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Founded in 1977, Codilis & Associates is one of the most accomplished and experienced law firms in Illinois, specializing in building court, junior mortgage defenses, real estate owned (REO) closings and conveyances, mortgage foreclosures, bankruptcy, and evictions. Founding Partner of Codilis & Associates Ernest J. Codilis Jr. earned his Juris Doctor from DePaul University in 1976. He has dedicated his career of more than 30 years to serving the needs of mortgage lenders and servicers, making him one of the most experienced professionals in the mortgage banking industry. An Illinois native, he is admitted to practice before State and U.S. District Courts in Illinois, Colorado, Texas, and Florida. Ernest J. Codilis Jr. is also an active member of the national Mortgage Bankers Association. Codilis & Associates Partner and Managing Attorney Gregory Moody also obtained his J.D. at DePaul University, graduating as a Dean Scholar in 1971. At Codilis & Associates, Gregory Moody specializes in mortgage foreclosure, creditor bankruptcy, and real estate litigation. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the DuPage County Bar Association. Gregory Moody also earned an appointment to the Illinois State Bar Association’s Real Estate Section Council and conducts frequent educational seminars for other attorneys. Possessing five years of experience as an attorney with Codilis & Associates, Peter Bastianen concentrates his practice on consumer bankruptcy and foreclosure law; as such, he manages foreclosures, evictions, and transactions involving real estate owned (REO) properties. Peter Bastianen earned his degree from the New England School of Law. Prior to joining Codilis & Associates in 2009, Matt Moses worked as an associate at a prominent Illinois law firm and as a Claims Counsel and Assistant Vice President at Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Matt Moses studied for his J.D. at DePaul University. Associate Cari Kauffman, who also holds a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law, brings her past professional experience in human resources and bankruptcy to Codilis & Associates. In addition to her legal and professional training, Cari Kauffman serves the firm and its clients through her proficiency in Spanish.

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MacKenzie Scott Invests in the Cara Collective

Formerly the Cara Program, the Cara Collective helps Chicago residents with pathways to employment and community success. In an October 2023 press release, the Cara Collective announced that it received an $8 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

The organization’s most significant gift in its 30-year history became a historic one. It will help the organization expand its reach and increase its impact.

President and CEO of the Cara Collective Kathleen St. Louis Caliento said the organization was humbled and grateful that Scott bestowed this gift upon the community. The investment/donation acknowledges the Cara Collective's mission to support thousands of people seeking employment and the community that supported this mission.

It will fund neighborhood programming and services, address the needs of job seekers, and find ways to create more inclusive work environments. Finally, some funding will go to staff and organizational infrastructure. Caliento stated the funding acts as a launch pad to transitioning into the next phase of the organization’s mission.

Scott’s charitable organization, Yield Giving’s Quiet Research process, selected the Cara Collective for the gift. Quiet Research independently assessed the organization based on criteria not stated in the announcement.

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Northern District Bankruptcy Judicial Seat Opens August 2024

Since its inception in 1877, the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) has engaged in several activities to support the profession, including being a source of information for its members. In a February 2024 article, the ISBA announced that the Northern District Bankruptcy judgeship will become vacant in August 2024.

Honorable Judge A. Benjamin Goldgar of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois will step down. The Council sought qualified applicant submissions. In addition to serving in Chicago, the candidate will travel to other locations in the Seventh Circuit when needed.

Eligibility requirements included practicing in at least one state court and having good standing with their bar associations. Candidates must understand and solve complex legal problems, know how to write for legal and scholarship and understand court processes. They must also demonstrate integrity, character, sound mind, health, and judicial temperament.

The date for submitting applications has passed.

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Chicago Bar Association Offers Tips on How to Depose Witnesses

The Chicago Bar Association (CBA) serves as a resource for its 17,000 members. In the May/June 2023 issue of the CBA’s publication, the Chicago Record, an article offers lawyers tips on how to depose clients.

The deposition process collects information from witnesses to support the client’s case. However, witnesses can reluctantly answer questions or be evasive. Alternatively, they might be apprehensive about divulging information, which might translate into guarded responses.

Deposing attorneys can use several strategies, such as using a disarming, non-aggressive tone to relax deposes. Additionally, the lawyers might gently remind the witness that they are only there to tell the truth.

Explaining the deposition process can help witnesses provide detailed, descriptive, and clear responses that fully answer questions. Explain the ground rules, the purpose of the process as a legal proceeding, and the witness's right to have their attorney intervene when appropriate. Additionally, attorneys might tell the witness that they can request clarification if they do not understand a question.

Attorneys should open “softball questions” that address the person’s name, address, date of birth, and other background questions. Follow-up questions can include family background, employment history, and educational history.

Then, ask direct questions. To obtain more information from evasive or uncooperative, ask them to elaborate on their answers or ask open-ended questions, which forces the witness to answer beyond a “yes” or “no.”

Deposing expert or experienced witnesses also requires a strategic approach. Many have received training to listen to specific questions and respond accordingly, or they might give long-winded, impeachable testimony, which becomes useless at trial. Nonetheless, attorneys should put them at ease by having a professional demeanor.

Regardless of the proceedings' volatility, the article reminds attorneys to be civil and courteous.

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Benefits of Illinois State Bar Association Memberships

The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) is the preeminent professional attorney organization in the state. It champions judicial reform and upholds democratic values through advocacy and education initiatives while providing valuable member benefits.

As the leading voice for the state’s legal community, ISBA offers its members a comprehensive suite of resources vital to maintaining a competitive edge, including legal research tools, continuing education programs, practice management resources, and industry publications. The association facilitates networking opportunities through online communities, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. ISBA also negotiates exclusive insurance coverage and vendor discounts and advocates for members’ interests in legislative and regulatory matters.

New lawyers gain significant benefits from IBSA membership. Beyond the extensive available resources, they gain support from ISBA during their critical early career years. New lawyers also receive complimentary membership, providing immediate access to practice aids and networking opportunities. Further, they get two additional section memberships and can fulfill their new admittee MCLE (minimum continuing legal education) through free courses. Some initiatives, like the Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program, pair new members with those experienced to help in the transition to legal practice.

ISBA’s membership is inclusive, welcoming lawyers, law students, and qualified non-lawyer affiliates. Newly admitted attorneys enjoy gratis membership for the first year post-admission, with dues applicable thereafter. Law students can access free electronic memberships, while non-lawyer participation requires sponsorship from an active lawyer member and annual fees.

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A Brief Overview of the DuPage County Bar Association

The DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA) serves lawyers, judges, and jurors from its headquarters in Wheaton, Illinois. It offers multiple ways for members to network, hone their skills, and stay updated on local, state, and nationwide developments in the industry.

In 2024, the DCBA maintains 11 committees that enable members to advocate for or assist members in certain demographics, new lawyers, or diversity issues. Its 21 sections expand its advocacy to include initiatives outside the organization and specific practice areas, like animal law, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and local government.

Remote and in-person events widen the DCBA’s scope regarding topics it covers. Examples include how lawyers can work more efficiently, and suggestions may include implementing new HR or project management software. To educate local voters, the DCBA holds discussions of judiciary candidates during election years. Members who use their DCBA accounts when registering for events may also receive CLE credit for sessions that they attend.

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How Non for Profit Corporations Differ from Nonprofits

Most individuals know that for-profit corporations exist, such as Apple and Microsoft. Individuals can also operate not-for-profit corporations, which differ from their for-profit counterparts and nonprofits.

In all three cases, different parties benefit from their operations. For-profit corporations enrich stakeholders and fund the salaries of employees. In addition, for-profit corporations aim to produce profits to satisfy their obligations.

Nonprofits function for the public good and only make enough money to sustain the organization’s existence and pay employees. Examples include hospitals, cultural organizations, and groups providing family services.

Finally, not-for-profit corporations are not required to operate for a public good cause. Instead, the entity can satisfy the needs of its members. The entities cater to a narrow group, such as a sports club that provides services only to paying members.

Despite the differences, nonprofits and not-for-profits must abide by specific taxation and financial transparency rules. Both types must make financial information public so donors or members know how their leadership will spend their contributions. For-profits must only maintain thorough financial records so the IRS can tax them fairly, and any benefit the public gains from these records is secondary. Nonprofit donors can apply for tax reductions equal to the magnitude of their donation, whereas not-for-profits are ineligible for similar reductions.

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Lawyers Taking the Lead in Hunger Relief

Food insecurity is a significant concern nationwide, with over 17 million affected children in the United States, according to Lawyers Helping Hungry Children. Lawyers nationwide have established a range of initiatives to address this crisis.

Illinois legal professionals launched Lawyers Feeding Illinois, moving beyond traditional bar activities to raise funds for state food banks. Uniting judges, lawyers, and community members statewide, this philanthropic drive garnered donations to supply over 4 million meals, quadrupling the 1 million meal target. By mobilizing broad participation, this initiative demonstrated the legal community’s combined generosity and impact on addressing hunger.

Similarly, Attorneys Against Hunger, under the Allegheny County Bar Association, has long combated local hunger issues in Pennsylvania. It now supports 17 agencies battling food insecurity and has raised the funds needed to feed thousands in the region.

The Lawyers' Campaign Against Hunger program legal community has been a philanthropic driving force to alleviate food insecurity in Maryland. Through annual campaigns, this program unites dedicated attorneys statewide to raise funds for the Maryland Food Bank, assisting residents struggling to afford nutritious meals. To date, the program has raised over $7 million, benefiting needy households.

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Stages of Foreclosure - From Default to Eviction

Foreclosure is a complex and often distressing process for homeowners facing financial challenges. Understanding the stages involved can help individuals make informed decisions to mitigate the impact on their home ownership and their financial situation.

The journey into foreclosure typically begins with a missed mortgage payment. Lenders initiate contact, frequently aiming to work with borrowers even after the first missed payment. After three months of non-payment a demand letter is sent, outlining the amount overdue and providing a 30-day window to rectify the situation.

Four months into missed payments (assuming no other arrangements have been made), a notice of default (NOD) is issued, marking the start of the formal foreclosure process. Borrowers have an additional 30 days to settle before further action is taken. Federal law generally prevents foreclosure until a borrower is more than 120 days overdue.

The foreclosure process diverges based on state laws. Some follow nonjudicial foreclosures, while others opt for judicial foreclosures, requiring court approval. After filing necessary paperwork, a notice of trustee’s sale is recorded, indicating the auction details, including time, location, and minimum bid.

The property enters public auction, with the highest bidder securing ownership. The opening bid is based on the outstanding loan, unpaid taxes, and sale costs. Upon completion, the winning bidder receives a trustee’s deed, claiming immediate possession. If the property remains unsold during the auction, the lender takes ownership and attempts to sell it as real estate owned (REO) property.

Once the auction concludes, occupants, whether former owners or tenants, receive an eviction notice. This mandates an immediate evacuation, which is typically handled by local law enforcement.

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Benefits of Joining the Chicago Bar Association

Joining the Chicago Bar Association offers several benefits. The CBA connects members with networking opportunities. It also provides resources that help members continue developing professionally and their practices.

Membership provides legal professionals access to the Continuous Legal Education (CLE) program. Every year, the CBA sponsors more than 120 seminars that fulfill the minimum CLE requirements in Illinois and several other states. The course units cover most practice areas, including technology, business skills, law office management, trial techniques, and professionalism. In addition, membership grants legal professionals a 50 percent discount to the CLE program.

As a CBA member, legal professionals also receive access to speaking, networking, and leadership opportunities through committees. The opportunities can lead to business referrals that benefit thriving legal practices. Through the Young Lawyers Section committees, members receive an exemption from extra section fees and access to learning opportunities from judges and seasoned legal experts. Members with less than ten years in the profession receive automatic enrollment in the committee. Therefore, automatic access to educational opportunities.

Lastly, CBA members can access an online career center featuring national and local job openings. Then, members can leverage the Law Practice Management & Technology Division to access information about developing their law practice and understanding emerging technologies.

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ISBA Works with Supreme Court Commission to Eliminate Bullying

A volunteer organization of more than 18,000 members, the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) works toward improving the administration of justice. It advocates for equal access and supports attorneys throughout the state. As a part of this mission, the ISBA is working with the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism to eliminate bullying in the legal profession, according to a November 2023 press release.

The first part of the initiative surveyed attorneys in Illinois. The initiative received more than 6,000 responses, a new record.

As of November 2023, the initiative narrowed its examinations to a focus group of 12 people who practice in Southern and Central Illinois. The focus group discussion occurred over a Zoom meeting lasting 1-1/2 hours. Some topics included discussing attorney experiences with bullying, why it occurs, and how it can be stopped.

The ISBA encouraged members and attorneys in the state to participate in the meeting, which took place on December 11, 2023.

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Mercy Home Presents 2024 Book of Service

The Mercy Home for Boys & Girls provides youth dealing with adversity at home with a safe place to live. While staying with the organization, children take part in community service projects. Then, the annual Book of Service highlights the projects, and the children present it to the public during the holidays.

The presentation takes place at the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls annual tree lighting event. The book highlights all of the community projects from the various Mercy Home communities. For instance, the children living in Seton Home volunteered at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, packaging food for individuals experiencing food insecurity. The participants also packaged food at the Feed My Starving Children food bank and volunteered with the Center’s Children’s Farm in Palos Park and the Teen Bridge Center.

Other community projects include the children at the Couderc Home, which partnered with Habitat for Humanity, the Teen Bridge Center, and the Pilsen Food Pantry. At the Walgreen Home, children volunteered twice at Feed My Starving Children and participated in a beautification project in Englewood. The boys living in the Mahoney Home volunteered at the Roosevelt Square Farm, a youth-led farm, and with EcoShip to sort and store donations.

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The Jesse White Community Center - Designed to Serve the Community

A multipurpose community center in Chicago, Illinois, the Jesse White Community Center and Field House provide a place for residents to gather and engage in various activities. Featured in the official journal of the American Institute of Architects, the structure that houses the center features a design that welcomes people inside by embracing themes of openness and well-being.

Allowing sunlight to shine through, the transparent front facade beckons visitors to enter a spacious lobby and reception area. The architecture firm Ghafari collaborated with the Jesse White Foundation and the Chicago Park District. Together, the entities created a building that promotes transparency and connectivity to serve as “a beacon of hope and healthy living.”

Spanning more than 300,000 square feet, the Jesse White Community Center optimizes its internal space; it efficiently organized and placed utility equipment in central locations. In addition to its performance-driven design, its sustainable and energy-saving building materials have helped secure the Jesse White Community Center LEED Silver certification for its “environmental, social, and governance benefits.”

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The 2023 USFNdustry Forum

Presented by the American mortgage banking attorney association USFN, the 2023 USFNdustry Forum gathered 162 attendees in Charlotte, North Carolina, from June 7 to June 9. The first night of the event featured a service project that involved packing backpacks with school supplies and soliciting financial donations for Charlotte-area schoolchildren. The next day, attendees enjoyed a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The event concluded with a panel of speakers from Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the US Veterans Affairs Department, all of whom spoke about what the future holds for their respective agencies.

2023 USFNdustry Forum featured a variety of informative general sessions and keynote addresses over its three days. Its general sessions included “Servicer Takeover” and “Top 10 Summer Topics: From AI & HAF to Compliance & Operational Changes.” Its keynote addresses included “The Macroeconomic Environment and the Mortgage Market” from Edward Seiler, PhD, as well as “Shelter from the Storm: How a COVID Mortgage Meltdown was Averted” by Mark Calabria, PhD.

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CBA Offers Mediation Services

A law firm that focuses on real estate cases, Codilis & Associates has represented clients in Illinois since 1977. In addition to its menu of realty-related services, the team at Codilis and Associates is involved with various professional organizations, including the Chicago Bar Association (CBA), an organization established to maintain the honor and dignity of the law.

The CBA offers clients a way to resolve cases quickly through its mediation services. Furthermore, CBA mediation services cover a range of areas like real estate, personal injury, and family law, among others.

Clients who choose to resolve their legal issues with the CBA’s mediation services are guaranteed assistance from attorneys with at least 10 years of experience. In addition to their time in the profession, these attorneys have undergone training to mediate under CBA auspices.

By providing clients with experienced attorneys, the program allows litigants to resolve their cases in a fair, cost-effective, and efficient way. This service aligns with one of the organization’s goals to promote the administration of justice. For more information on the CBA and its mediation services, please visit www.chicagobarmediation.org/.

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Mercy Home’s Friends First Mentoring Program

Located in Chicago, Illinois, the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls has been serving abused and neglected youth since 1887. It provides shelter to young people and connects them with a range of appropriate support resources.

Through its Friends First Mentoring Program, Mercy Home matches young people in need with volunteer mentors who are trained to meet those needs. Reaching out to many children who have been disappointed by adults in the past, this program strives to help children see beyond their often “limited horizon” to foster a “better vision for their future.”

Beginning with a simple visit to someplace fun like a museum or park, the Friends First experience provides needed one-on-one attention. As the mentor relationship progresses, mentors can refer families to the various support services that they need.

The effectiveness of the Friends First approach is well-documented. As confirmed by a Public/Private Ventures study, mentored children are less likely to skip school and more likely to refrain from drug and alcohol use.

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Grounds for Eviction in Illinois

Established in 1977, Codilis & Associates is a law firm based in Burr Ridge, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The firm offers services in the mortgage lending industry. Additional areas of focus for Codilis and Associates include evictions.

Tenants in Illinois can commit various violations that may lead to a landlord or property owner initiating eviction processes. Reasons for tenant eviction in Illinois include failure to pay rent, property damage, and one or multiple violations of a legally enforceable lease agreement.

However, a tenant can take several actions that cannot cause an eviction. For instance, if a building inspector validates a tenant’s complaints about the building or individual unit, the landlord cannot respond with an eviction notice. Landlords are barred from any discriminatory practices, such as evicting tenants due to race, sex, or familial status.

There are also exceptions to typical grounds for eviction. For example, if a person cannot pay rent because they were forced to temporarily relocate after a domestic violence incident, landlords cannot immediately begin eviction. More broadly, all eviction processes terminate if a landlord accepts late rent before the end of the notice to move period. Any person or family dealing with eviction in Illinois should reach out to a legal professional with experience in landlord-tenant law.

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The Importance of Lawyers in Real Estate

Codilis & Associates is a family of firms established in Illinois to offer accessible legal services. With over four decades of history, Codilis has a wealth of experience providing stellar legal services to its clients. Codilis and Associates’ legal services include handling loss mitigation, bankruptcy, and real estate dealings for clients.

Anyone involved in real estate must get sound legal advice. A real estate lawyer is well versed in property law, and their job is to protect clients' interests in real estate dealings. Property law is extensive, and its complexities arise from legislation dependent on location, property type, and contract stipulations. These complexities can result in confusion which can be costly for an inexperienced person. Real estate attorneys also inform clients of the different property laws unique to each state.

A qualified legal advisor helps avoid many real estate pitfalls when buying or selling. Real estate attorneys draft and inspect contracts before closing a sale. For example, a real estate attorney can prevent a bad purchase by ensuring a clause lets you back out of a purchase if the acquired property fails inspections.

Real estate attorneys are essential for buying, selling, or renting properties. Mortgage companies sometimes require buyers to hire licensed real estate attorneys before financing to ensure contracts are devoid of errors and all paperwork is in order.