feinstein-9-29-23,ph01 — Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks during a Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism hearing, Oct. 31, 2017 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Feinstein has died. She was 90. – AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, an advocate for liberal priorities, dies at 90

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, a centrist Democrat and champion of liberal causes who was elected to the Senate in 1992 and broke gender barriers throughout her long career in local and national politics, has died. She was 90.

By Mary Clare Jalonick and Michael R. Blood

Shutdown appears likely as McCarthy rejects Senate spending bill

A government shutdown appeared all but inevitable as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy dug in Thursday, vowing he will not take up Senate legislation designed to keep the federal government fully running despite House Republicans’ struggle to unite around an alternative.

By Kevin Freking and Stephen Groves

Government shutdown humor, advisories seep into Chicago federal court

U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston of the Northern District of Illinois on Tuesday warned the parties in two unrelated cases in his court that the jury trials they requested are in peril.

By Patricia Manson

Kimberly Lewis sets agenda as new leader of Illinois Judicial Council

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Kimberly D. Lewis, the new president of the Illinois Judicial Council, said she will prioritize continued community outreach and education under the theme “Fortifying Our Legacy.”

By Emma Oxnevad

Beyond the Bench

Belief in change, plenty of espresso fuel Judge Mary Marubio in seismic bail shift

For Cook County Circuit Court Judge Mary C. Marubio, being at the forefront of the cultural shift around cash bail has been an exciting opportunity.

By Grace Barbic

Appellate panel affirms tossing suit against Chuhak & Tecson

A law firm does not have to face a claim that it aided and abetted a client’s allegedly fraudulent transfer of $13.6 million, a state appellate panel held.

By Emma Oxnevad

Supreme Court to decide if state laws limiting social media violate Constitution

The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether state laws that seek to regulate Facebook, TikTok, X and other social media platforms violate the Constitution.

By Mark Sherman

Illinois’ first in string of recent abortion protections gets day in court

In 2016, before Donald Trump’s presidency paved the way for the eventual overturning of Roe v. Wade, Democrats in Illinois passed what would become the first in a series of laws shoring up reproductive rights in the state.

By Hannah Meisel

Gun maker must face Highland Park parade suits in state court

Lawsuits accusing Smith & Wesson of liability in a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens wounded belong in the Illinois courts, a federal judge ruled.

By Patricia Manson

CDLB People

Clifford Law Offices associate John V. Kalantzis will speak on aviation law at the Travel Law Conference Oct. 19 in London, England.

Cavanagh Law Group partner Michael Sorich will speak about trucking litigation during the Illinois Trial Lawyers Update and Review Seminar Oct. 9.

Retired First District Illinois Appellate Court Justice Mathias W. Delort will be honored as the Catholic Lawyer of the Year by the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago.

CDLB People

Supreme Court’s packed docket features host of oral arguments

It has been an extremely busy period for the Illinois Supreme Court with seven oral arguments of note for civil litigators (in addition to numerous other arguments), granting of petitions for leave to appeal and the decision in Clanton v. Oakbrook Healthcare Centre, Ltd., 2023 IL 129067.

By Donald P. Eckler

Derailed BIPA suit settles in wake of call for damages trial

In 2022, a federal jury awarded $228 million to a class of truck drivers after finding that BNSF Railway Company had collected the drivers’ fingerprints without consent, in violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. The case was then remanded for damages. It now appears to be settled.

By Daniel A. Cotter

‘No Man’s Land’ gives nod to existentialism

“To attempt a faithful description of this play is a daunting task.” Thus began the first sentence of the program guide notes for Steppenwolf Theatre’s current production of Harold Pinter’s “No Man’s Land.” Directed by Les Waters, the show is playing through Aug. 20 on Steppenwolf’s downstairs main stage.

By Julian J. Frazin

PGA Tour’s deal with LIV Golf prompts federal investigations

A little over a year ago, the launch of the new Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf International Series roiled the world of men’s professional golf. LIV Golf offered players millions in prize money and, after some of the biggest names in golf joined the LIV Golf Invitational tournament series, the PGA Tour suspended those players indefinitely. Naturally, legal action followed.

By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose

Nordic Law Club honors judges

The Nordic Law Club hosted its annual dinner honoring judges in the Cook County Probate Division Sept. 18 at the Chicago Yacht Club. Shown from left are Mary Griffin, NLC vice president for events; Hon. Jesse G. Reyes, 1st District Appellate Court Justice; Hon. Daniel B. Malone, presiding judge of the Probate Division; Lynne R. Ostfeld, NLC president; Ray Koenig, CBA president, and R. Scott Alsterda, NLC treasurer. Photo by Mark Dobrzycki

Society of Trial Lawyers hosts annual meeting

Immediate past president Sherri M. Arrigo and current president Ted W. McNabola attend The Society of Trial Lawyers’ 2023 election meeting this month at Roanoke Restaurant in Chicago. Retired judge Lorna E. Propes of ADR Systems was a guest speaker at the event. Grace Barbic/Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

WBAI celebrates women’s soccer

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois members and supporters pose with a trophy from the legendary U.S. win in the 1999 Women’s World Cup at the Chicago Red Stars’ World Cup Welcome Back soccer match. From left are WBAI board member Chandler Caswell, Hon. Antara Nath Rivera, Joe DiPasquale, WBAI President Whitney K. Siehl, Hon. James A. Shapiro, ISBA President-elect Sonni Choi Williams and Pareesa Farazandeh. Photo courtesy of WBAI

Polish American Judges Association leaders sworn in

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans swore in leaders of the new Polish American Judges Association at the Polish National Museum earlier this week. From left are Evans and judges Ursula Walowski, Steven A. Kozicki, James P. Pieczonka, Daniel J. Kubasiak, Aurelia Pucinski, Joel Chupack, Jonathan Clark Green, Michele Gemskie, Diane Pezanoski and Pamela Stratigakis. PAJA’s new president, Presiding Judge Diann K. Marsalek, was sworn in afterward. Photo by James A. Shapiro

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Nordic Law Club honors judges

Society of Trial Lawyers hosts annual meeting

WBAI celebrates women’s soccer

Polish American Judges Association leaders sworn in

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40 Under Forty 2023

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2023

Law Day 2023

Civility and collaboration

JVR Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards 2022

The commemorative magazine for the 2022 Jury Verdict Reporter Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards is now available!

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Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, an advocate for liberal priorities, dies at 90

Shutdown appears likely as McCarthy rejects Senate spending bill

Government shutdown humor, advisories seep into Chicago federal court

Kimberly Lewis sets agenda as new leader of Illinois Judicial Council

State’s high court opens new interactive learning center

As SAFE-T Act goes live, hearings have been longer, more deliberative