Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert R. Thomas administered the attorney’s oath to 199 new lawyers Elgin on Thursday, November 1.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman administered the attorney’s oath to 87 new lawyers in Springfield on November 1.

Our panel of leading appellate attorneys review Thursday's Illinois Supreme Court opinions in the Civil case Downtown Disposal Services, Inc., v. The City of Chicago and the Criminal case People v. Murdock.CIVILDowntown Disposal Services, Inc., v. The City of ChicagoBy Karen Kies DeGrand, Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth LLCA corporation must be represented by counsel in legal proceedings. In a four to three split opinion, with Justice Burke writing for the majority,  the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a corporation's complaint, filed by its lay president rather than by an attorney, was not automatically a nullity. Rather, circuit courts should consider the circumstances of the case to determine whether the filing defect requires dismissal or may be cured.  

Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s new and improved preforeclosure sales program takes effect today. Proponents hope it will make processing short sales easier and "provide a much needed alternative to borrowers facing foreclosure," Philip J. Vacco writes in the latest ISBA Real Property newsletter. Read his analysis.