Contributors

Reversing summary judgment for the defendant in a dog-bite case under the Animal Control Act, the Illinois Appellate Court considered both of the approaches courts have taken when “analyzing whether a plaintiff has a relationship with either the animal’s legal owner or the animal itself so as to objectively exclude the plaintiff from the act’s protections.”

“Procedure is power.” That was what another lawyer recently told me, quoting the teachings of a civil procedure professor.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Almost instantly, countries started to seal borders, sports leagues suspended seasons, “social distancing” became a norm and our world changed in almost every manner.

The classic mediation format includes an opening or joint session. This is a time when all the parties meet one another and listen to the mediator give details about how the mediation is to proceed.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, construing Illinois law, recently evaluated the pleading requirements for an insurer seeking to rescind an insurance policy.

The U.S. Supreme Court is back in session today, with two Navajo Nation water needs cases to be argued. Tomorrow, the court hears a Lanham Act case on foreign sales and also a case on the Federal Arbitration Act, topping off this week with the Jack Daniel’s trademark matter.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,” wrote legendary author Charles Dickens in the opening lines of “A Tale of Two Cities,” published in 1859.

Did you happen to watch the 95th Academy Awards? If so, you were joined by more than 18 million others — myself included. On the other hand, if you missed it, you didn’t miss much. Both the program and many of the selections were disappointing.

It has often been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

The good news is that President Joe Biden recently announced his plans to end COVID-19 emergency declarations in May — making the pandemic an endemic. The bad news is that Chicago is still feeling the aftermath of enforced quarantines, mandatory masks and isolation. It may feel it for several more years.

This year’s Super Bowl had everything that’s necessary to keep football fans watching — a see-sawing score, a quarterback playing on an injured ankle and a controversial holding call in the game’s final minutes.

When you enter the Abelson auditorium of the Court Theatre to view renowned British playwright Caryl Churchill’s play “Fen,” you can’t help but be astounded by its monstrous set.