Summary of President Trump’s Early Executive Orders on ImmigrationBy Cindy G. BuysInternational and Immigration Law, March 2025On his first day in office, January 20, 2025, President Trump issued a flurry of Executive Orders (EOs) including at least five EOs affecting immigration. This article briefly summarizes some key parts of these EOs relating to immigration, the status of litigation challenging these EOs, and some possible future issues.
Supporting and Visiting Non-Minor ChildrenBy Lisa M. NyuliFamily Law, September 2025Learn more about the requirements under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and the Probate Act to award child support or parental visitation for a non-minor child with a disability.
Supreme Court Eases the Burden for Proving Reverse Discrimination ClaimsBy Rachel E. Bossard & Christine EduardoCorporate Law Departments, June 2025On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that reverse discrimination claims under Title VII are held to the same standard as other discrimination claims. The Court found that plaintiffs like Marlean Ames, a heterosexual woman, don’t need to show special “background circumstances” to prove bias. This decision clarifies that Title VII protects all individuals equally, regardless of majority or minority status.
Supreme Court Eases the Burden for Proving Reverse Discrimination ClaimsBy Rachel E. Bossard & Christine EduardoEmployee Benefits, June 2025On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that reverse discrimination claims under Title VII are held to the same standard as other discrimination claims. The Court found that plaintiffs like Marlean Ames, a heterosexual woman, don’t need to show special “background circumstances” to prove bias. This decision clarifies that Title VII protects all individuals equally, regardless of majority or minority status.
Supreme Court Rejects “Minimum Contacts” Requirement To Enforce Arbitration Awards Against Foreign StatesBy Jay SchleppenbachAlternative Dispute Resolution, November 2025The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Devas illustrates the pro-arbitration leaning of the United States legal system. Companies that arbitrate in the United States and abroad should take comfort that this remains a favorable jurisdiction to seek enforcement of arbitration awards, even where those awards involve foreign states or state-owned entities.
The Sword of Damocles and Artificial Intelligence in LawBy Donald Hyun Kiolbassa & Emily HolmesReal Estate Law, March 2025A discussion of the Sword of Damocles story to draw a lesson—artificial intelligence should be used only as an augmentation of the attorney. The attorney needs to have a metaphorical sword over their head.
Tariff Mitigation Strategies: 20 Options for ManufacturersFood Law, August 2025Tariffs are truly “A Tale of Two Cities.” Some manufacturers are celebrating, thanks to higher domestic demand and an opportunity to sell unused capacity. For others, tariffs have significantly hurt business—resulting in painful price increases, inventory valuation challenges, stalled M&A, and reduced demand.
Tariffs and the New Risks To Be Addressed in Construction ContractsBy Jeffrey KehlConstruction Law, September 2025Consider incorporating additional provisions, like tariff adjustment clauses, price escalation clauses, force majeure clauses, among others, in your contracts to protect yourself against tariff increases.
Tax Court Takes a Strict Stance on Procedural Deadlines Under the BBA Partnership Audit RulesBy Sandra D. Mertens & Grace SymingtonFederal Taxation, November 2025Recent Tax Court decisions, including JM Assets and Bayou Serpent, demonstrate strict enforcement of procedural deadlines. This strict adherence reinforces the importance of diligence and punctuality, safeguarding the integrity of the judicial process by emphasizing the necessity of complying with procedural requirements.
Tax Deed Proceedings ChallengedBy Craig R. HedinReal Estate Law, November 2025A look at the case Integrity Investment et al. v. Illinois Attorney General et al. and how the future of tax deed proceedings may be changed based on this litigation.
Tax Deed Proceedings ChallengedBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, September 2025A look at the case Integrity Investment et al. v. Illinois Attorney General et al. and how the future of tax deed proceedings may be changed based on this litigation.
Tax Increment Financing: A Valuable Development Tool – IllinoisBy R. Kymn HarpReal Estate Law, May 2025Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a public funding tool used to revitalize blighted or aging areas by reimbursing developers for certain costs using the increased property tax revenue their projects generate. It helps make otherwise unfeasible projects viable without diverting existing tax funds. TIF districts last up to 23 years (extendable to 35), and funding is only approved if the project wouldn’t happen without it (applying the “but for” test). It’s widely used to promote economic development and eliminate commercial blight.
Tech TipReal Estate Law, June 2025Tired of receiving emails you don’t want? Instead of simply hitting delete, take an extra five seconds to unsubscribe.
Ten Ways To Use #GenAI To Start Your Law FirmBy Carolyn ElefantRural Practice, November 2025GenAI can be a valuable tool for attorneys starting their own firm. Learn 10 tips to incorporate AI into your new law firm.
“That Can’t Be Right”: Illinois Contractors Must Be Aware of Sureties’ Rights Upon Default Under Payment and Performance BondsBy Frank M. SwansonConstruction Law, January 2025Upon receiving notice of a potential declaration of default under a Payment and Performance Bond, we often receive questions from clients about what measure of control they can properly assert over a surety’s selection of a substitute contractor. The answer to some is surprising: almost none. Yet, the risk of the surety selecting an improper surety, or risking contractual relationships, can be minimized at the contracting stage through simple, clear modifications of the standard A312 Payment and Performance Bond and standard contractual provisions.
That’s a Food Job!Food Law, August 2025Learn about resources to explore different career opportunitites in the food industry, from podcast recommendations to a job board dedicated to food careers!
Third Circuit Embraces De Novo Review of Demand Futility Dismissals, Overruling Prior Precedent and Joining Delaware Supreme Court and Other CircuitsBy Jay R. SchleppenbachBusiness and Securities Law, February 2025For decades, courts have dismissed derivative suits for failure to properly allege demand futility. But for almost as long, the standard of review appellate courts should apply to such dismissals has been in flux, with courts seeming to gradually move from an abuse of discretion standard to de novo review. Recently, in In re Cognizant, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit became the latest court to adopt de novo review, overruling its prior precedents.
Thirteen Red Flags for Spotting Problem ClientsBy Matthew BensonGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, November 2025The purpose of this article is to provide a list of phrases that problematic or regrettable clients say or make reference to in initial consultations, or "red flags," so that they can be spotted early and encouraged to find counsel more suited to their disposition. If a client exhibits any of the following, it might be wise to question the wisdom of allowing them to hire you.
Thirteen Red Flags for Spotting Problem ClientsBy Matthew BensonLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, October 2025The purpose of this article is to provide a list of phrases that problematic or regrettable clients say or make reference to in initial consultations, or "red flags," so that they can be spotted early and encouraged to find counsel more suited to their disposition. If a client exhibits any of the following, it might be wise to question the wisdom of allowing them to hire you.
Thirteen Red Flags for Spotting Problem ClientsBy Matthew BensonRural Practice, April 2025The purpose of this article is to provide a list of “red flags:” the phrases that problematic or regrettable clients say or make reference to in initial consultations, so that they can be spotted early and encouraged to find counsel more suited to their disposition. If a client exhibits any of the following, it might be wise to question the wisdom of allowing them to hire you.
Thirteen Red Flags for Spotting Problem ClientsBy Matthew BensonElder Law, February 2025The purpose of this article is to provide a list of “red flags:” the phrases that problematic or regrettable clients say or make reference to in initial consultations, so that they can be spotted early and encouraged to find counsel more suited to their disposition. If a client exhibits any of the following, it might be wise to question the wisdom of allowing them to hire you.
Thirteen Red Flags for Spotting Problem ClientsBy Matthew BensonFamily Law, January 2025The purpose of this article is to provide a list of “red flags:” the phrases that problematic or regrettable clients say or make reference to in initial consultations, so that they can be spotted early and encouraged to find counsel more suited to their disposition. If a client exhibits any of the following, it might be wise to question the wisdom of allowing them to hire you.
“Three Strikes, You’re Out” for All Frivolous Pro Se Inmate Cases? The Prison Litigation Reform Act’s “Balls & Strikes”By Christian KetterFederal Civil Practice, September 2025The "three strikes" rule of the Prison Litigation Reform Act may only apply in certain circumstances. Some courts have held that the "three strikes" rule does not apply to removal from state court to federal court. Unless the Supreme Court speaks to this issue, this procedural loophole may allow a backdooring of cases that are otherwise malicious, frivolous, and fail to state a claim.
A Thumbnail Sketch of the Indian Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025By H. Vincent Draa, FCI Arb, CFEInternational and Immigration Law, May 2025India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA) marks a significant shift in data privacy regulation. On January 3, 2025, the government released draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 to clarify and operationalize the Act, emphasizing informed consent, data security, and individual rights. The Rules aim to enhance personal data protection in India, with potential changes expected after public consultation.
