2018 ISBA high school mock trial invitationalApril 2018The 2018 ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational was held March 24-25 at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign, with participating teams representing 39 schools from across Illinois.
The ABA’s role in protecting judicial independenceBy Hilarie BassMay 2018The independence of the judiciary is an important pillar in any democracy, but throughout history, it has also proven to be a fragile one.
Appellate court clarifies “sole proximate cause”By Brian O. WatsonAugust 2018The appellate court recently made clear in Douglas v. Arlington Park Racecourse that the sole proximate cause of plaintiff’s injury may be something—other than the defendant—no matter what their status may be in the lawsuit and no matter how many they may be in number.
The ARDC’s proactive program for better practice managementBy Deane B. BrownFebruary 2018In accordance with the January 2017 amendments to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(e), effective January 1, 2018, Illinois became the first state in the country to adopt a mandatory program for all lawyers in private practice who do not maintain legal malpractice insurance, in order to register for 2019.
Bicentennially speaking…By Hon. Barbara CrowderFebruary 2018Suggested websites and resources to help you learn more about Illinois' bicentennial.
Blessing or curse: Having an eclectic ADR practiceBy Hon. Michael S. Jordan, (ret.)July 2018The pros and cons of affiliating your alternative dispute resolution practice with an entity that requires an exclusive relationship.
A call for written admonishments in criminal casesBy Evan BrunoFebruary 2018The typical practice of orally delivering admonishments to a lay defendant ignores the glaring reality that virtually no human being—whether lay person or lawyer—is capable of retaining and recalling detailed information after hearing it only once. So why do the criminal courts indulge in this fantasy when such important rights are at stake?
A call to end routine shackling of custodial defendantsBy Evan BrunoSeptember 2018The routine shackling of all custodial inmates at all court appearances reflects a constitutionally imbalanced approach, one that cuts away far too much liberty in the pursuit of absolute safety.
Chair’s column: Truth and the lawBy David W. InlanderSeptember 2018As responsible practicing lawyers and judges, we must speak out to defend our judicial system.
Chair’s column: We could be heroesBy David W. InlanderJuly 2018A message from the Bench & Bar Section Council's chair, David W. Inlander.
The Code of the Order of the BrethrenBy Hon. Brian R. McKillipFebruary 2018A recent decision by the appellate court is an opportunity to re-examine how closely the Rules of Professional Conduct resembles this fictional pirate code.
Dealing with pro se litigants: A judge’s dilemmaBy Raymond J. McKoskiJanuary 2018Canon 3(A)(4) of the Illinois judicial code permits judges to “make reasonable efforts, consistent with the law and court rules, to facilitate the ability of self-represented litigants to be fairly heard.” Does this provision help Illinois judges decide whether to intervene in a proceeding in which only one party has an attorney?
Defendants dismissed without prejudice can be named as respondents in discoveryBy Tal C. ChaikenMay 2018The Illinois Appellate Court, Second District, recently joined the First District in holding that a plaintiff may use the respondent in discovery statute to name a person who has already been dismissed as a defendant in the same case.
Editor’s columnBy Edward SchoenbaumJune 2018A note from the newsletter editor, Edward Schoenbaum.
Editor’s noteBy Hon. Edward J. Schoenbaum, (ret.)July 2018An introduction to the issue from the editor, retired Administrative Law Judge Edward Schoenbaum.
Illinois 2L agrees: Time’s upBy Sara CrookJuly 2018A summary of the keynote speaker's presentation at the Women's Bar Association of Illinois Annual Dinner.
International Shoe got the bootBy Michael CortinaAugust 2018A discussion of Illinois' long arm statute and how the 2014 U.S. Supreme Court case Daimler AG v. Bauman impacts the analysis that must be conducted by courts and litigants regarding foreign corporations.
Judging judgesBy Michael G. CortinaJuly 2018Trial experience is often seen as the measurement that matters the most in selecting judges, but other qualifications and experience should also be factored in when evaluating judicial candidates.
Judicial temperament: Concerns and questionsBy David W. InlanderDecember 2018As a section council particularly focused on the subject of civility, it is critical to take questions of judicial temperament seriously.
A lesson in the ethics of social mediaBy Deane B. BrownApril 2018Social media creates new ethical concerns for attorneys and judges, yet there is little case law to provide guidance on appropriate usage.
Making the recordBy Hon. Kevin T. BuschFebruary 2018While the reporter has a duty to take down all that is said, the true burden of making a record rests with us, the judges and attorneys. So what can we do to make a better record?
Mandatory e-filing is just around the corner—A good cause exemption exists for those who need itBy Hon. Mary Kay RochfordJanuary 2018Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c) (eff. Dec. 13, 2017), exempts certain documents from e-filing and includes a good cause exemption in subsection (4). On December 13, 2017, the Illinois Supreme Court amended Rule 9(c)(4), to define the nature of “good cause” and detail the procedures for obtaining such an exemption.
Mary Ann McMorrow rememberedBy Hon. Rita GarmanDecember 2018Justice Garman remembers her hero and friend, Mary Ann McMorrow.