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This photo provided by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum shows a document signed by President Lincoln in April 1861 ordering the blockade of southern United States ports after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter started the Civil War. – Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum via AP

Pritzkers donate Lincoln’s Civil War order to Illinois

The document in which Abraham Lincoln set the Union’s military response to the launch of the U.S. Civil War in motion is now among Illinois’ prized papers of the 16th president, thanks to a donation by the state’s governor and first lady.
By John O'Connor
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Philips will pay $1.1B to resolve US lawsuits over breathing machines

Medical device maker Philips said Monday it will pay $1.1 billion to settle hundreds of personal injury lawsuits in the U.S. over its defective sleep apnea machines, which have been subject to a massive global recall.
By Matthew Perrone
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7th Circuit rejects R. Kelly’s challenge to 20-year sentence

The singer R. Kelly was correctly sentenced to 20 years in prison on child sex convictions in Chicago, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.
By Kathleen Foody
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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.
By Alex Abbeduto

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.
By Patricia Manson

Negligence suit filed by man shot at Wendy’s drive-through tossed

A man who was shot by unknown assailants while waiting in the drive-through lane of a Wendy’s does not have a case for negligence against the fast-food restaurant chain, a federal judge held.
By Patricia Manson

Medical experts cut from suit against Home Depot

A woman who sued Home Depot after being hit with drywall studs in a Chicago store cannot use the testimony of three medical professionals who lacked knowledge of her history of chronic pain.
By Emma Oxnevad

Toxic paint stripper chemical banned from consumer use

The Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday it has finalized a ban on consumer uses of methylene chloride, a chemical that is widely used as a paint stripper but is known to cause liver cancer and other health problems.
By Matthew Daly

Fayette County jury awards $12M in truck crash

A Fayette County jury awarded $12.2 million to a truck driver who injured his back in a car crash on Interstate 70 in southern Illinois.
By Grace Barbic

Courts & Cases

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Court mulls over timing for stock option damages

Gautam Shah persuaded a California jury that Skillz Inc. falsely claimed it had cause to terminate his employment in 2018 and then used this pretext to block him from exercising stock options worth more than $11.5 million when the company went public in 2020.
By Steven P. Garmisa

Cotter’s Corner

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Does Constitution come into play in Oregon homelessness appeal?

Homelessness in many U.S. cities has become a major issue. In an Oregon city, the municipality addressed the issue by an ordinance that fined the homeless for using blankets, pillows or cardboard boxes for protection while sleeping within city limits. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments last week in the matter.
By Daniel A. Cotter

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.
By Patrick Eckler

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.
By Erica Minchella

Sports Marketing Playbook

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Roberto Clemente family battles Puerto Rico over license plates

Trademarks can provide a lucrative revenue stream for sports stars and generate significant income for their families long after the athletes’ deaths. Conflicts over trademark rights usually erupt between an athlete’s family and businesses seeking to capitalize on a player’s brand.
By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose

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.”
By Julian J. Frazin

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.
By Julian J. Frazin

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.
By Julian J. Frazin

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.
By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose
All Contributors

Social Scene

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Prejean speaks at Catholic Lawyers Guild event

Sister Helen Prejean, a nun and death penalty opponent whose story was depicted in “Dead Man Walking,” joined the Catholic Lawyers Guild this month for a community event. Prejean, center, is shown with attendees including Illinois Supreme Court Justices Elizabeth M. Rochford and Joy V. Cunningham, appellate justice Jesse G. Reyes and former Gov. Pat Quinn. Photo by Kaisa Roseth-Johnson
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ABOTA hosts Law Day event

The Illinois Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) hosted its annual Law Day luncheon this month at the Union League Club. ABOTA Illinois past president Timothy Tomasik of Tomasik Kotin Kasserman and president Jill Webb of the Law Offices of Jill M. Webb presented Cook County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Panarese with a plaque in recognition of his dedication to judicial independence. Panarese spoke on the topic of judicial security. Photo courtesy of ABOTA
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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

Special Publications

JVR Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards 2023

JVR Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards 2023

The commemorative magazine for the 2023 Jury Verdict Reporter Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards is now available!

Over 350 were in attendance as thirty-four professionals from both sides of the trial bar received individual Trial Lawyer Excellence awards in one of fifteen 2023 categories.
Women in Law 2023

Women in Law 2023

The 4th class for Women in Law

Meet the exceptional women recognized in our 4th annual Women in Law awards.
40 Under Forty 2023

40 Under Forty 2023

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2023

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 2023.

Career Center

Career Center Job Listings

Photo gallery with Top Stories

This photo provided by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum shows a document signed by President Lincoln in April 1861 ordering the blockade of southern United States ports after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter started the Civil War.
Apr
30
Tue

Pritzkers donate Lincoln’s Civil War order to Illinois
Medical device maker Philips will pay $1.1 billion to settle personal injury lawsuits in the U.S. over its defective sleep apnea machines. The announcement Monday is another step toward resolving one of the biggest medical device recalls in history, which has dragged on for nearly three years.
Apr
29
Mon

Philips will pay $1.1B to resolve US lawsuits over breathing machines
R. Kelly leaves the Daley Center after a hearing in his child support case May 8, 2019. A federal appeals court on Friday upheld the singer’s sex-crime conviction and 20-year sentence in his Chicago case.
Apr
26
Fri

7th Circuit rejects R. Kelly’s challenge to 20-year sentence
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.
Apr
24
Wed

Illinoisans can now have documents notarized online
Starbucks employees and supporters link arms during a union election watch party in 2021 in Buffalo, N.Y. The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in a case filed by Starbucks against the National Labor Relations Board, which raised the issue of courts granting temporary injunctions sought by the agency.
Apr
23
Tue

Supreme Court appears to side with Starbucks in dispute with NLRB
Activists demonstrate Monday at the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill as the justices consider a challenge to rulings that found punishing people for sleeping outside when shelter space is lacking amounts to unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment.
Apr
22
Mon

Ghost guns, outdoor sleeping bans reach U.S. Supreme Court