POST CATEGORY : Legal

Codilis: How ISBA Shapes Real Estate and Creditor Law in Illinois

Rental real estate

Key Takeaways

  • The Illinois State Bar Association plays a central role in shaping real estate and creditor law.
  • ISBA sections provide focused guidance on property transactions, foreclosure, and creditor matters.
  • Continuing Legal Education programs help attorneys stay current with regulatory changes.
  • Legislative monitoring and ethics guidance support compliance and professional standards.
  • ISBA resources contribute to consistency and stability in housing and credit-related legal work.
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Benjamin and Shapiro Ltd: Employer Duties and Liability Basics for Workplace Injuries

Workplace injury

Key Takeaways

  • Employers have a legal duty to maintain safe workplaces under OSHA standards.
  • Workers’ compensation provides no-fault benefits but limits employees’ ability to sue.
  • Coverage gaps exist for some workers, including contractors and part-time employees.
  • Employers may still face liability for intentional acts or third-party negligence.
  • Proactive safety programs reduce injuries and legal exposure.
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Judge Megan Goldish: What Happens When AI Meets High Volume Courtrooms

AI uses in courtrooms

Key Takeaways

  • High-volume courtrooms are experimenting with AI for scheduling, intake, and document handling.
  • AI-generated filings can introduce serious risks, including citation errors and missing legal context.
  • Judges must retain control over prioritization, overrides, and final legal judgment.
  • Confidential records and sensitive filings require strict limits on AI access and usage.
  • Courts should evaluate AI using performance metrics tied to speed, accuracy, and fairness.
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Ahmad Razaghi: How Accreditation and Licensure Support Tribal Hospitals

Patient and doctor in a tribal hospital

Key Takeaways

  • Accreditation and licensure are essential for ensuring quality, safety, and legal compliance in tribal hospitals.
  • Accreditation provides external validation that clinical and operational standards meet national benchmarks.
  • Licensure and credentialing ensure that only qualified healthcare professionals provide patient care.
  • These standards improve patient trust, reduce clinical risk, and strengthen organizational performance.
  • Accredited and licensed facilities are better positioned to access funding, reimbursement programs, and healthcare networks.
  • Strong governance and compliance systems support long-term sustainability for tribal health systems.
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Dyan Gershman: NYC Bar Statement Highlights Risks of Politicized Prosecutions

Politicized prosecutions

Key Takeaways

  • The NYC Bar issued a statement warning against politically motivated prosecutions that threaten judicial independence.
  • The warning followed the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James after prior rulings against Donald Trump.
  • The NYC Bar described the case as part of a broader pattern of weaponizing the justice system.
  • Legal institutions rely on public trust, which is weakened when prosecutions appear driven by political pressure.
  • Business and legal leaders are urged to defend the rule of law and institutional independence.
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Scott Mullady: Key Phases in the Lifecycle of a Qualified Retirement Plan

Qualified retirement plan

Key Takeaways

  • Qualified retirement plans move through defined phases from design and adoption to administration and termination.
  • Proper plan documentation and setup are essential before any contributions begin.
  • Ongoing administration requires fiduciary oversight, accurate recordkeeping, and annual compliance testing.
  • Reporting and disclosure obligations, including Form 5500, are required throughout the plan’s life.
  • Errors can be corrected through IRS programs, and plan termination requires a structured, compliant process.
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Legacy Probate International: Forensic Genealogy Support for Probate Heirship

Forensic genealogy

Key Takeaways

  • Forensic genealogy is used in probate to identify, verify, and locate legal heirs.
  • It combines historical records, legal standards, and sometimes DNA evidence.
  • This approach is especially important in intestate or complex estates.
  • Professional researchers can locate beneficiaries across countries and continents.
  • Early heir identification reduces delays, disputes, and fiduciary risk.
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Judge David Bell: Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity for Students and Professionals

Professional legal fraternity

Key Takeaways

  • Phi Alpha Delta is a professional law fraternity focused on ethical development, leadership, and service.
  • Membership includes pre-law students, law students, and legal professionals such as attorneys and judges.
  • PAD provides structured programming such as workshops, panels, mock trials, and networking events.
  • The organization emphasizes leadership development through defined officer roles and national training programs.
  • Community service is a core part of PAD’s mission and member expectations.
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Marla Eskin: Early Eviction Resolution in Delaware Justice of the Peace Court

Eviction resolution

photo credit: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels

Key Takeaways

  • Delaware eviction cases are handled through the Justice of the Peace Court using a structured diversion process.
  • Mediation is scheduled between filing and trial unless a statutory exception applies.
  • Participation deadlines ensure cases move forward even if one party does not engage.
  • Online Dispute Resolution and mediation conferences offer early settlement opportunities.
  • Diversion supports early resolution without delaying the court’s formal hearing process.
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Douglas Charney: Understanding Permanent Estate And Gift Tax Rules

Calculating tax benefits

Key Takeaways

  • The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on July 4, 2025, permanently extends key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
  • The federal estate and gift tax exemption remains high and will rise to $15 million per person starting January 1, 2026, with no sunset.
  • The generation-skipping transfer tax exemption is aligned with the estate and gift tax exemption, simplifying multigenerational planning.
  • Top marginal income tax rates and capital gains tax structures from the TCJA are now permanent.
  • The law introduces new planning considerations, including enhanced standard deductions, the repeal of the personal exemption, and the new “Trump Account.”
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