Illinois Bar Journal May'06 pages 213-268

August, 2006

VOLUME 94

Pages 389-448

NUMBER 8


COVER STORY 408
COLUMNS

394	LETTERS
	Nothing beats voir dire for learning about jurors; What is a rule of thumb?
396	PRESIDENT'S PAGE
	By Irene F. Bahr Investing in Your Future What has ISBA done for you lately, you ask? Here's what.
431	FOR NEW LAWYERS: ASKED AND ANSWERED
	Should You Sign Documents As Your Client's Agent?
438	THE JUDGE'S CORNER
	By Hon. Ron Spears "You Have the Right to Avoid Litigation...." Should judges advise clients of their right to resolve their dispute before trial?
440	ESTATE PLANNING
	By David A. Berek The Increasing Estate-Tax Exclusion Amount Here's a look at legislative proposals for making the higher estate-tax exclusion permanent.
442	LOSS PREVENTION
	By Karen Erger Busting Professional Liability Insurance Myths Dealing with an uninsured malpractice claim is no stroll down the midway.
391	CLE CALENDAR Solo and Small Firm Conference; Hot Topics in Domestic Violence, Criminal Law; and more.

PRACTICE NEWS

398	LAWPULSE \| By Helen W. Gunnarsson
	State can't dun surviving spouse's estate for nursing home bill; supreme court to rule on putative father registry; when the doctor is patient - and a med-mal defendant; and more.
404	ILLINOIS LAW UPDATE
	Lack of professional license not a bar to rendering expert opinion; negative inference applicable only to "tip the scales"; "Let Them Rest in Peace" Act; and more.
ARTICLES
408	REAL ESTATE LAW \| By Helen W. Gunnarsson
	Beyond "Deed and Green": the Strange Truth About Lawyers' Roles in Illinois Real Estate Sales When it comes to residential real estate deals, why are lawyers welcome in some parts of the state and not others?
414	DEFAMATION	\| By Michael M. Conway, Mona G. Thakkar and Katherine Licup
	The Illinois Supreme Court and the "Fair Report" Privilege: A Free-Press Victory Reporters who accurately report accusations made as part of a government proceeding are protected from defamation suits.
420	TAXATION/NOT-FOR-PROFITS	\| By Neville M. Bilimoria
	Winning Tax Exemption for Illinois Nonprofit Nursing Facilities: No Easy Task A little-known Illinois Supreme Court case makes it much harder for nonprofit nursing homes to get a property tax exemption.
426	EVIDENCE / MEDICAL MALPRACTICE	By Terrence J. Lavin and Michelle L. Wolf
	Expanding the Use of Medical Treatises in Illinois Trials The authors argue that following the federal approach would produce a better-informed jury.
432	CIVILPRACTICE/ BANKRUPTCY	By Anna-Katrina S. Christakis and Jeffrey D. Pilgrim
	Suing Defendants Who Later Declare Bankruptcy: Vacating a Dismissal for Want of Prosecution When a plaintiff's action is dismissed for want of prosecution while the defendant's bankruptcy is pending and the automatic stay is in place, the plaintiff can seek to have the dismissal vacated.