Section Newsletters

Articles From 2016

ISBA YLD Day at the Races an annual success Young Lawyers Division, October 2016 See photos from this year's event.
ISBA YLD hosts Second Annual Wine Tasting in Chicago By Marie K. Sarantakis Young Lawyers Division, April 2016 On February 27, 2016, the ISBA's YLD hosted their second annual Wine Tasting event at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office.
Issues involving the Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE) Act: How the CCEA is a politically generated “quick fix” to the “War on Drugs” By Kenisha A. Day Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law, October 2016 While Congress’ concern about drug abuse in America is justified, a major concern with mandatory minimum statutes like the CCEA, is the probability that it is applied disproportionately. Arguably, the CCEA is applied almost exclusively to minority groups.
It doesn’t hurt to ask, and it may hurt not to ask! By Michael J. Maslanka Senior Lawyers, June 2016 Caregivers and agents should not summarily pay bills without reading them and perhaps questioning them from time to time.
1 comment (Most recent June 11, 2016)
Items pending JCAR Ruling FY16 State and Local Taxation, June 2016 Items still pending a decision by the Legislature's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, as of May 2016.
It’s that time of year again… By Anna P. Krolikowska General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2016 A message and call for articles from Section Chair Anna Krolikowska.
It’s the Money, Honey: Money Smart Week 2016 By Kelly Thames Bennett Women and the Law, June 2016 On April 25, 2016, Women & the Law Committee member Kristen Prinz presented at “It’s the Money, Honey,” the seminar that focused on EARN: wage equality.
A job classification change and its impact on the average weekly wage calculation By Sandy Loeb Workers’ Compensation Law, July 2016 In ABF Freight System v. IWCC, the Appellate Court discussed yet another nuance that should be considered when calculating an injured worker’s average weekly wage.
Job hunting tips By Edward Wasilewski Young Lawyers Division, June 2016 Some pointers to help you land a job or career in the legal profession.
Join us for the Annual Bean Bag Tournament By Bryan Wilson Young Lawyers Division, April 2016 Please join us at the YLD’s Annual Bean Bag Tournament on Saturday, April 16 to show off your bean bag tossing skills while supporting the ISBA/YLD Children’s Assistance Fund.
Journalist speaks with Mental Health Section Council members By Patti Werner Mental Health Law, October 2016 Pulitzer Prize winning journalist David Jackson addressed the Mental Health Section Council’s members at its September meeting.
Judge Abraham Lincoln: A short account of a short ‘judicial’ career  By Hon. Michael B. Hyman Bench and Bar, June 2016 During his circuit riding days, Abraham Lincoln occasionally would sit as a judge pro tem.
A judge’s perspective on juvenile sentencing hearings By Hon. Robert J. Anderson Child Law, December 2016 A look at some of the unique aspects of sentencing in delinquency cases from a judge’s point of view.
Judges should not say “expert” in front of the jury By Evan Bruno Bench and Bar, May 2016 It’s impossible to say for certain whether a judge’s oral designation of a witness as an expert has ever tipped the scales in a jury trial. But more importantly, why does the jury even need to be informed of this evidentiary ruling?
1 comment (Most recent May 16, 2016)
Judge’s side of the bench By Hon. Ilana Diamond Rovner Bench and Bar, September 2016 Judge Ilana Diamond Rovner shares her thoughts as she marks her 32nd year on the bench.
Judicial profile: Manish Shah By Kathryn A. Kelly Federal Civil Practice, April 2016 Learn more about District Judge Manish Shah, who has been on the bench for nearly two years.
Juries, voir dire, and jury instructions: The fundamental parts of every civil federal jury trial By Arsenio L. Mims Federal Civil Practice, June 2016 It is imperative for attorneys to know how potential jurors are selected, how voir dire will be conducted, and how to begin drafting their proposed jury instructions for the court.
A jury of 12 (Not 6), as heretofore enjoyed: The Illinois Supreme Court strikes down Public Act 98-1132 By Kimberly A. Davis & Douglas S. Strohm Bench and Bar, December 2016 The Illinois statute limiting the size of a civil jury to six persons is unconstitutional.
Justice denied By Kathryn E. Eisenhart Human and Civil Rights, December 2016 Newsletter Editor Kathryn Eisenhart poses the question, "How does the denial of access to the courts affect human rights and what can I do about it?"
Justice Laura Liu: A life lived with grace and gratitude By Hon. Celia G. Gamrath & Hon. Michael B. Hyman Bench and Bar, May 2016 The local legal community has lost another legend-in-the-making.  
1 comment (Most recent May 16, 2016)
Justice on the move By Hon. E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. Bench and Bar, February 2016 A discussion of how we can work to make the courts more accessible to litigants.
Juvenile offenders in the adult system—How Public Act 99-258 changed when minors are prosecuted under the criminal laws of Illinois By Ji Un Saw Government Lawyers, April 2016 A look at the changes made as a result of Public Act 99-258, effective January 1st of this year.
Kane judicial system changes to better reflect diversity within county By Judith Miller Diversity Leadership Council, June 2016 It is clear from the voices of our legal leaders that diversity is a prized quality that they agree needs to be nurtured, encouraged, and intentionally sought.
Kathleen A. Hagan v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission By Timothy O’Gorman Workers’ Compensation Law, September 2016 In Kathleen A. Hagan v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, the Appellate Court examined what is considered a “neutral risk” compared to an “employment risk” and overturned the findings of a Special Arbitrator in favor of a Commission employee.
Key updates to retirement plan limitations for 2017 By Bernard G. Peter Corporate Law Departments, December 2016 Recently, the IRS issued the updated retirement plan limitations for 2017.
Late notice rejected as defense to repetitive trauma case By Markham M. Jeep Workers’ Compensation Law, September 2016 The recent decision in Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission again addresses the difficulty of determining the date of accident for injuries which develop over time and for which symptoms gradually increase.
Law firm partner relations: The foundation of a successful firm By John W. Olmstead Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, May 2016 Getting the right “partner dynamic”—and a positive partner relations culture—is the key ingredient and the core basic building block of a successful law firm. It is the foundation for the firm.
Law practice civility in the wake of a vitriolic election cycle By Michael Alkaraki Young Lawyers Division, December 2016 Without conflict, the legal system is irrelevant. But without civility, it is impossible.
The law practice MBA By Kerry M. Lavelle Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, October 2016 By measuring empiricle data about your firm, you can view the current economic state and make adjustments and plans for future success.
Lawyers can benefit from judicial heuristics By Michael G. Cortina Bench and Bar, June 2016 A look at different cognitive shortcuts and how attorneys can use them to assist their clients.