Law Day 2024 Bar leaders, deans explore themes of leadership, values
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Mario Treto Jr., secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, testifies before the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules in April about the final adoption of rules to implement the 2021 Illinois Community Reinvestment Act. – Capitol News Illinois/Peter Hancock

Illinois poised to enforce law to end lending discrimination

In 1977, then-President Jimmy Carter signed into law the Community Reinvestment Act, a federal law that sought to wipe away the last vestiges of racial discrimination and redlining in America’s home mortgage industry.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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.

7th Circuit remands pretrial detainees’ dental care suit

A group of pretrial detainees who claim Cook County Jail violated their rights by providing inadequate dental care have another chance at getting class action certification.

Americans worry about health of democracy, ABA survey finds

The results of a survey on civics conducted for the American Bar Association in advance of Law Day are “profoundly concerning,” according to retired Judge J. Michael Luttig of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Plan proposed to settle J&J talc ovarian cancer lawsuits

A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson is now proposing to pay approximately $6.48 billion over 25 years as part of a settlement in the U.S. to cover allegations that its baby powder containing talc caused ovarian cancer.

Meta shareholder suit over directors’ obligations dismissed

A Delaware judge on Tuesday dismissed a shareholder lawsuit asserting novel claims about the roles of corporate leaders and arguing that the loyalties of Meta directors and company founder Mark Zuckerberg should not lie exclusively with the social media giant.

Courts & Cases

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Courts split on overtime ‘gap time’ claims

There’s a 1-1 tie in the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal on the validity of “overtime gap time claims” under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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