Author Index Helen W. Gunnarsson

Gridley v State Farm: a supreme-court slap at forum shopping?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
January
2006
LawPulse
, Page 10
Some defense lobbyists say "yes"; a leading plaintiffs' lawyer says it shows there's no forum-shopping problem in Illinois.

Judges’ Pet Peeves: Peevish Practitioners, Poor Preparation and More

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
January
2006
Cover Story
, Page 20
From needless discovery squabbles and poor preparation among the bar to high-handedness on the bench, judges tell what bugs them.

Anti-predatory-lending statute takes effect January 1

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2005
LawPulse
, Page 614
An amendment to the Real Property Disclosure Act will create a new predatory lending database. But some worry that it could unintentionally penalize good-guy lenders in targeted neighborhoods.

Corporate officers not personally liable for employee vacation, severance pay

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2005
LawPulse
, Page 614
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that officers and directors aren't liable under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act for employees' unpaid vacation time and severance pay.

MCLE: Ready or Not, Here it Comes

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2005
Cover Story
, Page 626
A lawyer's-eye view of the new MCLE rules.

New rules bring clarity to appellate practice

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2005
LawPulse
, Page 614
Appellate practitioners welcome the supreme court rule changes, including a new rule providing that a party can file only one postjudgment motion directed at a final order.

Review of venue-transfer motions: the supreme court speaks

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2005
LawPulse
, Page 614
Trial courts deserve deference on questions of fact but not law, the high court ruled.

Will bankruptcy reform cause domestic violence?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2005
LawPulse
, Page 614
  Part of the purpose of the bankruptcy reform legislation is to increase pressure on debtors. Will that pressure explode into physical rage?  

Are series LLCs right for your clients?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2005
LawPulse
, Page 558
This form of business organization, newly authorized in Illinois, can help some clients limit personal liability while enjoying certain advantages of partnership.

Collaborative divorce

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2005
LawPulse
, Page 558
It isn't mediation, but it can minimize the conflict in divorce, proponents say. Find out why collaborative divorce is on the rise in Illinois.

Get ready for MCLE

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2005
LawPulse
, Page 558
Did you know that programs offered as early as January 2006 can be counted toward the MCLE requirement? Here are highlights of the new rules.

TaxNet: Online tax filing for employers

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2005
LawPulse
, Page 558
Now Illinois employers can pay state taxes and file documents online.

(Unrepresented) buyer (and seller, and opposing lawyer) beware

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2005
LawPulse
, Page 558
What do you do when the other side in a real-estate transaction doesn't have a lawyer? ISBA members offer pointers.

Check the Web before drafting jury instructions

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2005
LawPulse
, Page 498
The chair of the supreme court's jury instructions committee advises litigators to check the court's website for revised IPI instructions.

Interception of e-mail by ISP violates Wiretap Act

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2005
LawPulse
, Page 498
A federal appeals court comes down hard on an Internet service provider that reads other peoples' mail. Among other things, the case shows how easily e-mail can be intercepted.

New law fine-tunes child rep statute

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2005
LawPulse
, Page 498
A new act seeks to clear up confusion about the differing roles of attorney, GAL, and child representative, and expressly authorizes judges to order divorcing spouses into counseling.

This diamond ring

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2005
LawPulse
, Page 498
Does an engagement ring belong to the donor or the recipient if the wedding is called off?

The Truth About Going Solo

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2005
Cover Story
, Page 510
Three ISBA members speak from experience about the joys and challenges of solo practice.

Victory for State Farm in class-action appeal

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2005
LawPulse
, Page 498
The supreme court decertified a Madison-County-based nationwide class action case against  State Farm for installing after-market replacement parts in damaged vehicles.

A bouquet of business-friendly bills

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2005
LawPulse
, Page 438
Thanks to the Illinois General Assembly, purveyors of business advice have good news to deliver to their clients.

A Chat with the Chief

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2005
Cover Story
, Page 450
New Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas shares his views on civility, mandatory CLE, and more.

Closing meetings: How “probable” must litigation be?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2005
LawPulse
, Page 438
A recent case limits the threatened-litigation exception to the Open Meetings Act.

Fees, Part 1: Budgeting required for Capital Litigators

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2005
LawPulse
, Page 438
Appointed criminal defense counsel must now submit budget estimates under the amended Capital Crimes Litigation Act.
 

Fees, Part 2: Higher ceilings for court-appointed attorneys?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2005
LawPulse
, Page 438
Fees, Part 2: Higher ceilings for court-appointed attorneys?

Supremes: defendants on the hook for undiscounted medical bills

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2005
LawPulse
, Page 438
The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the third district's ruling that personal injury defendants may be liable for a plaintiff's original medical bill, not the lower amount negotiated by his or her insurer.

Circular logic

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2005
LawPulse
, Page 382
Revised IRS Circular 230 requires lawyers and others who offer tax advice to take extra care and additional steps. Some lawyers think it goes too far.

Handling High-Maintenance Clients

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2005
Cover Story
, Page 398
Angry clients, irrational clients, obsessive clients – how do you handle them? ISBA lawyers share their strategies.

Living in a two story house

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2005
LawPulse
, Page 382
Can parties be "separate and apart" for purposes of filing for divorce while still living under the same roof?

A moving experience

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2005
LawPulse
, Page 382
Did you know you can schedule your opponent's motion for hearing if he doesn't?

New limits for family limited partnerships

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2005
LawPulse
, Page 382
Casting a shadow over a popular tax avoidance device, a recent case disallowed an estate tax break for a decedent who maintained too much control over the business he transferred to his family limited partnership.

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