Top 10 things to know about child support mattersBy Anna P. KrolikowskaYoung Lawyers Division, October 2008Whether you are an experienced practitioner handling your first child support case or an attorney recently admitted to practice in Illinois, you should be aware that family law cases, including child support matters, present their own unique challenges and concerns.
Township Code amendment updateBy Maryann BullionLocal Government Law, October 2008The 95th General Assembly recently made several important changes to the Township Code (hereinafter “Code”).
TrAid names aids trademark creationBy Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, May 2008Good trademark selection avoids litigation and builds brand equity.
Trial court erred in allowing defendant to withdraw rejection of arbitration awardBy John J. HolevasCivil Practice and Procedure, April 2008The Second District Appellate Court recently reversed a lower court’s decision in Stemple v. Pickerill, which allowed the defendant to withdraw his rejection of an arbitration award made pursuant to the court annexed mandatory arbitration program, while denying the plaintiffs from filing their own rejection of such an award.
A trial lawyer’s reminiscencesBy Jack E. HorsleyCivil Practice and Procedure, May 2008Editor’s note: Last year, Jack E. Horsley sent a letter to me as co-editor of Trial Briefs stating that has been a long-time reader of our newsletter and expressing his appreciation for the fine caliber of articles we published. In an exchange of letters, Mr. Horsley sent a touching novella (“All About Biff”) about his beloved and faithful pet dog who saved a very young Jack from a vicious stray.
Trusts and Estates Section Council legislative updateBy Ray J. Koenig, III & Amy Jo SmithTrusts and Estates, April 2008An important duty of the Trusts and Estates Section Council is to monitor and advocate for legislation impacting our areas of practice.
Two recent federal FOIA casesBy Paul E. FreehlingAdministrative Law, August 2008The federal Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. §552 et seq. (“FOIA”), is the subject of two informative recent decisions of circuit courts of appeal.
Two Slices from LifeBy Hon. Michael B. HymanBench and Bar, February 2008Recently, my father gave me a thin volume of poetry published in 1935 that belonged to my grandfather, a lawyer, law professor and referee in bankruptcy.
Ty/Walk follow-up: Farmer wins elevator caseBy John W. DamischAgricultural Law, October 2008In 2001 Ty/Walk, with grain elevators in Kendall and Will Counties, closed its doors. The Illinois Department of Agriculture took over the elevator operation.
United States Supreme Court vacates and remands MeadWestvaco and provides further clarification concerning determination of unitary assetsBy David J. Kupiec & Natalie M. MartinState and Local Taxation, May 2008On April 15, 2008, the United States Supreme Court unanimously vacated and remanded MeadWestvaco Corporation v. Illinois Department of Revenue (U.S. Sup. Ct. No. 06-1413) back to the Illinois Appellate Court for determination as to whether MeadWestvaco Corporation (hereafter “Mead”) and its wholly owned business division, Lexis/Nexis (hereafter “Lexis”), were part of a unitary business.
Unsettling ruling on settlement agreement: Common provision declared unenforceable as penaltyBy J. Matthew PfeifferCivil Practice and Procedure, October 2008A recent opinion from the Second District of the Appellate Court of Illinois holds that a clause in a settlement agreement providing for an acceleration of the amount due in the event of a breach thereof without any express reasonable basis for such acceleration constitutes a penalty and, therefore, is unenforceable.
The unwanted: Dead witnesses, The Dead Man’s Act and the Frauds ActBy Patrick M. KinnallyCivil Practice and Procedure, February 2008Although we do not like to acknowledge it, mortality will call someday. Oftentimes, we ignore what we should heed most. The making of a will or trust is scheduled for next week.
U.S. Supreme Court holds parties may not contract for expanded judicial review of arbitration awardsBy Lawrence S. SchanerAlternative Dispute Resolution, October 2008In a much-anticipated decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held, on March 25, that parties may not by contract agree to expand the grounds for judicial review of arbitration awards beyond the limited grounds set forth in Sections 10 and 11 of the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”).
USA Trade World IllinoisInternational and Immigration Law, November 2008As mentioned in previous issues of The Globe, the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service in Chicago publishes USA Trade World Illinois.
Use guest articles to promote your practice: Turn research and results into story topicsBy Geri L. DreilingLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2008When a lawyer gets a great result, devises a winning strategy, tackles an old issue with a 21st-century twist or develops an approach that helps avoid a legal minefield, the client benefits.
Use of 735 ILCS 5/2-1401 in criminal casesBy Hon. Michael KileyBench and Bar, May 2008The first time I had an attorney present me with a 2-1401 petition in a criminal case, I was certain I was dealing with someone who was either inexperienced or desperate after missing a 30-day deadline for filing a post-judgment motion.
Use the Web, but don’t let it use youBy Matt ArbogastWomen and the Law, March 2008There are some important things that everyone should know before having someone create a Web site for them.
Using a home office and virtual workers: Our firm’s experienceBy Peter R. OlsonLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, May 2008What’s the worst decision the author has made related to his law firm since its founding? Paying rent for a Chicago Loop office he didn’t need and hardly ever used.
Using e-mail to create a contractBy Michael R. LiedBusiness and Securities Law, August 2008There are a lot of ways to create a contract. Not surprisingly, courts are now beginning to find that an exchange of e-mails can be sufficient.
Vacation homes and Section 1031By Gary R. GehlbachReal Estate Law, April 2008Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code and the Regulations promulgated thereunder rather clearly provide that eligible property must be “held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment.”
VeracityBy John M. StalmackCivil Practice and Procedure, July 2008Unlike substantive character evidence in a civil or criminal case, the character trait for veracity discussed in this article only concerns either impeachment or rehabilitation.
View from the ChairBy Loren S. GoldenSenior Lawyers, March 2008An introduction to this new newsletter from Chair Loren Golden.
Vision Point v. Haas: Breathing room For litigants on Requests to AdmitBy Steven G. PietrickFamily Law, March 2008On September 20, 2007, the Illinois Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in Vision Point of Sale, Inc. v. Haas, ___ Ill.2d___, 2007 WL 2729322 (No. 103140 September 20, 2007),1 providing what many in the legal community perceive as a merciful relaxation of the overly strict interpretation of Rule 216’s requirements and the near-draconian effects which can result.
Voice of the ChairBy Jewel N. KleinAdministrative Law, November 2008A message from Section Chair Jewel N. Klein.
