Articles From 2009 | Illinois State Bar Association

Win with civility By Sandra Blake Women and the Law, September 2009 In 2005, the Illinois Supreme Court established the Illinois Commission on Professionalism, making Illinois one of only 14 states that have a formal body working to promote professionalism and civility.

Wind “farming”—An evolving process Agricultural Law, October 2009 A summary of an e-mail from one of our Section Council members, Jerry Quick, Illinois Farm Bureau counsel, and the digital conversation it generated.

Women and the Law Committee—University of Illinois School of Law outreach By Stephanie K. Nathanson Women and the Law, March 2009 The Standing Committee on Women and the Law is looking forward to our upcoming program at the University of Illinois School of Law (U of I) on April 23, 2009.

‘Women Everywhere’ project launches its 10th year of community service, court visits for high school girls By Sharon L. Eiseman Women and the Law, March 2009 In 2009, the Women Everywhere: Partners in Service Project (“WE”) will be celebrating its first decade by again doing what it has done so well since its founding in 1999: sending women and men volunteer attorneys and legal support staff into community service agencies on a specified day to provide legal and labor-intensive assistance to agency staff.

Women who made history during Lincoln’s presidency By Sandra Blake Women and the Law, May 2009 In recognition of the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln and National Women’s History Month, take this opportunity to meet or become reacquainted with women who made history during the Lincoln presidential years. Those who paved the way include abolitionists, soldiers, spies, nurses and organizers.

Workers’ Compensation liens and employer’s uninsured motorist coverage By Brad E. Bleakney Workers’ Compensation Law, March 2009 The Illinois Supreme Court rarely decides a workers’ compensation lien case, so attorneys should take the time to study these recent 5(b) lien decisions involving uninsured motorist coverage.

Workplace diversity: Employee resource groups By Mona M. Stone Women and the Law, March 2009 Workplace diversity training has been around for some time, but is growing in importance as the demographics of the working population continue to evolve.

A year-end opportunity to wash your dirty stocks: Harvesting losses with wash sales By David A. Berek & Jesse T. Coyle Trusts and Estates, January 2009 The Internal Revenue Code Section 165(a) permits deductions for any loss sustained during the taxable year and not compensated for by insurance or otherwise. The broad language of Section 165 seemingly allows deductions for almost any type of loss. Logically, the language has of this Section has resulted in abuse, causing Congress to respond by creating limitations on the deductibility of losses. One of the deductions that Congress has disallowed is the deduction for losses resulting from wash sales of stock or securities.

Year-end tax tips By Jesse T. Coyle Trusts and Estates, January 2009 Before the calendar year ends, consider the following tax planning techniques.

“Yes, We CarNegie!” By Juli Campagna International and Immigration Law, June 2009 The John Marshall Law School in Chicago will hold a one-day conference on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 to discuss the issues raised in Educating Lawyers: Preparation for the Profession of Law, by William M. Sullivan, Anne Colby, Judith W. Wegner, Lloyd Bond, and Lee S. Schulman.

YLD announces 2009 award winners Young Lawyers Division, June 2009 The ISBA YLD recently announced this year’s winners of the Young Lawyer of the Year and Law Student Division Public Service awards.

YLD golf outing raises money for Children’s Assistance Fund By Justin Heather & Michael D. Wong Young Lawyers Division, October 2009 As with past years, and despite the down economy, the event was a huge success—raising approximately $10,000. In its first five years, the YLD’s annual Golf Classic has raised over $65,000 for the Children’s Assistance Fund.

YLD lends a hand By Jean A. Kenol Young Lawyers Division, April 2009 On February 21, 2009, approximately 25 YLD members and ISBA Third Vice-President Candidates John Thies and Richard Felice volunteered their time and talents to Greater Chicago Food Depository.

You didn’t get the job. Now what? By Christina M. Webb Young Lawyers Division, December 2009 You thought the interview went well. A week or two later, a letter from the prospective employer arrives. The envelope’s thin—just large enough for one sheet of paper. Do you open the letter? You do, but you don’t need to—you know it’s a rejection letter.

Your client’s driver’s license will be suspended for failure to have vehicle insurance, if they are convicted of driving without vehicle insurance By Ava George Stewart General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, January 2009 Effective July 2, 2007 the Illinois Vehicle Code was changed, causing a mandatory three-month suspension of driving privileges for anyone convicted of driving without insurance.

Your IT personnel have become child porn cops By Michael R. Lied Labor and Employment Law, May 2009 Under a recent amendment to the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, there is a new obligation on certain Illinois workers to report child pornography which they discover on the job.

You’ve got to play to win: Employers and the H-1B visa lottery By Sonya Som Administrative Law, March 2009 Due to the statutory limits placed on issuance of new H-1B visas each fiscal year, businesses that want to take advantage of this option must be prepared to enter the annual H-1B visa lottery.

Zoning law: A look inside By George L. Schoenbeck Young Lawyers Division, February 2009 This article provides fellow young lawyers practicing commercial transactions and real property law, as well as other lawyers who are curious about zoning, with an overview of what the author has found to be the key competencies of a zoning attorney.

Zoning—Disapproval of development—When is it ripe for judicial review? By John H. Brechin Local Government Law, December 2009 LaSalle Bank National Association v. City of Oakbrook Terrace involved a zoning dispute between the parties.