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January 2020NewsbriefsNWSBA Members and Friends Celebrate the Holiday SeasonThe Northwest Suburban Bar Association’sannual holiday party was held on December 11th atMaggiano’s Little Italy in Schaumburg. Over 100 barassociation members came out to socialize, eat, drink,and celebrate.As in years past, the atmosphere in Maggiano’sfor the NWSBA holiday party was very festive. Everyone enjoyed being in a room filled with dedicatedprofessionals coming together to celebrate the holidays, spending time with old and new acquaintancesin a social atmosphere, and reminding us of the honorof our profession and the benefits of being a NWSBAmember.The evening at Maggiano’s afforded the revelers the opportunity to honor certain individuals whoelevate and inspire our profession.First, the group honored Attorney Maria McCathy with its “Scales of Justice Award” for her exemplary service as a State’s Attorney. Maria has served30 years in that capacity, and of that, she has spentthe last 10 years as the Supervisor in the 3rd DistrictCourthouse. She has handled everything from trafficto misdemeanors and felonies. She is now continuing her career inprivate practice.Next to beIssue Features:honored was theHonorable StevenPresident’s Page3Goebel. JudgeTable of Contents5 Goebel receivedthe “Civil JuristBoard Meeting12 Award”. JudgeHighlightsGoebel, with anearly interest inBulletin Board14criminal law, hadCalendar15a career with theState’s Attorney’s office, andhas been a sitting Judge for 12years, first in the 2nd DistrictCourthouse, and now in the3rd District Courthouse since2015. He is proud of the factduring his career he has trainedand mentored others, including current judges in the 3rdL to R: NWSBADistrict. He is a former Board President and AwardsCommittee Co-Chair,of Governor of the NWSBA and Miriam Cooper, Ernieis known for his approachability Blomquist, MickeyAsher and Awardsand fair-minded approach.Committee Co-ChairFinally, Attorney Mitch- and past president, DonCosley.ell Asherreceived the “Ernest BlomquistMentorship Award”. Mickey isa 46-year member of the NWSBA, and is well-known by lawyers and judges alike. He is nowand has always been generousto lawyers who seek him out for“how to’s,” and advice. He alHon. Steven Goebelwith his wife, Sophie. ways makes himself available tocolleagues, and with a wealth ofclear and simple advice and counsel. Attorney AnnaBush states that she “wouldn’t be a successful attorneytoday, were it not for attorney Mitchell Asher.”The NWSBA is very grateful for the opportunity to honoree such distinguished members of ourprofession.We would like to thank the following sponsorsfor their support of the event: ADR Systems of America, LLC; Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.; EuclidTitle Services, Inc.; Illinois Institute for ContinuingLegal Education; and Lexitas.

Newsbriefs - 2Osmart strategic securestrategicadj.1. Carefully designed or planned to serve a particular purpose or advantage.2. Decisions or plans designed to impact favorably the key factors on which thedesired outcome of an organization, game, system, venture, or war, depends.3. A cleverly chosen action or position, that is set up to be most useful or havethe greatest effect.4. Able to operate in an uncertain environment where complex problems andexternal events may impact the success of the venture.[ syn. judicious, prudent, deliberate, advantageous ]Take the long view of practice and practitionersuccess. Consult with ISBA Mutual today to define yourunique risk needs and learn about our free resources,so you can stay smart, strategic and secure.312 379-2000 isbamutual.com

Newsbriefs - 3President’s PageBy: MIRIAM COOPERIn welcoming in the new year, I want to reflect on some of the laws and changes we as lawyers and citizens will face in 2020. For most, the changes are too numerous to keep track of, but in addition to those we’veheard about in the media, like the legalization of gambling and marijuana, the state’s new agenda also outlinesprovisions to strengthen workers’ rights, address sexual discrimination and harassment, and provide more opportunities for minorities, students of all ages and those affected by the criminal justice system. It also tightensthe budget in some areas, increases it in others, and commands higher fees and more fines regarding everythingfrom parking to threatening places of worship. The agenda is set. Illinoisans, welcome to 2020.As I reflect on 2019 and consider what I want my new year to look like, I think about the legal changesand what the new budget reflects in priorities and values. This raises questions like: What are my priorities andvalues for this upcoming year? Have I reflected those priorities and values in my personal and professionallife? And if I have not or perhaps have but not to a satisfactory degree, how can I make changes to do so?Something that strikes me, as I consider this new set of guidelines offered by our state, is how they were able todemonstrate those values and priorities through legal codes.This marriage of values and laws brings me to the heavier question I need to ask myself, namely, iswhat I practice reflective of what I value? In other words, is the work we do in our daily lives reflect that whichwe hold most meaningful? And if not, how can we best align our purpose with our actions? It’s a question Ichallenge you to consider as you navigate the new landscape in 2020 and one I hope to revisit throughout theyear as a reminder of why I am here in the first place.Certainly, some of the these legal changes will affect my practice, like the amendments to child custodylaws, but many will affect me as a citizen, woman, and consumer as well; so there are numerous opportunitiesto be challenged and reminded periodically that law grounds us in purpose, binds us in community and reflectsthe diverse body of people its designed to protect.In the new year, I plan to revisit the promise I made to you when I arrived in this position: to strengthenour place as volunteers in our practice, ask how and what we have to offer, and reinforce the opportunity to doso. The needs will still be there in 2020, and I intend to show up and provide. I leave you with this question:This year, how will you align your values with your work? A hard but essential question. You won’t be alone intackling it though; it’s an effort I’ll be making with you in new year and decade.Source: WGNTV: from embedSB 195: “The purposes of escrows, settlements or closings, ‘good funds’ may be in the form of a check drawn on the fiduciary trustaccount of a title insurance company, a title insurance agent or an independent escrowee.”HB 88: “Lowers the annual interest rate on consumer debt judgments, valued at or below 25,000, from 9% to 5%”.HB 1471: “Creates Illinois Trust Code to consolidate existing statues and common law practices on trusts into one single act.”HB1553: “Changes various acts to allow for civil courts to make findings when determining the custody determination of a minor.”SB 75: “Sexual harassment, discrimination and ethics omnibus. Makes numerous changes to employment and civil rights laws toensure that workers who experience sexual harassment and discrimination have a meaningful remedy under Illinois law.”SB 220: “Provides that the IDHR can determine on a case-by-case basis whether to hold a fact-finding conference in housing casesand requires training in housing discrimination.”HB2189: “States that evidence of a person’s immigration status is inadmissible in a civil proceeding unless itis essential to prove anelement of case or is voluntarily given by the person.”HB 304: “Creates the Blockchain Technology Act which provides for permitted uses and limitations of blockchain technology intransactions and proceedings and 2) prohibits local governments from imposing taxes or fees and certain restrictions on the use ofblockchain.”HB 2135: “Removes the statute of limitations for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminalsexual abuse for all ages, not just those under 18 and under.”Continued on Page 7

Newsbriefs - 4VOLUNTEER THANK YOU!The NWSBA and the co-chairs of the Pro-Bono Committee want to extend an extremely grateful thankyou to those attorneys that volunteered their time atthe Third District Municipal courthouse in December.The NWSBA could not run these voluntary community outreach programs without the generous timegiven by NWSBA attorneys. The following NWSBAattorneys staffed the Pro Bono Desk, and served aspaternity and/or court facilitators during the month ofDecember:Again, thank you for your service,Pro Bono Committee Co-Chairs:Janet Maxwell-Wickett847-430-3789Lance Ziebell847-705-7555Pro Bono Attorneys:Daniel Saichek (twice)Michael KellyGregory MartucciDivorce Court Facilitators:Becky ZeilengaAttorneys who staff the Pro Bono desk assist pro-selitigants in a wide variety of matters – the desk is openfrom 1:00 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Friday afternoonsinside the NWSBA Attorney Room – Room 251. ThePaternity Facilitators, Court Facilitator, and DomesticViolence Facilitator Attorneys assist pro-se litigantsand judges in Domestic Relations cases and attorneysvolunteer their time on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to12:00 p.m. for Paternity and Court Facilitators andMonday and Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. forDomestic Violence Facilitators.We are still having problems getting volunteers –please let us know what we can do to make participating in our pro bono initiatives easier or better for you.For those of you that do serve, thank you again for allof your time and dedication to our pro bono programs.We realize there are a lot of things to do and we areall busy, but hope you will consider adding some probono work to your activities. We hope you enjoy theholiday season!!URGENT REQUESTFOR VOLUNTEERSNWSBA LEGAL SELF HELP CENTERWe have an immediate need for volunteers to staffthe Legal Self Help Center (LSHC), now located atthe New NWSBA Center at the Rolling MeadowsCourthouse. The LSHC is currently staffed onFriday mornings from 9:30am to 12:30pm. TheLSHC volunteers are non-lawyers, called navigators. We are ready to train new volunteers whoare looking for an interesting and satisfying community service program to get involved with. Fora person who is looking for a way to help citizensof our community navigate the legal system andlearn much about our court system along the way– this is an excellent volunteer opportunity.No prior experience in law or the court system isneeded – just a desire to help people! Please contact Beth Driscoll, paralegal at the Law Officesof R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd., at 847-357-0403, or bd@injurylawattys.com.

Newsbriefs - 5Table of ContentsTitle2019 Holiday Party in ReviewNewsbriefsPage1Published by: NWSBAEditor: Scott ZamboProduction Editor: Julie BarthPresident’s Page3Volunteer Thank You!4Advertising Rates:Call 847-621-2378Lunch & Learn with Geo Registration6Northwest Suburban Bar AssociationExecutive CommitteeEstate Planning & Probate CLE Registration8President: Miriam CooperDeadline to submit:15th of the monthFirst VP: Gary A. NewlandNashville Destination CLE Registration9Second VP: Moe AhmadTreasurer: Kenneth ApicellaEmployment Law CLE Registration10Secretary: Anthony CalzarettaExecutive Director: Julie BarthHoliday Party Photos11Board Hightlights12Bulletin Board & Members in the News14Calendar 15Board of GovernorsJonathan AndersonRobert BoszkoAnna Markley BushAllen S. GabeStephanie GarcesPatricia JochumRaj JutlaScott KuntzNicholas RichardsonJoseph VitoScott ZamboLance ZiebellImmediate Past President:Michael RothmannNeed Help?100% Confidential - 100% Free1-800-LAP-1233Lawyers Assistance ProgramAssociation AttorneyKristina Buchthal AlkassParliamentarian:Tracy Callahan