A Model Worth Exporting: Why Safe Humane’s Court Case Dog Program Matters for Illinois (and Beyond)By Cynthia L. Bathurst, Ph.D.Animal Law, May 2026For most of the history of our anti-cruelty statutes, when dogs were involved in a cruelty or fighting case, the animals were taken in as live “evidence,” held in shelter kennels for the full run of the prosecution—often for months, even years—and then, after verdicts were returned and appeals exhausted, quietly euthanized. Safe Humane Chicago’s Court Case Dog (CCD) program offers an alternative that can be implemented in other jurisdictions.
More than Mindfulness: Judicial Wellness, Access to Justice, and Mitigating Impact on Vulnerable GroupsBy Judge Sherri HaleRacial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, May 2026Courts are in a unique position of influence in our communities to lead change. A well-functioning judiciary exemplifies core values linked to integrity and public confidence in our system of justice under law. While the Illinois Supreme Court has taken the lead to champion well-being as a priority for the legal community, each circuit court should feel empowered to promote a culture that prioritizes balancing productivity, court management, and overall individual employee well-being.
Motion to Adjourn…PermanentlyBy Staci BalbirerFamily Law, June 2026Closing remarks from the outgoing Chair of the Family Law Section Council for the 2025-2026 bar year.
Multi-Factor Authentication Is No Longer Optional for Legal ProfessionalsBy Brandon P. WoudenbergLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, February 2026This 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. WoudenbergAgricultural Law, January 2026This 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.
My AI Tech-Stack: What Works NowBy Mazyar M. HedayatLegal Technology, Standing Committee on, June 2026The integration of AI into legal practice is no longer optional; it is a competitive necessity. Regardless of the legal tools used in your practice, the most significant benefit is not speed alone, but consistency. Matters are handled with the same level of rigor regardless of complexity or volume.
My Experience Comparing Lexis and ChatGPT Deep ResearchBy Carolyn ElefantRural Practice, February 2026As 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 Journey From Policy to PracticeBy Alexandra WizdaLaw-Related Education for the Public, April 2026A reflection from a political science grad and the perspective shift toward the law.
My Rural Ag Law Practice: So What’s in My Tech Stack?By Cari Brett RinckerRural Practice, February 2026An in-depth review of different technology that can make your law practice run smoother, from office management to AI, and everything in between.
My Rural Ag Law Practice: So What’s in My Tech Stack?By Cari Brett RinckerElder Law, February 2026An in-depth review of different technology that can make your law practice run smoother, from office management to AI, and everything in between.
National Healthcare Decisions DayBy Karen Alice KloppeLaw-Related Education for the Public, April 2026National Healthcare Decisions Day was April 16, 2026. This event is part of a public awareness initiative designed to promote the use of advance directives to plan for and document medical wishes in the event of an emergency when an adult may not be able to act or make decisions.
Navigating the Landscape of Partition ActionsBy Cameron T. LythbergReal Estate Law, March 2026Partition actions are replete with emotions, difficult equity concerns, and civil practice issues. While seemingly simple at first blush, they can quickly become one of the most complex areas of civil practice.
Navigating the Legal World as a Young Black Male Lawyer in Chicago: Challenges, Triumphs, and the Road AheadBy Jason A. Pica, IIDiversity Leadership Council, June 2026In 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 Rise of AI in ADR: Opportunities, Risks, and Ethical Considerations for AttorneysBy Hon. Mary Colleen Roberts, (ret.)Alternative Dispute Resolution, May 2026Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. Virtually every conversation these days involves AI and now this advanced technology seems to be on the cusp of transforming nearly every aspect of society. Despite all of its promise, there are significant pitfalls legal professionals, law firms, and the courts must consider as this technology becomes more pervasive. Unsurprisingly, the same issues faced by litigators are being experienced in the world of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
NetChoice Challenges the City of Chicago’s New Social Media Amusement TaxBy Stanley KaminskiState and Local Taxation, July 2026In March of 2026, NetChoice, a District of Columbia nonprofit trade association whose members engage in electronic commerce, filed an action in Cook County, Illinois, challenging the new Social Media Amusement Tax imposed by the City of Chicago.
New Ethics Opinion Addresses Federal Judges’ Public EngagementBy Pamela S. MenakerBench and Bar, April 2026The U.S. Judicial Conference’s Committee on Codes of Conduct has released a new advisory opinion that explicitly provides that federal judges are now permitted to publicly defend their judicial independence and the rule of law, so long as they avoid partisan politics and preserve impartiality. For advocates of judicial independence, the opinion should come as a welcome affirmation of the judiciary’s important role in our judicial system.
New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Requirements for Loans on Condominiums and Community Association BuildingsBy Paul PetersonReal Estate Law, May 2026Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in March 2026, issued updates to certain standards and insurance requirements, outlined in Lender Letter LL-2026-03, which addresses expansion of waiver of project review, retirement of investor ownership limits, retirement of the limited review process, and more.
New FINCEN Reporting Starts March 1, 2026!Real Estate Law, March 2026Will you have to file the Real Estate Report? Be sure to familiarize yourself with the reporting requirements.
New Illinois Law Requires Hospitals To Adopt and Submit Law Enforcement Interaction PoliciesBy Sumaya M. NoushHealth Care Law, March 2026Illinois hospitals face significant compliance obligations under the recently enacted Illinois Health Care Sanctity and Privacy Law. Effective January 1, 2026, for general acute care hospitals and March 1, 2026, for all other hospitals, the Illinois Department of Public Health is requiring hospitals to develop and formally submit written policies governing interactions with law enforcement, including immigration enforcement personnel.
New Member Spotlight: Aggie BaumertWomen and the Law, April 2026Learn more about Aggie Baumert, who not only brings a wealth of experience in family law to the committee—she embodies grit, passion, and dedication against all odds, a true testament to everything that the committee represents.
The New Receivership Act: Claims Filing, Automatic Stays, and Receivership Sales of Real EstateBy Paul PetersonCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, February 2026This article higlights some of the key sections of the Receivership Act that should be considered in practice, including purpose, scope, notice, status of receiver as lien creditor, sale of real estate, contracts, injunctions, claims bar date, and discharge of the receiver.
The New Receivership Act: Claims Filing, Automatic Stays, and Receivership Sales of Real EstateBy Paul PetersonAgricultural Law, January 2026This article higlights some of the key sections of the Receivership Act that a real estate practitioner or mechanics lien claimant should consider, including purpose, scope, notice, status of receiver as lien creditor, sale of real estate, contracts, injunctions, claims bar date, and discharge of the receiver.
The New Receivership Act: Claims Filing, Automatic Stays, and Receivership Sales of Real EstateBy Paul PetersonReal Estate Law, January 2026The new Illinois Receivership Act brings a host of changes to receiverships in Illinois under certain circumstances. One of the purposes of the Act is to facilitate sales that can bring in more proceeds than would otherwise be obtained through a mortgage foreclosure, creating the necessity for all real estate practitioners to consider.
New Residential Real Estate Reporting to FinCEN Begins March 1, 2026By Sandra D. MertensFederal Taxation, March 2026Effective March 1, 2026, a new regulation promulgated by the FinCEN requires a new information report each time a qualifying residential real estate transaction or settlement closes. The new regulation is the next step under the DOT’s longstanding effort to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illicit financial activities.
News CornerElder Law, March 2026A roundup of recent news, including Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame, scam alerts, and an update for the National Strategy for Financial Literacy.
