December 2023 Bench and Bar Newsletter

By Judge E. Kenneth Wright Jr, Judge Michael Chmiel, & Edward Casmere

An introduction to the various artificial advancements impacting the legal industry and steps governments and private sector groups have taken to protect against the concerns such technology raises.

By Ann Jorgensen

A new Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct was approved by the Illinois Supreme Court in July 2022 and became effective on January 1, 2023. 

By Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier (ret.)

The Emeritus Council of the Illinois Judges Association is a new program designed to help judges who believe they have been subjected to unfair criticism or media coverage.

By Judge James A. Shapiro & Adam R. Heusinkveld

In domestic relations matters, many practitioners follow practice conventions that defy statutory rules governing pleading in civil matters and forgo the opportunity to educate the court by providing written argument and citation to case law in support of legal positions—most often, this occurs in the context of responding to motions.

By Christopher A. Garcia

For over two years, young associates missed out on the rhythms, dialect, and grammar of oral arguments—skills that are not learned on social media.

Recent changes to Illinois' judiciary.