PC1 11-29-21,ph01 — Actor Jussie Smollett and family members arrive Monday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse for jury selection at his trial in Chicago. Smollett is accused of lying to police when he reported he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago nearly three years ago. He is charged with felony disorderly conduct, a class 4 felony. – AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

At Jussie Smollett trial, Osundairo brothers at center stage

Two brothers stand at the center of the case that prosecutors will lay before jurors during the trial of Jussie Smollett this week.

By Don Babwin

Pritzker signs new Illinois congressional map into law

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Illinois’ new congressional district map into law Tuesday, formalizing political boundaries drawn to help Democrats in next year’s midterm elections, when Republicans are well positioned to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

By Sara Burnett

Kyle Rittenhouse cleared of all charges in Kenosha shootings

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges Friday after pleading self-defense in the deadly Kenosha shootings that became a flashpoint in the debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice in the U.S.

By Michael Tarm, Scott Bauer and Amy Forliti

How I Did It

Attorney David Pritchard now explores big themes as author

Most in the Chicago law scene know the name David J. Pritchard — but perhaps not as a meditative author. Now retired from law, Pritchard has written a book about consciousness, drawing on experiences including decades of medical casework.

By Grace Barbic

Confidentiality in Settlement Negotiations: Three tips from an experienced mediator

Can you be sure that what is said in settlement negotiations cannot be used against your client? Here are three tips for attorneys preparing for negotiations.

—Presented by JAMS

Widow may have negligence case in husband’s prison suicide

A woman whose husband committed suicide in prison after he was arrested on federal charges may have a negligence case over his death, a federal judge held.

By Grace Barbic

Illinois Supreme court to hear Hobby Lobby transgender bathroom appeal

The Illinois Supreme Court agreed to hear five civil cases in its latest Petition for Leave to Appeal dispositions, including one in which a transgender woman was denied access to the women’s bathroom at her workplace, an East Aurora Hobby Lobby store.

By Grace Barbic

Complaint by man fired on hot day remanded

An Illinois appellate panel remanded the case of a man who alleged he was fired from his job because of a physical disability.

By Emma Oxnevad

U.S. attorneys told to prioritize prosecuting violence on flights

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Merrick Garland directed U.S. attorneys across the country to swiftly prioritize prosecution of federal crimes that happen on commercial flights as federal officials face a historic number of investigations into passenger behavior.

By Michael Balsamo

CDLB People

Mayer Brown elevated Tyler R. Ferguson to partner.

Mayer Brown elevated Michael W. Weigel to partner.

Mayer Brown named Ryan H. Ferris as counsel.

In the News

Summons handed to impaired adult

On appeal from a default judgment in a mortgage foreclosure case where the plaintiff used abode service under 735 ILCS 5/2–203(a)(2) to tag the defendants, the Illinois Appellate Court faced an “interesting and important” question of first impression: “Can substitute service be effectuated under the Code of Civil Procedure when the summons is left with an adult who has a cognitive mental impairment?”

By Steven P. Garmisa

The latest epidemic in law firms: Losing your talented attorneys

It’s like nothing the legal industry has ever seen before. Lawyers are being poached at record levels while others are leaving willingly to find a new, different or better firm to work for. Additionally, some are simply starting up their own firms and making that big leap. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the value of retaining your legal talent.

By Steve Fretzin

Plaintiffs’ attorneys have plenty to be thankful for in modification of IPIs

In a continuing string of gifts to the plaintiffs’ bar (prejudgment interest, last summer’s Cook County Case Management Order, and the recent Cook County HIPAA Qualified Protective Order), the Illinois Pattern Instruction Committee has eliminated IPIs 12.04 and 12.05 and amended IPI 15.01 such that the words “sole proximate cause” are no longer in the pattern jury instructions.

By Donald P. Eckler

‘Remember This’ takes stage as antidote to historical lies

Today “the big lie” often refers to the former president’s refusal to accept the results of the last presidential election. Remember he also charged that the failure of his reality TV show to win an Emmy was only because balloting was supposedly rigged.

By Julian J. Frazin

Circuit Court of Cook County celebrates National Adoption Day

The Circuit Court of Cook County celebrated National Adoption Day at the Richard J. Daley Center on Friday. “It’s the end of uncertainty for these families and it is the beginning of a bond, a seal, that is forever, that is going to put these parents and these children together and enlarge all of their lives at the same time,” said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, right. Associate Judge Patrick T. Stanton, left, presided over a virtual adoption. Courts open the typically private proceedings to the public on the holiday to encourage others to consider adoption. Grace Barbic/Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Kevin Conway accepts award at Lawyers for the Creative Arts event

Attorney Kevin Conway of Cooney & Conway accepts the 2021 Thomas Leavens Award for outstanding service to Lawyers for the Creative Arts at the group’s benefit lunch Nov. 11. More than 300 people attended the event at the Palmer House Hilton. Attorney-actor Ruth Kaufman and Perkins Coie LLP were also honored, as were several musicians and music-industry figures from Chicago. Photo by Rena Naltsas/Courtesy of LCA

New Illinois attorneys sworn in

Illinois Supreme Court justices applaud in Springfield during Wednesday’s bar admission ceremony, held virtually for the 1,269 new attorneys in Illinois. Chief Justice Anne M. Burke, center, noted the new attorneys now “share in the grand history of the American legal system.” She quoted former Chief Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow: “Let us never, ever forget simple humanity. …Let us never forget that the law is first and foremost about human beings and their problems.” Of the new attorneys, 1,024 are in the 1st District; 127 are in the 2nd District; 41 are in the 3rd District; 48 are in the 4th District; and 29 are in the 5th District. — Screenshot via BlueRoomStream

Pro-choice and anti-abortion activists rally outside Supreme Court

Pro-choice and anti-abortion activists rally outside the Supreme Court on Monday. A majority of justices signaled Monday they would allow abortion providers to pursue a court challenge to the controversial Texas law that has virtually ended abortion in the state after six weeks of pregnancy. It was unclear how quickly the court would rule and whether it would issue an order blocking the law that has been in effect for two months. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

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Circuit Court of Cook County celebrates National Adoption Day

Kevin Conway accepts award at Lawyers for the Creative Arts event

New Illinois attorneys sworn in

Pro-choice and anti-abortion activists rally outside Supreme Court

40 Under Forty 2021

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2021

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At Jussie Smollett trial, Osundairo brothers at center stage

Pritzker signs new Illinois congressional map into law

Kyle Rittenhouse cleared of all charges in Kenosha shootings

Controversial Chicago police union president retires as cop

Boeing agrees to allow families of Ethiopia crash victims to sue in U.S.

Government: Vaccine rule should remain while cases play out