Saving Face in Cyberspace

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

 Security-related advice will be among the many topics covered during the “ISBA Solo and Small Firm Conference 2023: The Intersection of Technology and the Law” Sept. 28-29. Speakers for the security-related sessions spoke with the Illinois Bar Journal to summarize what they plan to discuss. For example, too many solo and small firms assume that their size protects them. But hackers know such firms have “fewer resources and less time, and they’re less attuned to cyberthreats because they’re just trying to run their businesses,” one presenter says.

1973 – 2022: The Dobbs Decision

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that U.S. citizens have no constitutional right to abortion and overturned Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992). This decision ultimately returned power to each individual state to regulate the legality of abortions. Join us for a comprehensive look at how the country has responded since the Supreme Court Dobbs decision, the historical and legal insight surrounding this topic, what to expect in a post- Roe society, and Illinois’ legal and legislative posture since this decision.

Illinois Supreme Court Issues Order Allowing Pretrial Hearings Under the SAFE-T Act to Be Remote When Necessary

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court announced today an order entered to help the court system implement the pretrial release provisions of the SAFE-T Act, which goes into effect on September 18, 2023.

Chat Not

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

 In his August Illinois Bar Journal Judging Your Writing column, “Chat Not,” First District Illinois Appellate Court Justice Michael B. Hyman experiments with ChatGPT and gauges its capability as a legal writing tool. He asks OpenAI’s free ChatGPT 3.5 to prepare memos on various legal topics and prods the tool when its answers lack substance. His conclusion—chatbots are not a viable option … yet.

Illinois Supreme Court Announces Creation of Committee on Pretrial Education

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the creation of the Illinois Judicial College Committee on Pretrial Education (CPTE) as a seventh Standing Committee of the Illinois Judicial College (Judicial College), elevating pretrial education from its current Pretrial Board Workgroup status in the Judicial College.

Taking a Bite Out of Liability: Best Practices Under the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Shelter Management Guidelines

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters were originally released in 2010, with the revised edition being published in December 2022. The Guidelines were written to provide a trustworthy resource for the housing, husbandry, medical, and behavioral care of animals living in animal shelters. Rather than being prescriptive or operational, the recommendations focus on meeting the animals’ needs, while recognizing that there are many ways in which to do this. The Guidelines offer evidence-based support to those caring for animals in shelters, rescues, fosters, sanctuaries, and other population settings. Don’t miss this important program that discusses the utility of these standards as attorneys face issues relevant to animal sheltering.