Articles From 2026

Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin Federal Civil Practice, March 2026 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, March 2026 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 Legal Technology, Standing Committee on, March 2026 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 Health Care Law, March 2026 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 Government Lawyers, March 2026 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 International and Immigration Law, February 2026 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 Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, February 2026 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 Mental Health Law, February 2026 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 Human and Civil Rights, February 2026 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 Local Government Law, February 2026 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 Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation, February 2026 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 Child Law, February 2026 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, February 2026 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 Animal Law, February 2026 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 Environmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2026 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 Senior Lawyers, February 2026 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?
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Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin Alternative Dispute Resolution, February 2026 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 Labor and Employment Law, January 2026 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 Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, January 2026 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 Employee Benefits, January 2026 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 Insurance Law, January 2026 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 Civil Practice and Procedure, January 2026 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 Traffic Laws and Courts, January 2026 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?
Becoming a Member of the Employee Benefits Section Council By Bernard G. Peter Employee Benefits, April 2026 Interested in becoming a member of the Employee Benefits Section Council? Learn more about the benefits of Section Council membership, and how you can request to join, even though the appointment deadline has passed! 
The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me By Curt W. Ferguson Elder Law, February 2026 A reflection of a farmer's rags-to-riches story, and his hope for his children and grandchildren to reach success and happiness. 
Beyond Admissions: Why the Practicing Bar Must Lead on Legal Diversity in a Post-SFFA Era By Nicky Boothe Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, May 2026 In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard declared that race-based affirmative action in college admissions violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The ruling sent shockwaves through higher education, raising immediate concerns about the future of diversity in institutions—including law schools.
Beyond the Cubicle, Behind the Bruises: Domestic Violence and Women in the Workplace By Judge Megan Goldish Mental Health Law, February 2026 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 Trust: Leveraging Letters of Intent By Lauren Evans Trusts and Estates, February 2026 When creating or updating a trust, many individuals focus solely on the legal document itself. While the trust establishes the framework for asset management and distribution, it often leaves room for interpretation regarding the grantor’s personal wishes, preferences and instructions. This is where a Letter of Intent, also known as a Letter of Wishes or Letter of Instruction, becomes an invaluable companion to a trust.
BIPA Cases: 7th Circuit Rules Change to Illinois Law’s Damages Provision Retroactively Limits Defendant Exposure By Jody Kahn Mason & Jason A. Selvey Labor and Employment Law, May 2026 On April 1, 2026, the Seventh Circuit held that the 2024 amendment to BIPA’s damages provision applies retroactively, eliminating the possibility of “per-scan” statutory damages for cases pending at the time of enactment. The decision significantly limits defendants’ potential exposure in pending BIPA cases, as well as limits plaintiffs' recovery, and may require courts to reassess federal subject-matter jurisdiction.
Black History Month Elder Law, February 2026 Chicago's rich history provides many landmarks that you can visit during Black History Month or any time of year: from the Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Monument, to Douglass Park, to the Obama Kissing Rock, and so many other sites.