Publications

Illinois Bar Journal
Articles From Helen W. Gunnarsson

Assessing reassessments By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2003 Lawpulse, Page 374 Appellate court precedent makes it difficult for assessors to change the valuation of property more often than once every four years. But what are the limits on assessors' authority to "revise and correct"?
Guardian ad litem 101 By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2003 Lawpulse, Page 374 Veteran ISBA members offer advice to lawyers who find themselves appointed as guardian ad litem for disabled respondents.
Illinois says "no" to estate-tax elimination By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2003 Lawpulse, Page 374 The feds are phasing out the estate tax, but beginning this year cash-strapped Illinois will no longer cap its estate tax at the federal maximum.
The perils of POA agency By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2003 Lawpulse, Page 374 Serving as agent under a durable power of attorney for property is a good deed that, too often, does not go unpunished.
Workin' overtime By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2003 Lawpulse, Page 374 Proposed federal regs would redefine exemptions from overtime laws, particularly for managerial employees.
Bankrupt employees; no firing after filing? By Helen W. Gunnarsson July 2003 Lawpulse, Page 326 Employers may not "discriminat[e] or retaliat[e] against" employees who have filed for bankruptcy. But what does that mean?
Child custody: Easing the way for out-of-state removal By Helen W. Gunnarsson July 2003 Lawpulse, Page 326 The supreme court rules that a divorced parent can move a child outside of Illinois without showing a direct benefit to the child from the relocation.
For whom the statute tolls By Helen W. Gunnarsson July 2003 Lawpulse, Page 326 When does a statute of limitations begin to run for a cause of action held by a deceased minor? Surprisingly, Illinois courts of review have never answered the question.
Honor thy POA By Helen W. Gunnarsson July 2003 Lawpulse, Page 326 What can you do when a bank refuses to honor a duly executed POA for property? Here are some suggestions.
Murphy's Law: A judge says "no" to UPL By Helen W. Gunnarsson July 2003 Lawpulse, Page 326 An Illinois-based federal district judge takes a bold stand against UPL, and the seventh circuit affirms.
Insuring against bankrupt insurers By Helen W. Gunnarsson June 2003 Lawpulse, Page 274 What to do when an insurance company important to your case goes belly up? For one thing, consult the Illinois Office of the Special Deputy Receiver.
Leaving with clients in tow By Helen W. Gunnarsson June 2003 Lawpulse, Page 274 If you're leaving your law firm and hope to take business with you, consider these ethical and legal issues.
Proposed RESPA Regs Worry Real-Estate Bar By Helen W. Gunnarsson June 2003 Lawpulse, Page 274 Real estate practitioners fear that proposed new regulations under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act spell trouble for consumers and lawyers.
Teen courts on the rise in Illinois By Helen W. Gunnarsson June 2003 Lawpulse, Page 274 Courts staffed by teenagers are coming to a community near you.
County must pay judgment against sheriff By Helen W. Gunnarsson May 2003 Lawpulse, Page 220 The Illinois Supreme Court recently held that a county must pay judgments entered against a sheriff's office acting in an official capacity.
Meeting the press By Helen W. Gunnarsson May 2003 Lawpulse, Page 220 Why should lawyers talk to reporters? Because it can be good for you and your client, journalists say.
Nursing home litigation: no certificate of merit required By Helen W. Gunnarsson May 2003 Lawpulse, Page 220 In a victory for plaintiffs, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that litigants need not attach 2-622 certificates of merit to suits against nursing homes under the Nursing Home Care Act.
Of QILDROs and QDROs By Helen W. Gunnarsson May 2003 Lawpulse, Page 220 Too many lawyers fail to distinguish between these two orders, both of which govern the payment of pension benefits on divorce; but under very different circumstances.
Probate Court 101 By Helen W. Gunnarsson April 2003 Lawpulse, Page 162 How does a sole practitioner learn his or her way around the courthouse? Start by asking.
Sarbanes-Oxley and document retention By Helen W. Gunnarsson April 2003 Lawpulse, Page 162 Do the new requirements governing retention, destruction and alteration of financial records apply to e-mail and other electronic documents? It's better to be safe than sorry.
Support group By Helen W. Gunnarsson April 2003 Lawpulse, Page 162 Members of an ISBA electronic discussion group offer pointers about how to squeeze child support out of an unemployed and unwilling parent.
Tandem state-federal claim produces big results in employment case By Helen W. Gunnarsson April 2003 Lawpulse, Page 162 An ISBA member combined a state common law intentional infliction of emotional distress claim with an FMLA claim to win a huge federal trial court judgment for his client.
"UCITA" spells "anti-consumer"? By Helen W. Gunnarsson April 2003 Lawpulse, Page 162 Adoption of the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act would stack the deck in favor of software manufacturers and against the buying public, critics say.
Green-sheet blues By Helen W. Gunnarsson March 2003 Lawpulse, Page 110 For purposes of calculating real estate transfer taxes, the "consideration" paid for a new house equals the original contract price and; whether your homeowner client likes it or not; the extras added later, real estate practitioners argue.
Pet trusts for trusty pets By Helen W. Gunnarsson March 2003 Lawpulse, Page 110 Illinois may shortly join 16 other states that have passed laws authorizing the creation of trusts with pets as beneficiaries.
Public-employee pension pitfall By Helen W. Gunnarsson March 2003 Lawpulse, Page 110 Teachers, police officers, and other government workers charged with crimes related to their official duties have one thing in common ; they all face the loss of their pensions, a fact their lawyers should keep in mind.
Small juries are beautiful By Helen W. Gunnarsson March 2003 Lawpulse, Page 110 Six-person juries are easier to pick, more responsive to case themes, and more likely to reach a unanimous verdict, some criminal defense lawyers say.
What is jurisdictional, anyway? By Helen W. Gunnarsson March 2003 Lawpulse, Page 110 The supreme court's recent assertion that it lacked jurisdiction because an affidavit of intent to appeal was defective arguably begs the question, "What is jurisdictional?"
The case of the inflexible filing deadline By Helen W. Gunnarsson February 2003 Lawpulse, Page 58 The supreme court agrees to hear an administrative-law case which raises the question whether the strict, "jurisdictional" interpretation of a filing deadline is a denial of due process.
The dentist-patient privilege By Helen W. Gunnarsson February 2003 Lawpulse, Page 58 The physician-patient privilege applies to dentists, too, the supreme court rules.
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