Message from the ChairBy Khara ColemanDiversity Leadership Council, June 2025A message from the chair reflecting on the important work done by the Diversity Leadership Council.
Midyear Online Food DriveBy YLD Pro Bono CommitteeYoung Lawyers Division, December 2025The Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Committee is excited to announce that the 2025 Midyear Online Food Drive is officially live, and this year we are expanding our reach across the entire state of Illinois. In connection with the ISBA Midyear Meeting, the YLD is partnering with three separate food banks to support communities in the Chicagoland area, the St. Louis metropolitan area, and Central Illinois.
Minority Representation in the Judiciary: What More Needs To Be Done?By Junaid AfeefHuman and Civil Rights, August 2025A discussion of increasing diversity in the judiciary, including how far we've come, the progress that still needs to be made, and a few potential solutions.
The Modified Total Cost Method: A Few ThoughtsBy Stanley N. WasserConstruction Law, October 2025A look at the modified total cost method, the necessary elements that must be met in a case to utilize the modified total cost method, and the case law that has shaped the topic.
More Copyright Kryptonite for Superman, and Another Famous Character’s IP Rights in the NewsBy Margo Lynn Hablutzel, J.D., LLM, CISSPIntellectual Property, March 2025In his world, Superman is often in the news for stopping wars, preventing buildings from falling on people, and taking ill children on world tours. In our world, except for movie box office receipts, the main time Superman is in the news is when copyright and trademark issues arise. So it was earlier this year, when outlets reported on a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York by the executor of the estate of Joseph Shuster, one of the creators of the Man of Steel. The lawsuit claimed that DC Comics, DC Entertainment, and others were violating the estate’s foreign copyrights in the character.
Mortgagees Can’t Get No SatisfactionBy Sherwin D. AbramsTrusts and Estates, April 2025Illinois courts have extinguished mortgages because the mortgagor died. Does the Probate Act really permit that? Would SB2221 prevent it from happening again? Is further legislation desirable? This article discusses those cases in which courts extinguished mortgages and explains why the author believes that those cases were wrongly decided. Also, this article explains how SB2221 seeks to change the results in those cases and proposes further legislative improvements.
The Most Important Thing You Can Bring to CourtBy Judge Brian WeinthalYoung Lawyers Division, February 2025An administrative law judge shares insight on how attorneys can avoid losing credibility when appearing before a finder-of-fact.
The Most Important Thing You Can Bring to CourtBy Judge Brian WeinthalBench and Bar, January 2025An administrative law judge shares insight on how attorneys can avoid losing credibility when appearing before a finder-of-fact.
Movie Review: Where Do We Go Now?By Gary T. RafoolSenior Lawyers, February 2025A review of the 2011 Lebanese film directed by Nadine Labaki. Women in a war-torn Middle Eastern village conspire to prevent religious conflict between Christians and Muslims.
Multi-Factor Authentication Is No Longer Optional for Legal ProfessionalsBy Brandon P. WoudenbergElder Law, July 2025This article emphasizes that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential for legal professionals, not just a 'best practice.' It highlights the increasing cyber threats in the legal industry and the need for attorneys to protect clients' data. It offers simple MFA options and discusses the risks of not using this security feature. Ultimately, the minor inconvenience of setting up MFA is worthwhile for the protection it provides against data breaches, reputational damage, malpractice claims, and disciplinary issues.
Multi-Factor Authentication is No Longer Optional for Legal ProfessionalsBy Brandon P. WoudenbergIntellectual Property, June 2025This article emphasizes that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential for legal professionals, not just a 'best practice.' It highlights the increasing cyber threats in the legal industry and the need for attorneys to protect clients' data. It offers simple MFA options and discusses the risks of not using this security feature. Ultimately, the minor inconvenience of setting up MFA is worthwhile for the protection it provides against data breaches, reputational damage, malpractice claims, and disciplinary issues.
Multi-Factor Authentication is No Longer Optional for Legal ProfessionalsBy Brandon P. WoudenbergEmployee Benefits, April 2025This article emphasizes that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential for legal professionals, not just a 'best practice.' It highlights the increasing cyber threats in the legal industry and the need for attorneys to protect clients' data. It offers simple MFA options and discusses the risks of not using this security feature. Ultimately, the minor inconvenience of setting up MFA is worthwhile for the protection it provides against data breaches, reputational damage, malpractice claims, and disciplinary issues.
Multi-Factor Authentication is No Longer Optional for Legal ProfessionalsBy Brandon P. WoudenbergCorporate Law Departments, April 2025This article emphasizes that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential for legal professionals, not just a 'best practice.' It highlights the increasing cyber threats in the legal industry and the need for attorneys to protect clients' data. It offers simple MFA options and discusses the risks of not using this security feature. Ultimately, the minor inconvenience of setting up MFA is worthwhile for the protection it provides against data breaches, reputational damage, malpractice claims, and disciplinary issues.
Multi-Factor Authentication is No Longer Optional for Legal ProfessionalsBy Brandon P. WoudenbergLegal Technology, Standing Committee on, March 2025This article emphasizes that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential for legal professionals, not just a 'best practice.' It highlights the increasing cyber threats in the legal industry and the need for attorneys to protect clients' data. It offers simple MFA options and discusses the risks of not using this security feature. Ultimately, the minor inconvenience of setting up MFA is worthwhile for the protection it provides against data breaches, reputational damage, malpractice claims, and disciplinary issues.
Municipal Case SummariesBy James Ferolo, Phil Lenzini, Matt Dione, Chris Jump, Lisle Stalter, Todd Flemming, & Josh HermanLocal Government Law, June 2025Municipal case summaries of interest to local government law practitioners.
Municipal Case SummariesBy James Ferolo, Phil Lenzini, Matt Dione, Chris Jump, Lisle Stalter, Todd Flemming, & Josh HermanLocal Government Law, April 2025Municipal case summaries of interest to local government law practitioners.
My Experience Comparing Lexis and ChatGPT Deep ResearchBy Carolyn ElefantAgricultural Law, November 2025As artificial intelligence develops, classic legal tools, like Westlaw and Lexis, may become less useful. In comparison to Lexis, ChatGPT Deep Research has valuable tools that could improve efficiency in your legal practice.
My Rural Ag Law Practice: So What’s in My Tech Stack?By Cari Brett RinckerAgricultural Law, December 2025An in-depth review of different technology that can make your law practice run smoother, from office management to AI, and everything in between.
The Myth of MaskingBy Frank P. AndreanoTraffic Laws and Courts, October 2025The notion that accurate recording keeping obligations prohibit plea bargaining (from murder to speeding) is simply not well taken, nor supported by a plain reading of the applicable regulations. So long as both the Court Clerk and Secretary of State (SDLA) truthfully report conviction data to the federal CDLIS system no “masking” has occurred.
Navigating the Complexities of a Business BankruptcyBy Penelope BachBusiness Advice and Financial Planning, July 2025This article explores the fiduciary duties of officers, directors, members, the rights and obligations of shareholders, and the potential for personal liability of officers, directors, and members during bankruptcy proceedings.
Navigating the Legal World as a Young Black Male Lawyer in Chicago: Challenges, Triumphs, and the Road AheadBy Jason A. Pica, IIRacial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, October 2025In this article, the author shares his personal perspective on what it means to be a young Black lawyer in Chicago. The author's experience is shaped by the history of his people, the stories he carries from his community, and the constant weight to represent those folks and their stories who have often been silenced.
Navigating the Legal World as a Young Black Male Lawyer in Chicago: Challenges, Triumphs, and the Road AheadBy Jason A. Pica, IIYoung Lawyers Division, April 2025In this article, the author shares his personal perspective on what it means to be a young Black lawyer in Chicago. The author's experience is shaped by the history of his people, the stories he carries from his community, and the constant weight to represent those folks and their stories who have often been silenced.
New Amendments to the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act Will Provide Greater Protection to EmployeesBy Michelle T. Olson & Ellie M HemmingerElder Law, December 2025On August 15, 2025, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 3638 into law, amending the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act (the “IWTA” or the “Act”) to provide enhanced protection for Illinois employees who enter into employment, termination or settlement agreements with their employers. Learn more about how this impacts employers.
