boards-5-17-22,ph01 — Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, CEO of 50/50 Women on Boards, is seen at City Club LA in Los Angeles in 2021. A Los Angeles judge ruled that California's landmark law mandating women be placed on corporate boards is unconstitutional. Berkhemer-Credaire lobbied in support of the law, which was closely watched in Illinois and other states. – Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via AP, File

California law mandating women on boards ruled unconstitutional

A Los Angeles judge has ruled that California’s landmark law requiring women on corporate boards is unconstitutional.

By Brian Melley

Pritzker signs legislation aimed at curbing organized retail crime

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Friday that is aimed at cracking down on high-profile “smash-and-grabs” and other organized retail theft.

By Grace Kinnicutt

Get to know newly appointed justice Lisa Holder White

A new chapter is upon the state of Illinois as the longest-serving judge in the state will step down and the first Black woman Supreme Court justice will step in.

By Grace Barbic

How I Did It

Lessons from coming out in a job interview

As a young would-be associate, Eric Ledbetter sought a law firm that welcomed diverse attorneys. More than 15 years later, his experience revealing his own identity in a job interview informs how he leads as managing partner of Quarles & Brady’s Chicago office.

By Emma Oxnevad

How Lisa Madigan, Kirkland investigated Minneapolis police

Lisa Madigan, who advocated for police reform as Illinois attorney general, says communities can’t rely on the federal government to address racial equity issues. With fellow Kirkland & Ellis partners Eric L. White and Robert W. Pommer III, she led a 5,300-hour effort by Kirkland to dig into issues of systemic racism within the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).

By Emma Oxnevad

Chicago archdiocese settles sex abuse suit for $1.2 million

The Archdiocese of Chicago has agreed to pay $1.2 million to a man who alleged that he was sexually abused when he was 12 years old by a defrocked priest who was convicted of sexually abusing several boys, the man’s attorney announced on Tuesday.

By The Associated Press

Pritzker signs bill requiring serial numbers on ‘ghost guns’

Owners of firearms that do not have serial numbers, referred to as ghost guns, will have 180 days to take them to a federal firearm dealer to have them serialized or they will risk being charged with a misdemeanor.

By Jerry Nowicki

State Farm had duty to defend in wrongful death case, panel rules

State Farm had a duty to defend a construction company in a wrongful death suit where a 13-year-old boy was fatally struck by a dump truck as it was returning to a road construction project, a state appellate panel ruled.

By Grace Barbic

CDLB People

Foley & Lardner LLP added Jim Lundy to the firm’s Chicago office as a partner.

Winston & Strawn LLP hired Sean F. Hilson as a partner in the firm’s Chicago office.

Polsinelli promoted shareholder Mark T. Deming to chair of the firm’s Hatch-Waxman litigation practice group.

In the News

Motion alleged eavesdropping by doctor

The doctor hired to conduct independent medical evaluations of two minors in a tort case against a school district paused outside the closed door of a waiting room and heard one of the children talking to an adult who later introduced himself as the child’s attorney.

By Steven P. Garmisa

Duty, breach, foreseeability and the difficulty in defining tort law in Illinois

A bold title indeed, and a topic more suited for a law review article or even a book, but a central and evolving issue in Illinois tort law that was discussed in oral argument this past week before the Illinois Supreme Court in Quiroz v. Chicago Transit Authority, No. 127603.

By Donald P. Eckler

Employment and statutory exclusions found inapplicable to BIPA class action

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois recently held that liability policy exclusions for employment practices and certain statutory violations are not effective to exclude coverage for a claim that the insured violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act in the insured’s handling of fingerprints taken from employees for timekeeping purposes.

By Don R. Sampen

This is not acceptable conduct: Protest if you want, but leave justices in peace

You may strongly disagree with the draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Take steps to try to save Roe. But do not take to the justices’ homes. We must stop this downward spiral of reckless, dangerous conduct masked as upset. It is after all a republic, if we can keep it. We cannot have folks threatening folks on the Supreme Court, their families and homes. We can and must do better, period.

By Daniel A. Cotter

‘1883,’ ‘TO BE’ celebrate historical eras with gusto

If you fancy a good Western film like I do, you’ll certainly enjoy Paramount’s TV series “1883,” a 10-episode drama about a group of German and Eastern European immigrants making their way from Texas to Oregon in a wagon train — embarking on a dangerous journey through the untamed American frontier in 1883.

By Julian J. Frazin

Nordic Law Club hosts honors

The Nordic Law Club held its annual dinner honoring Scandinavian honorary consuls general at the University Club on May 12. From left: Karin Moen Abercrombie (Sweden), NLC Secretary (Hon.) Diane Larsen (ret’d.), NLC President Lynne Ostfeld, Deputy Counsel Rikke Krogh Andresen (Denmark), Einar Steinsson (Iceland), Susan Meyer (Norway). Photo by Mark Dobrzycki/courtesy Nordic Law Club

ISBA talks diversity at member appreciation event

More than 200 legal professionals participated in ISBA’s members-only program in celebration of its Member Appreciation Month. Dana and Keith Cutler, attorneys and hosts of courtroom show “Couples Court with the Cutlers,” spoke about implicit bias, microaggressions and attitudes that can impede a diverse and inclusive legal profession. The program was moderated by ISBA President Anna P. Krolikowska. Photo courtesy ISBA

Judge awarded for service

Cook County Circuit Judge Mark J. Lopez (center), the Distinguished Judicial Service awardee, joined HLAI board members (left to right) Dora Cornelio, Andrea Belard, Jennifer Crespo, Janneth Lanini, and Jocely Pacheco at the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois annual Judicial Reception. Photos courtesy HLAI

Cook County Circuit Court marks Law Day

The Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge’s Office hosted a Law Day event Tuesday. Shown are Lori Roper, Cook County Bar Association Law Day co-chairperson, from left, with Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, holding a token of appreciation from the CCBA; Cannon Lambert, president of the Cook County Bar Association; and Kenya Jenkins-Wright, CCBA Law Day co-chairperson. Photo Courtesy Office of the Chief Judge

How I Did It

Court Opinions

Case Summaries

Trial Notebook

For the Defense

Insurance Matters

Cotter's Corner

Opening Statement

Opening Statement

Opening Statement

Sports Marketing Playbook

Opening Statement

Social Scene

Nordic Law Club hosts honors

ISBA talks diversity at member appreciation event

Judge awarded for service

Cook County Circuit Court marks Law Day

40 Under Forty 2021

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2021

Salute! Women in Law

The 2nd class for Salute! Women in Law

40 Under Forty 2020

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2020

City Attorney

Staffing Attorney

Litigation Associate Attorney

Attorney

California law mandating women on boards ruled unconstitutional

Pritzker signs legislation aimed at curbing organized retail crime

Get to know newly appointed justice Lisa Holder White

Lisa Holder White named to new Garman vacancy on Illinois Supreme Court

Supreme Court leak becomes a D.C. whodunit

Justices’ views on abortion in their own words and votes