Special Education in a Nutshell: The Basics, The Issues, and a Legislative Update – 2018 through Present

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

Whether you’re new to the area of special education or just need a refresher, this comprehensive overview explores the basics, the issues, and the legislative decisions that will impact your next client.

Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice Announces Approved Form Suite for Public Comment

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Timothy A. Slating

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice is pleased to announce that it has approved a form suite for public comment. The Eviction Answer, Defenses, and Counterclaims form suite is available for comment for 45 days until December 30, 2022.

Illinois Supreme Court Assigns Hon. Freddrenna Lyly to First District Appellate Court

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Timothy A. Slating

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the assignment of Cook County Circuit Judge Freddrenna M. Lyle to the First District Appellate Court. Judge Lyle is being assigned to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Joy V. Cunningham to the Supreme Court, effective December 1, 2022. The assignment is effective December 2, 2022, and will stay in effect until further order of the court.

Illinois Supreme Court to Swear-In New Attorneys at Bar Admission Ceremony

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Timothy A. Slating

The bar admission ceremony for the 1,342 new attorneys who passed the July 2022 Bar Exam will be held online on Thursday, November 17, at 1:30 p.m. Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis will preside over the ceremony and administer the oath to the new admittees. Justice Anne M. Burke will make the motion to admit the class and Justice Robert L. Carter will second the motion.  

Dismissed but Not Excused

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court’s 2021 ruling in Bank of NY Mellon v. Dubrovay represents a departure from First District and Illinois Supreme Court precedent by enabling mortgage lenders to accelerate and decelerate a homeowner’s mortgage obligation at will by taking an endless number of voluntary dismissals, coming back orders of magnitude stronger, and refiling an endless number of lawsuits.

Domestic Violence Assessment for Family Law Mediators

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

It is imperative that mediators working in family law are able to determine if both parties are able to speak up for themselves without fear or intimidation, are able to negotiate in their own best interest (and the interest of their children) and can carry out and understand the consequences of any agreements they reach. Learn how to spot issues of concern in your next family law case with this informative online seminar.

Not-so-Firm Rules

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

On the heels of American Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association efforts to discourage nonlawyer ownership of law firms, Michael L. Shakman and Diane F. Klotnia describe in their November Illinois Bar Journal article, “Not-so-Firm Rules,” the rule changes adopted by other jurisdictions, those recently proposed in Illinois, ethical issues that arise under proposed and adopted new rules, and the multi-jurisdictional conflicts that inconsistent rules can generate.