Raoul-1-16-18,ph02 — Illinois Attorney General-elect Kwame Y. Raoul walks to the front of the stage at the Bank of Springfield Center Monday, following U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman. Moments later, Coleman delivered the oath to the Hyde Park Democrat, swearing him in as the state’s 42nd attorney general. – Ashley Mizuo

Raoul, first new AG in 16 years, gets started

Attorney General Kwame Y. Raoul took the oath of office to become Illinois’ 42nd attorney general following Lisa M. Madigan’s 16-year tenure.

By Adrianna Pitrelli

State ‘not broken,’ Pritzker proclaims

In his first minutes as the state’s chief executive, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said although he will face many challenges as governor — including a $7.4 billion backlog of bills — the state is “not broken.”

By Adrianna Pitrelli

Madigan, Cullerton cruise to new leadership terms

For the 18th time, lawmakers in the Illinois House of Representatives chose Rep. Michael J. Madigan to serve as House speaker — continuing his reign as the longest-serving state House speaker in American history.

By Adrianna Pitrelli

Law School Notes

Following national trend, bar pass rates dip here

Law school graduates are preparing to take the Illinois bar exam next month. Newly released scores from last July’s exam suggest there might be a few more re-takers than a year ago.

By Sarah Mansur

In Chambers

Spoken word lets judge give back to community

For as long as Cook County Associate Judge Stanley L. Hill can remember, the spoken word has played an important role in his life.

By Jordyn Reiland

$2.2M award over fraudulent contract with elderly neighbor

A Chicago neurosurgeon owes $2.2 million in damages for trying to defraud his next-door neighbor.

By David Thomas

Medical care suit against CPD still on

A man who alleges Chicago police denied his repeated requests for medical care after he was arrested in a “road rage” incident got the go-ahead to pursue a Fourth Amendment claim.

By Patricia Manson

One of Rauner’s last acts a first for state clemency

Twenty-three years after a man died in prison, he was granted executive clemency by former Gov. Bruce Rauner, making this case the first posthumous exoneration in Illinois.

By Ashley Mizuo

CDLB People

Wessels Sherman Joerg Liszka Laverty Seneczko P.C. attorney Anthony J. Caruso Jr. will present a teleseminar on how to fire high-risk employees on Jan. 31.

Wessels Sherman Joerg Liszka Laverty Seneczko P.C. attorney Nancy E. Joerg will present a teleseminar on how to fire high-risk employees on Jan. 31.

The Chicago Bar Association’s 2019 Continuing Legal Education Conference will be held in Israel. Under the leadership of CBA President Steven M. Elrod, members and conference attendees will travel to Jerusalem from April 1 to 5.

In the News

Ejected passenger's suit against Uber driver can continue

A hit-and-run driver seriously injured Jasmine Vega and Sean Kramer around 2 a.m. on the Southwest Side of Chicago as they walked across Kedzie Avenue at 43rd Street — shortly after an allegedly truculent Uber driver ejected them from his vehicle at 44th Street and Homan Avenue, around a mile from their destination in the 4100 block of South Albany Avenue.

By Steven P. Garmisa

Music Modernization Act looks to bring harmony to copyright disputes

In the midst of political stagnation in most respects, we find progress in the Music Modernization Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law on Oct. 11. The law represents an essential step in modifying an antiquated Copyright Act, which has failed to keep up with the constantly changing music industry.

By Jeffrey Becker

Lawsuits over signature dances latest effort at athlete identity

A new twist in the ongoing debate over athletes’ right of publicity may be on the way. Lawsuits over the alleged theft of dance moves were filed in courts last month against the makers of popular video games, including the NBA 2K video game series.

By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose

Jury selection primer presented at CBA

Bradley M. Cosgrove, partner at Clifford Law Offices, and Charles R. Haskins, associate at the firm, spoke Friday at The Chicago Bar Association on “10 Things You Need to Know Before Picking a Jury.” The lunchtime program, sponsored by the CBA Torts Litigation Committee, offered Continuing Legal Education credit. It is available for viewing via the web by visiting chicagobar.org and select Committees-Upcoming Meetings. Photo provided by Clifford Law Offices

NSBA Holiday party

The North Suburban Bar Association held its annual holiday party Dec. 6 at Maggiano’s Little Italy at Westfield Old Orchard Mall in Skokie. Pictured (left to right) are David P. Pasulka, principal at David P. Pasulka & Associates P.C. and past NSBA president; current NSBA President John F. Stimson, a Skokie sole practitioner; Richard L. Pullano, partner at Pullano Law Offices and past NSBA president; and Cook County Associate Judge Patrick J. Heneghan, NSBA’s president-elect.

‘Letters to Santa’

Clark Hill PLC participated in Dear Santa Letters, an initiative of The Chicago Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section in coordination with Direct Effect Charities. The program collects wish-list letters from disadvantaged Chicago students, then special gifts are bought, wrapped and delivered to those students’ schools. Pictured with 100 donated presents are (left to right) Clark Hill receptionist Marykay Polito, member Ray J. Koenig III, legal assistant Tammy Braun and associate Chris Hopkins. Photo provided by Clark Hill PLC

ITLA med-mal seminar

Clifford Law Offices partner Bradley M. Cosgrove presents on demonstrative exhibits during a medical-malpractice seminar on Dec. 10 hosted by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association at the JW Marriott Chicago. In addition to Cosgrove’s discussion, the event included presentations from nine other plaintiff’s lawyers and a Cook County judge on topics related to med-mal practice.

Law School Notes

In Chambers

Court Opinions

Case Summaries

Trial Notebook

Mediation Circus

In the Limelight

Sports Marketing Playbook

Opening Statement

Non-Billable Hours

The Laws of Fitness

Social Scene

Jury selection primer presented at CBA

NSBA Holiday party

‘Letters to Santa’

ITLA med-mal seminar

Forty Under 40

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2018

Women in Law

Meet the Class of 2018

Law Day 2018

Celebrating the rule of law

Associate

LITIGATION ATTORNEY

Attorney

Attorney

Raoul, first new AG in 16 years, gets started

State ‘not broken,’ Pritzker proclaims

Madigan, Cullerton cruise to new leadership terms

Illinois Commerce Commission releases report on electric cars

Lumb takes managing role at Corboy & Demetrio

After winning race, Rep. Lou Lang quits