A Fractured LifeBy Stephen HoffmanGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, September 2021Our civil justice system of torts is based upon monetary compensation to injury victims.
New Statutory Provisions Require Sealing of Residential Eviction CasesBy Michael ZinkGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, September 2021In May 2021 the Illinois General Assembly enacted several purportedly temporary amendments to the Eviction Act. The new provisions, docketed as 735 ILCS 5/9-121.5 and 735 ILCS 5/9-122, set forth the conditions under which eviction cases shall be sealed for a specific time period defined in the amendment.
Small Businesses: Time to Brush Up on Employment LawGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, September 2021Two pointers on the recent changes to the Human Rights Act that now apply to all employers regardless of their size.
When the Caregiver Needs CareGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, January 2021To continue to zealously represent our clients, we should take a proactive approach to our physical, mental, and emotional health.
Are You Paying Too Much for Your Client’s Medical Records?By Michael K. MuldoonGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, November 2019The HITECH Act encourages the use of electronic records by health care providers and makes it easier for patients to obtain their health care records.
Evidentiary Admissions and Judicial Admissions: A Quick RefresherBy Michael J. MaslankaGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, November 2019Armstead v. National Freight, Inc. providesa good explanation of the differences between evidentiary admissions and judicial admissions.
Reading the advance sheetsBy Chad S. BeckettGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, December 2018As practitioners, we are best served by regular access to the latest research in whatever branch of the law we engage.
Chairperson’s cornerBy Timothy E. DugganGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, September 2004Welcome to the 2004-2005 Section Council Year. It is an honor for me to be chairman of the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section Council.
Mechanics’ liens: Oh, those old cases—how they haunt youBy Thomas F. HartzellGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, June 2002We were recently involved in a mechanics' lien case where we represented the plaintiff lumber company against the owner of the real estate, his contractor and the bank as mortgagee.
Medical information minefield: What does HIPAA stand for and why you should careBy Michael K. GoldbergGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, June 2002Ask any health care professional for his or her list of hot topics in health care and the vast majority will quickly refer to the acronym HIPAA. What is HIPAA and what makes it such a hot topic?
Recent amendments to the Illinois Supreme Court rulesBy Michele M. JochnerGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, June 2002In recent months, the Illinois Supreme Court has made significant amendments to several of its rules.
Part 2: Reciprocal or mutual wills—implied consequencesBy Timothy E. DugganGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2002In a previous issue of this newsletter, an article by the same name discussed the factors that courts would consider to determine if wills were executed pursuant to contract, reviewed specific cases to highlight how the analysis of such factors worked in practice, and noted that ordinary disposition schemes have been argued to evidence contractual wills.
Trial pratice notes: civil jury instructions—an update and commentsBy Patrick J. HitpasGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2002If you are a lawyer who does not concentrate in personal injury cases, you may not have the opportunity to try jury trials on a regular basis.
The youth court option: now that’s a young prosecutorBy Terrence M. MadsenGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2002The scene in the Knox County courtroom is pretty much the same as at any routine juvenile proceeding except that the prosecutor is fourteen, the defense "attorney" is sixteen and a "jury" of 13 17 year old are hearing evidence in aggravation and mitigation in anticipation of imposing a very real sentence.
Ante-nuptial isn’t nuptialBy Terrence M. MadsenGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, April 2002An ante-nuptial agreement does not enjoy the traditional disclosure privileges associated with marital communications according to the Third District's recent opinion in In rel. Puterbaugh v. Puterbaugh, 3-01-0292 (2/14/02).
Chair’s columnGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, April 2002ISBA president Tim Eaton has appointed a Special Committee on the Transfer of a Law Practice.
Estate planning & probate updateBy James F. Dunneback & Anne Scheurich KellyGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, April 2002The past year has seen significant and far-reaching changes in the estate planning and estate and gift tax arenas.
Patient beware! Part IIIBy David K. HarrisGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, April 2002On October 23, 2001, the Fourth District Appellate Court reversed the trial court's decision allowing summary judgment against the plaintiff/patient. Warren v. Burris, 325 Ill. App 3d 599.
Chairperson’s columnGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2002ISBA's President Tim Eaton and the ISBA Board have gone on record to again advocate for changing the Supreme Court rules to permit the sale of a solo practice.
Garageman’s labor and storage liens another believe it or not situationBy G. Bradley HantlaGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2002An automobile mechanic and/or garageman enters your office indicating that he has a truck that has been left at his premises for a considerable period of time and that there is a storage bill owed on the truck in a sum in excess of $5,000.
Part 1: Reciprocal or mutual wills—implied consequencesBy Timothy E. DugganGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2002A simple and common request can have significant consequences which may be unintended: a married couple, each with children from prior marriages, wants wills which leave everything to the surviving spouse and then, upon the death of the survivor, the estate is to be divided among all of their children from their prior marriages.
Practice reminder—ABA TechshowBy John T. PhippsGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2002Don't forget the ABA Techshow which is being held March 14-16, 2002 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, Chicago, Illinois.
Revocation of wills: intent is not enoughBy Donald A. LoBueGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2002Cancellation and alteration of wills usually occurs without the benefit of legal advice. An individual wants to change his or her will and marks the original accordingly. Prior to seeing a lawyer, he or she dies.
Local governmental involvement—doing the right rightBy David SpagatGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, January 2002Problem: something is not right in your local community and you want to do something about it.
How far can they go?By David SpagatGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, December 2001From time to time the practitioner is consulted with a proposition from a client of long standing as to what that person should do and where might he go to effectively assist in the redress of a situation he witnessed that demanded remedial action for himself or for the victim for which he was concerned.
