Illinois Bar Journal

Illinois Bar Journal | January 2025 Table of Contents

January 2025 • Volume 113 • Number 1

Practice News

12
LawPulse | By Amelia Buragas & Lea S. Gutierrez
16
Illinois Law Update

Immunity for healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic; no independent corroboration necessary when defendant accepts elements of a crime but does not confess; actual and substantial prejudice required when dismissing grand jury indictment; expert witness and standard-of-care testimony; landlord retaliation laws;  and more.

See cases, legislation, and administrative agencies.

Articles

20
Law Practice & Office Management | By Ed Finkel
The Procrastination Puzzle

Attorneys need to better understand this bad habit to overcome it.

26
Trusts & Estates | By Thomas N. Osran and Robert S. Held
Powerful or Powerless?

Do recent amendments to the Power of Attorney Act solve an old problem while creating new ones?

32
Taxation | By Richard Hirschtritt
Tax Appeal

How an innocent spouse can seek relief from federal income tax liability.

Columns

8
President’s Page | By Sonni Choi Williams
An Immigrant’s Story

A second-year law student at Northern Illinois University College of Law shares her passion for the law and helping others.

10
President-Elect Message | By Bridget C. Duignan
Ready to Lead?

Ready to Lead? Nominate Yourself for an ISBA Committee or Section Council.

38
Pointers From Practice HQ | By Danielle DavisRoe, Jeffrey S. Krause, and Jeffrey R. Schoenberger
New Year’s Resolutions 2025

Start the new year with time-saving best practices that will pay off in the long run.

40
Diversity Spotlight | By Hon. Debra Walker and Akanksha Balekai
Building a Better Tomorrow

Discussing and dismantling barriers faced by women of color in the legal profession.

42
Ethics | By Charles J. Northrup
Don’t Be a Corner Cutter

Perseverance is an attorney’s secret weapon for zealous lawyering and attention to detail.

44
Illinois Bar Foundation | By John L. Nisivaco
A Hopeful New Year

One of the best ways to support the Illinois Bar Foundation in 2025 is to become a Champion.