Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Court considers jurisdiction for Texas two-step bankruptcy

Georgia-Pacific used a Texas two-step bankruptcy — dumping all of its asbestos liability into a new company, Bestwall LLC, that promptly filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 — but a committee of asbestos claimants contends the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction under the constitution’s bankruptcy clause because Bestwall isn’t suffering any financial distress.

Cotter’s Corner

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Operating in the shadows not limited to high court

The U.S. Supreme Court in recent years has made greater use than ever of the shadow docket, a term coined by University of Chicago Law School Professor William Baude to refer to the use by the high court of decision-making that evades the normal appellate process and in which it issues decisions without oral arguments or without full briefing by the parties.

For the Defense

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Appellate panel issues 2 rulings on answering jury questions

Illinois trial lawyers should pay attention to two Illinois Appellate Court decisions issued March 8 regarding the proper manner to handle questions from the jury.

Civil Procedure

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DM, text, email: Rule 102 allows contactless delivery of a lawsuit

In 2024, participating in society — especially as we approach an election — means receiving all sorts of unwanted messages. These messages run the gamut from political spam texts soliciting donations to unsavory advertisements popping up on social media and various emails invading our inboxes.

Racial Justice

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Book examines lives of Chicana, Mexicana activists from Pilsen

Why do people become involved in social movements? This is the question Professor Leonard G. Ramírez attempts to answer in his book, “Chicanas of 18th Street: Narratives of a Movement from Latino Chicago” (University of Illinois Press 2011), an ethnographic study of sorts.

Cotter’s Corner

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U.S. Supreme Court puts forth unified front, but cracks show

We have the candidates set for the November presidential election, with President Joe Biden for the Democrats and Donald J. Trump for the Republicans. Supreme Monday and Super Tuesday confirmed things, if there were lingering doubts.

Opening Statement

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‘Mrs. Doubtfire,’ ‘Flyover Chicago’ offer entertainment for entire family

The late Robin Williams has always been one of my favorite actors and comedians. His brilliant career included many celebrated performances such as those in “Good Morning Vietnam” and “Dead Poets Society,” as well as Academy Award-winning in “Good Will Hunting.” Unfortunately, his career tragically came to an end when he committed suicide at 63.

Sports Marketing Playbook

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As NFL protects lucrative Super Bowl IP, some businesses retort

By now, everyone knows that brands pay big bucks to air commercials during the Super Bowl. This year, advertisers shelled out roughly $7 million for a 30-second spot, for an estimated total of $650 million, according to estimates by the Sports Business Journal.

Opening Statement

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‘Just for Us’ brings back golden age of standup comedy

Back in the day, standup comedians used to be a dominant force in Chicago. There was Shelley Berman, Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce and Woody Allen. By coincidence, they were all Jewish, as were many of their female counterparts such as Joan Rivers, Elaine May and Totie Fields.

Opening Statement

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From ‘Richard III’ to ‘Champion,’ Chicago has something for everyone

I had the pleasure of seeing three excellent, but different, examples of performing arts over the past week.

Sports Marketing Playbook

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Soccer great Ronaldo latest star sued for role promoting crypto

In late 2022, soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo launched a partnership with cryptocurrency exchange platform Binance to promote the sale of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other digital assets. A year later, Binance has pleaded guilty to willfully violating federal money laundering laws and agreed to pay more than $4.3 billion in penalties and forfeiture to settle the charges.

Opening Statement

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Porchlight’s ‘Anything Goes’ makes the grade

Porchlight Music Theatre’s 90th anniversary production of composer Cole Porter’s 1934 Broadway musical comedy “Anything Goes” scores high marks under the brilliant direction of award-winning artistic director Michael Weber.
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