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  • May 20, 2016 | Practice News
    Quick Takes on Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court Civil opinions

    Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's top Illinois Supreme Court Civil opinions in Valfer v. Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Fattah v. Bim, Richter v. Prairie Farms Dairy and Commonwealth Edison Company v. Illinois Commerce Commission.

    Valfer v. Evanston Northwestern Healthcare

    By Alyssa M. Reiter, Williams Montgomery & John Ltd.

    This case explored the breadth of a hospital’s immunity under the Illinois Hospital Licensing Act. Following a peer review, the hospital revoked Dr. Valfer’s privileges to practice at the hospital. After Dr. Valfer sued, the hospital obtained summary judgment. The trial court agreed that the hospital was immune from damages under the Licensing Act and that it had complied with its bylaws and had not engaged in any willful and wanton conduct.

  • May 19, 2016 | Practice News
    Quick takes on Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court Criminal opinions

    Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's top Illinois Supreme Court Criminal opinions in People v. Hernandez, People v. Cotto and People v. Grant.

    People v. Hernandez

    By Jay Wiegman, Office of the State Appellate Defender

    In People v. Hernandez, 2016 IL 118672, the Illinois Supreme Court built upon its recent decision in People v. Ligon, 2016 118023, and determined that the elements of armed robbery are not identical to the elements of armed violence.  Because armed robbery does not have the same elements as the lesser Class 2 offense of armed violence with a Category III weapon, which carried a lesser penalty, the Class X sentence for armed robbery imposed upon Hernandez did not violate the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution.

  • May 19, 2016 | Practice News
    Quick Takes for Your Practice: Construction Accidents - Investigation and Considerations

    Attorney Kim Davis discusses how to properly investigate a construction accident.

  • May 18, 2016 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Should capital contributions be required for new equity partners?

    Asked and Answered

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am the sole owner of a 25-attorney litigation boutique firm in Los Angeles. I am the only equity partner with nine non-equity partners and 15 associates. I am concerned that if I don't provide a path to equity partnership, some of my senior talent may gradually defect to other firms or split off to create their own firms. I also believe that providing a path to equity partner for deserving non-equity partners is the right thing to do. Therefore, I am planning on admitting two non-equity members this year. Should I require capital contributions?

  • May 17, 2016 | Practice News
    Department of Justice has 5 openings in Chicago for Assistant U.S. Attorney

    The Northern District of Illinois, Chicago Office is accepting applications for Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) openings in its Criminal Division in Chicago, Illinois. The applicant selected will represent the U.S. Government as an AUSA in a wide range of unique and complex cases.

    Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least 2 years post-J.D. experience.

    Preferred qualifications: Excellent academics, significant litigation experience, criminal law experience (for our Criminal Division), strong legal writing skills, and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

    United States citizenship is required.

  • May 12, 2016 | Practice News
    ISBA Statehouse Review for May 12, 2016

    ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers IMDMA cleanup (House Bill 3898), Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (Senate Bill 323), Cannabis civil penalties (Senate Bill 2228), Limited Liability Company Act (House Bill 4361), Income shares and child support (House Bill 3982), Land Trust Beneficiary Rights Act (House Bill 4697) and Trust law (Senate Bill 2842). More information on each bill is available below the video.

    2 comments (Most recent June 3, 2016)
  • May 11, 2016 | Practice News
    DuPage County accepting applications for associate judge vacancy

    Authorization pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 39 has been received by the Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit to post a notice of vacancy for associate judge. The associate judge position is the result of the resignation of Associate Judge Jane Hird Mitton effective July 4, 2016. Applications are now being accepted for this vacancy which will be filled by vote of the Circuit judges of the 18th Judicial Circuit.

  • May 11, 2016 | Practice News
    Quick Takes for Your Practice: What you need to know about qualified domestic relations orders

    Attorney Kathleen Curtin discusses what you need to know about qualified domestic relations orders.

  • May 11, 2016 | Practice News
    Best Practice: What to do if you're losing clients

    Asked and Answered

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am a member of our firm's executive committee. We are a 16-attorney business transactional firm in Seattle. Recently the firm has lost several key clients and we want to know what we can do determine why this happened and what we can do to improve client retention. I would appreciate your suggestions.

  • May 10, 2016 | Practice News
    Webber appointed Circuit Judge at Large in 6th Circuit

    Chief Justice Rita B. Garman and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Associate Judge Roger B. Webber as a Circuit Judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

    Judge Webber was appointed earlier this week to fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Arnold F. Blockman on September 16, 2016. His appointment takes effect September 19, 2016, and terminates December 3, 2018, when the position is filled by the 2018 General Election.