News

New ALA Officers and Directors Voted In

New ALA Forum Replaces Topica

Nominating Committee Slates New Officers

ALA Web Site Adds User-Friendly Features

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New ALA Officers and Directors Voted In

On June 30, the ALA swore in its new officers and three new directors.

The new ALA President is Gary Feinerman, the new Vice President is Jean Prendergast, the new Secretary is William Hardy, and the new Treasurer is Karen DeGrand.

The three new directors are Christine Olson McTigue, Kass A. Plain, and Michael A. Scodro.

Thanks to Michael I Rothstein, outgoing President. Thanks to Karen DeGrand, Scott Howie, and Lawrence Weiner, who just completed their terms as directors.

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New ALA Forum Replaces Topica

The Appellate Lawyers Association has created a new, more user-friendly discussion forum for sharing information, posing questions to colleagues, and debating the finer points of appellate law in Illinois. The forum is another members-only benefit and requires users to log in with their user name and password.

Since we are totally relaunching this feature, if you were formerly a member of the Topica version of the email discussion list, you must resubscribe to this one because the ALA forum hosted by Topica is being shut down and phased out.

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Nominating Committee Slates New Officers

The 2009 Appellate Lawyers Association Nominating Committee has slated the following candidates for Officers of the Association for the 2009-2010 term:

• Vice-President: Jean P. Prendergast
• Secretary: William P. Hardy
• Treasurer: Karen K. DeGrand

The Committee also slated the following candidates for 2-year terms as Directors:

• Director (Fifth District): Richard Chase
• Director (At Large): Christine Olson McTigue
• Director (At Large): Kass Plain
• Director (At Large): Michael Scodro

Pursuant to Article VII of the Bylaws, in the event no elective office is contested, the slate will be formally proposed at the June 30, 2009 meeting and elected by a majority of those members present.

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ALA Web Site Adds User-Friendly Features

ALA President Michael I Rothstein and the web committee are pleased to announce that the association’s web site has been enhanced with some exciting improvements that offer members many self-service capabilities.

The following features are now available:

Member Information

• Ability to make online updates of contact information and other details in your member profile;
• Ability to decide which parts of your member profile will display publicly and which will be kept private;
• Ability to view and search the ALA member database, which is now more complete and current than ever before.

On-Line Registration

• Ability to register for ALA events and pay online via a credit card or using an existing PayPal account (manual payment via check is still an option, of course).

Use the PDF “Cheat Sheet”

For detailed instructions, view and print the PDF file that explains how to access these extensive new features. If you have questions, please email our administrator, Elizabeth DeWolfe,or call her at (847) 885-2410.

Accessing the System/Getting Your Password

Our enhanced web site requires each member to have a unique user name and password.  Your user name is your email address. We’ve also assigned you a randomly generated password which you will be able to change.

1. To reset your password and gain access to your online profile, go to: http://www.applawyers.org/memberprofile.html.
2. Input your email address and click on “Forget password.”  You will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to reset your password.
3. Click on the link in the email, which will take you to a browser window that is labeled “Reset your password”.
4. Fill in your new password, then re-enter that new password, and click on the “Set new password” button.

Editing Your Member Profile

1. Go to http://www.applawyers.org/memberprofile.html.
2. Type in your email address and the new password you created.
3. This will take you to a screen with the ALA’s web site labeled “My profile.” To edit your profile, click on the “Edit profile” button.

Members, Check and Update Your Record

Please log on and access your member record, check it for accuracy, make any changes needed, and fill in any missing information. After you update your member record by putting information in a field that was previously empty, you will need to update “Profile access settings” on your member profile in order for other members to be able to view this new information in the online directory.

Tailoring the ALA to Our Members Needs

We have begun to track the number of lawyers in members’ firms or at their employers, and members’ employment type (private practice, government, education, or judge/justice). We also would like you to select your Illinois appellate district. Please fill out this information in your member profile. This new and more complete information will help us tailor our events, activities, and publications to your needs.

ALA Committees Need Your Help

Want to find out more about one of our committees? We can always use more volunteers. Visit the ALA Member Data section in your member profile and express interest in one of our 12 active ALA committees.