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November 12 - 18, 2006 | |
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Academics, politicians and audience members all offered solutions on how best to solve Illinois' outstanding public pension obligations at the program "Public Sector Pension Plans in Illinois: Will the Promises Be Kept?" on Oct. 27 co-hosted by The John Marshall Law School's Center For Tax Law and Employee Benefits and The Institute for Truth In Accounting.
"Although the exact status of the state's pension plans is subject to debate, all agreed that the five pension funds' assets cover only about 60 percent of future payment obligations to state workers and teachers," said program moderator Barry Kozak, associate director of the center's Employee Benefits Program. "This shortfall may amount to as much as $45 billion—nearly $3,800 for every Illinois citizen—and it gets worse every day that nothing is done."
Panelists presented expert assessments of the problems Illinois faces from its chronic under funding of public employee pension funds. The discussion revealed the wide spectrum of thought among all groups, including the nature of public-sector pension plans and why they differ from the private-sector plans that are in much better financial condition. Panelists also debated whether past actions, including the 50-year "catch-up" plan begun in 1995, or the more recent pension bond funding, have helped or hurt the situation.
"Despite the issue's contentiousness and profound differences in views on past attempts to solve the problem, attendees were able to focus on prospective solutions," Kozak said. These included the effect of the Illinois Constitution on pension promises and the macroeconomic effects of properly funding these obligations.
Kozak said an important recent development is the emerging consensus from all involved in the issue that the under funded pensions should be accounted for properly and disclosed to Illinois' citizens through reliable, useful and transparent financial statements.
The program's panel members were Illinois Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), minority spokesperson for the Pension and Investments Committee; Stephen D'Arcy, the John C. Brogan Faculty Scholar in Risk Management and Insurance and professor of finance in the College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; John Filan, director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget; J. Fred Giertz, professor and faculty member of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Illinois Senator Carole Pankau (R-Roselle), Republican candidate for Illinois comptroller; James Spiotto, partner and head of the Special Litigation, Bankruptcy and Workout Group at Chapman & Cutler LLP; and Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting.
This program was the first in a series of programs the center and the Institute for Truth in Accounting will co-host. They will collaborate again in 2007 on another program examining public policy choices.
John Marshall is the only law school educating attorneys and benefits professionals in the art and substance of employee benefits law. The institute is a non-partisan public interest organization dedicated to enhancing the credibility of private and public sector financial reporting. 
Panelists for the Center for Tax Law and Employee Benefits pension program were (back row from left) Stephen D'Arcy, of the College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; John Filan, director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget; Barry Kozak, associate director of John Marshall's Employee Benefits Program; and J. Fred Giertz, faculty member of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and (front row from left) Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting; James Spiotto, partner at Chapman & Cutler LLP; and Sen. Carole Pankau, Republican candidate for Illinois comptroller. Not pictured is Sen. Bill Brady, minority spokesperson for the Pension and Investments Committee.
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The John Marshall Law School's Center for Intellectual Property Law and Center for Tax Law and Employee Benefits are presenting the program "Taxing Intellectual Property" from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Dec. 1, at the law school, 315 S. Plymouth Ct., Chicago.
Panelists will address important but often ignored tax aspects and consequences involved in the ownership and transfer of intellectual property (IP). Speakers will address taxation of IP development, IP property acquisitions, Internet/e-commerce, IP holding companies, cost-sharing, research tax credits and tax consequences of domain name registration development.
Panelists are Robert Alltop, vice president of The Ballentine Barbera Group, a consulting firm offering transfer pricing services; Professor Jeffrey Maine, associate dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Maine School of Law; and Professor Xuan-Thao Nguyen of Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law.
There is a $25 fee for this program with a reduced rate of $10 for government employees, members of the judiciary and academics, and no fee for students. This program is offered for three hours of CLE credit. Pre-registration is being accepted by the Department of Event Management at The John Marshall Law School at 312.987.1420, or between 8:30 and 9 a.m. the day of the program.
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The case of Barry Bonds, the San Francisco Giants slugger who testified before a federal grand jury on his use of medicinals that later proved to be steroids, will get a hearing before an arbitration panel in a hypothetical exercise Tuesday, Nov. 14, at The John Marshall Law School, 315 S. Plymouth Ct., Chicago.
Discussion will focus on whether Bonds used prohibited performance enhancing products, and whether he lied about that use to both the grand jury and representatives of Major League Baseball.
In the simulated arbitration from 3 to 6 p.m., panelists will hear a "hypothetical case" brought by the Major League Baseball Players Association on behalf of Bonds who has been sanctioned and banned from the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The "hearing officers" for this program will be Lester Munson, an associate editor with Sports Illustrated; Adjunct Professor Eldon L. Ham, a sports law expert who teaches at The John Marshall Law School and Chicago-Kent College of Law; and former television newsman Joel Daly, director of external affairs at John Marshall.
This simulated exercise comes from headlines that Bonds, a seven-time Most Valuable Player, made after testifying to a grand jury in 2004 that he used a clear substance and a cream given to him by a trainer in 2003, but he didn't know they were steroids. According to Bonds, the trainer told him the substances were the nutritional supplement flaxseed oil and a pain-relieving balm for his arthritis. At least one attorney has argued that even if the substances Bonds took were steroids, they were not banned by baseball officials at the time.
Bonds is close to breaking the all-time home run record set by Hank Aaron, and there are those in baseball who believe steroids played a role in Bonds' performance, although the left-handed hitter denies the allegation.
This is a free program presented by The John Marshall Law School's Center for Intellectual Property Law and the Labor and Employment Law Society. Guests are asked to notify the Office of Event Management of their attendance at 312.987.1420 or at events@jmls.edu.
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The Center for Information Technology and Privacy Law marked the 25th anniversary of the International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law by hosting more than two dozen teams from across the United States, India and Australia. This year's problem dealt with privacy issues on MySpace and other social networks. The winning team was from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. 
U.S. District Court Judge Charles Norgle (J.D. '69) (left) was welcomed to The John Marshall Law School's 25th International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law by Acting Dean John Corkery (center) and Richard Balough, associate director of the Center for Information Technology and Privacy Law. Judge Norgle has judged the competition for more than 20 years. He delivered the opening address for the welcoming reception. 
Professor Emeritus George Trubow (left) receives a memento from Leslie Ann Reis, director of the Center for Information Technology and Privacy Law, in thanks for his initiatives that led to the development of the competition in 1981. They are joined by Professor Ardath Hamann, director of the Moot Court Programs, and Ralph Ruebner, former director of Moot Court Programs. 
The second-place team from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law accepts the winning trophy at the awards banquet. On stage are (from left) Professor David Sorkin, competition advisor; Leslie Ann Reis, director of the Center for Information Technology and Privacy Law; and Judge Michael S. Kanne, presenting the trophy to team members Katy Kennedy, Susannah Barr and Joseph LaHatte III. 
The Texas Wesleyan University School of Law team took first place honors at the 25th John Marshall Law School International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law. Professor David Sorkin, competition advisor (left) joins (from second from left) Leslie Ann Reis, director of the Center for Information Technology and Privacy Law, and Judge Michael S. Kanne in presenting the winning trophy to team members Anndi Queenan, Chris Norris and Justin Sisemore.
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Rebecca Lynn Ptaszynski, a third-year law student at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, is the recipient of the Dolores K. Hanna Scholarship presented by the Women's Bar Foundation.
Ptaszynski was one of 11 women from Illinois law schools to be selected for scholarship awards. Her scholarship honors trademark expert Dolores Hanna who practices at Chicago's Bell Boyd and Lloyd law firm.
Ptaszynski is in the top 10 in her law class. She is the recipient of the John Marshall Law School Dean's Scholarship and the Herzog Scholarship. She is a member of the John Marshall Law Review staff and serves on the Moot Court Executive Board. Ptaszynski also is a member of Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, the Sports & Entertainment Law Society, the Children's Law Society and vice president of the Renaissance Society.
During her first year of law school Ptaszynski was a paralegal/summer associate at Stone & Moore in Chicago. She continued during summer 2005, and also was a research assistant for Professor Debra Stark and in summer 2006 she interned at the Chicago firm of Vedder Price Kaufman & Kammholz P.C.
A graduate of Geneva High School, Ptaszynski received a bachelor's degree in journalism-advertising from the University of Missouri and worked as a promotions manager for Q101 Radio in Chicago before starting her law school career. 
Rebecca Ptaszynski, recipient of the Women's Bar Foundation Dolores K. Hanna Scholarship, accepts congratulations from Associate Dean for Admission and Student Affairs William Powers.
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Members of Delta Theta Phi agreed to underwrite the cost of a scripted plaque telling the history of The John Marshall Law School. The legal fraternity presented the plaque to the school during an October ceremony. The plaque is now on display in the first floor hallway. Acting Dean John Corkery (left) thanks students (from second from left) Jacob Bachman; J. Kyle Rubeck, past president of Delta Theta Phi; Dennis Foldenauer; Joseph Alexander, president of the fraternity; and Jessica Whitmore for their work on this project. They are joined by William Wleklinski (right), library curator who wrote the history.
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Members of the 2006-2007 Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Honors Board are (seated from left) Presiding Barrister Benjamin Burnham, Megan McGuire and Vice Barrister Sean O'Brien, and (standing, from left) Anna Rehder, Ryan Williams, Tiffany Freeman, Adam Hill and Claire Covington.
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FBI Special Agent Frank Bochte was a recent guest presenter at The John Marshall Law School. 
A 1986 graduate of John Marshall, Bochte practiced law for nearly two years before becoming an FBI Special Agent. Bochte is the Undercover Coordinator and a Media Representative for the FBI's Chicago Office.
In his lecture, Bochte discussed career opportunities with the FBI, what it is like to be an agent, training and support for undercover agents, and legal concerns with undercover cases.
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Members of the 2006-2007 Student Bar Association Executive Board are (from left) Corey Leatherman, Illinois State Bar Association representative; Laura Pautz, treasurer; Michael Abramson, president; Holly Grosshans, vice president; and Megan McGuire, Chicago Bar Association representative. Not pictured are Alicja Chrabasczcz, evening student liaison; and Rosalind Zee, secretary.
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November 13
A security focus group will meet at 5:15 in room 1105. This meeting is designed to discuss security at our school and ways that can be implemented to have a more secure environment. John Marshall alumna Dixie Lee Petersen will be present. Petersen is the representative from the Board of Trustees for the Office of Student Affairs.
November 14
The Justinian Society will feature speaker, Stephano Viola, who will speak about the Italian law and culture. Noon, room 532.
The Labor and Employment Law Society, along with the Center for Intellectual Property Law will present a mock arbitration with speakers, Joel Daly, Lester Munson and Eldon Ham. Room 1200 at 3:30 p.m.
The Latino Law Student Association will meet at 5:20 p.m. in room 1102.
The Animal Law Society is planning a special evening at noon in room 3 East and all are invited. The Society is recognizing people in the community who are involved with animal justice. Refreshments will be served.
November 15
The American Constitution Society will meet at noon in room 216.
The Student Bar Association will present a panel discussion "Pass the Bar" at 5:15 p.m. in the student lounge. May 2006 graduates will discuss preparation techniques. This is a great opportunity to meet and learn from John Marshall alumni.
November 16
The annual faculty auction will be held at noon in the student lounge. Many items are up for bid plus a silent auction. Please join us for a good cause. You should be talking with your friends about the items you wish to bid on. All proceeds will benefit students who plan on a career in public interest law. Refreshments will be served.
November 18
BLSA will meet in room 1101 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
BLSA will meet in room 1103 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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November 13
- Dean's Meeting, Courtroom, 10 a.m.
- Give Me Five: How to Succeed on the Essay Exam, Room 200, noon
- Diversity in the Profession: Careers in Tax Law or Employee Benefits, Room 1200, noon
- Reception for Dr. Liu, Room 3East, 3:30 p.m.
- Security Group Meeting, Room 1105, 5 p.m.
- Trial Advocacy Honors Board Meeting, Room 413, 5 p.m.
November 14
- Insights II Program, Room 409, noon
- Selections & Appointments Candidate Lunch/Presentation, Room 3East, noon
- Financial Aid Exit Interviews, Room 1202, 12:15 p.m.
- Center for International Business and Trade Law (CIBTL) Joint J.D./LL.M. Info Session, Room 403, 12:45 p.m.
- Trial Advocacy Council Meeting, Courtroom, 1 p.m.
- Center for Intellectual Property Law & Labor and Employment Law Society Event - Barry Bonds v. Baseball, Room 1200, 3 p.m.
- Financial Aid Exit Interviews, Room 1202, 4:30 p.m.
- Animal Law Society Awards Banquet, Room 3East, 5 p.m.
- CIBTL Joint J.D./LL.M. Info Session, Room 403, 5 p.m.
- Latino Law Student Association Meeting, Room 1102, 5:20 p.m.
November 15
- First Aid, CPR and AED Training, Room 3East, 8 a.m.
- International Visitors Center of Chicago Meeting, Room 1102, 9 a.m.
- American Constitution Society Same Sex Marriage Strategy Forum, Room 1200, noon
- Luncheon for Tax Alums, Room 217, noon
- American Constitution Society Meeting, Room 216, noon
- Center Director's Meeting, Room 800 of the CBA, 12:15 p.m.
- Financial Aid Exit Interviews, Room 1202, 12:15 p.m.
- BAR/BRI Micromash Presentation, Room 409, 12:15 p.m.
- Review of Intellectual Property Law (RIPL), "The Candidacy Process Spring Semester _ What is the next step?" Room 428, 12:30 p.m.
- Financial Aid Exit Interviews, Room 1202, 4:30 p.m.
- BAR/BRI Micromash Presentation, Room 409, 5:15 p.m.
- Phi Alpha Delta Chicago Alumni Initiation, Room 3East, 6 p.m.
- PMBR Make-Up, Room 413, 6 p.m.
November 16
- Center for Real Estate Law LL.M. Information Session, Room 428, noon
- Student Bar Association Faculty Auction, Room 216, 5 p.m.
- Barrister's Board Judges Night, Room 3East, 5 p.m.
- RIPL - "The Candidacy Process Spring Semester - What is the next step?" Room 428, 5 p.m.
November 17
- PMBR Make-Up, Room 532, 9 a.m.
- Career Services Office (CSO): Practice Tracks Meet 70 attorneys, CBA Building, 4:30 p.m.
November 18
- Admissions Open House, Room 200, 8:30 a.m.
- Multistate Diagnostic Exam Review, Room 428, 9 a.m.
- Real Property - BAR/BRI Final Exam Review, Room 1200, 10 a.m.
- Criminal Procedure - BAR/BRI Final Exam Review, Room 503, 10 a.m.
- Constitutional Law I Review by Professor Seng, Room 403, 10 a.m.
- BLSA Meeting, Room 1101, 11 a.m.
November 19
- Wills/Trusts - BAR/BRI Final Exam Review, Room 200, 10 a.m.
November 20
- Dean's Meeting, Courtroom, 10 a.m.
- CSO: Lunch & Conversations with a Federal Judge - Featuring Honorable Patrick J. Walsh, Room 1103, noon
- Tenured Faculty Meeting, Room 503, 12:15 p.m.
- Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Honors Board Meeting, Room 413, 5 p.m.
November 21
- CSO: In-Depth Session on Resume & Cover Letter Writing, Room 201, 5 p.m.
- Entertainment Law Society Meeting, Room 413, 5:30 p.m.
November 23
- No Classes - Building Closed
November 24
- No Classes - Building Open
November 25
- Black Law Students Association Meeting, Room 1101, 11 a.m.
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In the Loop is published by The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Copyright 2006
Editor: Assistant Dean John M. McNamara; Contributors: Marilyn Thomas, Director, Public Relations and Advertising; Andrea Koklys, Assistant Director, Public Relations and Advertising
All information to be included in In the Loop must be placed in the INTHELOOP folder on the H drive of the law school's computer network by 12 p.m. each Wednesday. When the volume of submissions exceeds the available space in the printed version of In the Loop, additonal material will appear only in the online version of the Newsletter, which can be found on the law school's website at www.jmls.edu. 
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