In his August Illinois Bar Journal Judging Your Writing column, “Chat Not,” First District Illinois Appellate Court Justice Michael B. Hyman experiments with ChatGPT and gauges its capability as a legal writing tool. He asks OpenAI’s free ChatGPT 3.5 to prepare memos on various legal topics and prods the tool when its answers lack substance. His conclusion—chatbots are not a viable option … yet.

The Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters were originally released in 2010, with the revised edition being published in December 2022. The Guidelines were written to provide a trustworthy resource for the housing, husbandry, medical, and behavioral care of animals living in animal shelters. Rather than being prescriptive or operational, the recommendations focus on meeting the animals’ needs, while recognizing that there are many ways in which to do this. The Guidelines offer evidence-based support to those caring for animals in shelters, rescues, fosters, sanctuaries, and other population settings. Don’t miss this important program that discusses the utility of these standards as attorneys face issues relevant to animal sheltering.

 Understanding the facts of your case, learning how they fit together, and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of your narrative are crucial steps when preparing for trial, notes Benjamin Lawson in his August Illinois Bar Journal article, “Trial Lessons From Comedians.” But the more trials Lawson has participated in, the more he finds that the process feels incomplete. Just because a particular narrative best explains the facts doesn’t mean it will resonate well with the jury.

How your clients deal with stress in certain situations will vary by individual – and may result in challenges for your representation. Don’t miss this in-depth look at real-world issues when working with business clients who are experiencing highly stressful situation, such as overwhelming debt, business failure, and oppressive litigation.