2025 Joint Midyear Meeting PhotosMarch 2026The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
The Board of Peace Makes Its Mark, but It May Be Heading for Conflict in the USPTOBy Steven L. BaronMarch 2026On February 19, 2026, President Trump’s newly created Board of Peace (“BOP”) held its inaugural gathering to discuss how to rebuild Gaza.Setting aside the propriety and potential efficacy of the BOP, there are now four pending intent-to-use trademark applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) for BOARD OF PEACE trademarks, two filed by the government and two filed by a non-profit.
Geographical Indication Protection to Muñeca Lele of Santiago de MexquititlánBy Daniel KeganMarch 2026The USPTO protects Geographical Indications primarily through certification marks or collective marks, it has no separate GI Register. The Mexican IP Institute recently declared the traditional Otomi textile Muñeca Lele de Santiago de Mexquititlán (“Lele Doll”) a protected Geographical Indication. The Lele Doll is characterized by a round head (sometimes called a ball doll), two braided pigtails, ribbon adornments, and colorful textile clothing.
Hyman’s Holdings: Gnats, Camels, and LitigatorsBy Justice Michael B. HymanMarch 2026In his column, Hyman's Holdings, featured in the Civil Practice & Procedure Newsletter, Justice Hyman explores various topics related to the legal profession.
Intellectual Improbabilities™By Daniel KeganMarch 2026A round-up of recent events in the world of intellectual property, including NIL for minors, TRAIN Act, PH Highway, AI sanctions, and more.
Lawyers Must Build Technical Competence Before Claiming AI CompetenceBy George BellasMarch 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.
Recent Trademark Registration Solicitation SchemesBy David C. BrezinaMarch 2026It may be the new year, or it may be new scams, but several have come out from law firms that make one wonder about ethics. Trademark records are public. If a law firm discovers an unregistered business name and can turn the filing into its business, it can bill. It might bring in a “good” client with multiple marks, or other work. But neither the “existing” client’s intent, nor that they will truthfully file is apparent. Indeed, both are logically contradicted.
Schedule A: Where Convenience & Civil Procedure ClashBy Christopher KeleherMarch 2026A Schedule A tactic to herd alleged infringers into a single action is testing the limits of civil procedure rules, prompting pushback from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
