Liability Minute Blog
The Liability Minute blog is a resource provided by ISBA Mutual, offering concise and insightful updates on emerging legal issues. This platform keeps legal professionals informed about the latest developments and trends in liability law, helping them navigate complex legal landscapes with ease. Each minute-long segment distills critical information into a digestible format, ensuring that practitioners stay current and well-equipped to address evolving legal challenges.
Thin Margin of Error: Greater Risk for Smaller Law Practices
As of the latest annual report from the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), the data sends a clear message to Illinois lawyers: No amount of experience or firm size shields you from professional risk. That said, solo practitioners actually accounted for 60% of all lawyers sanctioned by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2024.
Illinois Rule 137: Frivolous Filings & Resultant Sanctions
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 137 is the provision that allows Illinois courts to sanction attorneys and parties for filings that are not grounded in fact, not warranted by law, or filed for an improper purpose. For Illinois lawyers, the rule is that every signature on a pleading, motion, or other paper constitutes a personal certification. Basically, it tells attorneys that they’ve done their homework and are not litigating recklessly. The functions and applications of Illinois Rule 137 are essential to managing risk, protecting clients, and avoiding unexpected exposure for you and your firm.