Northern District's Ninth Annual Pro Bono & Public Interest Awards

The Northern District of Illinois and Chicago's Federal Bar Association chapter are hosting their Ninth Annual Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service awards program this Tuesday, May 13 beginning at 3:30 pm in the James Benton Parsons Memorial Courtroom (2525) of the Dirksen United States Courthouse at 219 South Dearborn Street. The program is open to everyone and is free of charge.

The keynote speaker will be William Neukom, the President of the ABA and partner in K&L Gates.  Prior to his private practice, Neukom was executive vice president of Law and Corporate Affairs for
Microsoft, where he managed Microsoft’s legal, government affairs and philanthropic
activities.

Seven “Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service” and one “Special
Recognition Award for Public Interest Service” will be presented to the following Chicago-area lawyers for their pro bono and public interest work before the Northern District:

  • Sara C. Arroyo and Rosa M. Tumialán, of Dykema Gossett PLLC (presented by the Judge Coar);
  • Anthony J. Masciopinto, of Kulwin, Masciopinto & Kulwin, LLP (presented by Judge Manning);
  • Myron Mackoff, of Richardson & Mackoff (presented by the Chief Judge Holderman and Magistrate Judge Valdez);
  • Joshua D. Lee and Amy M. Rubenstein, of Schiff Hardin LLP (presented by the
    Judge Brown);
  • Catherine Caporusso and Margot Klein, of the Federal District Court's Self-Help Assistance Program (presented by Judge Hibbler);
  • David A. Gordon, Michael B. Nadler, and Kristen R. Seeger, of Sidley Austin LLP (presented
    by Magistrate Judge Schenkier);
  • Lisa R. Kane, of Lisa Kane & Associates, PC (presented by Chief Judge Holderman); and
  • Richard J. Gonzales, Clinical Professor of Law, Chicago-Kent (presented by Chief Judge Holderman).

Chicago Big Firm Salaries Are Rising

Yesterday the Tribune ran another article on big firm associate salaries -- .Biggest Chicago Firms Boosting 1st-Year Pay.  This story only made page 3 of the Business section, not the front page like the last article.  But unlike the last Trib article which only predicted that firms were considering responses to the New York raises, this one reported that Sidley and Mayer, Brown have both raised first-year salaries from $135,000 to $145,000.  The article also predicts that other large Chicago firms will be following suit. 

The Blog is not going to get side-tracked reporting on which firms do and do not raise, so if you are looking for more updated information check out other sources such as Above The Law and the WSJ Law Blog, which does not cover the salaries obsessively but has done several posts on this round of salary raises.

Upcoming Legal Seminars at Chicago-Kent College of Law

The Chicago-Kent College of Law is hosting two seminars in the upcoming weeks that IP practitioners will find very useful.  On this Thursday, October 26, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, the school is hosting a seminar entitled, "Copyright at the World Intellectual Property Organization: An Update."
At the seminar key World Intellectual Property Organization officials will update you on pending and emerging international copyright issues, and will address the challenges facing WIPO and international copyright policymakers.  Please note, prior registration is preferred and can be accomplished by email or fax.

On Wednesday, November 1st, from 3:00 - 4:00 PM, the Chicago-Kent College of Law is hosting its third annual Federal Circuit Roundtable.  The Roundtable, composed of former Federal Circuit law clerks, will address the topic, "Not So Obvious: Patent Law, the Supreme Court, and KSR International." The scheduled participants are Meredith Martin Addy, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, Leonard D. Conapinski, McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd., Sasha D. Mayergoyz, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Michael R. Weiner, Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP.  The Roundtable will be moderated by Chicago-Kent Professor Timothy R. Holbrook.  The Roundtable is free and registration is not required.  Because my wife, Laura L. Donoghue, former law clerk for the Hon. Timothy B. Dyk, has spoken at prior Roundtables, I can vouch for this as an excellent event that is worth a few hours out of your Wednesday afternoon.