Author Index Helen W. Gunnarsson

You’ve been appointed GAL-now what?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2008
LawPulse
, Page 438
Might you be a minor child's court appointed guardian ad litem? If so, here are some pointers from a colleague who's been there.

Clarifying the collateral source rule

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2008
LawPulse
, Page 384
The supreme court rules that plaintiffs can recover the "reasonable value" of their medical expenses, whether they're paid by Medicare, Medicaid, insurance, or another source.  

A new definition of marital property?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2008
LawPulse
, Page 384
 A controversial ruling allows a child-support obligee to lay claim to property held in the name of the obligor's new spouse.

No discovery deps allowed

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2008
LawPulse
, Page 384
A recent case underscores the importance of taking a party's evidence - not discovery - deposition if he or she may die before trial.

The Perilous World of POA Agents

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2008
Cover Story
, Page 398
They're responsible for tedious recordkeeping, and they risk raising the family's ire - even being sued. Who wants this thankless job?

Supremes: the Best approach to tort reform survives

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2008
LawPulse
, Page 384
 The supreme court holds that a med-mal plaintiff is entitled to a 90-day extension to file her certificate of merit - and that a 2004 law didn't reenact the version of 2-622 invalidated in Best v Taylor.

What’s a POA agent worth?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2008
LawPulse
, Page 384
 Agents are entitled to reasonable compensation. But what's reasonable?

How not to do e-filing

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
July
2008
LawPulse
, Page 334
The supreme court recently announced its intention to implement statewide e-filing in the next several years. Critics say the federal northern district of Illinois, which requires filing both paper and electronic copies, offers an example of what not to do.

My Mother, My Client

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
July
2008
Cover Story
, Page 344
Should you do legal work for family and close friends? Probably not, ethics experts and seasoned lawyers say.

Retired, inactive, in-house lawyers can now represent clients pro bono

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
July
2008
LawPulse
, Page 334
Effective July 1, new supreme court rules let retired, inactive, and in-house lawyers working through legal-aid providers or other approved groups represent clients pro bono.

Stepping up the fight against elder abuse

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
July
2008
LawPulse
, Page 334
A 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 ruling

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
July
2008
LawPulse
, Page 334
The 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 care

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
July
2008
LawPulse
, Page 334
The court makes explicit that veterinarians are "skilled" practitioners of a "profession or trade" and thus owe a duty of care.

DUI changes effective June 1

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2008
LawPulse
, Page 278
Thanks 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 business

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2008
LawPulse
, Page 278
Fraudulent 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. Gunnarsson
June
2008
LawPulse
, Page 278
A newsletter author argues that the Act is unfair to contractors and that the recent supreme court case interpreting it defeats its purpose.

Law-Firm Compensation Systems Explained

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2008
Cover Story
, Page 288
Wondering whether your firm's compensation scheme needs an overhaul? Here's a look at what others are doing.

Medicaid law doesn’t preempt state’s ability to collect for nursing-home bill

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2008
LawPulse
, Page 278
The state can go after the at-home spouse to recover the institutionalized spouse's nursing home expenses, the Illinois Supreme Court rules.

No wrongful death action for abortion to protect mother’s health

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2008
LawPulse
, Page 278
If 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 badly

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
May
2008
LawPulse
, Page 230
When 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 II

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
May
2008
LawPulse
, Page 230
The 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. Gunnarsson
May
2008
LawPulse
, Page 230
No, answers a chicago lawyer, and because of that a motion attacking another motion is improper.

Prosecutors on prosecutroial discretion

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
May
2008
LawPulse
, Page 230
Two 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. Gunnarsson
May
2008
LawPulse
, Page 230
What should a lawyer do with earlier wills that have been revoked by a later one?

Cashing in on home sweet home

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
April
2008
LawPulse
, Page 174
Reverse 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. Gunnarsson
April
2008
LawPulse
, Page 174
What 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 judicata

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
April
2008
LawPulse
, Page 174
Before you voluntarily dismiss after any decision on the merits, read the Illinois Supreme Court's recent Hudson ruling.

The Lawyer of Love

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
April
2008
LawPulse
, Page 174
Chicago divorce lawyer Corri Fetman offers advice in - and poses for - Playboy.

Problem-Solving Courts

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
April
2008
Cover Story
, Page 184
Supporters of drug, mental-health, and other specialty courts say they reduce recidivism and help offenders get control of their lives.

Retooling the relation-back doctrine

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
April
2008
LawPulse
, Page 174
The Illinois Supreme Court recently adopted the northern district's test for determining whether an amended complaint relates back to the original. 

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