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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.