Vested Interest - September 1999 Issue

The President’s Thoughts

Dudley Scholarship Recipient Named

I recently named Northwestern University School of Law as recipient of the Dudley Scholarship Award for 1999. The fund was created as a lasting memory to Jim Dudley who was ITLA Executive Director from 1981 to 1992. Former ITLA President Dave Decker will make the presentation of approximately $3,000.

Trial Journal

The first issue of the Trial Journal received a very favorable reception. Consequently, we intend to publish Winter 1999 and Spring 2000 issues. Give the ITLA office the names of any persons you would like added to the distribution list, which now numbers 3,500.

We encourage submissions of proposed Journal articles to the Publication Committee, through the ITLA office. Drafts must be received by October 31, 1999 for consideration for the Winter 1999 issue.

DepoConnect

The Board of Managers, on September 13, 1999, voted to participate in DepoConnect, the deposition database maintained by the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. DepoConnect provides services to lawyers in 45 states and has more than 92,000 depositions in their system. Details will be forthcoming.

1st District Judicial & Legislative Night
October 4, 1999 - Mark your calendar. This year’s affair will be held at the Mid-America Club in Chicago with the reception starting at 5:00 and dinner being served at 6:00 p.m. Call the ITLA office for reservations so you can join me in honoring those from the 1st District who choose public service as a way of life.

ITLA Charitable Foundation

The Board of Managers voted to establish an Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Charitable Foundation to be organized under IRS Code Section 501(c) 3. The foundation will provide charitable grants to worthy individuals and organizations seeking its financial assistance. The foundation funding will be generated from voluntary contributions from the ITLA membership. Contributions will be tax deductible. The first contribution to the foundation will come from my wife Elaine and I in honor of Andrew Rudy. Andy was a 14-year-old freshman high school student who frequented my home and attended school with my sons. He was a bright and wonderful young man whose life ended tragically last month.

Hug your kids and keep the faith.

Michael J. Reagan
President, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association