Ethical Considerations When Representing Elderly ClientsBy Judith ConwayTort Law, April 2025A quick summary of some important ethical rules, all of which come from the Illinois Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct, which texts should be reviewed in full. Following the Rules are some practical things to consider. Additionally, the comments on the Rules provide excellent insight for any questions practitioners may have.
Ethics FYIReal Estate Law, June 2025Real estate transactions and related litigation can raise various ethical challenges. If faced with such issues, attorneys are encouraged to contact the ARDC ethics hotline at (312) 565-2600 or (800) 826-8625 for guidance—support is always available.
EUTT Section Council Member Spotlight: Danny ChungEnergy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation, April 2025A spotlight on a member of the Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications & Transportation Section Council.
Event Recap: What It Takes to be a Trial Lawyer if You’re Not a ManBy Kristine HoniotesDiversity Leadership Council, June 2025A synopsis of the University of Illinois College of Law's Fall Symposium from November 8, 2024, entitled, "Teaching the Next Generation of Trial Lawyers: What It Takes to be a Trial Lawyer if You’re Not a Man."
Event Recap: What It Takes to be a Trial Lawyer if You’re Not a ManBy Kristine HoniotesWomen and the Law, February 2025A synopsis of the University of Illinois College of Law's Fall Symposium from November 8, 2024, entitled, "Teaching the Next Generation of Trial Lawyers: What It Takes to be a Trial Lawyer if You’re Not a Man."
Events CornerBy Andrew G. WhiteAgricultural Law, September 2025Learn more about events hosted by the Agricultural Law Section Council!
Ex-Officio Letter From the ChairBy Ebony R. HuddlestonRacial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, October 2025A Letter from the past Chair of the Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law Committee, looking forward to all that's to come in the upcoming year.
Exemptions to Notary Certification Requirements for RenewalBy Ariana Thao & Lawrence StarkHealth Care Law, May 2025As Health Care attorneys, we routinely draft documents that require notarization, such as powers of attorney for property, deeds, various affidavits, and banking documents. As such, access to a notary and maintaining a notary certification can be crucial. Commencing January 1, 2024, requirements changed to obtain and renew a notary certification. But there are exceptions, which are discussed in this article.
Exemptions to Notary Certification Requirements for RenewalBy Ariana Thao & Lawrence StarkElder Law, March 2025As Elder Law attorneys, we routinely draft documents that require notarization, such as powers of attorney for property, deeds, various affidavits, and banking documents. As such, access to a notary and maintaining a notary certification can be crucial. Commencing January 1, 2024, requirements changed to obtain and renew a notary certification. But there are exceptions, which are discussed in this article.
Expanding the Reach of Mediation: The State-Wide Vision of the Southern California Mediation Association (SCMA)By Judge Ann Breen-GrecoAlternative Dispute Resolution, November 2025The Southern California Mediation Association (SCMA) may be paving the way for expansion of mediation services. Recently, the SCMA has evolved from a regional to a state-wide organization, positioning itself as the largest mediation organization in California, and expanding access to mediation services within the state.
An Expeditious and Economical Path to JusticeBy Judge Brian WeinthalDiversity Leadership Council, June 2025As the result of statutory changes that took effect on January 1, 2025, the Illinois Human Rights Act now provides up to two years for individuals to assert allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation in connection with purported civil rights violations. In addition, the Human Rights Act now prohibits unlawful discrimination against individuals on the basis of “reproductive health decisions” and “family responsibilities.” Attorneys seeking to file civil rights lawsuits under the newly-amended law in 2025 should strongly consider bringing their claims before the Illinois Human Rights Commission.
An Expeditious and Economical Path to JusticeBy Judge Brian WeinthalHuman and Civil Rights, January 2025As the result of statutory changes that took effect on January 1, 2025, the Illinois Human Rights Act now provides up to two years for individuals to assert allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation in connection with purported civil rights violations. In addition, the Human Rights Act now prohibits unlawful discrimination against individuals on the basis of “reproductive health decisions” and “family responsibilities.” Attorneys seeking to file civil rights lawsuits under the newly-amended law in 2025 should strongly consider bringing their claims before the Illinois Human Rights Commission.
Experiences in the Rural Practice ProgramBy Matthew WellsRural Practice, October 2025A reflection on the Rural Practice Fellowship Program as a non-traditional law student.
Extended Producer Responsibility Laws in 2025By Sydney Weiss & Emily N. MasalskiEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, January 2025Extended Producer Responsibility laws represent a pivotal shift in environmental policy, encouraging producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, including post-consumer waste. EPR laws are designed to reduce landfill waste; promote recycling, composting, and use of post-consumer recycled content; and require manufacturers to address the environmental impact of their products. These laws require “producers” (typically defined as those who manufacture the package) to manage the collection, recycling, or disposal of products after they have reached the end of their useful lives, typically by financing recycling programs or implementing take-back programs.
Externships Provide Real-Law ExperienceBy Judge Michael J. ChmielLaw-Related Education for the Public, November 2025The value of externships is immeasurable. Through externships, we can impart good practices and get help when resources are scant. In our digital age, technology allows students to Zoom into a courtroom from miles away, access court files, and engage prompt communications through telephone, email, and text.
Farmer’s Daughter: How a Federal Court Pushed Agriculture Biotech Back DecadesBy Amanda ZaluckyjFood Law, January 2025Early in December, the Northern California District Court vacated rules adopted in 2020 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The lawsuit, brought by anti-bioengineering activists (pretending to be worried about family farms), reinstates a regulatory framework in place since 1986, while the technology was only in its infancy—and not yet even commercially available.
FDA To Revoke 52 Obsolete Standards of Identity for Food ProductsBy Dave FusaroFood Law, August 2025The FDA announced on July 16 that it is revoking or proposing to revoke 52 food standards of identity after concluding they are obsolete and unnecessary. The standards are for canned fruits and vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, macaroni products and other foods.
Featured CaseInsurance Law, May 2025The First District Appellate Court decision in Chicago Restaurant Management Group, LLC v. Great American Ins. Co. involves the issue of whether two claims arose from “related wrongful acts” so as to bar coverage for the second claim because the D&O insurer had not been given notice of the earlier claim.
Featured CaseInsurance Law, February 2025A look at Menard, Inc. v. Illinois Farmers Ins. Co., a case of interest to insurance law practitioners, from the Third District of the Illinois Appellate Court.
February SALT Section Council Meeting MinutesState and Local Taxation, April 2025Meeting minutes from the ISBA State & Local Taxation Section Council Meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
Felons Eligible to Run for Office: Airhart v. Municipal Officers Electoral Board for the Village of Riverdale, IllinoisBy Zachary FryeLocal Government Law, April 2025A question of statutory construction regarding the Illinois Municipal Code and the election of municipal officers recently came before the 1st District Appellate Court. Prior to the consolidated primary election that was held on February 25, 2025, Michael Airhart filed a signed “statement of candidacy” to run for Village President of Riverdale, Illinois. As part of that statement, Airhart affirmed that he was “legally qualified” to hold the office. A ballot objection was filed with the Electoral Board for the Village of Riverdale, alleging that Airhart was not legally qualified, as he had been convicted of three felonies and was not pardoned by the Governor. Airhart argued that he is not precluded from seeking office, only from holding it, and that he was in the process of having his rights restored. The Electoral Board sustained the objection, which was then appealed to the Circuit Court of Cook County. The circuit court reversed the Electoral Board’s judgment.
Fewer Sleepless Nights for Mechanics Lien Claimants’ CounselBy James M. DashConstruction Law, November 2025If you represent claimants in actions under the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act, don't find yourself on the wrong side of statutory deadlines. However, a case from the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Idaho, In re Millenkamp Cattle, Inc., may offer some comfort.
The Fifth TruthBy Michael J. RooneySenior Lawyers, February 2025The beginning of a new year often brings with it the need (or maybe it’s just a tradition) to make resolutions about what we’ll do this year to make it different from (and, presumably, better than) last year. Personally, I’m not big on new year’s resolutions for I find that they come and go and, in reality, very little changes based on how this year’s resolutions differ from those I so carefully thought through, wrote down, and consistently abandoned, in prior years. What I am big on is choosing always to be happy.
A Final Note from the Outgoing ChairBy Alan JedlickaEnergy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation, June 2025As my term as Chair of the ISBA’s Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation Council comes to an end, I would like to thank you all for your collaboration, friendship, trust, and encouragement. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Chair and to work together on the issues and initiatives that impact our various practice areas and the diverse sectors we represent.
