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Timothy S. Tomasik speaks at the Chicago Bar Association’s annual meeting last week at the Union League Club. “As lawyers, we all share the sworn duty to protect our democracy and Constitution, which is why my CBA presidency will place a special focus on protecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary,” he said. – Photo by Bill Richert

New CBA president to focus on recruiting, mental-health initiatives

Timothy S. Tomasik is an established trial lawyer, “avid World War II history buff” and the newly installed president of the Chicago Bar Association, where he plans to expand existing initiatives and increase outreach to young attorneys.
By Emma Oxnevad
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Jackson sworn in as 1st Black woman on Supreme Court

Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in to the Supreme Court on Thursday, shattering a glass ceiling as the first Black woman on the nation’s highest court.
By Mark Sherman
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GOP’s Bailey to face Pritzker in race for governor

Illinois Republicans on Tuesday chose conservative state Sen. Darren Bailey to take on Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire who easily won the Democratic nomination and who spent millions trying to get the rival he wants and increase his already sizable advantage in the state this fall.
By Sara Burnett

How I Did It

Steven Levin describes his return to law firm life after a heart attack

Steven M. Levin, founder and senior partner at Levin & Perconti, had a heart attack while golfing last September. While waiting for paramedics to arrive, a 20-year-old caddy performed CPR, which helped to keep him alive.
By Emma Oxnevad

Illinois Supreme Court adopts new Code of Judicial Conduct

The Illinois Supreme Court has adopted a new Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct — providing guidance for social media use and changes to required financial disclosures — in the first “top to bottom” update of the code in 50 years.
By Grace Barbic

Rochford, Walker, Mitchell win judicial races; Cook County results tallied

Election results are rolling in following the primary election Tuesday, with several contested races appearing to see definitive outcomes. Results are still unofficial.
By Emma Oxnevad and Grace Barbic

Right-to-counsel claim nixed for man who defended himself

The Sixth Amendment does not provide grounds for overturning the conviction of a man who insisted on representing himself in his trial on bank robbery charges, a federal appeals court held.
By Patricia Manson

Temporary tax relief measures to begin Friday in Illinois

Illinoisans will receive some modest tax relief starting Friday when the state’s new fiscal year begins.
By Peter Hancock

Courts & Cases

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Supreme Court settles split on arbitration waiver

Nine U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal adopted a special waiver rule for analyzing mid-litigation arbitration demands. Pointing to the public policy favoring arbitration, they decided that participation in litigation doesn’t waive the right to demand arbitration unless the other party was prejudiced by the delay. Disagreeing, the 7th and D.C. Circuits opted for ordinary waiver analysis, with no showing of prejudice required.
By Steven P. Garmisa

Realty Check

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Real estate partition statute should account for residents as well as owners

I have been involved in a number of partition actions over the years. Partition actions are heard in the Chancery Division, and in my experience, each Chancery judge addresses partition actions differently.
By Erica Minchella

For the Defense

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Bad recent run for medical defendants in Illinois Supreme, appellate courts

Three recent cases from Illinois courts of review all favored plaintiffs on a range of issues worth noting for defense practitioners.
By Donald P. Eckler

Prosecution and Procedure

David Robinson-6-28-22,ph01

Evidence of other crimes, typically barred, is OK for domestic violence

The general rule in Illinois is that evidence of other crimes is not admissible in a criminal jury trial because we fear that a jury may base its verdict, in part, on propensity. Put another way, we fear a jury may convict under the following train of thought: “If the defendant committed this crime once, he probably committed it again.”
By David J. Robinson

Opening Statement

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‘Life After’ has flickers of Sondheim, if not the lush melodies

When Stephen Sondheim passed away last fall, the world lost one of its greatest composers and lyricists. Sondheim had done it all. He composed music, wrote books and songs — the whole shebang. There were others like him (Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern and Cole Porter) but they were few and far between, and not many from the current crop of emerging songwriters could measure up to him.
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

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‘Do the Right Thing, No Worries If Not’ plays it safe at Second City

Here we are again at the beginning of a lazy, hazy hot summer where the hours and minutes can play tricks on your mind.
By Julian J. Frazin

Sports Marketing Playbook

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Sports world rushing to trademark NFT ventures, but legal questions remain

Rob Gronkowski made a big splash in April 2021 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end became the first professional athlete to launch his own non-fungible token (NFT) trading cards.
By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose

Opening Statement

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‘Skates’ kicks off new era for renovated Studebaker Theater

Although it took a few negative hits from local theater critics, there are a number of reasons to see “Skates,” a new musical playing through Aug. 28 at the renovated Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave.
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

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Steppenwolf is perfect venue for Chekhov’s ‘The Seagull’

The expression “you’ve come a long way, baby,” was a popular Virginia Slims advertising campaign in the early 1970s, designed to entice women to smoke the brand’s cigarettes.
By Julian J. Frazin
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Social Scene

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Bohemian Lawyers’ Association of Chicago president sworn in

Mary Cunningham of Kominiarek Bresler Harvick Gudmundson LLC was installed as Bohemian Lawyers’ Association of Chicago president earlier this month. Photo courtesy of the association
Social-6-16-22,ph01

ABOTA Illinois recognizes Justice Lavin

Illinois 1st District Appellate Justice Terrence J. Lavin was recognized as Judge of the Year at the spring luncheon of the Illinois Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Lavin spoke and received a special framed War of 1812 American flag. Photo courtesy ABOTA Illinois
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Justice group honors Raoul

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation honored Attorney General Kwame Raoul with its Champion of Justice Award at its annual meeting earlier this month at Jenner & Block. Shown is Raoul with Leslie Corbett, executive director of the foundation. Photo courtesy of the foundation
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ISBA officers sworn in

Rory Weiler, left, was sworn in as president of the Illinois State Bar Association in Springfield earlier this month, with Pamela Sakowicz Menaker, communications partner at Clifford Law Offices, serving as emcee. Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Burke and Justice David Overstreet swore in the officers. Photo by Kari Bedford Photography

Special Publications

40 Under Forty 2021

40 Under Forty 2021

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2021

Success at any age is impressive. But to achieve it at an early age is even more of a feat. Congratulations to 40 Under Forty honorees for 2021.
40 Under Forty 2020

40 Under Forty 2020

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2020

Success at any age is impressive. But to achieve it at an early age is even more of a feat. Congratulations to 40 Under Forty honorees for 2020.
JVR Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards

JVR Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards

Celebrating 60 years

Over 300 trial attorneys and Illinois judges were in attendance last October as the Jury Verdict Reporter, a division of Law Bulletin Media, hosted its annual reception and awards for Trial Lawyer Excellence. Fifty-four professionals from both sides of the trial bar received individual Trial Lawyer Excellence awards in one of 17 categories. Please click through and enjoy this review of the Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards.
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Photo gallery with Top Stories

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson smiles as Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., arrives for a meeting in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington in March. Jackson was set to be sworn in to the Supreme Court Thursday. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
Jun
30
Thu

Jackson sworn in as 1st Black woman on Supreme Court
Timothy S. Tomasik speaks at the Chicago Bar Association’s annual meeting last week at the Union League Club. “As lawyers, we all share the sworn duty to protect our democracy and Constitution, which is why my CBA presidency will place a special focus on protecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary,” he said.
Jun
30
Thu

New CBA president to focus on recruiting, mental-health initiatives
Illinois state Sen. Darren Bailey, center, celebrates with his wife, Cindy Stortzum, left, and Lt. Gov. candidate Stephanie Trussell and her husband, William, after winning the Republican primary Tuesday. Bailey will now face Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in the fall.
Jun
29
Wed

GOP’s Bailey to face Pritzker in race for governor
Republican candidate for Illinois governor Darren Bailey speaks to voters June 14 during a campaign stop in Athens, Ill. The anti-abortion Bailey was endorsed by former President Donald Trump over the weekend.
Jun
28
Tue

Abortion central in primaries as Illinois heads to polls
As reactions rocked the country after the U.S. Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion, a spectator holds up an “Impeach SCOTUS” sign Sunday during the 51st Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago.
Jun
27
Mon

Fall of Roe sets off new court fights between advocates on both sides
Demonstrators protest about abortion outside the Supreme Court Friday. “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the Dobbs decision.
Jun
24
Fri

Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade; states can ban abortion