Lawyers Must Build Technical Competence Before Claiming AI CompetenceBy George BellasLegal Technology, Standing Committee on, April 2026Artificial intelligence is becoming an inevitable component of practicing law, but before implementing AI into your practice, ensure you have the correct technological competency to satisfy your ethical obligations.
Lawyers Must Build Technical Competence Before Claiming AI CompetenceBy George BellasIntellectual Property, March 2026Artificial intelligence is becoming an inevitable component of practicing law, but before implementing AI into your practice, ensure you have the correct technological competency to satisfy your ethical obligations.
Lawyers Must Build Technical Competence Before Claiming AI CompetenceBy George BellasCivil Practice and Procedure, January 2026Artificial intelligence is becoming an inevitable component of practicing law, but before implementing AI into your practice, ensure you have the correct technological competency to satisfy your ethical obligations.
Legal and Regulatory Issues That Corporate Law Departments Should Monitor During the Remainder of 2026By Brooke Conner & Eric HylaCorporate Law Departments, September 2026Updates that may be of interest to attorneys practicing business and securities law, including updates from the SEC Fiscal Year 2025 Enforcement Results Announcement; key insights from the DOJ's department-wide Corporate Enforcement Policy; updates on developments in SEC's approach to examinations, regulation, enforcement, and litigation; and highlights from American Law Institute's Accountants' Liability Conference.
Legal and Regulatory Issues That Corporate Law Departments Should Monitor During the Remainder of 2026By Brooke Conner & Eric HylaBusiness and Securities Law, July 2026Updates that may be of interest to attorneys practicing business and securities law, including updates from the SEC Fiscal Year 2025 Enforcement Results Announcement; key insights from the DOJ's department-wide Corporate Enforcement Policy; updates on developments in SEC's approach to examinations, regulation, enforcement, and litigation; and highlights from American Law Institute's Accountants' Liability Conference.
Legal Representation in Unemployment Insurance HearingsBy Kevin Lovellette & Briana JacobsGovernment Lawyers, March 2026The Illinois Unemployment Insurance Actauthorizes IDES to establish a program commonly referred to as the Legal Services Program. IDES works with contracted law firms to offer free legal services in Illinois that assist individuals and businesses in navigating administrative hearings.
Legislation, Litigation, and Looking Ahead: Discussing Internet Usage Trends and How to Protect the Privacy of Minors and Prevent Their ExploitationBy Maura HeneghanBench and Bar, August 2026As technology has evolved and internet usage by minors has increased, there is a greater need for the protection of their data privacy and the prevention of their exploitation. This article seeks to examine recent activity in both legislation and litigation spheres to determine what the future of data privacy protection and internet regulation for minors will look like and what the best path forward may be.
Legislative Committee Update for Rural PractitionersBy Kaylan HuberRural Practice, September 2026Amendments to the Illinois Supreme Court Rules would require courts to create and maintain a record of all proceedings under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act; strengthen qualification and education requirements for attorneys appointed to represent children in child-related proceedings; and clarify and expand procedures for citations to discover assets.
Legislative Proposals for January 2026—Quick SummaryCorporate Law Departments, March 2026A roundup of proposed Illinois legislation from the House and Senate, including Mental Health Warning for Social Media Act, amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003, Surveillance-Based Wage Discrimination Act, amendment to the Property Tax Code, the Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy Act, and more.
Legislative Proposals for January 2026—Quick SummaryCorporate Law Departments, February 2026A collection of summaries of legislation that may be of interest to members of the Corporate Law Departments Section, including adult changing stations, consumer fraud solicit loans, freedom to work relating to health care, Tarriff Transparency Act, and more.
Lessons From Child First Approach in Northern IrelandBy Kelly CassidyChild Law, March 2026The juvenile justice system of the United States could take cues from other countries to better align with the United Nations Compact on the Rights of the Child. This article offers a reflection of society after an exploration of Northern Ireland's approach to children in conflict with the law.
Lessons From Skarbek v. Woodman’s Food Market: Absence of Rule 222(b) Affidavit Not a Proper Basis for Dismissing ComplaintBy Laura CastagnaCivil Practice and Procedure, May 2026In Skarbek v. Woodman’s Food Market, the Second District held that a circuit clerk may not reject a complaint simply because it lacks an Illinois Supreme Court Rule 222(b) affidavit.This case reinforces the narrow scope of the clerk’s authority to reject filings. There are 24 permissible rejection categories under Rule 9; be familiar with those categories!
Letter From the ChairBy Candice StearnsHuman and Civil Rights, September 2026A note from the Chair of the Human & Civil Rights Law Section Council, discussing the 2026-2027 bar year, and the commitment to justice and ensuring civil liberties.
A Letter From the ChairBy Sarah J. TaylorRural Practice, July 2026A reminder of the mission and efforts of the Rural Practice Section to improve the practice of law in rural areas, with a note from the current Chair of the Rural Practice Section Council.
A Letter From the ChairBy Nicholas P. JordanState and Local Taxation, July 2026The new chair of the State and Local Taxation Section Council reflects on the 90th birthday of the section, the section's efforts in recent and future legislation, a glimpse into how you can be involved in the section this bar year, and the importance of IBF Champions.
Letter From the ChairBy Angel WawrzynekRural Practice, May 2026A note from the Chair of the Rural Practice Section Council, discussing the Rural Practice Fellowship Program, discounted posts on ISBA's job board, and free section membership for the next bar year.
Letter From the ChairBy Jill D. LekaHuman and Civil Rights, February 2026A note from the Chair of the Human & Civil Rights Section Council, reflecting on current events.
Letter From the ChairpersonBy Nancy Metsker-HandeganAgricultural Law, July 2026An introduction to the current Chair of the Agricultural Law Section Council and a look at the year ahead.
Letter From the EditorBy Khara ColemanRacial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, May 2026A letter from the Editor of The Challenge, highlighting the essence of REM, and the important role of advocacy, justice, and inclusion.
Leveraging Generative AI: Transforming the Practice of LawBy George BellasLegal Technology, Standing Committee on, March 2026A general review of how legal practitioners can use these tools in their practice from a broad perspective.
Limited Choice StreamingBy Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, September 2026There is currently no single streaming license that grants permission to a group quarters residence to show all movies that may be available to an individual to show in their private home. Knowing this may restrict some of the movies a group community may decide to show. Compliance with the streaming rights provided, and withheld, can also keep the community and key individuals lawful.
A Little Bit, on Little Bits of MicroplasticsBy William J. AnayaEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2026Microplastics have been making big waves in the headlines, but what are microplastics and how concerned should we be about the presence of microplastics in our environment? Sound science and high-quality toxicity data are essential to understanding the potential toxicity of microplastics. While the presence of microplastics may be concerning, the toxic effect of microplastics has yet to be determined.
Love and Marriage Go Together Like…By Sandra Crawford, J.D.Family Law, July 2026Although divorce is, by its nature, emotionally exacting and often accompanied by pain, anger, and betrayal, it need not be conducted without dignity or care. By engaging one another with empathy, respect, and cooperation, modeled by their lawyers and other professionals, people may “divorce well,” minimizing harm and laying the groundwork for healthier post‑marital relationships.
Love, Money, and the Family Business: Considerations to Prevent Private Disagreements From Becoming Public Legal BattlesBy Meghan E. TepasBusiness Advice and Financial Planning, June 2026Family wealth conflicts sit at the collision point of personal history and legal obligation. Understanding the duties that govern trustees, executors, directors, and officers; acknowledging the family dynamics that so often cause disputes; and designing plans that factor in reality can keep private tensions from boiling over in court.
Love, Money, and the Family Business: Considerations To Prevent Private Disagreements From Becoming Public Legal BattlesBy Meghan E. TepasTrusts and Estates, April 2026Family wealth conflicts sit at the collision point of personal history and legal obligation. Understanding the duties that govern trustees, executors, directors, and officers; acknowledging the family dynamics that so often cause disputes; and designing plans that factor in reality can keep private tensions from boiling over in court.
Mark Your Calendars…Elder Law, July 2026Don't miss the Illinois State Fair, from August 13 through August 23, 2026, and other holidays and days of remembrance in August.
Mark Your Calendars…Elder Law, May 2026Don't miss the ISBA Annual Meeting and several celebratory days and holidays in the month of June!
