Vested Interest - December 2001 Issue

The President’s Thoughts

The holiday season is upon us, and the political races are beginning to take shape. With the exception of the Governor’s race, it appears that there are no more than two serious participants in any statewide primary. As an organization, we are beginning to formulate some opinions as to who we believe will be the best supporters of victims’ rights in our State. If you are uncertain as to the politicians most supportive of victims’ rights, please do not hesitate to contact our office in Springfield for guidance concerning your campaign contributions.

When I took office in June, one of my principle goals was to increase membership of the organization. Besides the obvious financial advantage, I felt it would help broaden the political base of the organization. To that end, we have been contacting the larger law firms in our State in an effort to enroll all members of those firms that are not ITLA members. This has been relatively successful, as have the efforts of the co-chairs of the membership committee to contact former members who have not renewed their memberships. As a result of these efforts, we have increased the membership of our organization by approximately 5%. Although this is an auspicious beginning, it is my intent to do a much better job of recruiting members over the next six months. We will be having a phonathon early next year which I hope will increase our membership by another 10 to 15%, along with a recruitment of law students which I hope will give us many new members for the future.

In Marion last month we had the first of five roundtables that we intend to have throughout the State. These roundtables are an excellent opportunity for our members to voice their opinions concerning the goals and accomplishments of ITLA. The structure of the roundtable is basically a Q&A of Jim Collins, our Executive Director, and myself about what is happening with our organization and what our members feel we need to do better. Because the State is so diverse, both politically and geographically, it is important for these dialogues to occur with our membership. Over the next several months, we will hold roundtables in the St. Louis metro area, the Rock Island area and two in central Illinois. I strongly suggest you take the opportunity to attend a roundtable as a means of finding out what ITLA is doing for you and to tell us what you would like to see ITLA do in the future.

Rule 213 continues to be one of the most controversial of all Supreme Court rules ever implemented in this State. Our Civil Practice Committee has continued to partake in meetings regarding this rule. We believe an amendment may be out shortly after the first of the year, however, there is no exact time table. It is our expectation that the rule will not be as broad as it is presently being interpreted. This should give some relief to the parties during the discovery process and trial.

Finally, I am sure there is no one among us who can honestly say our lives have not changed in some way since the events of 9-11. Whether it is increased security at airports, increased fears about flying, concerns about attending events involving a large number of people, or my own personal concern of having a child living on the east coast of this country and using its’ transportation systems. I am also sure there is no one among us who does not feel utter sadness for the approximately 7,000 children who lost a parent on this tragic day. Losing a parent at any age is a tragedy, losing a parent as a child is also a hardship that can change the course of a child’s life.

To that end, I received a letter from a member of ours named Barry Stewart Silver. Barry is a Northbrook attorney who has decided to “put his money where his mouth is.” For every new case he brings into his office in 2002 he will defer 2% of his fee to the relief organization of his client’s choice. Barry acknowledges he has two children in out-of-state universities, and his wife questions the economics of his decision, but states in his letter that “my heart and soul and love for America tell me this is the right thing for me to do.”

Barry is not only a patriot, but also a credit to his profession. I hope the children that receive Barry’s contribution know it is coming from one of those lawyers the media takes such pleasure in insulting. Maybe they will come to find this humor as offensive as I do. Maybe they will appreciate the fact that Barry has made their hardships a little less burdensome and that people like Barry should not be the butt of anyone’s jokes.

Despite the tragedies that have inflicted our lives in the past few months, keep in mind the many things you are thankful for during the holidays this year, and enjoy the time you have to spend with those most important to you. My family and I would like to extend our wishes to you for a safe and a happy holiday season.

We stand together for the rights of victims.

Kim E. Presbrey, President
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association