The Exemption Never Filed
Authored by Nick Tiniakos I didn’t come to law school the traditional way. There was no gap year spent “finding
The CBA’s Alliance for Women is Now Accepting Nominations for 2026 Founder’s Award and Alta May Hulett Award
The CBA’s Alliance for Women is seeking nominations for their annual awards that recognize outstanding women lawyers who have significantly
The Chicago Bar Association Joins a National Coalition of Bar Associations in Filing Amicus Brief in Support of Perkins Coie LLP, Jenner & Block LLP, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP, and Susman Godfrey LLP
The Chicago Bar Association and 26 other bar associations signed on to an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District
Property Law for the 21st Century
Authored by: Tyler Clark While it is not a new idea that economic inequality continues to inform political thought, it
The Chicago Bar Association Hosts 23rd Annual Barristers Big Band Benefit Ball on April 24
The CBA’s Barristers Big Band is hosting its 23rd Annual benefit on April 24 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lincoln
Statement by The Chicago Bar Association along with the Black Women Lawyers’ Association on the Increasing Use of the United States Supreme Court’s Emergency Docket.
The Chicago Bar Association (CBA) along with the Black Women Lawyers’ Association (BWLA) of Greater Chicago, Inc., issues this statement
Argue Hard, Respect Always: A Lawyer’s Professional Obligation to Civil Discourse
Our profession is driven by ideas. It is also driven by truth. Lawyers are often called upon to come up
A Copycat League: Enhancing Equity Through Chicago’s Local Election Law
Authored by: Tyler Clark Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s 112th mayor on New Year’s day. Stacked
Illinois Bivens Act
The United States Supreme Court recently handed a victory to the State of Illinois in its feud with the Trump
Navigating the Rise of AI in ADR: Opportunities, Risks and Ethical Considerations for Attorneys
Authored by: Hon. Mary Colleen Roberts (Ret.) Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. Virtually every conversation these days involves AI and
Reflections on the Sonya Massey Trial
As many in the Illinois legal community know, the police officer who shot and killed Sonya Massey was convicted of
Local Scale Liberty and The Granger Laws: Subjugating Monopoly Power to Movement Power
Authored by: Tyler Clark Stronger Together Worker protections and labor rights victories during the mid to late 19th century antedate
Basics of Illinois Privacy Laws
Have you ever wondered who has access to biometric data in your smartphone, such as the “Face-ID” identification that companies
Disclosure List and Do-Not-Call Lists
Changes are expected when a new administration comes into office, whether it is along party lines or policy pursuits. New
To Undermine The ‘Law & Economics’ Movement, Start With Tort Law
Authored by: Tyler Clark The Downstream Economy Economic inequality is skyrocketing, the productivity pay gap is soaring, and the U.S.
Volunteers Needed for Chicago Bar Association’s 43rd Annual Moot Court Competition
It’s the time of year again for the Young Lawyers Section to host its Moot Court Competition, in which 30
What is the Cook County’s “Chancery” Division?
Authored by: John Gilmore The Circuit Court of Cook County includes multiple divisions and sections, including the Chancery Division. Most
Disney Enterprises Inc. et al v. Midjourney Inc.: To Limit AI, or To Infinity and Beyond?
Authored by: Allison Guenther Imagine your favorite Disney princess or Marvel superhero. Your brain may visualize Snow White, Cinderella, Iron
Finding the Balance between Bar Prep and Outside Influences
Authored by: Christine “Chris” Drew If you ask anyone that has gone through the mental gymnastics that is bar prep
Appellate Perspectives: Advice From Top Advocates (and one law student) on Oral Argument
Authored by: Shmuel Wyckoff Lawyer: “As we know, in Illinois, we require three particles. . . That’s the State Police
The Potential Annexation of Greenland: Ridiculous Farce or Strategic Genius?
By: Michael Vecchione The notion of annexing Greenland was, for a time, seen as a joke even before the election
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda- Reflections of a Recent Law School Graduate
Authored by: Christine “Chris” Drew By the time this is published, I will have walked across the stage, bent down
The Chicago Bar Association and Wings, Inc. to Host Domestic Violence Summit Featuring Keynote Speaker Denise Brown, Activist and Sister of Nicole Brown Simpson
Other speakers include, Illinois Senator Cristina Castro, former Chicago Bear Rashied Davis, Chief Judge Timothy Evans, Illinois Attorney General Kwame
CBA Releases Judicial Evaluation Findings for November 5th General Election
CBA “Judge Smart Pocket Guide” Available for Voters in English, Spanish and Polish The Chicago Bar Association released evaluation results
Tips for Being an Evening Law Student
Authored by: Chris Drew As another school year is set to begin, I think back to the first few weeks
The New Practice: A Study of Government and Attorney Collaboration at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission during the Covid-19 Pandemic
An examination of how the IWCC improved its processes and technologies to better serve its constituents during the pandemic.
Tips for Deposing Reluctant Witnesses, Whether They are New or Experienced
This article was originally published in the May/June 2023 edition of the CBA Record. Click here to read the entire
Subjective vs. Objective Beliefs: Clarity on the Scienter Requirement of the False Claims Act
Post Authored By: Elaina Stevens Earlier in June, the U.S. Supreme Court reached its decision regarding the scienter requirement in
How to Be a Better Associate: Minimizing Stress (on Yourself and Others)
This article was originally published in the March/April 2023 edition of the CBA Record. Click here to read the entire
Why the Art of Billing is Crucial
This article was originally published in the March/April 2023 edition of the CBA Record. Click here to read the entire article
Criminal Enterprises and the Expansive Reach of Wildlife Trafficking
Post Authored By: Teresa Dettloff A common misconception about wildlife trafficking is that it involves exotic species hundreds of thousands of
Tackling Bar Exam Studying
Post Authored By: Elaina Stevens As someone who took the exam just a few months ago, it made sense to
AI’s Impact on Law Firms: Revolutionary Advancement or Pandora’s Box of Legal Challenges?
Post Authored By: Natalie Elizaroff Gone are the days of endless paperwork and tedious legal tasks. Thanks to artificial intelligence
One Year Post-Dobbs: A Brief Review
Post Authored By: Hannah Werner On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States released a landmark decision
Ruby & MyCase Are Teaming Up To Help Attorneys Increase Their Billable Hours
Post Authored By: CBA Member Benefit Provider Ruby For lawyers, literally every minute counts. Given that attorneys in the US
The Rise of Deepfakes: Navigating Legal Challenges in Synthetic Media
Post Authored By: Natalie Elizaroff You may think you can trust your eyes and ears, but with the rise of
Taylor Swift is “Fearless” in her Mission to Own Her Music
Post Authored By: Hannah Werner When most people think of Grammy award-winning artist Taylor Swift, a few things may come
Continuing Conundrum between Copyright and AI: Copyright Office Provides Guidance
Post Authored By: Natalie Elizaroff In the world of technology and innovation, the intersection of copyright, intellectual property (IP), and
Ethics of Putting Funds into Trust to Join Medicaid
Post Authored By: Hannah Werner In 1965, the United States established Medicaid to provide medical care for those that met
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford Named As The Next Supreme Court Liaison
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford has been
Picking The Courses Right For You In Law School
Post Authored By: Hannah Werner Arguably the most important skill a young attorney will garner in law school is the
Law of the Sea Treaty: Context, Role, and Limitations in the South China Sea
Post Authored By: Ted S. Kontopoulos Historically, various legal grounds justified powerful nations asserting sovereignty claims over strategically located maritime
Rewriting International Law: Why Crimes Against Humanity Should Not Be Left Behind
The United Nations recently set forth a resolution to draft a treaty addressing crimes against humanity. The International Law Commission,
Passing the Bar: A Last Minute Guide for the UBE
As the end of February looms, many law students across the country are in a state of frenzy. They are
Steps for Success During an Internship
So you’ve landed your dream internship – now what? Your top priority should be doing everything in your power to
The North Atlantic Right Whale: A Tale of Environmental Litigation
Post Authored By: Teresa Dettloff The North Atlantic Right Whale is an endangered species, with only about 400 whales remaining
The Legal Minefield of Artwork Generated by Artificial Intelligence
Post Authored By: Natalie Elizaroff Another viral trend is sweeping social media – and this one has become a real
Julia Roundtree Livingston Joins Commission on Professionalism as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism just announced that it has hired Julia Roundtree Livingston as its new Diversity,
Students for Fair Admissions v. UNC & Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard
Post Authored by Hannah Werner At the end of October, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding affirmative action for
Women Rising Up: USPTO Launches Program Designed to Empower Women
Post Authored by Natalie Elizaroff In the November 17, 2022 Bar Admission Ceremony, the Supreme Court of Illinois welcomed nearly
Guide to Legal Outsourcing: What Solo Lawyers and Small Firms Should Know
Authored by Matt Lurie and provided by Ruby, a Chicago Bar Association Member Benefit Provider It’s no secret that lawyers
How To Determine If Law School Is Right For You
Post Authored By: Hannah Werner When I was considering going to law school, I kept hearing from attorneys not to
The Fine Line between Fan Art, Fan Fiction, and Finding Yourself Sued
Post Authored By: Natalie Elizaroff What do Fifty Shades of Grey, After, and City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1) all
An Inventor Must Be A Natural Person Under The Patent Act
Post Authored By: Peter Danos The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“CAFC”) recently issued a decision focusing on
Seize the (Pro Bono) Opportunity: 4 Reasons Why Younger Lawyers Should Serve as Appointed Litigation Counsel
This article was originally published in the September/October 2022 edition of the CBA Record. Click here to read the entire article
The Importance of Joining Student Organizations in Law School
Free time in law school is incredibly rare, so the decision to join student or professional organizations can be difficult.
How to Gain Litigation Experience as a Law Student
Contributed by Grace Heidorn Almost every law student wants to experience what occurs inside a courtroom, regardless of whether the
A Winding Web: The Importance and Nuances of Licensing Agreements
A Winding Web: The Importance and Nuances of Licensing Agreements Post Authored by Natalie Elizaroff Anyone working within the intellectual
“Out-Gunned, Out-Manned, Out-Numbered, Out-Planned”: IRS Seeks to Make an All-Out Stand
This article was originally published in the July/August 2022 edition of the CBA Record. Click here to read the entire article
Recovery For Psychosomatic Injuries
Post Authored By: Katherine Withers & Whitney Barr Due to the subjective nature of pain, two plaintiffs injured in identical
U.S. v. Bertelsmann SE & CO. KGaA: The Publishing Trial of The Century
Post Authored By: Natalie Elizaroff In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury said, “You don’t have to burn books to destroy a
How To Land A Summer Associate Position & Maintain It For The Fall
Post Authored By: Hannah Werner Between deciding what kind of law you want to pursue, what firm lifestyle best suits
Los Mejores Intereses del Niño: Illinois Family Law & Federal Immigration Policy
Post Authored By: Antonio Del Fiacco & Jason A. Pica II As any family law attorney in Illinois will tell
Voyager To Chart The Course In Crypto Bankruptcy
Post Authored By: Jake Leahy Early last month, Voyager Digital Assets, Inc. charted its own course. That is, the cryptocurrency
Shark Law: Why Our Apex Predators Deserve Legal Protection
Authored by: Teresa Detloff On July 9, 2022, a controversial shark fishing tournament was held in Florida despite outcry from
Google’s Class Action Settlement
Article by: Kasim Carbide, Esq. The technological revolution increased companies’ potential exposure to consumer and class action by prompting data
I see you, I hear you, I believe you: The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence Experienced by Male Survivors in the LGBTQ+ Community
Post Authored By: Teresa Simmons & Jason A. Pica II “I believe you.” “You didn’t deserve for that to happen
U.S. Judicial Conference to Consider Amendments to Federal Rule of Evidence 702
Post Authored By: Whitney Barr The long-anticipated amendments to Federal Rule of Evidence 702 have been unanimously approved by the
Beware of Bank Secrecy Laws: Lessons from Credit Suisse
Post Authored By: Ryan Mill On February 20, 2022, Credit Suisse – a global investment bank and financial services firm
The Quickly Evolving Landscape of Buy Now Pay Later Laws
Post Authored By: Kasim Carbide, Esq. The Buy Now Pay Later (“BNPL”) model has not only caught the attention of
The Future of the Unified Tax Credit and Potential Strategies
Article Authored By: Brian M. Bentrup On January 1, 2018, the Tax Cuts and Job Act (“TCJA”) became effective. Prior
Landing a Job in 2022: 3 Tips for Law Students
Authored by: Ted Kontopoulos and Alex Kontopoulos This article was originally published in the May/June 2022 edition of the CBA
Myth vs. Reality: How You Can Serve as a JEC Investigator and Help Influence the Judiciary
Authored by: Ted Kontopoulos This article was originally published in the May/June 2022 edition of the CBA Record. Click here
Toolkit for New Lawyers
Article Authored By: Whitney Barr Passing the bar and becoming a lawyer is a great accomplishment. Your first year as
CBA Mediations, At Your Service
Authored by: Tracy Brammeier This article as originally published in the May/June 2022 edition of the CBA Record. Click here
Judge’s Advice to Lawyers in 2022
Authored by: Judge Jasmine V. Hernandez This article was originally published in the May/June 2022 edition of the CBA Record.
Tips for Deposing a Reluctant Witness
Post Authored By: Whitney Barr The primary goal of taking a deposition is to obtain information. You want to find
In What Jurisdiction is Probate of a Decedent’s Estate Proper?
Post Authored By: Brian M. Bentrup In what jurisdiction should a decedent’s estate be probated? The answer to that question
Helpful Upcoming Webinar for Litigators
Local e-discovery software company NextPoint is hosting an upcoming webinar (free, no CLE) that will be useful for litigators seeking
Will There Ever Be a Student Loan Bailout?
Post Authored By: Jeff Gold It’s been more than a decade since the Great Recession. Remember how it brought multibillion-dollar
The Importance of Coming Together
Authored by: Tracy Brammeier This article originally appeared in the March/April 2022 publication of the CBA Record. Click here to
What Has the YLS Done For You? Perspectives on Purpose & Participation
Authored by: Ted Kontopoulos and Kaitlin King This article originally appeared in the March/April 2022 publication of the CBA Record.
Paying It Forward: The YLS Mentorship Program
Authored by: Ted Kontopoulos This article originally appeared in the March/April 2022 publication of the CBA Record. Click here to
Blind Justice? Not Blind to Race and Income in Family Court (Part I)
Article Authored By: Jason Pica Stated broadly, the family court system is a “pay-to-play” civil court system where litigants have
From the Bench: Judge Charles P. Kocoras
Authored by: Kenneth Matuszewski This article originally appeared in the March/April 2022 publication of the CBA Record. Click here to
Using the UCCJEA to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence
Article Authored By: Jason Pica Survivors of domestic violence may flee the State of Illinois with the child to protect
Responding to Subpoenas Seeking Electronically Stored Information: 7 Basic Tips for Young Lawyers
Authored by: Jake Berger This article originally appeared in the March/April 2022 publication of the CBA Record. Click here to
Navigating the Speedy Trial Process
Authored by: Jarrad Woodson This article originally appeared in the March/April 2022 publication of the CBA Record. Click here to
Out of the Jungle and into the Bank: The Domestic Impacts of Global Wildlife Trafficking
Article Authored By: Teresa Dettloff Defining Wildlife Trafficking While there is no universally accepted definition of wildlife trafficking, the United
Steps to Take When a Loved One Passes Away
Article Authored By: Brian M. Bentrup The loss of a loved one is a difficult experience and one which can
Young Lawyers Section to Host “Most Fit Lawyer” Competition to Benefit Lawyers in the Classroom
Back after popular demand, the Chicago Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section is hosting its Most Fit Lawyer competition at the
Seventh Circuit Approaches to Allowing a Substitute Expert: Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 16(b) and 37(c)
Article Authored By: Whitney Barr A variety of circumstances can arise that would preclude an expert witness from testifying at
Girl Scout Project Law Track 2022 Seeks Volunteers
The Alliance for Women is seeking volunteers for its annual Project Law Track program in coordination with the Girls Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
Pro-Tips to Improve Your Legal Writing Skills
Article Authored By: Teresa Dettloff In my early years of practicing law, I’ve received many a draft back covered in
TECHSHOW 2021: Bringing Lawyers & Technology Together
ABA TECHSHOW has over 33 years of experience bringing lawyers and technology together. Legal work today is dependent on technology
Meet the 2026 CBA Women’s Award Recipients: Justine Young Gottshall and Eunice Buhler
The Founder’s Award, given to women who have demonstrated a sustained, active commitment to the advancement of women throughout their careers, will be awarded to Justine Gottshall, Co-Managing Partner at Info Law Group. The Alta May Hulett Award, named for the first woman lawyer in Illinois and awarded to a woman who meets the Founder’s Award criteria but has been qualified to practice law for fifteen years or less, will be awarded to Eunice Buheler, General Counsel, G2.com.
One Bar: Welcome to the 2026-2027 Chicago Bar Association Bar Year!
It was a wonderful gathering of our members at the Union League of Chicago on June 25 for The Chicago
CBA Welcomes Querious to Member Benefit Program
Chicago Bar Association (CBA) members now receive an additional 10% discount on Querious annual subscriptions, the Legal Conversational Intelligence™ platform built specifically for attorneys.
Querious makes purpose-built legal AI more accessible to attorneys and firms across the Chicago legal community.
The 2025-2026 CBAY Awards – Officers, Board of Managers and Staff
The CBAY Awards were created during the 2024–2025 bar year by Past President John Sciaccotta to personally recognize and say
The Chicago Bar Association 2025-2026 Annual Report
The 2025-2026 Bar year was a wonderful year of events, initiatives, and accomplishments. We thank our members for their continued