As interest rates rise, more sellers are financing the sale of their real estate at lower-than-market rates and with less money down. Transactional attorneys are therefore being asked with some regularity to prepare installment agreements by which the client is either purchasing property from a seller on an installment basis or selling property and self-financing the purchase over time. For more than 30 years, real estate attorney Gary Gehlbach has routinely refused to structure transactions using installment contracts. To learn why he recommends an outright sale structured on purchase-money notes and mortgages (or trust deeds), read his article, “A Better Approach to Installment Contracts,” in June’s Illinois Bar Journal. 

The Illinois Supreme Court issued three opinions on Thursday, May 23. The ISBA's panel of leading civil attorneys reviewed the opinions and provided summaries. In LMP Services, Inc. v. City of Chicago, the court ruled that Chicago’s food truck regulations are constitutional. In Roberts v. Board of Trustees of Community College District No. 508, the court dismissed retaliatory discharge and whistleblower claims brought by a former Malcolm X College employee against City Colleges of Chicago. In Doe v. Coe, the court weighed in on the elements of torts of negligent and willful and wanton hiring, retention, and supervision.

The Illinois Supreme Court on May 23 announced amendments to Rules 767 and 773, which are effective July 1.

Amendments to both rules pertain to costs associated with attorney reinstatement following disbarment or suspension.

Don’t miss this in-depth review of the basic technology tools that lawyers use every day! Join us June 20 in Chicago or via live webcast for this full-day seminar that addresses the technology tools that lawyers use on a daily basis, particularly the core Microsoft Office applications, PDF files, cloud applications, and the ethics of technology. Any attorney who uses Microsoft and PDF technology, has concerns about the using cloud-based applications, or needs information on legal technology ethics issues who attends this program will better understand: the essentials of Microsoft Word – from page numbering to metadata; the basics and benefits of document assembly software; uses, risks, and benefits of PDF files; what cloud technology means and how it works; how to get the most out of Microsoft Outlook to efficiently manage email; the intersection of ethics and technology, and how to best interpret the standard of “reasonability” under the Rules of Professional Conduct; and why PowerPoint and Excel may be two of the most useful Microsoft Office suite applications.

Congratulations to Kenneth Baker for winning a Visa gift card in the ISBA's 2019 Member Appreciation Month Instagram Contest! 

As part of Member Appreciation Month, we asked members to post photographs of something that represents how they reduce stress and stay healthy on their Instagram accounts. 

Kenneth's post included the caption, “Great way to relieve stress - picking mushrooms with man's best friend!"

Attorney Kenneth Matuszewski discusses the basics of utility and design patents, and how the two differ.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced the filing of lawyer disciplinary orders on May 21, 2019. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law.

Join us June 20 in Chicago from 5 - 7:45 p.m. for ISBA’s fourth installment of the Practice Ready Series, which is designed for new lawyers working in the family law arena who are looking for a primer on evidence, best practice tips, and the latest case law updates. Complimentary pizza is offered prior to the program, giving attendees the opportunity to network with colleagues and speakers.

The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee will hear comments June 19 at a public hearing in Chicago on six proposals, including a proposal to establish a protective order for the release of medical information and a proposal involving the use of deposition testimony by a party.

The committee will also consider proposed changes to Supreme Court rules involving petitions for leave to appeal, amicus curiae briefs, and an appendix to briefs filed by appellants.

A hot topic in Illinois, legalized sports gambling is a possibility now that the U.S. Supreme Court has declared that the federal ban on the activity is unconstitutional. While Congress has yet to act, states are free to legalize sports gambling on their own. In Zachary Bock’s May 2019 Illinois Bar Journal article, “Sports Gambling: Will Illinois Bet on It?,” Bock provides an overview of recent efforts to legislate gambling in Illinois and elsewhere. He also summarizes the wide range of decisions that need to be made before bets are placed in Illinois. Among his takeaways: Illinois should monitor states such as Pennsylvania, where high sports-gambling fees and taxes have been imposed.