Silas Marner, a Novel, by George EliotBy Hon. Michael S. JordanHuman and Civil Rights, August 2025The article discusses Silas Marner by George Eliot, who wrote under a male pseudonym due to gender biases in her time. The story follows Silas, a reclusive weaver betrayed by his community, who finds redemption and love after adopting a lost child, Eppie. The novel explores themes of class, religion, judgment, and human connection. The author of this article reflects on its deeper value when read later in life.
Silas Marner, a Novel, by George EliotBy Hon. Michael S. JordanSenior Lawyers, June 2025The article discusses Silas Marner by George Eliot, who wrote under a male pseudonym due to gender biases in her time. Initially disliked by the writer when read in high school due to its complex language and structure, the book eventually grew on them. The story follows Silas, a reclusive weaver betrayed by his community, who finds redemption and love after adopting a lost child, Eppie. The novel explores themes of class, religion, judgment, and human connection. The writer reflects on its deeper value when read later in life.
A Book Review: The Umbrella Maker’s SonBy Hon. Michael S. JordanHuman and Civil Rights, April 2025Tod Lending has a winner, scoring a touchdown-homerun combo in his premier effort. He crafts a riveting account, masterfully developing multiple characters in this account of events shortly before and during the years after Hitler’s forces attacked Poland. We follow two Jewish Polish families through these trying times seeing many heroic acts of bravery when faced with sadistic acts of evil on the part of Nazis and their sympathizers. There is a constant battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil, the brave and the self-serving. We meet characters who risk their own lives to hide, house, support, and save others and meet others willing to inform and support the monsters stealing humanity at every turn.
‘Every One of Us Can Make a Difference!’By Hon. Michael S. JordanHuman and Civil Rights, February 2024Individually and jointly, the many agencies play a major role in the lives and welfare of all.
‘Every One of Us Can Make a Difference!’By Hon. Michael S. JordanLabor and Employment Law, December 2023Individually and jointly, the many agencies play a major role in the lives and welfare of all.
Reflections for HistoryBy Hon. Michael S. JordanSenior Lawyers, October 2023Like the public officials we elect, all of us will be judged by our peers.
Together We Can Teach New Ways to Resolve GrievancesBy Hon. Michael S. JordanAlternative Dispute Resolution, October 2020A look at how video meetings can provide a safer, more efficient, and less costly way to resolve conflicts.
Together We Can Teach New Ways to Resolve GrievancesBy Hon. Michael S. JordanLabor and Employment Law, September 2020A look at how video meetings can provide a safer, more efficient, and less costly way to resolve conflicts.
An inappropriate mediatorBy Hon. Michael S. Jordan, (ret.)Bench and Bar, May 2019Judge Michael Jordan (ret.) reflects on his his experience during a mediation he attended for one of his relatives.
An inappropriate mediatorBy Hon. Michael S. Jordan, (ret.)Tort Law, April 2019Judge Michael Jordan (ret.) reflects on his his experience during a mediation he attended for one of his relatives.
Blessing or curse: Having an eclectic ADR practiceBy Hon. Michael S. Jordan, (ret.)Bench and Bar, July 2018The pros and cons of affiliating your alternative dispute resolution practice with an entity that requires an exclusive relationship.
Blessing or curse: Having an eclectic ADR practiceBy Hon. Michael S. Jordan, (ret.)Alternative Dispute Resolution, June 2018The pros and cons of affiliating your alternative dispute resolution practice with an entity that requires an exclusive relationship.
Foreclosure mediation has expanded to many parts of IllinoisBy Hon. Michael S. JordanBench and Bar, June 2014Even though foreclosure filings have declined over the past year or so, there remain nearly 50,000 pending residential and non-residential foreclosures pending in Cook County alone.
Foreclosure mediation has expanded to many parts of IllinoisBy Hon. Michael S. JordanAlternative Dispute Resolution, May 2014The Cook County Circuit Court has created a mediation process to aid the assigned judges in addressing the legal, factual, and emotional issues facing tens of thousands of people being brought into court.
The cost of arbitrationBy Hon. Michael S. JordanAlternative Dispute Resolution, October 2013Any experienced advocate or arbitrator knows that increasing costs are difficult to sell to the parties and the public so a challenge exists to think out of the box to manage the costs.
Message from the ChairBy Hon. Michael S. JordanAlternative Dispute Resolution, June 2006The 2005-2006 year has been moving faster than I had imagined when I moved up to Chair last spring under the presidency of Bob Downs.
Change in Small Claims limits affects arbitrationBy Hon. Michael S. JordanBench and Bar, April 2006As most of you are aware, the Illinois Supreme Court recently raised the dollar amount of Small Claims from $5,000 to $10,000 effective the beginning of 2006.
Message from the ChairBy Hon. Michael S. JordanAlternative Dispute Resolution, April 2006I believe this edition of our newsletter has many issues to consider for our respective practices. Each article and case report selected usually becomes food for thought for me.
Message from the ChairBy Hon. Michael S. JordanAlternative Dispute Resolution, March 2006As most of you are aware, the Illinois Supreme Court recently raised the dollar amount of Small Claims from $5,000 to $10,000 effective the beginning of 2006 with the resulting effect of having fewer cases subject to mandatory arbitration.
Message from the ChairBy Hon. Michael S. JordanAlternative Dispute Resolution, February 2006I am happy to say that the November 18, 2005 CLE program on mediation skills held in Springfield at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library was a success.
Message from the ChairBy Hon. Michael S. JordanAlternative Dispute Resolution, December 2005The ADR Section Council has been trying to get out the word that mediation has many advantages over litigation.
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