level of service; and
WHEREAS, he continued the efforts of the association to partner with the Illinois Supreme Court to provide an equitable funding base for the Lawyers Assistance Program that aids lawyers impaired by chemical dependencies or depression; and
WHEREAS, Herb Franks reached out on a personal basis to enhance ISBA's rapport with the members of the Illinois Supreme Court, and with individual members of the judiciary, and with the leaders of the Illinois Judges Association; and
WHEREAS, he also worked to strengthen ISBA's working relationship with the Illinois legislature and with the Illinois delegation in Congress; and
WHEREAS, Herb Franks brought to the job of president proven skills as a manager in law and business, along with genuine affection and concern for practicing lawyers, and the unique ability to directly communicate with contagious good humor;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Governors of the Illinois State Bar Association expresses its heartfelt thanks for a job well done to President Herb Franks, and extends its appreciation to Herb and Eileen Franks for the camaraderie and good cheer they bring to the association.
(Glimpses from pages of the June 1, 1991, issue of the ISBA Bar News.)
David A. Decker of Waukegan defeated Ralph A. Gabric of Wheaton for ISBA third vice president by a 4,498-3,324 margin . . . Kane County lawyers and judges raced around the courthouse in a Law Day Funny Run to raise money for scholarships. . . U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens received the John Marshall Law School Freedom Award during a Chicago luncheon.
Rep. John Turner appointed to Appellate Court seat
State Rep. John W. Turner, a lawyer from Atlanta in Logan County, begins a new challenge today as a justice of the Illinois Appellate Court, 4th District.
A legislator who has sponsored several bills supported by the Illinois State Bar Association, Turner was appointed last month to the vacancy caused when Justice Rita B. Garman was named to the Illinois Supreme Court to replace Benjamin K. Miller.
A member of Phi Beta Kappa and a 1981 graduate of the DePaul University College of Law, Turner is a partner in the Lincoln firm of Kelly, Turner & Rossi. He has served Logan County as both state's attorney and public defender.
Turner was elected in 1994 to represent the 90th District in the Illinois House of Representatives. He is minority spokesman on the Judiciary I-Civil Law Committee and a member of the Judiciary II-Criminal Law Committee. He also serves on the committees on Agriculture, Labor, Prosecutorial Misconduct and Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Distribution.
Turner's appointment to the appellate bench was recommended by Justice Garman, who commented on his knowledge of the legislative and governmental process and a broad background in criminal and civil law that "will serve him well in meeting the needs of the court."
The appointment was announced May 9 on the floor of the Illinois House, where colleagues responded with an ovation.
Among Turner's major accomplishments during the current legislative session has been working for passage of Senate Bill 721, which would limit fees that consumers pay health care providers for copies of their medical records.
Supported by the ISBA, the Chicago Bar and Illinois Trial Lawyers Associations, and the medical and hospital lobby, the measure was sent to Gov. George Ryan on May 8.
Turner also is a sponsor of ISBA-initiated legislation that would amend the Attorney Act to provide for penalties against individuals and businesses that participate in the unauthorized practice of law. Hearings are expected to be conducted during the summer.
Turner's appointment to the Appellate Court, effective June 1, will end in December 2002. He is expected to seek election to a full term in November 2002.
Camping at Big Foot an Annual Meeting alternative
By John W. Damisch
You can attend the ISBA Annual Meeting this month for $11 per night instead of the $130 daily tab at The Abbey on Lake Geneva.
The Abbey is nice, but if you have not made partner, have several little mouths to feed, or are a senior with a Social Security check, your budget may not allow it. Consider camping out with us at Big Foot Beach State Park.
For several years, Harriet and I have camped at Big Foot while attending Annual Meetings in the Lake Geneva area. It is located on the east shore of the lake, just south of town about eight miles from The Abbey and three miles from the Grand Geneva.
Last year, we bought a Wisconsin State Park vehicle sticker for $24. This permits you to visit any state park for a year. We paid $11 per night for our camp site at Big Foot, a 271-acre park in a grove of 200-year-old oak trees.
I usually hang my hammock between two big oaks when I'm not exploring hiking trails, nature trails and the sand beach for swimming and boating. Big Foot is a great place to turn kids loose with their bikes and sand pails.
We checked in late Wednesday, so I could attend ISBA meetings on Thursday. Only a couple of campers were there until Friday evening, when the grounds filled with weekenders.
We attended several Annual Meeting functions, including family fun night, the Law Office Management and Economics (Standing Committe on) breakfast and receptions sponsored by Attorneys' Title, ISBA Mutual and the Illinois Bar Foundation.
Friday night, when the Board of Governors heads out for a fancy dinner and the rest of us are on our own, we campers consider having a cookout with a bonfire.
Our sons, Peter and Mark, started out tenting years ago when they were working on Eagle Scout badges. We moved up to a pop-up trailer and finally to an Airstream. We have camped from Washington, D.C., to British Columbia.
If you like the outdoors and want to have a mini-vacation, try camping during the ISBA Annual Meeting. If you want to stay at Big Foot, you can make a reservation by calling (262) 248-2528.
For more information, call me at (312) 332-2300 or e-mail me at jdamisch@ aol.com. We'd like to camp out with other ISBA members, young and old.
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ISBA Assembly member John Damisch is secretary of the Law Office Management and Economics (Standing Committe on) Council and a member of the Illinois Bar Foundation board. His son and law partner Mark Damisch also serves on the Assembly.
Springfield attorney Thomas F. Londrigan, a past chair of the ISBA Civil Practice and Procedure Section Council, will receive the Leonard M. Ring Lifetime Achievement Award on Friday, June 8, from the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.
President of ITLA in 1983-84, Londrigan will be honored during its 29th annual installation banquet at the Oak Brook Hills Resort. He is senior partner of Londrigan, Potter & Randle.
A member of the ITLA board of managers, Londrigan was a founder of the Attorney's Information Exchange Group, a national organization of automobile product defect litigators. He also served on the board of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
A member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Londrigan will be president of the Lincoln-Douglas Inn of Court in 2001-02.
In addition to chairing the ISBA Civil Practice and Procedure Section Council in 1973-74, he chaired the Committee on Uniform Circuit Court Rules that year and served on the Illinois Bar Journal Editorial Board in 1988-89.
A 1962 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, Londrigan was an assistant U.S. attorney and a law clerk in the Illinois Appellate Court, 4th District, before establishing his law firm in 1966.
The award memorializes Leonard Ring's contributions and commitment to the association, his standards of practice and work ethics.