Admitting a party’s discovery depositionBy Jeffrey A. ParnessJune 2011The case of Berry v. American Standard, Inc., 382 Ill. App. 3d 895 (5th Dist. 2008) prompted the recent amendment to Rule 212(a)(5) allowing into evidence an unavailable party’s discovery deposition pursuant to the “sound discretion” of the court when it “will do substantial justice between or among the parties.”
Beyond the verdict II: Jurors evaluateBy Hon. James VargaOctober 2011In part one of this article the author described the procedure and results of from 10 jury trials. In this second part, the author explains the significance of the results.
Beyond the verdict: Jurors speak outBy Hon. James VargaJune 2011In the first part of this article, the procedure and results of from 10 jury trials are described. In the second part, the significance of the results is explained.
Brookbank v. Olson: Can a judge excuse a party from signing requests to admit?By Hon. Daniel T. GillespieMay 2011The courts are divided on the question of whether a trial judge can allow a party’s attorney to sign and verify a response to a Supreme Court Rule 216 request to admit facts when the attorney cannot locate his client.
Catch the replay: Collect all six hours of PMCLEBy J.A. SebastianMay 2011For those who missed “The State of Civility and Professionalism – 2011" held on March 18, 2011, the ISBA provides a replay. Go online or call the ISBA at 1-800-252-8908 to order.
Chair’s columnBy Hon. Michael J. ChmielOctober 2011An introduction from Section Chair Mike Chmiel.
Chair’s columnBy Michael J. ChmielAugust 2011An introductory note from Bench & Bar Chair Mike Chmiel.
Chair’s columnBy Thomas A. BrunoMay 2011A message from Bench & Bar Section Chair Thomas Bruno.
Chair’s columnBy Thomas A. BrunoMarch 2011A message from Bench & Bar Chair Thomas Bruno.
Douglas holds the record on the United States Supreme CourtBy Michele M. JochnerMarch 2011Appointed in 1939 to the U.S. Supreme Court, William O. Douglas served on the bench for more than 36 years and endured two impeachment proceedings.
Illinois Supreme Court announces new public domain citation system, ending era of printed volumesBy Joseph Tybor & Hon. Alfred M. Swanson, Jr.June 2011The Illinois Supreme Court has mandated a new way of officially citing its cases and those of the Illinois Appellate Court starting July 1, 2011. This new method will save Illinois taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars a year by eliminating the need to publish and purchase the official opinions in bound volumes.
An inward lookBy Hon. E. Kenneth Wright, Jr.March 2011A reminder that judges should always strive to be patient and dignified.
Judicial independenceBy Terri L. MascherinMay 2011Once we place judges on the bench, so long as they remain competent to serve, they should be free to interpret and apply the law in good faith, regardless of the political implications of their decisions.
Law Day: A perspective on our professionBy Thomas J. KasperMarch 2011Law Day, recognized annually on May 1st, celebrates the liberties enjoyed by the people of the United States and calls for a rededication to the ideals of equality and justice under U.S. law.
Letter to the editorAugust 2011A letter from Judge Susan Zwick, Circuit Court of Cook County.
A look at first offender deferred judgmentBy Joe CataldoAugust 2011ISBA’s proposal #97-20 proposes a first offender deferred judgment sentencing option for certain felony offenses.
One bite at the apple: Examining pro se litigants’ right to appointed counsel in civil casesBy Hon. E. Kenneth Wright, Jr.October 2011The Sixth Amendment ensures that individuals facing criminal charges have the right to appointed counsel; however, no such right exists in the civil realm. Whether a court appoints counsel to a pro se litigant in a civil case largely depends on court resources as well as the availability of pro bono programs.
Perception vs. reality: Money in judicial electionsBy David W. Inlander & Ronald D. Menna, Jr.March 2011A contrast between the approaches taken by Illinois and New York to reduce the public's perception of the role money plays in influencing judicial elections.
Perceptions of justice and fairness for pro se litigantsBy Hon. E. Kenneth Wright, Jr.May 2011The question of pro se litigants’ access to courts and the amount of permissible judicial interference in their cases demands our full attention.