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.
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.
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.
The conscience of a lawyerBy Helen W. GunnarssonMarch 2008Lawpulse, Page 118Your client admits he committed murder. What should you do? What can you do? For two Illinois lawyers, these aren't hypothetical questions.
Federal wiretapping evidence admissible though barred by state lawBy Helen W. GunnarssonMarch 2008Lawpulse, Page 118Evidence gathered in a joint federal-state investigation is admissible in state court if it complies with federal, though not state, eavesdropping law.
A solo's advice on going soloBy Helen W. GunnarssonMarch 2008Lawpulse, Page 118 A young sole practitioner's take on the perils and pleasures of hanging out your shingle.
Adult DUI offenders who transport minors - what is the law?By Helen W. GunnarssonFebruary 2008Lawpulse, Page 66A recent Journal article inspires a debate about whether the statute it discussed is still in effect and a call for the legislature to clear up the confusion.
Are e-mail disclaimers really necessary?By Helen W. GunnarssonFebruary 2008Lawpulse, Page 66They really are, some lawyers say. In fact, you should put them at the beginning, not the end, of your messages, other lawyers say.
No psych-record access for "garden variety" employee emotional distress claimsBy Helen W. GunnarssonFebruary 2008Lawpulse, Page 66A recent ruling explains when employer-defendants can and cannot get access to employee-plaintiffs' medical and psychological records when employees sue for emotional distress cause by illegal discrimination.
The perils for employers of hiring private investigatorsBy Helen W. GunnarssonFebruary 2008Lawpulse, Page 66Employers who retain companies to investigate employee malingering or misconduct need to hire carefully and monitor appropriately.
Contacting, deposing employees of opposing parties: a how-toBy Helen W. GunnarssonJanuary 2008Lawpulse, Page 10Don’t just call up your opponent’s employees, even if they’re working elsewhere. Consider first whether doing so might violate legal or ethical rules.
Court upholds $1 million penalty arising out of $12,000 support debtBy Helen W. GunnarssonJanuary 2008Lawpulse, Page 10The supreme court ruled that a $1 million-plus penalty for an employer’s failure to timely pay a $12,000-plus child support obligation was not unconstitutional on the facts.
