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Lisa Blatt of Williams & Connolly LLP poses in front of the Supreme Court last week in Washington. Known for her humor, bluntness and informality, Blatt will argue her 50th case before the Supreme Court later this month, more than any other woman.AP Photo/Alex Brandon – AP Photo/Alex Brandon

‘Inimitable’ Lisa Blatt nears 50th high court argument

No woman has appeared more often before the Supreme Court than Lisa Blatt, who will make her 50th argument this month.
By Mark Sherman
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Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s BIPA law

It’s been more than a year since the Illinois Supreme Court “respectfully suggest(ed)” state lawmakers clarify a law that’s led to several multi-million-dollar settlements with tech companies over the collection of Illinoisans’ biometric data.
By Hannah Meisel
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O.J. Simpson, acquitted in famous murder trial, dies at 76

O.J. Simpson, the football star and Hollywood actor acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend in a trial that mesmerized the public and exposed divisions on race and policing in America, has died. He was 76.
By Ken Ritter
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Pritzker names new head of state insurance oversight agency

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has announced a change in leadership at the agency in charge of regulating the state’s insurance industry.
By Peter Hancock

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

Panel won’t revive consumer fraud suit against ComEd

ComEd and its parent company do not have to face a lawsuit alleging that its bribery of associates of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan caused its customers to pay higher fees.
By Emma Oxnevad

Cook County Circuit Court redesigns website

The Cook County Circuit Court website looks different to users Monday after the launch of a redesigned platform intended to be more user- and mobile-friendly.
By Grace Barbic

Clarence Thomas absent from court without explanation

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was absent from the court Monday with no explanation.
By The Associated Press

FBI opens criminal probe into bridge collapse, source says

The FBI is conducting a criminal investigation into the deadly collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge that is focused on the circumstances leading up to it and whether all federal laws were followed, according to someone familiar with the matter.
By Eric Tucker and Sarah Brumfield

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Iowa Supreme Court blocks testimony about business records

In a case where prosecutors relied on the hearsay rule’s business-records exception to justify testimony about documents that weren’t admitted into evidence, the Iowa Supreme Court, citing decisions from across the country, reversed because “the rules of evidence create a ‘business records exception’ to the rule against hearsay and not a ‘testimony about business records exception.’”
By Steven P. Garmisa

Cotter’s Corner

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Arizona high court rolls back clock to 1864 in abortion case

The Comstock Act of 1873 was referenced in the U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments in the mifepristone case recently heard, and may play a factor in at least some of the justices’ decisions. Turns out, Arizona told a certain justice, we know you like beer, hold this beer.
By Daniel A. Cotter

For the Defense

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PLA on Dramshop Act time limit among latest high court denied

Building on last week’s column on rulings on petitions for leave to appeal from the Illinois Supreme Court on March 27, this week we review more of the numerous and important denials.
By Patrick Eckler

Racial Justice

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Books open window to difficult topic of injustice, violent deaths

During Black History Month, scores of judges from the Illinois Latinx Judges’ Association went to read to elementary school children across the city of Chicago. I had the honor of reading to a group of Brighton Park fourth-graders on the Southwest Side.
By Justice Ramon Ocasio III

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

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.
By Julian J. Frazin
All Contributors

Social Scene

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WBAI honors judges

The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois presented judges with the Mary Heftel Hooton Award at its Judicial Reception. Shown from left are Soobin Lee, Molly Condon Wells, Hon. Sanjay T. Tailor, Hon. Janet Adams Brosnahan (ret.), WBAI President Whitney K. Siehl, Hon. Maryam Ahmad, Hon. Mary M. Rowland, Joanne Flannery accepting the award on behalf of her late father, Hon. James P. Flannery, Jr., Caidi Mammas Vanderporten and Katie Twardak. Hon. Ann Claire Williams (ret.) was also honored. Photo courtesy of WBAI
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UIC group honors Justice Reyes

The UIC Law Latinx Law Student Association hosted its annual fiesta event and awards ceremony Friday. 1st District Appellate Justice Jesse G. Reyes, second from left, received the 2024 Alumni of the Year Award for outstanding achievement in the judiciary and public service. Other recipients include Diego Valencia, from left, Edith Munoz and Daisy Huerta. Photo by Miguel Zuno
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Justinian Society of Lawyers awards grants

The Justinian Society of Lawyers hosted its 22nd annual Children’s Endowment Fund Grant Reception at Lux Bar and gave grants of $5,000 each to Almost Home Kids and La Casa Norte. Shown from left are Justinian Society president Michael D. Pisano of Ice Miller, Jose M. Munoz of La Casa Norte, endowment fund chairman Frank A. Sommario of Romanucci & Blandin, Raeann P. Olsen-Jackson of Almost Home Kids, and endowment fund founder Antonio M. Romanucci of Romanucci & Blandin. Photo courtesy of Justinian Society
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Polish-American Attorneys officers installed

The Association of Polish-American Attorneys hosted its annual Installation Dinner and Award of Merit Feb. 29 at the Union League Club of Chicago. Incoming president Hon. Michael J. Chmiel was sworn in by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford. Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans administered the oath to officers Hon. Thomas E. Nowinski, Kathy E. Bojczuk, Roman Drewniak, Julia Jensen Smolka, Hon. Michele Gemskie and Alon Stein. The Award of Merit was presented by Hon. Aurelia M. Pucinski to Marta Almodovar, a Chicago lawyer born in Poland. Photo courtesy of The Association of Polish-American Attorneys

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.

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Photo gallery with Top Stories

Lisa Blatt of Williams & Connolly LLP poses in front of the Supreme Court last week in Washington. Known for her humor, bluntness and informality, Blatt will argue her 50th case before the Supreme Court later this month, more than any other woman.AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Apr
15
Mon

‘Inimitable’ Lisa Blatt nears 50th high court argument
State Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, speaks to reporters after passing an amendment to the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act through the Senate on Thursday. It now heads to the House for consideration.
Apr
12
Fri

Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s BIPA law
In this Oct. 3, 1995, file photo, O.J. Simpson reacts as he is found not guilty in the death of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. Defense attorneys F. Lee Bailey, left, and Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. stand with him.
Apr
11
Thu

O.J. Simpson, acquitted in famous murder trial, dies at 76
Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, speaks at an event in 2023. Gillespie has been named acting director of the Illinois Department of Insurance.
Apr
10
Wed

Pritzker names new head of state insurance oversight agency
Debris from a Norfolk Southern freight train lies scattered and burning along the tracks on Feb. 4, 2023, the day after it derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.
Apr
09
Tue

Norfolk Southern to pay $600M over train derailment in eastern Ohio
Dr. Lee Morissette shows an image of lungs damaged by asbestos exposure, at the Center for Asbestos Related Disease, on Thursday in Libby, Mont. The Libby area was contaminated by asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from a nearby mine that was shipped through by rail.
Apr
08
Mon

Jury selection begins in Montana trial against BNSF over asbestos deaths