Section Newsletters

Articles From 2009

From the Chair By Trent L. Bush Legal Technology, Standing Committee on, February 2009 A message from Chair Trent Bush.
From the Chair By Kenneth Dobbs Human and Civil Rights, January 2009 A message from section chair Kenneth Dobbs.
From the Chair* By Sean O’Brien Human and Civil Rights, October 2009 The ISBA opposes the death penalty in Illinois!
From the Editor By Thomas D. Cavenagh Alternative Dispute Resolution, October 2009 An introduction to the issue from Editor Tom Cavenagh.
From the Editor By James K. Weston, Sr. Mineral Law, October 2009 Our main article this edition is a review of new legislation from the 2009 Spring Session of the Illinois 96th General Assembly. Only a few new laws directly affect mineral activity, but those impacting general real estate should be of interest.
From the Editor By James K. Weston, Sr. Mineral Law, June 2009 An introduction to the issue from editor Jim Weston.
From the Editor By James K. Weston, Sr. Mineral Law, April 2009 An introduction to the issue from editor Jim Weston.
From the editors By James T. Nyeste Insurance Law, December 2009 This issue of The Policy features an article concerning the Obama Administration’s financial regulatory reform plan and a bill introduced in November by Senator Dodd (D-CT), which may have significant effects on the insurance industry generally, not just on health insurance. Much remains uncertain, but the article discusses where we may be headed.
From the editors By James T. Nyeste Insurance Law, October 2009 As the new Managing Co-Editor of The Policy, I look forward to continuing the work performed by past Managing Co-Editor Patricia Zimmer and to bringing readers of theThe Policy timely and accurate analyses of current insurance cases. 
FTC requires nine insurers to disclose information regarding use of credit-based insurance scores Insurance Law, April 2009 The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on December 23, 2008 issued detailed orders to the nine largest homeowners insurers, by market share, requesting that they provide data related to the effect of credit-based insurance scores on consumers of homeowners insurance.
FTC/DOJ propose changes to the 1992 Horizontal Merger Guidelines December 2009 The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice plan to determine whether the Horizontal Merger Guidelines should be updated to reflect the legal and economical developments since the 1992 Guidelines took effect.
Functus Officio: Arbitration and reconsideration By Jon Gilbert Alternative Dispute Resolution, May 2009 F.R.C.P. 59 and Illinois Code Section 2-1203 are two vehicles by which a judgment may be revisited at the trial level and practitioners are used to relying on these provisions when legal errors present themselves.
Further notes for a law lecture By Hon. Michael B. Hyman Bench and Bar, February 2009 Notes for a Law Lecture” were found by his White House secretaries after his death. It is unknown if Lincoln ever delivered the lecture, but the Notes have come to be a classic statement of practical advice for aspiring lawyers. Often quoted and reprinted, the Notes continue to be celebrated for their timeless relevance and sound message.
GAL appointment, now what? By Laura Kern Child Law, December 2009 You have just been appointed as a Guardian ad Litem in a Dissolution/Custody Case, an adoption case, a juvenile case, a guardianship case, now what?
Gay and lesbian judges? Oh my! Toto, we’re not in Kansas By Hon. Tom Chiola Bench and Bar, July 2009 The recent formation of the Alliance of Illinois Judges (www.TheAIJ.com) by the 15 openly gay and lesbian judges on the Circuit Court of Cook County marks a sea change in Illinois elected office.
General Practice Section Continuing Legal Education By Timothy J. Storm General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2009 An update on General Practice, Solo & Small Firm CLE activity.
Generating revenue streams in tough times (or at any time): Putting your intellectual property assets to work By John Ambrogi Corporate Law Departments, May 2009 In difficult economic times like these, many business executives and owners have their minds on the bottom line—streamlining processes, reducing overhead and trimming “fat” to maximize profitability. It is a highly useful effort, but some executives can get “tunnel vision” and overlook opportunities to create revenue streams. One of the most overlooked areas is a company’s intellectual property assets.
Getting off the teeter-totter—Work/life balance, another perspective By Sandra Crawford Women and the Law, September 2009 In June the author attended the 17th Annual Conference of the International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers, held in Chicago.
Good news for adult use zoning restrictions By Peter Friedman Local Government Law, March 2009 The 7th Circuit significantly advanced an already growing line of judicial authority and common sense that rejects the notion that each and every government zoning authority must provide space within its borders for adult uses.
Good Samaritan: Hip check to vending machine awarded By Brad E. Bleakney Workers’ Compensation Law, September 2009 The Appellate Court in Circuit City v. Illinois Workers Compensation Commission reviewed the hip check case and reinstated the Commission award but not as a “personal comfort” case but rather affirmed the award as a “Good Samaritan” case, in that he was coming to the aid of a female coworker.
A GRAT way to transfer wealth. Well, at least for now… By Jesse T. Coyle Trusts and Estates, July 2009 If you possess assets that are appreciating fast (or at least you think they will), the GRAT is simply one of the most effective ways of transferring value at a low cost. The future of this technique is not clear, however, as proposed legislation could render it ineffective.  
A green economy: What does corporate counsel need to know? By E. Lynn Grayson Corporate Law Departments, December 2009 A media buzz surrounds the politically charged concept of developing a green economy by investing in initiatives that are good for the environment and financially beneficial for business
The growing role of alternative dispute resolution in international trade agreements By Colin McGowan Alternative Dispute Resolution, November 2009 Free trade agreements, more often than not, have begun to contain ADR related clauses and mechanisms. These clauses, if drafted correctly, will be able to provide the groundwork for a more effective resolution between the two parties in the event a dispute should arise.
Guard your reputation By Jamie L. Bas Young Lawyers Division, October 2009  A lawyer’s word, contrary to numerous bad lawyer jokes, is one of his most valuable assets.
Guardianship crib notes By Eugenia C. Hunter Elder Law, April 2009 An easy-to-read chart with statutory reference-- A useful device for those lawyers who routinely practice in this area of elder law.
A guide to consular notification for local governments By Mark C. Palmer Local Government Law, February 2009 Is an international law treaty from 1963 important to local governments in Illinois?
Haiti tries again for Temporary Protected Status By Sara A. Raheb International and Immigration Law, September 2009 On January 6, 2009, U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings reintroduced legislation to grant Haitians Temporary Protected Status.
Happenings By Nicholas Pavlopoulos Alternative Dispute Resolution, November 2009 What's new in ADR.
Happenings By Julia Kucan Alternative Dispute Resolution, October 2009 Recent ADR news.
Happenings By Alyssa Vincent Alternative Dispute Resolution, May 2009 ADR news updates.