July 16, 2024

Notice of Adoption of Modifications to Circuit Rules 31, 34, 40, 47, and 60

On April 12, 2024, this court issued notice that it proposed modifications to Circuit Rules 31, 34, 40, 47, and 60. The court carefully considered the comments received and made an additional modification to Circuit Rule 34. The court hereby provides notice of adoption of the attached modifications, effective immediately.

Notice is hereby given that the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071, proposes modifications to Circuit Rules 46 and 51, and the creation of Circuit Rule 46.1. Proposed versions of each rule and current and redline versions, where applicable, are provided below. Written comments on the proposed rule changes should be sent by July 18, 2024, to:

Advisory Committee on Circuit Rules

c/o Clerk of Court

United States Court of Appeals

For the Seventh Circuit

219 South Dearborn Street, Room 2722

Chicago, IL 60604

Comments can also be made via e-mail at: USCA7_Clerk@ca7.uscourts.gov

Justice Mary L. Mikva of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, is seeking a Judicial Secretary/Law Clerk for an opening in her chambers in Chicago. This is an in-person position. Illinois residency is required or willingness to obtain upon job offer. The salary for this position is $91,761 per year. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:  The Judicial Secretary/Law Clerk will conduct legal research and draft memoranda, orders, and opinions for the Justice. Duties also include reviewing and editing the work of fellow clerks and administrative duties. Work will not include significant secretarial or administrative duties. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  Justice Mikva generally considers applicants who graduated in the top 20% of their class from an ABA-accredited law school. Individuals who have practiced law for a year or two after law school or have other significant litigation experience are strongly preferred for this position. The ideal person will be motivated to tackle complex legal issues, skilled in legal analysis, and able to produce clear, concise writing in a collaborative environment. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time. This is a professional office working environment requiring telephone usage and the ability to process and read large volumes of written documents in electronic formats.

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, law school transcript, and references to dgoulet@illinoiscourts.gov. 

Justice Mary L. Mikva of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, is seeking a Judicial Secretary/Law Clerk for an opening in her chambers in Chicago. This is an in-person position. Illinois residency is required or willingness to obtain upon job offer. The salary for this position is $91,761 per year. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:  The Judicial Secretary/Law Clerk will conduct legal research and draft memoranda, orders, and opinions for the Justice. Duties also include reviewing and editing the work of fellow clerks and administrative duties.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  Justice Mikva generally considers applicants who graduated in the top 20% of their class from an ABA-accredited law school. Individuals who have practiced law for a year or two after law school or have other significant litigation experience are strongly preferred for this position. The ideal person will be motivated to tackle complex legal issues, skilled in legal analysis, and able to produce clear, concise writing in a collaborative environment. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time. This is a professional office working environment requiring telephone usage and the ability to process and read large volumes of written documents in electronic formats.

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, law school transcript, and references to dgoulet@illinoiscourts.gov. 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEFENDERS, INC.

The NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEFENDERS, INC. (NDIFCD), is accepting applications for a full-time appellate attorney. The NDIFCD provides legal representation to individuals charged with federal crimes and related matters who are financially unable to retain counsel. The organization is funded by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

The appellate attorney will draft briefs, present oral arguments in the Seventh Circuit, seek certiorari when appropriate, and provide advanced research and writing assistance to the trial attorneys in select cases. In addition to being a skilled appellate advocate, this attorney will proactively assist trial attorneys in developing legal strategies and occasionally appear in district court for proceedings relating to pretrial motions. However, the attorney’s primary employment responsibilities will involve appeals. The successful candidate must have the experience and ability to work independently. However, collaboration with the trial attorneys will be required at times. The appellate attorney will also give continuing legal education presentations on developments in the law.

Applicants with significant appellate experience and/or judicial clerkship are encouraged to apply. The NDIFCD offers a competitive salary and benefit package. A lawyer applying for this position must be admitted to practice law of any state or the District of Columbia and be willing to apply for admission in the Northern District of Indiana and Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The successful candidate will not be permitted to engage in the private practice of law.

The NDIFCD has offices in the Hammond, South Bend, and Fort Wayne Divisions of the United Stated District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. This position is located in the Hammond Division which is approximately 30 miles from downtown Chicago. However, partial remote work may be available for the successful candidate under specified, negotiable parameters.

Application for this position is made by sending a cover letter, resume, references, and a writing sample, compiled in a single PDF, in that order, to: Sherrie_Horan@fd.org. This position will remain open until filled.

NDIFCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has issued notice of proposed modifications to Circuit Rules 31, 34, 40, 47, and 60. It is also providing an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes until May 13, 2024. Any comments should be sent to:

Advisory Committee on Circuit Rules, c/o Clerk of Court

219 South Dearborn Street, Room 2722, Chicago, IL 60604

USCA7_Clerk@ca7.uscourts.gov

A redlined draft of the proposed rules changes can be viewed here.

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is hosting its annual "Future Is Now: Legal Services Conference"  on April 18, 2024. The conference will be held virtually from 12-4:30 p.m. 

Through speaker talks and interactive town hall discussions, the conference will explore issues of access to justice, allyship, attorney mental health and well-being, the practical and ethical use of AI, incivility in the courtroom, and more. 

The speaker lineup includes: 

• Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford
• Legal entrepreneur Jazz Hampton (of TurnSignl)
• Cook County Circuit Court Judge Barbara Flores
• Sixth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Matthew Lee
• Legal technologist Damien Riehl (of vLex)
• Legal ethicist Trish Rich
• Best selling author on diversity and inclusion Michelle Silverthorn

Four hours of professional responsibility CLE credit is available, including one hour of diversity and inclusion and one hour of mental health and substance abuse CLE. 

To register visit: thefutureisnow.2civility.org 

The First District of the Illinois Appellate Court's Legal Research Division is seeking new graduates and experienced attorneys with a passion for legal writing and a strong interest in appellate and criminal law for the position of Appellate Court Research Attorneys provide necessary and crucial assistance to the justices of the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court. Responsibilities in general include researching and analyzing applicable law and preparing draft orders, and other legal documents in matters before the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Applicants must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Applicants must possess excellent research, case analysis, and writing skills. Practicing attorneys and recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time. This is a professional office working environment requiring telephone and computer usage and the ability to process written documents.

Interested individuals are asked to submit a resume, writing sample, an official or unofficial law school transcript (initially to be used as an assessment of the types of classes taken by candidates), and a letter of interest stating how the candidate’s experience and qualifications connect with the required and preferred credentials, characteristics and priorities expressed in the position profile, via e-mail, to courtemployment@illinoiscourts.gov no later than April 5, 2024.

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice is pleased to announce that six Illinois Supreme Court form sets have been posted for public comment. We ask for your feedback and suggestions to improve these draft forms, which are available on the IL Courts’ website. The draft forms are:

• Petition for Leave to Appeal
• Answer to Petition for Leave to Appeal
• Notice of Election
• Appellant’s Brief
• Appellee’s Brief
• Appellant’s Reply Brief  

All form sets are available for public comment for 21 days which ends on March 22, 2024.  Your input is invaluable in refining these draft forms. You may submit comments through the website or directly to forms@illinoiscourts.gov.  After the public comment period ends, the feedback or suggestions received will be reviewed and necessary revisions made by the Appellate Forms Subcommittee before the forms are formally approved and published on the IL Courts’ website. 

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is accepting applications for a full-time United States Magistrate Judge position in the Eastern Division, with the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse at Chicago, Illinois as the duty station. The deadline for the submission of completed applications is 5:00 p.m. on March 6, 2024. Applicants that applied to the recent U.S. Magistrate Judge position that closed on February 2, 2024, will be automatically considered for this vacancy. Filling this U.S. Magistrate Judge position is contingent upon the confirmation of a current U.S. Magistrate Judge as a U.S. District Judge and approval of the Seventh Circuit Judicial Council and of the Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of the Magistrate Judges System. The candidate selected will be appointed only upon the successful completion of a Federal Bureau Investigation and Internal Revenue Service background check.