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Illinois Bar Journal
Articles on Law Pulse

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.
Miranda, Fifth Amendment don't apply in summary-suspension hearings By Helen W. Gunnarsson February 2003 Lawpulse, Page 58 Three Illinois Appellate Court districts have ruled that summary-suspension hearings are civil proceedings to which Miranda and the privilege against self-incrimination do not apply.
Out-of-state child removal; what will the supremes do? By Helen W. Gunnarsson February 2003 Lawpulse, Page 58 The Illinois Supreme Court will review an appellate court decision that stopped a custodial mother from removing her son to her fiancé's home state.
Bankruptcy reform still a waiting game By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2003 Lawpulse, Page 8 Congress has yet to pass bankruptcy reform legislation. Meanwhile, the bankruptcy bar has had little success in tempering provisions they say are unfriendly and unfair to lawyers.
Blind plea, blind justice? By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2003 Lawpulse, Page 8 Capital murder trials put a strain on county budgets, which has led to second-class justice in some cases, critics charge. But improvements in the capital litigation system are making a difference.
First steps toward e-filing in Illinois By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2003 Lawpulse, Page 8 The Illinois Supreme Court has set the ground rules for a pilot e-filing project in the circuit courts.
Involuntary administration of psychotropic drugs: Does Illinois need new standards? By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2003 Lawpulse, Page 8 Some experts think Illinois law should be changed to make it easier to involuntarily admit mental patients and force them to take psychotropic drugs if they're unwilling. Others fear the changes would crowd mental-health facilities beyond capacity.
Rule 23 proposals headed soon to the supreme court By Helen W. Gunnarsson January 2003 Lawpulse, Page 8 An ISBA committee prepares to forward proposals to the Illinois Supreme Court for changing the rule that governs unpublished opinions.
Bar associations, U.S. reps seek exemptions for lawyers from Gramm-Leach-Bliley By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2002 Lawpulse, Page 628 The New York State and American Bar Associations have filed lawsuits seeking declaratory judgments that the FTC's application of GLBA's privacy provisions to practicing attorneys is unlawful, and members of Congress have introduced legislation that would exempt lawyers from the Act.
Pet project By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2002 Lawpulse, Page 628 More and more estate-planning clients want to make sure that Fluffy is well provided for. Here's how to help them.
The supremes say "no" to a taxpayer suit against Gov. Ryan By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2002 Lawpulse, Page 628 In Lyons v Ryan, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that taxpayers lack standing to sue for damages caused by the licenses-for-bribes scheme because the attorney general alone has the authority to initiate litigation on behalf of the state.
Whither estate-planning practice? By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2002 Lawpulse, Page 628 Demographic trends and tax-law changes may generate some short-term business, but they'll mean less work for estate-planning lawyers in the long run. Are you ready to adjust your practice?
Child support: pending privatization of the SDU raises concerns By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2002 Lawpulse, Page 578 State officials say there's no cause for alarm, but some lawyers worry that changing vendors could once again muddle the child-support distribution system.
Clash over class actions By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2002 Lawpulse, Page 578 Madison County is at the center of a dispute over class-action filings.
The devil in the details of domestic-partner benefits By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2002 Lawpulse, Page 578 More employers are offering benefits to their employees' nonspouse partners. Here are some of the legal and administrative issues they need to consider.
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