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Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the launch of a new “E-Notary” portal that allows Illinois residents who need a notary public to access those services online. – Capitol News Illinois/ Andrew Adams

Illinoisans can now have documents notarized online

Illinoisans who need a notary public can now access those services online through a new “E-Notary” portal launched by the secretary of state’s office.
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Supreme Court appears to side with Starbucks in dispute with NLRB

The U.S. Supreme Court appeared to side with Starbucks Tuesday in a case that could make it harder for the federal government to seek injunctions when it suspects a company of interfering in unionization campaigns.
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Ghost guns, outdoor sleeping bans reach U.S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to take up a Biden administration appeal over the regulation of difficult-to-trace ghost guns that had been struck down by lower courts.
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Pritzker’s health insurance reforms clear House

Gov. J.B. Pritzker celebrated a partial legislative victory Thursday night when the House passed his initiative to end some practices health insurance companies use to control the amount and cost of health care services individual patients receive.

Top feature

Judge Jeffrey Cummings draws wisdom from practice of law, music

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings of the Northern District of Illinois understands that most people involved in a legal dispute invest their emotions as well as their time and resources in the case.

Wood leaving 7th Circuit to join American Law Institute

Diane P. Wood, who is retiring from the 7th Circuit bench this month, spoke at a luncheon in her honor Wednesday at the Union League Club.

ARDC board advises suspension for misusing trust income

An attorney who misappropriated more than $11,300 in trust funds should be suspended for one year, according to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission hearing board.

Supreme Court weighs idea of total presidential immunity

The Supreme Court on Thursday appeared likely to reject former President Donald Trump’s claim of absolute immunity from prosecution over election interference, but it seemed possible Trump could still benefit from a lengthy trial delay, possibly beyond November’s election.

New York appeals court overturns Weinstein rape conviction

New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with “egregious” improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.

Courts & Cases

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Another judge rejects 7th Circuit case on standing

Seven weeks after a district judge in New York rejected the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal’s approach to standing for breach-of-contract claims under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, a judge in the District of Columbia added his thoughts on why Dinerstein v. Google, 73 F.4th 502 (7th Cir. 2023), is wrong.

For the Defense

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Developments in med-mal law may signal change to health care

There is a great deal of attention paid to medical malpractice litigation and rightfully so because those cases are likely the most complex civil tort litigation with some of the highest stakes in terms of injury, emotion and damages.

Realty Check

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Estate plans should account for effective disposition of real estate

There is a huge drop in the number of people who are drafting their estate plans since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to USA Today, only 32% of adults acknowledge that they have an up-to-date estate plan.

Be That Lawyer

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LinkedIn branding for lawyers: 5 easy, effective posting options

When I started using LinkedIn back in 2007, I knew it would become the huge success story that everyone now knows it to be today.

Opening Statement

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‘Purpose’ brings family drama, politics to light

In the playbill for the Steppenwolf Theatre production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ world premiere of “Purpose,” artistic directors Audrey Francis and Glenn Davis announce that “since the beginning, family drama has been this company’s signature.”

Opening Statement

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Goodman’s ‘Penelopiad’ makes myth beautifully contemporary

In 2005, celebrated author Margaret Atwood (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) responded to Canadian publisher Jamie Byng’s commission to solicit contemporary authors to rewrite ancient myths with “The Penelopiad.” The novella set forth her current interpretation of Homer’s classic “The Odyssey,” the tale in which Odysseus leaves his bride, Penelope, for 10 years to fight in the Trojan War.

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.

Social Scene

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HLAI x WBAI celebrates Latino culture

The Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois hosted its HLAI x WBAI event celebrating Latina lawyers and artists at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Shown are event leaders and board members Lisa Velez, from left, Leilani Pino, Cindy Medina-Cervantes, WBAI president Whitney K. Siehl, HLAI president Dora Cornelio, Jocely Pacheco and Jennifer Crespo. The groups honored outgoing DePaul Law Dean Jennifer L. Rosato Perea, whose interim replacement was just named. Photo courtesy of WBAI
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Pericles found guilty

Katerina Alexopoulos of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, from left, Patrick M. Collins of King & Spalding, Cook County Judge Megan E. Goldish (who offered victim testimony) and Tinos Diamantatos of Morgan Lewis successfully prosecuted the title character, played by retired Judge Paul Lillios, at the National Hellenic Museum’s “Trial of Pericles” last week at the Harris Theater. Photo by Elios Photography
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Justices visit NIU to ‘Ride the Circuit’

The Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in March as part of its “Ride the Circuit” event. John M. Fitzgerald of Tabet DiVito & Rothstein is shown presenting arguments in a case about attorney fees before justices including Elizabeth M. Rochford, left, and Lisa Holder White. The case is Andrew W. Levenfeld and Associates, Ltd., et al. v. Maureen V. O’Brien, et al., No. 129599. Photo courtesy of Northern Illinois University
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Cook County judges sworn in

Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans swore in associate judges Antara Nath Rivera, from left, Federico M. Rodriguez and Kenya A. Jenkins-Wright on Monday at the Daley Center. Judges selected them from a list of six finalists. Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and other justices attended and gave remarks. Also, the Illinois Supreme Court announced 12 judges will join the Cook County Circuit Court ahead of the fall election. Grace Barbic/Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

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