The Illinois Supreme Court appears to be more willing to exercise its sweeping supervisory authority to afford relief.

Last year the court confronted contentious issues that matter not just to lawyers but to the public at large.

A look at last year's leading supreme court civil cases.

Our annual review of the leading cases.

Justice Felix Frankfurter once said in receiving an award: "Gratitude is one of the least articulate emotions, especially when it is deep.

Jane, Brian, Brent and Amanda; my wife and three children; my family. I have not mentioned them this year in my column.

A look at the first year's output of the newly reconstituted supreme court.

When we were in law school we learned the basic principles of constitutional, criminal, contract, and tort law by studying opinions written in our state and federal reviewing courts.

Eighty-eight lawyers from 37 counties met in the Sangamon County Courthouse in Springfield on January 4, 1877, to formalize the beginning of the Illinois State Bar Association.

When I was growing up in Decatur, I had an image of lawyers that has shaped my view of our profession later in life.

A few years ago, as we finished closing arguments in a trial, my opposing counsel came over, shook my hand, and congratulated me on a job well done. I reciprocated with the same compliment.

Tis the Season for giving and lawyers will once again give generously of both their time and money to worthwhile causes. We have a proud tradition of responding to the spirit of this season.

In August we lost a legend in our profession. William G. Clark was a lawyer, a former legislator and legislative leader, a former two-term attorney general and a justice and chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Clark's contributions to the legal profession and to all three branches of Illinois government are too numerous to mention.

Recently I attended the Decatur Bar Association corn roast at Rex Brown's home in Decatur. 

On July 12th, the ISBA honored its 50-year members as senior counselors during a luncheon at The Standard Club.

My theme this year; in the 125th year of the ISBA; is Take Pride in Your Profession. 

Traditionally, the inaugural President's Page is devoted to the new president's own programs for the coming year or to giving him or her an opportunity to share some personal insights or words of wisdom.

The last body of cases from a court that included Justices Bilandic, Heiple, Miller, and Rathje.

In its '99 civil decisions, the court continued to exert authority over the way legislation is passed but defer to legislative policy choices.

Sweeping constitutional questions took a backseat to more prosaic — but still important — matters.