Station adjustments: not-so-rough justice for kidsBy Helen W. GunnarssonOctober 2007Lawpulse, Page 510For juveniles who break the law, "station adjustments" can mete punishment without creating a criminal record. Here's how to help clients make the most of the opportunity.
What court reporters wantBy Helen W. GunnarssonOctober 2007Lawpulse, Page 510 At depositions, they want you to say out loud who is in the room. And to speak slowly. And not to interrupt other speakers. And...
Court upholds support-arrearage payments at 60 percent of incomeBy Helen W. GunnarssonSeptember 2007Lawpulse, Page 454The third district upheld a ruling requiring an obligor to pay 60 percent of his income to pay off a child-support/maintenance arrearage totaling more that $200,000.
Legal aid groups would benefit from cy pres statuteBy Helen W. GunnarssonSeptember 2007Lawpulse, Page 454A bill would make it more likely that legal aid and other charitable organizations will end up with leftover class-action settlement proceeds.
New law allows Human Rights Act plaintiffs to file in circuit courtBy Helen W. GunnarssonSeptember 2007Lawpulse, Page 454Complainants under the Illinois Human Rights Act can now file in circuit court instead of with state agencies. This brings Illinois into line with federal practice and that of 38 states.
SLAPP suits take a hitBy Helen W. GunnarssonSeptember 2007Lawpulse, Page 454A new bill would discourage developers and others from suing - and thus trying to silence - opponents of their subdivisions, landfills, and the like.
Animal Law Comes into Its OwnBy Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2007Article, Page 412As Americans place more value on pets, the importance of animal law is growing. Here's an Illinois-focused look at this emerging area.
Bill would make involuntary commitment easierBy Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2007Lawpulse, Page 398But critics of the legislation say lack of resources, not a too-high commitment standard, is the problem with Illinois' mental health system.
Employers win pay-disparity case in Supreme CourtBy Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2007Lawpulse, Page 398In Ledbetter, the Supreme Court rules that Title VII's filing deadline bars employment discrimination claims based on decisions that occurred outside the limitations period, even if the employee's current pay is lower because of the decisions.
Initial consultations - satisfaction or your money back?By Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2007Lawpulse, Page 398Should lawyers provide free consultations to prospective clients? Discounts to new clients? Refunds of a consult fee to clients who ask for one? ISBA lawyers offer their opinions.
Mental suffering now compensable in wrongful death casesBy Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2007Lawpulse, Page 398Illinois becomes the 24th state to allow wrongful-death plaintiffs to recover for their grief, sorrow, and mental suffering at the loss of their loved one.
New DUI bill replaces JDPs with "monitoring device driving permits"By Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2007Lawpulse, Page 398A major overhaul of DUI law doubles the summary-suspension period and requires offenders to submit to alcohol monitoring devices in return for driving permits. Critics charge that it will produce unintended consequences, including fewer guilty pleas.
Collateral source rule and med bills - plaintiff's, defense bar each win oneBy Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2007Lawpulse, Page 342Two districts of the appellate court construe Arthur v Catour, holding that plaintiffs can recover only what Medicare and Medicaid paid the provider - not the larger, undiscounted amount billed - and allowing a physician's expert testimony that a medical bill was reasonable.
Does your order of dismissal do the job?By Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2007Lawpulse, Page 342Case law from the United States Supreme Court and the seventh circuit interpreting the federal rules can make it hard for settling parties to draft orders of dismissal that allow the judge to retain jurisdiction.
Preserving the right to appeal an ambiguous rulingBy Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2007Lawpulse, Page 342What can you do to preserve your client's right to appeal when the trial court issues an order of ambiguous finality? The Waddick case may provide some lessons.
So you wanna be a child rep...?By Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2007Lawpulse, Page 342How do you get appointed? How much can you earn? What about appointees who don't do the job?
The Illinois Supreme Court OKs advance payment retainersBy Helen W. GunnarssonJune 2007Lawpulse, Page 286The court last month approved lawyers' use of the advance payment retainer, cautioning that more familiar retainer agreements will be the preferred option in most cases.
Law firm that followed state collection law not liable under FDCPABy Helen W. GunnarssonJune 2007Lawpulse, Page 286A law firm did not violate the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act when it followed Illinois procedure for collecting a state-court judgment, the seventh circuit ruled.
The trouble with hourly billingBy Helen W. GunnarssonJune 2007Lawpulse, Page 286Does the tradition of billing by the hour push lawyers to pad bills and thus engage in the kind of "dishonest" behavior forbidden by the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct?
What's Your Duty Under Himmel?By Helen W. GunnarssonJune 2007Article, Page 296What kind of misconduct by your fellow lawyers should be reported to ARDC? What if you make the wrong call?
Hire Laterally, Think EthicallyBy Helen W. GunnarssonMay 2007Article, Page 240Some things Illinois lawyers and law firms should think about before making a lateral move or hire.
A new, stricter test for independent contractor status?By Helen W. GunnarssonMay 2007Lawpulse, Page 230Has the Illinois Supreme Court embraced a test that makes it harder for employers to classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees and thus avoid employee-related taxes and other expenses?
Oppositional depositions - telling your client not to answerBy Helen W. GunnarssonMay 2007Lawpulse, Page 230A recent federal case sheds light about when and how lawyers can counsel their clients to refuse to answer questions in a deposition.
Pleading guilty onlineBy Helen W. GunnarssonMay 2007Lawpulse, Page 230New supreme court standards allow defendants in small traffic cases to plead guilty and pay up without a trip to the courthouse.
