Illinois Bar Journal

Illinois Bar Journal | December 2025 Table of Contents

December 2025 • Volume 113 • Number 12

Practice News

12
LawPulse | By Pete Sherman & Amelia Buragas
16
Illinois Law Update

Punitive damages award of $3 million for retaliatory discharge upheld; termination of problematic police offer was appropriate given disciplinary record; trial court abuses discretion when barring attorney’s testimony; not withdrawing an original plea means no additional presentence credit allowed; restaurant whose employee died from off-the-clock meal due to food allergy found liable for wrongful death; stalking no-contact amendments; strategic lawsuits against public participation; and more.

See cases, legislation, and administrative agencies.

Articles

22
Illinois Supreme Court | By Ed Finkel
Ready To Serve

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr.’s quest for fairness in the law comes from deep convictions and formative experiences.

28
Schools | By Christian Ketter
What’s in the File?

Navigating school student records requests and redactions.

32
Clients | By Andrew Kryder
An Informed Client Is a Happy Client

Communicating ethically with clients is key to a successful firm.

36
Clients | By Karen Munoz
From Assumptions to Insights

Understanding clients for a better working relationship.

Columns

8
President’s Page | By Bridget C. Duignan
Holiday greetings from the 2025-26 president and officers of the ISBA

Wishing you a festive and happy holiday season on behalf of the officers and staff of the Illinois State Bar Association.

10
President-Elect Message | By Perry J. Browder
Ready to Lead?

Ready to Lead? Nominate Yourself for an ISBA Committee or Section Council

42
Pointers From Practice HQ | By Jeffrey S. Krause and Jeffrey R. Schoenberger
Holiday Gift Guide 2025

Holiday gift recommendations from your Pointers From Practice HQ columnists.

44
Your Life's Work | By Karen Erger
A Handful of Nuggets

Becoming a cheerier traveler and thinking ahead on the way to your next gig.

46
Feedback Loops | By Patrick Barry
Fly on the Wall

Artificial intelligence tools that can record and transcribe meetings can provide great feedback, as long as ethical parameters are in place.

48
Your ISBA
2025’s Class of Distinguished Counselors

The ISBA honors a new class of Distinguished Counselors—members who have been licensed attorneys for 50 years.