Clarifying the collateral source ruleBy Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2008Lawpulse, Page 384The supreme court rules that plaintiffs can recover the "reasonable value" of their medical expenses, whether they're paid by Medicare, Medicaid, insurance, or another source.
A new definition of marital property?By Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2008Lawpulse, Page 384 A controversial ruling allows a child-support obligee to lay claim to property held in the name of the obligor's new spouse.
No discovery deps allowedBy Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2008Lawpulse, Page 384A recent case underscores the importance of taking a party's evidence - not discovery - deposition if he or she may die before trial.
The Perilous World of POA AgentsBy Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2008Article, Page 398They're responsible for tedious recordkeeping, and they risk raising the family's ire - even being sued. Who wants this thankless job?
Supremes: the Best approach to tort reform survivesBy Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2008Lawpulse, Page 384 The supreme court holds that a med-mal plaintiff is entitled to a 90-day extension to file her certificate of merit - and that a 2004 law didn't reenact the version of 2-622 invalidated in Best v Taylor.
What's a POA agent worth?By Helen W. GunnarssonAugust 2008Lawpulse, Page 384Agents are entitled to reasonable compensation. But what's reasonable?
How not to do e-filingBy Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2008Lawpulse, Page 334The supreme court recently announced its intention to implement statewide e-filing in the next several years. Critics say the federal northern district of Illinois, which requires filing both paper and electronic copies, offers an example of what not to do.
My Mother, My ClientBy Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2008Article, Page 344Should you do legal work for family and close friends? Probably not, ethics experts and seasoned lawyers say.
Retired, inactive, in-house lawyers can now represent clients pro bonoBy Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2008Lawpulse, Page 334Effective July 1, new supreme court rules let retired, inactive, and in-house lawyers working through legal-aid providers or other approved groups represent clients pro bono.
Stepping up the fight against elder abuseBy Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2008Lawpulse, Page 334A leading elder-rights advocate says the Illinois legislature and judiciary can do more to prevent and identify elder abuse.
UCCJEA: Illinois refuses to register Indiana custody rulingBy Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2008Lawpulse, Page 334The Illinois Supreme Court refuses to register an Indiana custody ruling where the Indiana court did not return the Illinois court's repeated phone calls.
A veterinary standard of careBy Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2008Lawpulse, Page 334The court makes explicit that veterinarians are "skilled" practitioners of a "profession or trade" and thus owe a duty of care.
DUI changes effective June 1By Helen W. GunnarssonJune 2008Lawpulse, Page 278Thanks to a law signed last year, a crazy quilt of DUI laws taking effect June 1 isn't so crazy. But ambiguities remain.
Fraudulent misrepresentation tort limited to businessBy Helen W. GunnarssonJune 2008Lawpulse, Page 278Fraudulent misrepresentation applies only to business-related, not personal, injury, the Illinois Supreme Court rules.
Home Repair and Remodeling Act: unfair to contractors?By Helen W. GunnarssonJune 2008Lawpulse, Page 278A newsletter author argues that the Act is unfair to contractors and that the recent supreme court case interpreting it defeats its purpose.
Law-Firm Compensation Systems ExplainedBy Helen W. GunnarssonJune 2008Article, Page 288Wondering whether your firm's compensation scheme needs an overhaul? Here's a look at what others are doing.
No wrongful death action for abortion to protect mother's healthBy Helen W. GunnarssonJune 2008Lawpulse, Page 278If an injured mother aborts an uninjured fetus to protect her own health, she can't recover for the wrongful death of the unborn child, the Illinois Supreme Court rules.
Clients behaving badlyBy Helen W. GunnarssonMay 2008Lawpulse, Page 230When a client or witness spins out of control during a hearing or deposition, is doing nothing a safe route?
The conscience of a lawyer, Part IIBy Helen W. GunnarssonMay 2008Lawpulse, Page 230The public and the legal community continue to wrestle with the alton logan case. But the legal ethicists we spoke to defend andrew Wilson's lawyers and the choice they made.
Is a motion a pleading?By Helen W. GunnarssonMay 2008Lawpulse, Page 230No, answers a chicago lawyer, and because of that a motion attacking another motion is improper.
Prosecutors on prosecutroial discretionBy Helen W. GunnarssonMay 2008Lawpulse, Page 230Two state's attorneys from opposite ends of illinois discuss their philosophies about deciding whether, and if so how, to prosecute a case.
Where there are two wills, is there a way?By Helen W. GunnarssonMay 2008Lawpulse, Page 230What should a lawyer do with earlier wills that have been revoked by a later one?
Cashing in on home sweet homeBy Helen W. GunnarssonApril 2008Lawpulse, Page 174Reverse mortgages are a popular, if controversial, way for elderly clients to cash in on the equity in their homes. Here's how they work and why you should be wary.
Felzak and Ligon: an answer to judicial overactivism?By Helen W. GunnarssonApril 2008Lawpulse, Page 174What if a judge surprises you by entering an order on a substantive matter at what was supposed to be a mere status hearing? Some lawyers apprise the court of two appellate cases.
Hudson, voluntary dismissal, and res judicataBy Helen W. GunnarssonApril 2008Lawpulse, Page 174Before you voluntarily dismiss after any decision on the merits, read the Illinois Supreme Court's recent Hudson ruling.
The Lawyer of LoveBy Helen W. GunnarssonApril 2008Lawpulse, Page 174Chicago divorce lawyer Corri Fetman offers advice in - and poses for - Playboy.
Problem-Solving CourtsBy Helen W. GunnarssonApril 2008Article, Page 184Supporters of drug, mental-health, and other specialty courts say they reduce recidivism and help offenders get control of their lives.
Retooling the relation-back doctrineBy Helen W. GunnarssonApril 2008Lawpulse, Page 174The Illinois Supreme Court recently adopted the northern district's test for determining whether an amended complaint relates back to the original.
