New book offers valuable tips for executives and legal class

Cotter’s Corner

By Daniel A. Cotter

Daniel A. Cotter is a partner at Latimer LeVay Fyock LLC and author of the upcoming book “The Chief Justices” (Twelve Tables Press). The views expressed here are solely those of the author. He can be reached at dcotter@llflegal.com.

Posted June 17, 2019 9:23 AM

From time to time in Cotter’s Corner, we write about books and publications of note to the legal community. This column is one such instance. In it, we cover the recently released book, “The Savvy Executive: The Handbook Covering Employment Contracts, Compensation, Executive Skills, And Much More.”The book is written by Chicago lawyer G.A. Finch. He has published articles in a variety of legal-related and general circulation media, including the Daily Law Bulletin.G.A. also has a blog, Your Executive Life …

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Judge offers guidance for avoiding federal ‘trap’ in med-mal case

Joining a decision from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that affirmed a judgment against two “unwary litigants” who were blindsided by “surprise hurdles” created by a combined operation of the Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Act and the Federal Tort Claims Act, Circuit Judge Amul Thapar wrote separately “to explain how litigants can avoid these traps and preserve meritorious claims.”
By Steven P. Garmisa
Opinions shed light on how justices view shadow docket

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By Daniel A. Cotter
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Answering a question certified for immediate appeal in a case where the plaintiff didn’t know the defendant was dead when the lawsuit was filed, the Illinois Appellate Court concluded that the maneuver used by plaintiff’s attorney to rectify the problem — having his secretary appointed as “personal representative” of the decedent’s estate under Sec. 13-209(c) of the Code of Civil Procedure and then naming her as defendant in an amended complaint — was the wrong move.
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Claiming immunity under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act when Eduardo Santos sued for severe injuries allegedly caused by a police officer who shot him in the face with a rubber bullet, Defense Technology — the company that manufactured the “kinetic impact projectile” and KIP launcher — argued the statute’s product-liability exception didn’t apply.
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“The law that applies to this case is stated in these instructions, and it is your duty to follow all of them.” So states Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction 1.01(2), which the judge reads to the jurors in every criminal case before the jury begins its deliberations. If we expect jurors to follow the law, we surely must expect judges to lead by example and do the same thing.
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Accused of insider trading, Michael Shvartsman argued this offense is “criminal law made by judges” that violates Article I of the U.S. Constitution and the non-delegation doctrine.
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