On May 6, 2026, new attorneys were admitted to practice law in Illinois across all five judicial districts. Justice Mary K. O'Brien administered the oath to 32 new attorneys during 3rd Judicial District ceremony at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet, IL.  Perry Browder, President-Elect of the Illinois State Bar Association, was the ceremony's speaker.  PC: Illinois State Bar Association

Following the retirement of First District Appellate Court Clerk Thomas D. Palella on April 30, 2026, the First District has announced the elevation of Tina Schillaci and Lisa Franklin to the roles of Clerk and Chief Deputy Clerk, respectively.

CHICAGO, May 19, 2026 – Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres (“CFDB”) today announced that Joshua Abern has joined the Firm as a Partner and will chair its Private Client Services and Family Enterprise practices, further strengthening CFDB’s private client capabilities for ultra-high-net-worth clients and multigenerational family enterprises. CFDB continues its growth as one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing certified women-owned law firms.

In his May Illinois Bar Journal article, “Goods? Services? Both?,” William G. Beatty discusses the fine lines between the sale of goods and the sale of services. Deciding where the lines fall becomes critical in determining the respective rights of buyers and sellers.