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Chicago Bar Association

Ken moderates a conversation at the Chicago Bar Association, May 25

May 3, 2017 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

From left: Levinson and Stefani associate attorney Brett Manchel, founding partner Ken Levinson, and managing partner Jay Stefani

Levinson and Stefani founding partner and Chicago Bar Association Solo/Small Firm Practitioners Committee co-chair Ken Levinson is set to moderate a conversation titled “The Lawyer’s Role in a Changing Society,” presented by the CBA’s Solo/Small Firm Practitioners Committee. The talk takes place on Thursday, May 25 from 3-6pm at the CBA.

The law is changing and so is society. Many lawyers look for new, trending areas to hone their niche, but many more are asking, “How can I get involved?” The program features a panel of experienced attorneys from across the legal spectrum, addressing the ways in which lawyers can build their client base by focusing on the nuances their practice.

Participating attorneys include:

  • Jon Loevy of Loevy & Loevy (Civil Rights: Your Gate to Involvement);
  • Fiona McEntee of McEntee Law Group (Immigration: What Can You Do? What Can an Immigration Lawyer Do?);
  • Laura Jacksack of Jacksack Law Offices (Election Law: running for Office and Participating in the Election Process);
  • Hannah Garst of the Law Offices of Hannah Garst (Appointments in Federal Court and Other Opportunities for Involvement);
  • and Wendy Muchman of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee (Ethical Considerations for Lawyers Working in Unfamiliar Areas)

The CBA presents over 120 seminars a year that meet minimum continuing legal education requirements in Illinois and many other states. Seminars are held in-person at the CBA Building, 321 S. Plymouth Ct., Chicago.

Time to pick your judge

March 10, 2016 by Ken Levinson Leave a Comment

Judge

Take advantage of the CBA’s Green Guide

No matter your political affiliation, I think we can all agree that voting is important. Next week, Illinois gets its chance to impact the 2016 presidential election. Lost in the fray of these highly charged presidential campaigns are the local jobs up for grabs. With the exception of a few big-ticket names, it’s safe to assume our local judicial candidates will largely go unnoticed by comparison.

The sudden passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has brought up big questions about when and who will be appointed. The folks in D.C. will take care of that. But unlike D.C., Illinois is in the minority of states that elects judges instead of appointing them. You’d be doing yourself and your fellow citizens a big favor by doing a little homework.

The Chicago Bar Association provides a great public service called the CBA Green Guide, compiled by a semi-autonomous committee of the CBA that conducts evaluations of candidates and sitting judges up for election in Cook County. Inside you’ll find an overview of political affiliations, legal experience, familiarity with the law, and more about the people seeking your vote. The guide even distinguishes candidates with a semi-endorsement by deeming people “Highly Qualified,” “Qualified,” and “Not Recommended,” all of it based on a screening process developed by the CBA.

It’s in your best interests to stay informed. If you plan to vote this Tuesday, take advantage of what the CBA is offering. The more we know, the better off we’ll be.

Download the Green Guide here

Ken’s upcoming events: AAJ Trucking College and Chicago Bar Association seminar

October 1, 2015 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Fall is officially here and cooler weather is slowly creeping its way to Chicago. Just in time for Ken to make a trip to a much-hotter Dallas next week. The American Association for Justice has asked Ken to be a faculty member for its Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases, October 7–10, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel by the Galleria, where he’ll be discussing:

  • Crafting the Rules and Themes
  • Truck Driver Depositions
  • Safety Director Depositions
  • Opening Statements
  • Summations
  • Turning and Lane Change Cases
  • Backing and Parked/Stopped Trucks
  • Hours of Service and Fatigue
  • Focus Grouping the Trucking Case

As part of the learning and lecture format, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops in small groups with invited faculty for individual attention. If you’re interested in attending, or happen to be in the Dallas area next week, you can find more information on how to register by checking out the AAJ website.

After Dallas, the Chicago Bar Association will be hosting a seminar for solo and small firm practitioners on October 16, titled The Business of Law: Starting Up, Staying Strong. Levinson and Stefani is well into its second year of practice, and Ken’s looking forward to sharing some of the lessons he’s learned since opening the firm’s doors in June of 2014.

Lots of great things coming up. If you have questions about these and/or other events, feel free to contact us for more information.

Lawyer no-no’s from Chicago judges

April 8, 2015 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

CBA Judges Panter and Gomolinski with Levinson and Stefani attorneys
Judge Michael R. Panter, Brett Manchel, Ken Levinson, Judge William E. Gomolinski, and Jay Stefani

The April 7, 2015, event at the Chicago Bar Association provided an insightful experience for attending attorneys, as judges opened up about what really frustrates them on the bench.  Partner Ken Levinson, who moderated the round-table discussion, was impressed with the judges’ candor in their comments about the attorneys appearing before them.

“The judges’ perspectives are valuable in making sure that we do all we can to help our clients.  When we are in court, the ability to recognize and appreciate a judge’s preferences is more than useful.”

The panel consisted of Circuit Court of Cook County Judges Michael R. Panter, William E. Gomolinksi, and James N. O’Hara. The  stories shared by three judges were both serious and humorous,  and certainly helped attorneys in attendance to better understand how judges are thinking about and analyzing the cases before them.

The oft-repeated adage “know your judge” rings as true as ever, and here are some of the most valuable tips we were fortunate enough to receive from the judges at the event:

No eye-rolling, groaning, or inappropriate gestures

Judges do not always rule in ways we like.  But rather than reacting too quickly and letting our frustrations show through, think about the next time you will be before that particular judge.  Chances are, he or she will remember you.  In the legal field, reputation is everything.  In case you thought this was so obvious that it need not even be stated to a group of lawyers at a bar association event, Judge Gomolinski related a story from the morning’s court call detailing the ridiculous antics of an attorney.

Don’t talk to the other attorney when you should be talking to the judge

If you’re appearing in front of the judge on a case status hearing or motion, it is the judge’s time to discuss the case with you and the other attorneys.  Going back and forth about housekeeping matters between attorneys should be done before the scheduled court time.  Judge O’Hara even advised lawyers to take care of these conferences weeks before the court date, not leaving them until the morning of.

Don’t show up to court without knowing the details of your case

Judges don’t want to hear the lawyer appearing before them say that they don’t know the information necessary to moving the case forward.  Even if you’re covering for another attorney, judges expect that basic information about the case is available; for example, how many more depositions are you expecting to take? And, how long do you need to take them?

Don’t be rude to courtroom staff

Judges can see and hear how you treat the clerks and deputies.  Judges work with the court staff every day, and view their staff as an extension of the bench.  You should treat the court clerk and all of the judge’s staff with the same respect you show the judge.

Don’t say “with all due respect, Judge”

Just don’t.

Bonus Tip: Judges are people, too

Even the strictest of judges knows emergencies happen. Judges, like attorneys, have lives outside of work, and they remind lawyers to be candid and honest when those things beyond our control occur. Your dog can only eat your homework so many times, and yes, judges do remember those attorneys who have a habit of making “excuses.”

Do you have any tried and true tips to building good relationships with judges?  Or any other no-no’s that should be on our list?  Let us know in the comments or on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+!

Ken Levinson Helps With Law Firm Marketing

November 5, 2014 by Ken Levinson Leave a Comment

ken levinson
Ken Levinson listens during a roundtable discussion on law firm marketing

At a Chicago Bar Association meeting yesterday, I helped other lawyers during a roundtable discussion on law firm marketing techniques.

Members shared experiences, ideas, and questions about building business relationships and engaging with clients and potential clients.  The other lawyers involved in the discussion ran the gamut from new practitioners to senior partners, and were from a variety of practice areas serving all types of clients.

It was exciting to share my perspective with other attorneys looking for marketing help, and of course, I’m glad I picked up a tip or two!

 

Associate Attorney Brett Manchel Speaks on Law Firm Technology

October 9, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Associate attorney Brett Manchel spoke to the Chicago Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Committee on Tuesday.  The presentation, given with attorney Richard C. Balough, of Balough Law Offices, was titled “It’s on the Internet so it Must be True, and Other Technology Myths.”  Manchel and Balough addressed ethical considerations attorneys should be aware of with popular services like Gmail and Dropbox, best practices for legal online advertising and social media use, and law firm technology policies.  The goal of Manchel and Balough’s discussion was to help lawyers understand popular technologies and the risks associated with each.

Levinson and Stefani partner Ken Levinson, who is the Co-Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Committee, invited Manchel and Balough to speak because of each attorney’s interest in helping other lawyers make smart choices about technology from both a legal practice perspective and a client perspective.  “I’m very thankful for Brett and Richard, and I’m very glad they could share their valuable knowledge with the practicing attorneys of the Committee,” said Levinson.  The diverse audience at the CBA meeting included new lawyers and veteran practitioners from a variety of practice areas, but “all lawyers, at the very least, need to incorporate email, mobile, and online tech into their practice in order to thrive in today’s legal market,” said Manchel.

This was Manchel’s first presentation to the Chicago Bar, and, said Levinson, “He did a wonderful job.  Our firm is very lucky to have him!”

Ken Levinson introducing Brett Manchel to Speak on Law Firm Technology
Ken Levinson introducing Brett Manchel to the Chicago Bar’s Solo & Small Firm Committee

 

 

Attorney Brett Manchel Speaks to the Chicago Bar about Law Firm Technology Issues
Attorney Brett Manchel speaks to the Chicago Bar Association on law firm technology issues.

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