Learn the fundamental concepts of securities fraud with this online program from 9 until 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 6 that examines a number of important topics. Attorneys with basic practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand: when securities fraud occurs; who is liable for securities fraud (the entity, the entities affiliates, service professionals, or someone else); how to safeguard against claims of securities fraud during a securities transactions; the basic considerations for claims pursuant to Rule 10b-5; considerations under the Illinois Securities Act; what it means to “make a misrepresentation” in connection with the “sale of securities”; and the issuer, attorney, and broker liability and remedies for investors.

Traditionally a safeguard exclusively available to journalists, shield laws in many jurisdictions have gradually broadened in scope and now protect material generated and relied upon by many professionals when conducting research for publication. But according to Daniel Schwartz in his April Illinois Bar Journal article, “Discovery Orders and the Peer-Review Privilege,” few cases in Illinois discuss the applicability of shield laws to medical research. Whether—and to what extent—medical research is discoverable therefore remains an unsettled issue, Schwartz argues. To bring coherency to Illinois law governing discovery requests for medical research, Schwartz examines discovery requests litigated under the Illinois Medical Studies Act and several state and federal discovery provisions. He also highlights the factual and doctrinal significance of the cases discussed and notes important considerations for legal practitioners seeking to issue or bar a request to produce medical research.

The ISBA is now accepting applications and nominations for the 2021 Leadership Academy. This landmark program is designed to train the next generation of professionals to become effective leaders in the Illinois legal community.

The Illinois State Bar Association’s Board of Governors approved two new Professional Conduct Advisory Opinions on March 26 during its regularly scheduled Board meeting. The opinions address a lawyer representing surviving spouse as both estate administrator and renouncing spouse, and a lawyer's disclosure of client estate planning documents after the client's death.