Publications

Illinois Bar Journal
Articles From Helen W. Gunnarsson

Judges' Pet Peeves: Peevish Practitioners, Poor Preparation and More By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2006 Article, Page 20 From needless discovery squabbles and poor preparation among the bar to high-handedness on the bench, judges tell what bugs them.
Anti-predatory-lending statute takes effect January 1 By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2005 Lawpulse, Page 614 An amendment to the Real Property Disclosure Act will create a new predatory lending database. But some worry that it could unintentionally penalize good-guy lenders in targeted neighborhoods.
Corporate officers not personally liable for employee vacation, severance pay By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2005 Lawpulse, Page 614 The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that officers and directors aren't liable under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act for employees' unpaid vacation time and severance pay.
MCLE: Ready or Not, Here it Comes By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2005 Article, Page 626 A lawyer's-eye view of the new MCLE rules.
New rules bring clarity to appellate practice By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2005 Lawpulse, Page 614 Appellate practitioners welcome the supreme court rule changes, including a new rule providing that a party can file only one postjudgment motion directed at a final order.
Review of venue-transfer motions: the supreme court speaks By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2005 Lawpulse, Page 614 Trial courts deserve deference on questions of fact but not law, the high court ruled.
Will bankruptcy reform cause domestic violence? By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2005 Lawpulse, Page 614   Part of the purpose of the bankruptcy reform legislation is to increase pressure on debtors. Will that pressure explode into physical rage?  
Are series LLCs right for your clients? By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2005 Lawpulse, Page 558 This form of business organization, newly authorized in Illinois, can help some clients limit personal liability while enjoying certain advantages of partnership.
Collaborative divorce By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2005 Lawpulse, Page 558 It isn't mediation, but it can minimize the conflict in divorce, proponents say. Find out why collaborative divorce is on the rise in Illinois.
Get ready for MCLE By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2005 Lawpulse, Page 558 Did you know that programs offered as early as January 2006 can be counted toward the MCLE requirement? Here are highlights of the new rules.
TaxNet: Online tax filing for employers By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2005 Lawpulse, Page 558 Now Illinois employers can pay state taxes and file documents online.
(Unrepresented) buyer (and seller, and opposing lawyer) beware By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2005 Lawpulse, Page 558 What do you do when the other side in a real-estate transaction doesn't have a lawyer? ISBA members offer pointers.
Check the Web before drafting jury instructions By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2005 Lawpulse, Page 498 The chair of the supreme court's jury instructions committee advises litigators to check the court's website for revised IPI instructions.
Interception of e-mail by ISP violates Wiretap Act By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2005 Lawpulse, Page 498 A federal appeals court comes down hard on an Internet service provider that reads other peoples' mail. Among other things, the case shows how easily e-mail can be intercepted.
New law fine-tunes child rep statute By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2005 Lawpulse, Page 498 A new act seeks to clear up confusion about the differing roles of attorney, GAL, and child representative, and expressly authorizes judges to order divorcing spouses into counseling.
This diamond ring By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2005 Lawpulse, Page 498 Does an engagement ring belong to the donor or the recipient if the wedding is called off?
The Truth About Going Solo By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2005 Article, Page 510 Three ISBA members speak from experience about the joys and challenges of solo practice.
Victory for State Farm in class-action appeal By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2005 Lawpulse, Page 498 The supreme court decertified a Madison-County-based nationwide class action case against  State Farm for installing after-market replacement parts in damaged vehicles.
A bouquet of business-friendly bills By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2005 Lawpulse, Page 438 Thanks to the Illinois General Assembly, purveyors of business advice have good news to deliver to their clients.
A Chat with the Chief By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2005 Article, Page 450 New Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas shares his views on civility, mandatory CLE, and more.
Closing meetings: How "probable" must litigation be? By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2005 Lawpulse, Page 438 A recent case limits the threatened-litigation exception to the Open Meetings Act.
Fees, Part 1: Budgeting required for Capital Litigators By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2005 Lawpulse, Page 438 Appointed criminal defense counsel must now submit budget estimates under the amended Capital Crimes Litigation Act.  
Fees, Part 2: Higher ceilings for court-appointed attorneys? By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2005 Lawpulse, Page 438 Fees, Part 2: Higher ceilings for court-appointed attorneys?
Supremes: defendants on the hook for undiscounted medical bills By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2005 Lawpulse, Page 438 The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the third district's ruling that personal injury defendants may be liable for a plaintiff's original medical bill, not the lower amount negotiated by his or her insurer.
Circular logic By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2005 Lawpulse, Page 382 Revised IRS Circular 230 requires lawyers and others who offer tax advice to take extra care and additional steps. Some lawyers think it goes too far.
Handling High-Maintenance Clients By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2005 Article, Page 398 Angry clients, irrational clients, obsessive clients – how do you handle them? ISBA lawyers share their strategies.
Living in a two story house By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2005 Lawpulse, Page 382 Can parties be "separate and apart" for purposes of filing for divorce while still living under the same roof?
A moving experience By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2005 Lawpulse, Page 382 Did you know you can schedule your opponent's motion for hearing if he doesn't?
New limits for family limited partnerships By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2005 Lawpulse, Page 382 Casting a shadow over a popular tax avoidance device, a recent case disallowed an estate tax break for a decedent who maintained too much control over the business he transferred to his family limited partnership.
Rule changes allow compulsory appearance by notice at pretrial hearings By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2005 Lawpulse, Page 382 Amended Supreme Court Rule 237 allows parties to compel appearances by serving a witness with simple notice, even at pretrial or expedited hearings.
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