Section Newsletters

Articles From 2013

Bean Bag Tournament a fun time for all By Marron Mahoney Young Lawyers Division, June 2013 This year's Tournament drew more than 30 teams for competition.
Becoming more aware: A few tips on keeping you and your family safe By Lisle A. Stalter Government Lawyers, June 2013 The author shares some of the tips she learned after her office recently participated in a safety training class.
Before the party’s over: Arguments for and against pre-death will contests By Juan C. Antunez Trusts and Estates, April 2013 If you’re a working lawyer, it’s easy to dismiss talk of pre-death will contests as theoretical mumbo jumbo only academics have the luxury of fooling around with. That would be a mistake.
Beware of opt-out provisions in tort settlement agreements By Stephen Sotelo Civil Practice and Procedure, October 2013 This article demystifies the opt-out provisions of the newly created Section 2-2301 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and warns practitioners what to look for when handling tort settlement agreements in the future.
Bill would allow courts to deny custody or visitation to rapist fathers By Tracy Douglas Women and the Law, June 2013 Illinois allows mothers who gave birth to their rapist’s child to block custody or visitation when the rapist is criminally convicted. House Bill 3128 would change that.
The billing world is FLAT: Making flat fees work By William S. Wilson Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, April 2013 Flat fees are a profitable alternative to hourly billing if researched and analyzed correctly.
Board of Governors accepts Law School Debt Report—Assembly to consider in June By John E. Thies Young Lawyers Division, April 2013 One of the ISBA’s top priorities this year concerns the problems newer lawyers are facing with their law school-related debt.
Book Review: Defending Jacob by William Landay By Jessica Durkin Young Lawyers Division, October 2013 The reviewer contends the twist-filled conclusion, professional ethical dilemmas, and the “murder gene” debate could ignite several lively book club discussions.
Breaches of privacy and data—New risks, new insurance By Daniel Kegan Intellectual Property, October 2013 The Internet makes everything much easier, including breaches of privacy and data. Federal and state laws now create employer and data-custodian liability for such breaches. An information audit is suggested. Insurance targeted for these liabilities is now available.
Brief case synopsis of recent Illinois decisions State and Local Taxation, February 2013 Two recent cases of interest to State & Local Taxation practitioners.
Bringing in new law firm partners: Strategies for minimizing your risk By John W. Olmstead Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, April 2013 Just because the associate has been a good associate does not mean that the associate will be a good partner—the relationship will be different.
Broadening the statutory grounds for asylum through the application of the Mixed-Motives Doctrine By Eric Choi International and Immigration Law, April 2013 The decision in Mustafa v. Holder may assist asylum seekers by broadening the scope of applicants who may be considered for relief from removal through the statutorily protected grounds of asylum under the INA.
A bumpy road ahead for producers, buyers and sellers of Genetically Modified Organisms By Ruth E. Robinson Agricultural Law, July 2013 As scientific developments and studies surrounding GMOs cause the world grain market to fluctuate, recent decisions, pending suits, and future cases may prove significant to the agribusiness community.
“But, Mommy, Kylie gets to keep her pony in the house…!” Federal and state laws expand to include miniature horses as “service animals” By Melissa Anne Maye Animal Law, January 2013 The federal Americans With Disabilities Act recently expanded its definition of “service animal” to include miniature horses.
Calculation of AWW when considering future earning per a union contract By Megan Kivisto & Peter Corti Workers’ Compensation Law, August 2013 In addition to setting forth a clear rule regarding calculation of wage differential benefits, the case of United Airlines, Inc. v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission reminds us that speculative evidence has no place in our practice.
Cameras in the courtroom and the right to gather information By Evan Bruno Human and Civil Rights, October 2013 As of September 2013, the judges of 35 Illinois counties have approved the use of extended media coverage.
Can monetary exactions conditions of a permit constitute a taking? By John H. Brechin Local Government Law, September 2013 The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision affirmed the validity of Nollan and Dolan and held that the principles of those cases do not change whether a permit is approved or denied.
Can you find it? By Donald E. Weihl Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, June 2013 This article will show you how to create your own data system using a Microsoft Word program.
Captive insurance companies—A reassuring way to self-insure By Jesse T. Coyle Trusts and Estates, July 2013 The author, who recently helped to pass North Carolina's Captive Insurance Company law, discusses this unique estate planning vehicle.
CASA: Specialized advocates for medically at-risk kids By Stefanie L. Cooley Child Law, May 2013 Children who are medically fragile or those having special, medical needs are provided an advocate able to comprehend the medical diagnoses and convey to the courts the meaning behind medical terminology.
Case briefs By Kyler Juckins, Jerremy Wiker, & Brandon Sarkauskas Alternative Dispute Resolution, October 2013 Recent decisions of interest to ADR practitioners.
Case briefs By Casey Harter, Madalyn Phillips, & Taryn Vaughan Alternative Dispute Resolution, May 2013 Recent cases of interest to ADR practitioners.
Case briefs By Casey Harter, Madalyn Phillips, & Taryn Vaughan Alternative Dispute Resolution, February 2013 Recent cases of interest to alternative dispute resolution practitioners.
Case law update: Carr v. Koch, 2012 IL 113414 By Edward J. Copeland Education Law, June 2013 In this decision, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the Complaint was properly dismissed by the Appellate Court for the reason that the Plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the law without finding it necessary to address the Plaintiffs’ argument that they had stated a claim for violation of the equal protection clause of the Illinois Constitution.
Case names and holdings Insurance Law, December 2013 A list of the cases in this issue, arranged alphabetically.
Case names and holdings Insurance Law, October 2013 A list of the cases in this issue, arranged alphabetically.
Case names and holdings Insurance Law, June 2013 A list of the cases in this issue, arranged alphabetically.
Case names and holdings Insurance Law, March 2013 A list of the cases in this issue, arranged alphabetically.
Case note: In re Estate of John P. Hanley, an Alleged Disabled Person, 2013 IL App (3d) 110264 (Sept. 6, 2013) By Susan Dawson-Tibbits Elder Law, November 2013 This case presents a good example of the lengths to which family members in a dysfunctional family will go to gain control over or seek revenge on other family members, using an elderly family matter as the means.
Case note: License plates, Trailer ball hitches, and the Illinois Vehicle Code—According to the Fourth District Appellate Court, section 3-413(b) of the Vehicle Code does not prohibit trailer ball hitches obstructing the visibility of a vehicle’s registra By Rob Shumaker Traffic Laws and Courts, September 2013 A summary of the Fourth District Appellate Court's decision in People v. Gaytan.