Illinois Bar Journal
Articles From Helen W. Gunnarsson

Beyond the Billable Hour By Helen W. Gunnarsson February 2012 Article, Page 80 More clients - and lawyers for that matter - are looking for value-based alternatives to the billable hour. The good news? They can be a win-win for attorney and client.
The continuing saga of J.S.A., M.H., and W.C.H. By Helen W. Gunnarsson February 2012 Lawpulse, Page 70 A long and bitter dispute between two lawyers over the child their relationship produced generates yet another reported opinion.
Curbing abuse of arrest warrants for debtors By Helen W. Gunnarsson February 2012 Lawpulse, Page 70 The attorney general's office and a circuit court judge describe steps they're taking to help prevent debtors from being unfairly jailed for failure to pay.
Federal pilot program puts cameras in northern district courts By Helen W. Gunnarsson February 2012 Lawpulse, Page 70 Illinois' northern district is one of 14 courts participating in a federal program that allows videorecording of civil cases before district judges if all parties consent.
High court overturns default order against dad in neglect proceeding By Helen W. Gunnarsson February 2012 Lawpulse, Page 70 The supreme court finds that a default order against a father who wasn't served with a petition to terminate his parental rights should be set aside.
High court: state must provide videorecordings in DUI misdemeanor cases By Helen W. Gunnarsson February 2012 Lawpulse, Page 70 Police videorecordings of traffic stops must be made available to DUI defendants even in misdemeanor prosecutions, the Illinois Supreme Court rules.
Employment covenants not to compete: the high court lays down the law By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2012 Lawpulse, Page 10 Rumors of the death of the legitimate-business-interest test as a measure for determining the legitimacy of restrictive covenants were greatly exaggerated, the supreme court says.
The high court empowers the ARDC to go after UPL By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2012 Lawpulse, Page 10 New rules give the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission authority to prosecute actions for the unauthorized practice of law.
New rules for prosecuting local ordinance violations By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2012 Lawpulse, Page 10 The new supreme court rules bring consistency to ordinance violation proceedings around the state, a proponent says.
Protecting anonymous online speakers: Stone v Paddock Publications By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2012 Lawpulse, Page 10 Plaintiffs seeking pre-suit discovery to unmask the anonymous online posters who allegedly libeled them must first state facts that support a defamation claim, the first district held.
Rules committee hears proposals on divorce, criminal law, evidence issues By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2012 Lawpulse, Page 10 Proposals address financial disclosure in divorce, how judges describe defendants' decision not to testify, and how to handle inadvertent disclosure of documents.
Client service 101 By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2011 Lawpulse, Page 604 A seasoned family law practitioner explains how to avoid common mistakes lawyers make in working with clients.
The Ethical Office: Managing Nonlawyer Staff By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2011 Article, Page 614 The Rules of Professional Conduct make managing nonlawyer staff a high-stakes business. Find out which rules are most directly implicated and learn how to be a better boss.
Is the Illinois Eavesdropping Act unconstitutional? The saga continues... By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2011 Lawpulse, Page 604 Defendants being prosecuted under the Illinois Eavesdropping Act for recording police and other public officials are fighting back, thus far with mixed success.
New bill eases substitute visitation for servicemembers; "visitation abuse" bill defeated By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2011 Lawpulse, Page 604 A look at the contrasting fates of bills designed to 1) ease custody and visitation for deployed servicemembers and 2) increase penalties for visitation abuse.
Substitution of judge for cause: the high court keeps the bar high By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2011 Lawpulse, Page 604 The supreme court refused an invitation to hold that "appearance of impropriety," as opposed to proof of actual prejudice, is the standard for substitution of judge for cause.
What's the best way out of an ethical pickle? By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2011 Lawpulse, Page 604 Taking quick remedial action and preemptive self-reporting can be the best way to handle a disciplinable blunder, ethics authorities advise.
Attention estate planners: new Medicaid asset transfer rules finally adopted By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2011 Lawpulse, Page 550 New state regulations, passed in response to federal requirements after years of delay, make it harder for nursing home care recipients to both shelter assets and stay eligible for Medicaid.
The electronic courtroom: E-filing and videoconferencing By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2011 Lawpulse, Page 550 The Illinois Supreme Court pursues electronic filing and adopts a rule allowing testimony by videoconference.
Meeting MCLE requirements just got a little easier By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2011 Lawpulse, Page 550 Among other welcome changes, rule revisions allow new admittees to meet their initial requirement by participating in mentoring and remove the fee for claiming credit for writing and teaching.
New scams target real estate lawyers By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2011 Lawpulse, Page 550 Scammers are using smartphones and apps to steal home-sale proceeds.
Planning to Succeed By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2011 Article, Page 560 How many lawyers have a strategic plan, complete with a mission, goals, action points, and a system for measuring success? Here's why you should be one of them.
ABA Ethics, Part 1: new opinions on lawyer websites, e-mail/client confidentiality By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2011 Lawpulse, Page 490 New ethics opinions give helpful e-advice, particularly for lawyers with websites.
ABA ethics, Part 2: Proposed rules address admission on motion, MJP and more By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2011 Lawpulse, Page 490 Proposed ABA model rules speak to admission on motion, multijurisdictional practice, disclosure of confidential information, and choice of law provisions in lawyer-client agreements.
Absolute immunity for child reps By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2011 Lawpulse, Page 490 Immunity from liability is absolute for child representatives working within the scope of their court-appointed duties.
The bloody truth about DUI testing By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2011 Lawpulse, Page 490 Just because the state has blood test results to use against your DUI client doesn't mean the case is over, a defense lawyer argues.
Friending Your Enemies, Tweeting Your Trials: Using Social Media Ethically By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2011 Article, Page 500 A look at the special ethical challenges that arise when lawyers use Facebook, Twitter and the like and how to address them.
Sex offender registration changes: not worth the cost? By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2011 Lawpulse, Page 490 Failing to implement legislation bringing Illinois into compliance with the federal Adam Walsh act is costing the state federal grant funds. But would enacting the law cost even more?
Adoption law pointers By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2011 Lawpulse, Page 434 The August Child Law Section newsletter includes an adoption law legislation roundup and helps lawyers help clients find birth parents and readopt after surrendering parental rights.
The Five Biggest Business Mistakes Lawyers Make By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2011 Article, Page 444 Too many lawyers - especially new ones - undervalue their services. It's a short-sighted approach that can lead to big trouble, this lawyer argues.
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