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As the FDA approved Covid-19 vaccination becomes more readily available, some are skeptical of the vaccine or avoid vaccination for personal reasons. Just as we saw unprecedented legal issues arise as the pandemic grew, we will likely see more now that a vaccine is available. Learn more about your rights in relation to the Covid-19 vaccine in this article.…
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The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to welcome Justice Mary Ellen Coghlan, Judge Franklin U. Valderrama, and attorney Kurt Reitz as new Commissioners. The Commissioners were appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court for three-year terms beginning on January 1, 2021. “Justice Coghlan, Judge Valderrama, and attorney Reitz are well-known for their professionalism and contributions to the bar and their communities,” said Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke. “I look forward to working with our new Commissioners to promote civility and professionalism in Illinois’ legal community. In addition, I would like to thank past-Commissioners Judge Jorge…
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As the tumultuous year of 2020 was ending, I started looking for positive stories that would provide hope for 2021. To my surprise, they were not hard to find. In reaching out to lawyers across Illinois, I found examples of how the resiliency that lawyers had developed led to increased professionalism. Resiliency has become a buzz word for effectively dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, lawyers aren’t known for their resiliency. Dr. Larry Richard, a leading expert on the psychology of lawyer behavior, found that 90% of lawyers score in the bottom half of the scale on the psychological trait…
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This week, the Illinois legal profession welcomed 1,590 new lawyers to its ranks. Attorneys from Illinois’ five districts were sworn in during a virtual, statewide bar admission ceremony on Thursday, January 14. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman presided over the event. Prior to the bar admission ceremony, all newly admitted attorneys passed the Illinois State Bar Examination, an ethics examination, and were certified by the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. Of the state’s five districts, the number of admitted attorneys is as follows: First District: 1,240 Second District: 184 Third District: 55 Fourth District: 51 Fifth…
How will COVID-19 affect forbearance agreements? The CARES Act included provisions to protect homeowners from foreclosure, but those provisions are set to expire on December 31st, 2020. Without an extension, a significant percentage of homeowners will lean heavily on their forbearance to bridge the gap. …
What if the immigration judge doesn’t rule in my favor? Will I face deportation? We cover these questions, as well as how to appeal a judge’s decision, what to do if you think the immigration judge made a mistake, and at what point is your immigration case is fully closed.…
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The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce the launch of a new website and logo, which reflect its mission of advancing the principles of attorney professionalism in the lawyers and judges of Illinois. The Commission’s new website provides a streamlined and user-friendly platform for legal professionals to access and interact with the Commission’s educational content, including its free online professional responsibility CLEs, its lawyer-to-lawyer mentoring program, its judicial and law school programming, and its legal profession-focused blog, including the popular Reimagining Law video series. “The Court is dedicated to using education to promote civility and professionalism…
This article will discuss employee privacy rights when working from home. We will answer the following questions: Do employees have any privacy rights when working from home?, How much can an employer monitor your work-from-home activities?, Do workers have the right to know what their employer monitors?, and Can my employer monitor my activity on my personal device?…
Courts in Iowa sometimes appoint a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) in cases involving custody, juvenile law, and some cases involving persons under certain legal disabilities. The GAL’s role is to represent the interests of the minor or person with a legal disability. This representation takes various forms depending on the type of case. Generally it is to participate in the case on behalf of the child’s best interests. In this article, we will discuss: What does a GAL do in a Child Custody Case?, When will a GAL be appointed in a child custody case?, and Who pays for the…
This article will provide a legal checklist for employers and employees in a remote working environment. We will cover the following topics: Maintaining nondiscriminatory work-from-home policies, How to monitor employee productivity and communications, Proper timekeepingIs overtime still applicable for remote work?, Enforcing breaks, Are employers required to provide equipment for remote workers?, Sick pay, OSHA requirements when working from home, Maintaining disability accommodations, and Work-from-home versus remote work…
This article will discuss how changes under the SECURE Act can improve small businesses’ access to retirement plans. We will answer the following questions: What is the SECURE Act?, What monetary incentives does the SECURE Act give small businesses?, How does the SECURE Act increase small business access to retirement plans?, and What other benefits are found in the SECURE Act?…
With a new year come changes to legislation. This article will cover recent changes to estate and probate law in 2021, including: Changes in Transfers of Real Estate in Iowa, What is a Directed Trust in Iowa?, and Guardian and conservator law changes since January 1, 2020.…
This article will discuss how the Secure Act may affect your retirement in the years to come. We will answer the following questions: What is the SECURE Act?, How will the SECURE Act affect my retirement accounts?, Does the SECURE Act give greater access to retirement accounts?, and How will the SECURE Act affect inherited retirement accounts?…