Use of trusts in VA pension planningBy Steven C. PerlisElder Law, December 2009This article is on the use of trusts in qualifying veterans and their survivors or dependents for VA pension benefits. The pension benefit can be helpful in paying for unreimbursed medical costs, and often makes the difference between remaining at home and premature admission into a nursing facility.
Using real-time transcription technology in depositionsBy Damian CapozzolaCorporate Law Departments, December 2009In civil litigation, depositions serve a variety of ends, including assessing a witness’s personality, information gathering, authenticating documents or extracting admissions for motions practice, grilling a witness to enhance settlement value, and/or preparing for trial cross-examination.
Using title insurance to avoid probate or ancillary administrationBy Christopher M. TietzReal Estate Law, January 2009The author provides a sample Affidavit for Title Insurance that he prepared himself, which can be very useful in both accelerating the closing of an estate and reducing the attendant costs.
The virtual practice: The what and whyBy R. Andrew SmithLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, October 2009The virtual office concept has been around for some time; however, it has not typically been used in the context of practicing law.
Virtualization and law office computer systemsBy Alan PearlmanLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, February 2009Virtualization is a technology that does present some added variables and complexity, but provides features and tools that change the status quo. It is a technology that the legal industry will surely embrace and use to better our service to our ultimate consumer…the client.
Wallyball: A Section 11 “Recreational” Activity . . . not alwaysBy Michelle L. LaFayetteWorkers’ Compensation Law, December 2009Webster’s New World Dictionary of American English defines the word “recreation” to mean “refreshment in body or mind, as after work, by some form of play, amusement or relaxation.” ... Recreational activities are therefore those that people use to escape from the pressures of work and everyday life to have fun and relax – exercise, organized sports, etc.
Warning to lessors: You may be a debt collector under the FDCPABy Ryan R. Van OsdolCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, November 2009Beware! Illinois landlords attempting to collect past-due rent have been defined as “debt collectors” by the Appellate Court of Illinois, Third District.
Watch for upcoming CLEBy Hon. Edward J. SchoenbaumAdministrative Law, October 2009
We are scheduling a CLE program on Administrative Law in Illinois and will include Municipal Adjudications. It will probably be late February or March at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office.
Web CommitteeBy Patti Gregory-ChangAdministrative Law, October 2009Our Web committee has been working to update our ISBA Administrative Law Web page. We want this to be an essential tool for practitioners. Toward that end we hope to add links to useful Web pages and forms. We are soliciting members’ assistance. If you have an administrative law link or link to a form that is helpful please send it. Forms or agency rules which are up-to-date and not published elsewhere on the Web are also solicited.
The what ifs… Tax reflectionsBy Katarinna McBrideTrusts and Estates, September 2009Once again the estate tax is being used as political leverage rather than being thoughtfully and appropriately revised to reflect the modern dynamics of families and wealth.
What is the definition of “Commencing legal proceedings” when dealing with the Putative Father Registry?By Kimberly J. AndersonFamily Law, March 2009In the case outlined in this article, the father registered with the Putative Father Registry, and as required by statute, within thirty days of the date that he signed the Putative Father Registry, he “commenced legal proceedings” to establish parentage of his child.
What to expect your first year outBy Gina RossiYoung Lawyers Division, December 2009Many a young law student in Chicago rejoiced last month at the announcement of bar results and after waiting hours and hours for technical difficulties to subside, these former law students join the ranks of the other lawyers in Chicago.
What you need to know about consular notificationBy Cindy G. BuysInternational and Immigration Law, January 2009On Thursday, December 11, 2008, the International and Immigration Law Section Council sponsored an interesting and informative CLE program on consular notification at the ISBA’s Mid-Year Meetings.
When consultants’ opinions are discoverableBy Lauryn E. Parks & James F. McCluskeyTort Law, October 2009The purpose of Illinois Rule 201(b)(3), as well as other comparable rules, is focused on protecting the identity of the consultant in order to encourage the communication of expertise.
When is 35 days not 35 days under the Administrative Review Law?By J.A. SebastianAdministrative Law, September 2009Section 3-103 of the Illinois Administrative Review Law (735 ILCS 5/3-101 through 113) provides that “[e]very action to review a final administrative decision shall be commenced by the filing of a complaint and the issuance of summons within 35 days from the date that a copy of the decision sought to be reviewed was served upon the party affected by the decision.”
When is a credit card agreement an oral contract? Portfolio Acquisitions LLC v. FeltmanBy Hon. Daniel T. Gillespie & Kathilynne GrotelueschenCivil Practice and Procedure, November 2009 In Illinois, where the statute of limitations is ten years for a written contract and five years for an oral contract, one might well think that a credit card agreement would qualify as a written contract because credit cards are generally issued pursuant to a written card member agreement.
Where have all the clients gone?By Donald E. WeihlLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2009Have your clients stopped calling? Is your daily mail just bills?
Where to look for clients and business or employment opportunitiesBy Lewis F. MatuszewichInternational and Immigration Law, June 2009In February of 2007 the ISBA’s International and Immigration Law Section Council met at the offices of Illinois Global Partnership. The officers of IGP explained to the Section Council members the activity and background of the organization.
Why I keep an eye on LincolnBy Hon. Michael B. HymanBench and Bar, July 2009Few historical figures are as enduring or iconic as Lincoln. And fewer still as legendary throughout the world. He has been described as “the indispensable American,” which might somewhat explain his appeal. But it does not explain all of it.
A widow’s penalty: Analyzing the Third Circuit’s decision in Robinson v. NapolitanoBy Mark PhilippInternational and Immigration Law, July 2009According to Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) §201(A)(i), an alien spouse whose citizen spouse dies can only maintain “immediate relative” status if the couple had been married for two years prior to the death.
Win with civilityBy Sandra BlakeBench and Bar, October 2009In 2005, the Illinois Supreme Court established the Illinois Commission on Professionalism, making Illinois one of only 14 states that have a formal body working to promote professionalism and civility.
