Articles From 2025

Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin Workers’ Compensation Law, December 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin Corporate Law Departments, December 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin Trusts and Estates, December 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin Privacy and Information Security Law, August 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin Business Advice and Financial Planning, June 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By John J. Rekowski Child Law, April 2025 ISBA members who pledge to be a “Champion” are a major source of funding for the Illinois Bar Foundation. But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin International and Immigration Law, March 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin State and Local Taxation, February 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Judith Conway Women and the Law, February 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By John J. Rekowski Criminal Justice, January 2025 ISBA members who pledge to be a “Champion” are a major source of funding for the Illinois Bar Foundation. But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin Artificial Intelligence & the Practice of Law, Standing Committee on, January 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin Rural Practice, January 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, January 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Behind the Bench By Adeyemi Kasali Law-Related Education for the Public, May 2025 A member of the Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School Mock Trial Team shares her experience touring the Illinois Supreme Court while in Springfield for the 2025 Illinois State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Invitational.
Bench and Bar Section Members Attend the Annual Meeting in Lincolnshire Bench and Bar, September 2025 Key moments featuring the Association’s Bench and Bar Section members at the 2025 Annual Meeting held in Lincolnshire on June 5–6.
Benefits of Intervention in Child Abuse and Neglect By Jessica N. Hudspeth Child Law, April 2025 Intervention in cases of child abuse and neglect can have an immeasurable impact on the child’s life. Early intervention in these cases provides the most benefit to not only the child but also their parents and/or caregivers. Early intervention could very well prevent immediate effects, such as aggression and behavior issues, from transitioning into juvenile delinquency. 
Beware AI “Hallucinations”: Bankruptcy Court Sanctions Counsel for Fake Citations in In re Martin By Julia Jensen Smolka Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, October 2025 Avoid the pitfalls of AI, and the sanctions that were imposed in In re Martin, by familiarizing yourself with 6 practical takeaways and recommendations for practitioners when employing AI usage in your practice. 
Beyond the Cubicle, Behind the Bruises: Domestic Violence and Women in the Workplace By Judge Megan Goldish Women and the Law, December 2025 Employers can play a key role in detecting and protecting against domestic violence, which becomes especially important in the age of COVID when remote work became more dominant. Recent legislation has paved the way for workplace strategies to reduce the impact of DV, but employers can also implement policies to advance this goal. 
Beyond the Factory Floor: How Occupational Disease Coverage Shaped Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law By Alexis Ferracuti Workers’ Compensation Law, August 2025 A historical overview of the Occupational Diseases Act of 1936. 
Bid Mistakes, Bid Withdrawals, and What to Do Next By Mark B. Gryzmala Construction Law, January 2025 The complexities of bid mistakes and withdrawals can often lead to significant legal and financial consequences. Whether you are a seasoned contractor or a novice in the industry, understanding these challenges is crucial.
‘Bloated, Expensive, Unsustainable’ USDA Reorganizing, Shrinking Its Washington Presence By Dave Fusaro Food Law, September 2025 Calling USDA “a bloated, expensive and unsustainable organization,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins last week announced a reorganization of the Dept. of Agriculture, including moving many employees and functions out of the Washington, D.C., area. 
A Bloc of 20 State Attorneys General Highlight Board Certification Barriers in Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care By Sumaya M. Noush Health Care Law, October 2025 A coalition of 20 state attorneys general (AGs) submitted formal testimony to the American Medical Association (AMA) on May 22, 2025, urging the AMA to take a stance against the imposition of in-person medical board certification requirements in states that have enacted laws criminalizing reproductive and gender-affirming care. This request reflects growing concern over the intersection of state criminal statutes and interstate professional credentialing obligations. This brief article analyzes the implications of the AGs’ request, the challenges posed by divergent state laws, and the potential role of the AMA and other certifying bodies in safeguarding both providers and patients in a fractured legal environment. As of late August 2025, the question of where and how physicians must take board exams has not yet been resolved nationally.
Bock Food Law & Policy Conference Agrivoltaics Observations By Alan E. Stumpf Agricultural Law, December 2025 Esoteric subjects for most Illinois attorneys were presented in Carbondale, Illinois at the Simmons School of Law on September 19, 2025. However, after listening to the presentations (available online through ISBA) the information presented gives us a legal and policy background helpful to know when counselling our clients’ legal matters that relate to agricultural production.
Bock Food Law & Policy Conference Cell-Based Meat Observations By Alan E. Stumpf Agricultural Law, November 2025 While not directly related to agricultural law, the detailed presentation of the industrial and legal view of the cell-based meat industry presented at the Bock Food Law & Policy Conference mirrors the issues of federalism seen today in the egg production and pork industries. 
A Book Review: Apprentice in Wonderland By Gary T. Rafool Senior Lawyers, June 2025 The book, Apprentice in Wonderland, by Ramin Setoodeh, explores how Donald Trump’s role as host of the reality TV shows The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice helped shape his public persona and contributed to his rise as a political figure. The author, who had extensive access to Trump and people involved with the shows, discusses the show's creation, impact, and Trump’s iconic catchphrase “You’re fired.” The book also covers Trump’s negotiations with NBC, the show’s success, and his eventual presidential run in 2016. The title references Trump’s elusive personality, likened to the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.
Book Review: “Life After Power” By Gary T. Rafool Senior Lawyers, October 2025 A book review of Life After Power, detailing the lives of 7 presidents after they left office. 
Book Review: Stories from Trailblazing Women Lawyers by Jill Norgren By Maura Ashe Diversity Leadership Council, June 2025 A review of a book that was born from the ABA's Commission on Women in the Profession's oral history project. 
A Book Review: The Umbrella Maker’s Son By Hon. Michael S. Jordan Human and Civil Rights, April 2025 Tod Lending has a winner, scoring a touchdown-homerun combo in his premier effort. He crafts a riveting account, masterfully developing multiple characters in this account of events shortly before and during the years after Hitler’s forces attacked Poland. We follow two Jewish Polish families through these trying times seeing many heroic acts of bravery when faced with sadistic acts of evil on the part of Nazis and their sympathizers. There is a constant battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil, the brave and the self-serving. We meet characters who risk their own lives to hide, house, support, and save others and meet others willing to inform and support the monsters stealing humanity at every turn.
Bridging the Gap: Why Seasoned Attorneys Should Bring Younger Attorneys Into the Courtroom By Staci Balbirer Family Law, October 2025 A note about the benefits of more experienced attorneys engaging with newer attorneys to provide mentorship and ensure professionalism and competency standards continue in the profession. 
A Brief Summary of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Israel’s Policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory By Junaid Afeef Diversity Leadership Council, June 2025 On July 19, 2024, the International Court of Justice rendered an advisory opinion concerning the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.