Hay pocos lugares donde las personas esperan mayor privacidad que dentro de una habitación de hotel o un alquiler a corto plazo. Ya sea que viajen por negocios, vacaciones o motivos personales, los huéspedes confían en que el espacio por el que han pagado es seguro, privado y libre de intrusiones. Desafortunadamente, un número creciente de casos en todo el país ha revelado una realidad profundamente perturbadora: que en ocasiones se colocan cámaras ocultas dentro de habitaciones de hotel, baños y propiedades de alquiler que graban en secreto a huéspedes desprevenidos.
En Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC, hemos visto de…
Continue Reading Cámaras Ocultas en Hoteles y Alquileres de Airbnb: Cómo Presentar una Demanda por Invasión de la Privacidad

It’s been six years since the pandemic shutdown the world, including many businesses in Chicago.  But when it comes to the courts in the State of Illinois, COVID is officially over. Attorney Howard Ankin was quick to point out this fact that got overlooked by many on February 23, 2026.  That was when the Illinois Supreme court ordered all judges who had remained remote since the pandemic back to the courtroom. It also said that all legal decisions by judges must be made in-person on the bench. Howard was quick to point out that Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 does…
Continue Reading COVID is Finally Over…in Illinois Courts

On April 6, the Supreme Court denied certiorari in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission. The denial leaves in place an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision allowing the State to tax a Muscogee (Creek) Nation member who works for the Tribe on trust land but resides on unrestricted fee land within the reservation recognized in McGirt.

The question presented was ultimately not whether McGirt recognized a reservation (it did) but instead, whether that recognition carries through to state income taxation. The Oklahoma Supreme Court answered no. The Court declined review.

Arguments Presented on the Petition for Certiorari

The amicus brief…
Continue Reading Supreme Court Denies Certiorari in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission

Distributors already know what happens when a supplier moves a brand. Everybody rushes to fair market value, inventory, depletion, transition timing, and customer handoff. The paperwork often follows the same script. A brand transfer agreement sets the mechanics, the parties fight over value if they have to, and the money changes hands.

A recent Washington decision shows that this process deserves a harder look. The case did not just ask how much the terminated distributor should receive. It asked what that payment actually was. And the answer mattered. The Washington Court of Appeals held that more than $21 million paid …
Continue Reading When a Distributor Loses a Brand, the Tax Fight May Start in the Brand Transfer Agreement

Public AI Tools and Discovery Exposure

Generative AI tools have quickly become part of daily life for businesses and individuals across Illinois and Missouri. Platforms such as ChatGPT and other large-language models often feel conversational and private, which can foster a false sense of security. Recent litigation, however, demonstrates that what users type into these tools may be stored, logged, and later produced in court. For companies operating under Illinois and Missouri discovery rules—both of which allow broad discovery of electronically stored information—this risk is particularly acute.

One of the clearest examples comes from copyright litigation brought by major publishers.
Continue Reading AI, Privacy, and Discovery: Think Before You Prompt

A Cook County jury has delivered a $51 million verdict in a medical malpractice case involving a failure to diagnose a metabolic crisis. The case, which centered on a 2022 emergency room visit, highlights the devastating consequences that can occur when basic medical screenings are overlooked.

A Missed Opportunity for Life-Saving Care

In 2022, John Reinke sought treatment at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center for a severe, unprecedented headache. Despite presenting with clear risk factors—including a history of gout and obesity—attorneys for the estate argued that hospital staff failed to perform a simple blood sugar test.

Instead of…
Continue Reading Cook County Jury Awards $51M After Failure to Diagnose Led to Catastrophic Brain Injury

Many Illinois families feel a sense of relief after signing their will or trust. The paperwork is done and the plan is in place. But in 2026, one of the most common problems estate planning attorneys see is families who had a plan that quietly stopped working long before it was actually needed.
Signing documents is only the beginning of having a complete estate plan in place. The real question is whether your plan will actually do what you intend when your family needs it most. For too many families, the unfortunate answer is no. Our Somonauk, IL estate …
Continue Reading Why Having a Trust Is Not Enough for Illinois Families

Deployment orders can turn a family’s life upside down fast. If you share custody of your child, one of your first questions is probably what will happen to your parenting plan while you are gone. Will you come home to the same rights you had before you left?
Illinois law protects deployed parents. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States had about 15.8 million veterans in 2023. Many of those service members are parents with active custody arrangements, which means Illinois family courts deal with this situation all the time. Knowing your rights before you deploy…
Continue Reading What Happens to Your Parenting Plan When You Are Deployed in the Military?

One of the most natural things people do when facing a divorce is reach out to others who have been through it. Friends, family members, coworkers: everyone seems to have a story, advice, or a warning. And while that instinct is completely understandable, it can also be one of the most self-destructive habits in the divorce process.
Because the truth is simple: your divorce is not the same as anyone else’s.
The Danger of Comparing Your Divorce to Someone Else’s
It’s easy to hear someone say, “Well, in my divorce, I got X,” or “My friend didn’t have to…
Continue Reading Why Your Divorce Is Not Like Anyone Else’s (And Why That Matters More Than You Think)

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) (as part of a public-private partnership) have recently issued guidance regarding the use of AI by the financial services industry. This alert summarizes certain AI-related updates from the 2026 FINRA Annual Regulatory Oversight Report (the “Report”), and the Treasury partnership’s recently published AI Lexicon and Financial Services AI Risk Management Framework.FINRAFINRA’s 2026 Report contains a new section specifically devoted to generative AI (“GenAI”). The Report clarifies that “FINRA’s rules… and the securities laws more generally, continue to apply when firms use GenAI…
Continue Reading AI in the Crosshairs: New Guidance From FINRA and Treasury

In many cases, truck drivers injured in truck accidents face complicated legal questions about liability, workers’ compensation, and third-party claims. Understanding the legal options available after a crash can help injured drivers protect their financial future. Commercial truck drivers spend thousands of hours on the road every year, often navigating congested highways and tight delivery schedules. While professional training and experience help reduce risks, truck accidents remain a serious concern across the transportation industry. These incidents can involve passenger vehicles, hazardous road conditions, or even other commercial trucks.  If you are a commercial driver injured in a truck accident, speak…
Continue Reading Legal Options for Truck Drivers Injured in Truck Accidents

Thinking about getting an Illinois cannabis license? You are not alone — and you are not too late. As of 2026, Illinois still has 137 dispensary licenses remaining of the 500 authorized under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. The craft grower program is also accepting applications. But the window is closing, the competition is real, and the application process does not forgive sloppy preparation.
This guide covers everything you need to know about pursuing an Illinois cannabis license in 2026: license types, fees, the social equity program, application requirements, common mistakes, and how to give yourself the best…
Continue Reading Illinois Cannabis License: 2026 Guide to Dispensary & Craft Grower Licenses

Michigan is one of the most accessible cannabis markets in the country, and getting a Michigan cannabis license in 2026 is a realistic goal for serious operators. Unlike states that cap license counts and run hyper-competitive scored applications, Michigan keeps most license categories open with no caps. The $3,000 prequalification fee is manageable. The process is clear. And the market is massive — Michigan generated over $3 billion in cannabis sales in 2024.
This guide walks you through the full Michigan cannabis license application process: the CRA two-step system, license types, fees, municipal opt-in requirements, and how to avoid the…
Continue Reading Michigan Cannabis License: 2026 Guide & $3,000 Application Process

The experience of a workers’ compensation lawyer at Ankin Law helped a worker obtain benefits now and in the future for an injury. That’s featured in the latest “Client Wins” from the personal injury law firm in Chicago – and one that Attorney Phil Risley had to work hard to get.  A client came to Ankin Law after a fall on the job left her with a significant arm and leg injury. It would require care not only now but also in the future, but the insurance company wasn’t as sympathetic to the latter.  That’s when Risley went to work.
Continue Reading An Ankin Law Attorney’s Expertise Mattered for An Injured Worker

Question: 
I am the owner of a three attorney general practice firm in Chicago, Illinois. The other attorneys were recently hired associates right out of law school. We have two legal assistants, one paralegal, and a receptionist/bookkeeper. I manage the firm and practice law. I am finding it more and more difficult to do both and I am discovering that I enjoy managing and running the business more than I do practicing law. I would like to spend all of my time to running and managing the firm. Your thoughts are welcomed.
Response: 
You are not alone. This is a…
Continue Reading Law Firm Owner – Lawyer or Businessperson?

Disparti Law Group has filed an amended lawsuit against the City of Chicago and DCASE Acting Commissioner Kenya Merritt, adding new claims that retaliation against former First Deputy Commissioner Kim Grigsby didn’t stop at her firing—it escalated.
Grigsby, the department’s second-in-command, was terminated on February 27, 2026—just one week after reporting alleged misconduct to the City’s Inspector General and Human Resources. The lawsuit claims she was targeted for speaking up and for agreeing to testify truthfully in an investigation.
The amended complaint adds claims of defamation and post-termination retaliation, alleging that after Grigsby was fired, Merritt made false statements to…
Continue Reading Disparti Law Group Files Amended Lawsuit Against City of Chicago and DCASE Official, Alleging Retaliation Defamation