In MemoriamBy Deborah BenzingWorkers’ Compensation Law, October 2025A few words from the Chair of the Workers' Compensation Law Section Council in memory of Peter Akemann, a dedicated Arbitrator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
In the NewsMental Health Law, May 2025Earlier this year, WGN-TV News reported that marijuana use could trigger a mental health disorder.
India: Delhi High Court Ruling Reshapes Sports Governance and Raises Animal Welfare ConcernsBy H. Vincent DraaInternational and Immigration Law, March 2025In an important decision with implications for both sports law and animal welfare, the Delhi High Court's judgment in Rajasthan Equestrian Association v. Union of India & Ors.has overturned a controversial exemption granted to the Equestrian Federation of India by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This ruling scrutinizes the government's discretionary power to relax national sports governance standards and, crucially, addresses the legal status of equine “athletes” within the context of sports regulation.
Inherent Federal Court Sanctioning AuthorityBy Jeffrey A. ParnessIntellectual Property, March 2025In Keyes Law Firm, LLC v. Napoli, (4th Cir. 2024), the court provided primers on the inherent sanctioning authority of federal courts for civil litigation misconduct and on the guidelines for determining related attorney fee awards. In doing so, it recognized that some problematic state court conduct could prompt federal court sanctions and that the fee award norms for such conduct should differ from those employed in many fee-shifting statutes.
Inherent Federal Court Sanctioning AuthorityBy Jeffrey A. ParnessFederal Civil Practice, January 2025In Keyes Law Firm, LLC v. Napoli, (4th Cir. 2024), the court provided primers on the inherent sanctioning authority of federal courts for civil litigation misconduct and on the guidelines for determining related attorney fee awards. In doing so, it recognized that some problematic state court conduct could prompt federal court sanctions and that the fee award norms for such conduct should differ from those employed in many fee-shifting statutes.
Initiating Arbitral Proceedings in International Commercial DisputesBy H. Vincent DraaDiversity Leadership Council, June 2025International commercial arbitration is a means of resolving business disputes among two or more transnational parties by one or more arbitrators outside of a formal court system. It is a voluntary process, conducted according to the parameters determined by the agreement of the parties. Given all its advantages over traditional litigation, it is not much of an exaggeration to call international commercial arbitration the “only game in town.”
Initiating Arbitral Proceedings in International Commercial DisputesBy H. Vincent DraaInternational and Immigration Law, January 2025International commercial arbitration is a means of resolving business disputes among two or more transnational parties by one or more arbitrators outside of a formal court system. It is a voluntary process, conducted according to the parameters determined by the agreement of the parties. Given all its advantages over traditional litigation, it is not much of an exaggeration to call international commercial arbitration the “only game in town.”
Innovation and Protection: Why Manufacturers Can’t Afford to Overlook IP in Annual PlanningBy Greg StoneBusiness Advice and Financial Planning, June 2025The article urges practitioners to make intellectual property a key part of annual planning. Failing to address IP risks can lead to lost innovations, increased competitive threats, and missed revenue opportunities. By proactively protecting new developments, conducting audits, and aligning IP with business goals, practitioners can turn IP into a growth asset—not just a legal safeguard.
Inspiring Community Engagement at DePaul LawYoung Lawyers Division, August 2025ISBA Young Lawyer Representative, Genevieve E. Miller, recently spoke on a panel at DePaul Law, "Engaging Your Community."
Intellectual Improbabilities™By Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, December 2025An overview of recent developments in intellectual property law, including Delaware trade names change, streamlined claim PTO pilot, Amazon Patent Evaluation Express, Aubrey Drake Graham's lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar dismissed, additional fees for trademark applications in Russia, and more.
Intellectual Improbabilities™By Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, September 2025A quick look at recent developments in intellectual property law, including the Cracker Barrel controversy, updates to the Patent Assignment Search and Assignments on the Web, band members' lawsuit after an onstage fight, patent examination fees in Egypt, and more.
Intellectual Improbabilities™By Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, June 2025Updates on trademarks, copyrights, patents, and much more.
Intellectual Improbabilities™By Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, March 2025Updates on trademarks, copyrights, patents, and much more.
Intentional Homicide of an Unborn ChildBy Mark Wykoff, Sr.Criminal Justice, May 2025In People v. Lane, 2023 IL 128269, the issue before the Illinois Supreme Court was whether a finding of guilty for both first-degree murder and intentional homicide of an unborn child constitutes multiple murders, triggering 5-8-1 of the Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5/5-8-1(a)(1)(c)(ii) (West 2006)), mandating a sentence of life in prison.
In People v. Lane (2023), the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child counts as only one murder for sentencing. Therefore, the mandatory life sentence under the multiple murder statute did not apply. The Court vacated Lane’s life sentence and ordered resentencing, also overruling the 1997 Third District Appellate case, People v. Shoultz, that treated such cases as multiple murders.
Interview with Former WATL Chair, Lori LevinBy Judith ConwayWomen and the Law, February 2025A spotlight on Lori Levin who served as chair of the Women and the Law Committee from 2018-2019.
Interview With Justice Amy SholarBy Zoé Lemon & Olivia St. Clair LongWomen and the Law, October 2025Justice Sholar shares her insights about practicing as an attorney, joining the bench, and the importance of networking.
Introducing the Food, Race, and Equity Initiative: Part IBy Heliya IzadpanahFood Law, April 2025A UCLA Law Student describes her experiences with the Critical Race Studies program. "The Resnick Center has tried to incorporate discussions of diversity, equity, and inclusion into its offerings. It has featured an agroecology class, a food and social justice issues podcast series, lessons on food access, and a diverse global health collaborative," says the student.
one of the few Food Law programs then existing in the nation.
Introducing the Food, Race, and Equity Initiative: Part IIBy Lavanya SathyamurthyFood Law, April 2025"UCLA, home to the Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy and the Critical Race Studies Program, is the perfect place to start a movement focused on infusing issues of equity into food law curricula," according to a UCLA Law student. The Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy adopts a multi-faceted approach to legal research and scholarship, through courses, conferences, and academic collaboration.
Introduction to the Illinois Franchise Tax and Its Importance to Your CompanyBy Jordan Goodman & Jesse FeinsteinBusiness Advice and Financial Planning, July 2025The Illinois Franchise Tax is an extremely complex tax that places unique burdens on corporations conducting business in Illinois. Based on our experience, many corporations incorrectly calculate their obligations, leading to the over or underpayment of their tax liabilities. Neither of these scenarios is desirable, and as such, this article is designed to familiarize you with the basics of the Franchise Tax and reveal a few common problems we at Kilpatrick have identified and resolved over the years.
Introduction to the Illinois Franchise Tax and Its Importance to Your CompanyBy Jordan Goodman & Jesse FeinsteinCorporate Law Departments, March 2025The Illinois Franchise Tax is an extremely complex tax that places unique burdens on corporations conducting business in Illinois. Based on our experience, many corporations incorrectly calculate their obligations, leading to the over or underpayment of their tax liabilities. Neither of these scenarios is desirable, and as such, this article is designed to familiarize you with the basics of the Franchise Tax and reveal a few common problems we at Kilpatrick have identified and resolved over the years.
IPRB Releases 2024 Illinois Oil ProductionBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2025The Illinois Petroleum Resources Board through its Executive Director, Seth Whitehead, has released the volumes of crude oil production in the State of Illinois for 2024. Production of oil in Illinois has been somewhat static since 1997.
Is a Divorce Judgment a Judgment?By Michael StraussFamily Law, February 2025The Second District Appellate Court vacated the ruling denying statutory interest in the 2024 case of In re Marriage of Hyman. That part of the court's ruling is the focus of this article.
Is Access to Literacy a Right?By Madonna T. LechnerLaw-Related Education for the Public, December 2025In 2016, a group of students enrolled in elementary and secondary schools filed suit against officials of the State of Michigan, alleging violation of equal protection under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution by denying them access to literacy. Subsequently, four years later, the Eastern District of Michigan confirmed that students had a fundamental right to a basic minimum education.
Is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Obsolete?By Madonna T. LechnerLaw-Related Education for the Public, May 2025On January 31, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14173, banning race- and sex-based preferences in DEI programs across federal agencies and other major sectors. The Order claims DEI violates civil rights laws and undermines merit. Opponents—including universities, nonprofits, and the City of Baltimore—sued, arguing it restricts free speech and harms historically underserved groups. A district court initially blocked parts of the Order, but a federal appeals court later allowed enforcement while the case proceeds. The lawsuit questions whether DEI programs violate anti-discrimination laws.
Is Free Speech for Everyone in America?By Junaid AfeefDiversity Leadership Council, June 2025It sounds like a rhetorical question; of course, it is. Right? For decades, flag burning, hate group marches, vile protests at servicemembers’ funerals,and more were deemed protected under the First Amendment. The idea was to ensure all political speech remains uncensored; to do so, we must tolerate polarizing, offensive, or even hateful speech. Although noncitizens enjoy First Amendment protections, the government's plenary authority over immigration allows it to penalize them in ways that effectively chills free speech.
Is Free Speech for Everyone in America?By Junaid AfeefInternational and Immigration Law, May 2025It sounds like a rhetorical question; of course, it is. Right? For decades, flag burning, hate group marches, vile protests at servicemembers’ funerals,and more were deemed protected under the First Amendment. The idea was to ensure all political speech remains uncensored; to do so, we must tolerate polarizing, offensive, or even hateful speech. Although noncitizens enjoy First Amendment protections, the government's plenary authority over immigration allows it to penalize them in ways that effectively chills free speech.
Is Free Speech for Everyone in America?By Junaid AfeefHuman and Civil Rights, April 2025It sounds like a rhetorical question; of course, it is. Right? For decades, flag burning, hate group marches, vile protests at servicemembers’ funerals,and more were deemed protected under the First Amendment. The idea was to ensure all political speech remains uncensored; to do so, we must tolerate polarizing, offensive, or even hateful speech. Although noncitizens enjoy First Amendment protections, the government's plenary authority over immigration allows it to penalize them in ways that effectively chills free speech.
Is PFAS the Next Asbestos?By Eric BerryEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, January 2025PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of thousands of chemicals manufactured since the 1940s for use in consumer products and industrial processes. This article presents an overview of the PFAS phenomenon.
