Vested Interest - November/December 1999 Issue

The President’s Thoughts

ITLA Monitoring Proposed Supreme Court Rule Changes

The Supreme Court Rules Committee is soliciting public comments regarding proposed rule changes. Of particular interest to our membership is a proposed amendment to Rule 212(a) that would permit the use of a discovery deposition at trial when the deponent is unable to be present due to illness or death. Additionally, a proposed amendment to Rule 204(c) limits the length of the deposition of a non-party physician to one hour and limits the deponents’ fee to $450/hour absent a court order. Other proposed changes involve interlocutory appeals and supervisory orders.

ITLA’s Civil Practice & Rules Committee will formulate comments prior to the January 10, 2000 submission date.

The committee welcomes your input, which should be sent to the ITLA office as soon as possible. Contact ITLA at 800-252-8501 for copies of the proposed changes.

Nominations Being Accepted For The Leonard Ring Award

The ITLA office is accepting nominations through April 1, 2000 for the Leonard Ring Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominees must have devoted a substantial amount of their lives and practices to ITLA and its core values. The award has been presented to Nat Ozmon (1994); Philip H. Corboy (1995); Eugene Pavalon (1996); Rex Carr (1997); William J. Harte (1998) and David Decker (1999). The award is presented at the June 2000 annual convention.

Fall Veto Session Uneventful

As anticipated the fall veto session passed without any anti-consumer legislation being considered.

DepoConnect

Each member will soon be receiving information regarding this ITLA sanctioned service which has over 110,000 depositions. Access to DepoConnect by Illinois attorneys is a benefit open only to ITLA members.

ITLA Charitable Foundation

The Foundation has received approval from the Illinois Secretary of State and awaits IRS approval as a 501(c) 3 charity. I will advise you as soon as we can receive contributions.

Happy Holidays

Elaine and I along with our sons Justin, Mick, Brad and Jon wish you a joyous holiday season and a peaceful, healthy 2000.

Keep the faith,

Michael J. Reagan
President, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association