In the past year, I have seen an increase in questions related to artificial intelligence. Specifically, patent and trademark lawyers have asked whether it is permissible for those lawyers engaged in practice before the USPTO to use Generative AI. While
Ethics & Professional Responsibility
‘Mentoring Circles’ Provide Supportive Space for New Attorneys and Law Students
In January, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the Illinois State Bar Association’s Women and the Law Committee, and the Chicago Bar Association’s Alliance for Women launched an informal mentoring program for law students and attorneys early in their careers.…
Learn to Use Generative AI *Ethically* in Your Practice at Future Is Now Conference
The legal profession is undergoing a seismic shift as generative artificial intelligence (generative AI) tools like ChatGPT go mainstream. From analyzing contracts to outlining trial strategies, generative AI is rapidly changing how lawyers service their clients. But what practical applications…
Study Finds State Court Caseloads Are Trending Toward Pre-Pandemic Levels, After COVID-19 Dip
State court caseloads are slowly increasing toward pre-pandemic levels, according to a recent analysis of 2022 data from the Court Statistics Project (CSP).
The study found that state courts managed 64.6 million incoming cases in 2022, two percent more than…
Commission Announces Speaker Lineup for April 18 Future Is Now: Legal Services Conference
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce the speaker lineup for its annual Future Is Now: Legal Services conference, which will be held virtually from 12 – 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18.
Conference attendees will…
ATJ Commission Requests Public Comment on Six Illinois Standardized Form Sets
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) is requesting public comment on six Illinois Supreme Court form sets.
The following draft forms are available to review on the Illinois Supreme Court website:
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New Chicago Bar Foundation, IAALS Network Aims to Help Middle-Class Find Affordable Legal Help
While most access to justice initiatives connect low-income individuals to legal help, the new Above the Line Network (ATLN) from the Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) and the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) is focused on…
Why Smart Lawyers Get Counsel for Law Firm Departures
Odds are that most lawyers will decide to change law firms at least once during their career, and for many, likely more than once. And, of course, all lawyers have at least considered the idea of leaving their firms. However,…
DOJ Promises Whistleblower Rewards Pilot Program and Adds AI Risk to Its Evaluation of Corporation Compliance Programs
On March 7, 2024, US Deputy Attorney General, Lisa O. Monaco announced the development of a new “DOJ-run whistleblower rewards program” during her speech at the American Bar Association’s 39th National Institute on White Collar Crime.[1] The announcement signals…
You Can Fold, Spindle, or Mutliate Your Old Stuff All You Want
My latest column, “The Story of Stuff,” is out in the latest Wisconsin Lawyer magazine. It’s a little less snarky than usual, but I still got to reference George Carlin, mainframe punch cards, and the entropy-in-action that is…