Time Is MoneyBy Michael G. CortinaBench and Bar, May 2026Litigants and lawyers alike should consider if having a dispute resolved via arbitration is actually in everyone’s best interests. While the expedited award allows for a swift conclusion, it should be decided by everyone involved if the speed of the award is worth the cost.
Tips for Handling Civil Cases Throughout the State of IllinoisBy Dennis M. LynchRural Practice, March 2026It is becoming more common for attorneys to expand their geographical footprint, necessitating becoming familiar with many different jurisdictions. Prior to expansion, be sure to check local rules and standing orders, talk to locals, observe the judge and the community, determine appropriateness of Zoom appearances, and, most importantly, always be kind.
Title IX and the Fragile State of Student Due ProcessBy Sheraya BernardEducation Law, May 2026This article examines shifting Title IX regulations regarding disciplinary proceedings and the impact of Seventh Circuit deference.
Top 5 Email Management/Organization Tips for OutlookBy Kimberly A. HiltonAgricultural Law, February 2026Managing email can be overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling multiple tasks or handling a high volume of messages. Fortunately, Microsoft Outlook offers several powerful features to help streamline your workflow, improve productivity, and ensure you never miss an important task or email. Here are my top five email management tips for Outlook to help you stay organized and efficient.
Tort TrendsBy Ava L. CaffariniTort Law, April 2026In a 2023 opinion, Health and Hosp. Corp. of Marion Cnty. v. Talevski, the Supreme Court of the United States found that specific sections of the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act provided a private right of action for nursing home residents enforceable through 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against their government-operated nursing homes.
Transferee Liability for Unpaid Estate Taxes Can Haunt Fiduciaries and Beneficiaries for DecadesBy Sandra D. MertensFederal Taxation, May 2026The IRS typically does not decide to audit a Form 706 until nine months after the filing date. Moreover, since 2021, estate tax closing letters are not routinely issued, but must be specifically requested with a fee payment. For these reasons, executors and trustees should make sure to work closely with a tax return preparer knowledgeable about estate taxes who can properly advise about the payment deadlines, closing procedures, and consequences for non-payment.
TrumpIRA.govElder Law, May 2026Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, Promoting Retirement-Savings Access for American Workers By Establishing TrumpIRA.gov, on April 30, 2026.
Turn On Your Video!By Judge James A. Shapiro & Thomas DeMouyAgricultural Law, June 2026Few things are more annoying to a judge than when we can't see the litigant or lawyer we are addressing (or who is addressing us). During the height of the pandemic, there were judges who were not turning on their video as well. Without naming names, my former presiding judge once had to remind everyone in the division to turn on their videos. For judges, attorneys, and litigants, the lesson is clear: Zoom court requires the same decorum as a physical courtroom.
Turn On Your Video!By Judge James A. Shapiro & Thomas DeMouyRural Practice, January 2026Few things are more annoying to a judge than when we can't see the litigant or lawyer we are addressing (or who is addressing us). During the height of the pandemic, there were judges who were not turning on their video as well. Without naming names, my former presiding judge once had to remind everyone in the division to turn on their videos. For judges, attorneys, and litigants, the lesson is clear: Zoom court requires the same decorum as a physical courtroom.
Unclaimed PropertyIntellectual Property, June 2026February 1 was National Unclaimed Property Day. Unclaimed property includes forgotten or overlooked bank accounts; certificates of deposit; stocks and bonds; overpayments, refunds, and uncashed rebate checks; unpaid insurance claims; and the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes.
Unclaimed PropertyElder Law, February 2026February 1 was National Unclaimed Property Day. Unclaimed property includes forgotten or overlooked bank accounts; certificates of deposit; stocks and bonds; overpayments, refunds, and uncashed rebate checks; unpaid insurance claims; the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes; and more.
Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs or Impairment From Mental Health Issues?By Terrence WallaceTraffic Laws and Courts, May 2026This article discusses the decision in People v. Garcia where the Second District Appellate Court was asked whether mental health defenses applied in strict liability cases such as DUI, and whether the failure to present that defense constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel.
Unforeseeable Business Circumstances Exception as a Defense to a Claim Brought Under the WARN ActBy Hon. Alon SteinCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, April 2026The WARN Act requires that business enterprises which employ 100 or more employees give employees 60-days notice in advance of any mass layoffs or plant closings, unless certain exceptions apply. The Unforeseeable Business Circumstances Exception is very fact sensitive. Attorneys need to be aware of this argument when defending WARN Act claims.
Unique Statutory Liens in Agriculture for Uncertain TimesBy Kyle TompkinsAgricultural Law, March 2026In Illinois, the law provides for several unique protections for agricultural stakeholders during difficult times through agricultural liens, including Landlord Lien, Agister's Lien, Thresherman's Lien, and Warehouseman's Lien.
Upcoming CLE: Defending Democracy and Safeguarding the Rule of LawBy Junaid M. AfeefHuman and Civil Rights, April 2026The 2026 Rule of Law Symposium, Defending Democracy: Protecting the Rule of Law, will be hosted on May 8, 2026, in Chicago, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This program will feature sitting and retired judges, legal scholars, civil rights advocates, nonprofit attorneys, and private practitioners. Register today!
Updated Judgment Enforcement Forms: Citations To Discover AssetsBy Robert G. MarkoffCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, April 2026The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, Access to Justice Division, Forms Project, has just released updated forms for the enforcement of judgments. The new forms are effective immediately. They incorporate changes required by Public Act 104-0120 effective January 1, 2026.
The U.S. Citizenship Application Process Is Changing in 2025By John RottierDiversity Leadership Council, June 2026Changes to the U.S. naturalization process took effect on October 20, 2025, including new civic test, stricter rules for exemptions, re-introducing neighborhood investigations, revised moral character standard, and more.
The U.S. Citizenship Application Process Is Changing in 2025By John RottierInternational and Immigration Law, February 2026Changes to the U.S. naturalization process took effect on October 20, 2025, including new civic test, stricter rules for exemptions, re-introducing neighborhood investigations, revised moral character standard, and more.
U.S. EPA Extends Compliance Deadlines for NSPSBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2026In July of 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an interim final rule to extend several compliance deadlines in the 2024 New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines for Oil and Gas Operations commonly known as OOOOb/c.
U.S. FDA & USDA Food Regulation UpdatesBy Sandhya SashikumarFood Law, April 2026Regulatory changes from the FDA and USDA are reshaping how products are formulated, labeled, and marketed. Leveraging regulatory compliance software can help brands monitor and adapt to new food safety rules efficiently, avoiding costly recalls and protecting consumer trust.
Use Caution With Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of LawBy Michelle PorroWorkers’ Compensation Law, February 2026AI is here to stay. Due to the federal void in guidance regarding the use of AI generated content, the Illinois Supreme Court published its policy regarding the use of AI effective on January 1, 2025. Attorneys must be sure to familiarize themselves with AI guidance and rules to uphold ethical obligations and professional standards.
The Value of NetworkingBy Nichol BensonGeneral Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2026Networking can be the best investment for solo or small firms. Whether traditional methods of networking, such as becoming a member of a bar association, or through social media, it's never too early or too late to make a new connection in life.
Victory! Federal Court Orders Terminated USDA Farmer and Community Grants To Be ReinstatedFood Law, April 2026Major win: A preliminary injunction was granted in a lawsuit against the USDA, requiring the agency to restore wrongfully terminated grants and funding that support tree planning, growing food in underserved communities, training new farmers, and helping farmers adopt climate-friendly practices.
Viewpoint: How Close Are We To Seeing “Influencers” Use AI To Fake AG Images?By Amanda ZaluckyjFood Law, February 2026With the progressive rise of AI, we’re starting to see the downside of artificial intelligence, and not just from pranks gone too far. We’ll soon be living in a world where the truth is even more convoluted, and we won’t be able to believe what we see with our eyes. Does our society have the critical thinking skills necessary to handle that?
Visa Processing Paused for 75 Countries: What Immigrant Visa Applicants Need To KnowBy John RottierInternational and Immigration Law, February 2026On January 14, 2026, the Trump Administration announced a significant change to U.S. immigrant visa processing. Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State will pause the issuance of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 designated countries, based on a new policy that creates a presumption of public charge inadmissibility for individuals applying with passports from the affected countries.
