When the appellate clock starts ticking: Electronic dockets, stamps and a harsh result
12/22/25
A recent decision from the Illinois Appellate Court, First District reinforces the simple but unforgiving truth for litigants seeking to appeal: when a judgment order appears on the electronic docket, the clock starts, and a missing …
Absolute litigation privilege continues its expansion in Illinois
12/17/25
By: Patrick Eckler
In the recent decision, of Lewis v. Kalbhen, 2025 IL App (1st) 242110, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, reaffirmed and meaningfully expanded the scope of the absolute litigation privilege, providing important protection for parties, counsel …
Are you actually covered? A cyber insurance warning for real estate attorneys
12/1/25
By: William R. Covino and Nancy M. Reimer
For real estate practitioners, this might be the most important client alert you read this year. Imagine this scenario: you are a real estate closing attorney who has received the funds necessary …
Gidor v. Magnus: Pennsylvania Supreme Court clarifies statute of repose for home inspections
11/14/25
In Gidor v. Magnus, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court addressed whether 68 Pa. C.S. § 7512 (“Section 7512”) of the Pennsylvania Home Inspection Law constitutes a statute of repose or a statute of limitations. The Court …
11/4/25
By: Marissa A. Dunn and A. Ali Sabzevari
On September 10, 2025, the Court of Appeals of Georgia decided the case of Kinnaird v. Morningview Homeowners Association, Inc. In this case, Kinnaird (homeowner) applied to the Association’s Architectural Review Committee to …
New Massachusetts home inspection law: What real estate professionals need to know
10/27/25
By: Jessica Gray Kelly and Paul Miller
On October 15, 2025, a major change in Massachusetts residential real estate transactions relative to home inspections took effect. Under the new legislation, titled An Act Relative to the Affordable Homes Act, sellers …
Limited scope of engagement bars claim against attorney
10/22/25
By: Nancy Reimer and Julia Ruch
A Massachusetts Superior Court judge recently granted a defense motion for judgment on the pleadings in Orbian v. Burns & Levinson. The decision reminds us of the importance of lawyers understanding and adhering …
PCAOB faces constitutional showdown after Jarkesy
10/1/25
By: William R. Covino and Nancy M. Reimer
When the Supreme Court decided Sec. & Exch. Comm’n v. Jarkesy, 603 U.S. 109 (2024) last summer—holding that the SEC could not impose civil penalties without giving respondents the option of …
9/16/25
By: Grant A. Biggs
In the face of looming bankruptcy, FirstEnergy Solutions, an Ohio electric utility company, was saved in 2019 by House Bill 6, which flipped the script on renewable energies and subsidized the energy company to the tune …
8/14/25
The recent unpublished 11th Circuit Court decision in Simmons v. AICPA, GSCPA, Georgia State Board of Accountancy, and Green, Mosier & Kemp, LLC offers critical insights for accounting professionals navigating the regulatory landscape. The case involved …
Sharp change in Illinois tax law creates significant liabilities for non-Illinois companies
8/7/25
By: Nancy M. Reimer and Matthew R. Stersic
Accountants in Illinois or with clients with dealings in Illinois should take note of a sea change in Illinois tax law. Under Illinois’ newly passed H.B. 2755, Out-of-State and Out-of-Country businesses with …
Accountants beware – The importance of obtaining client consent prior to disclosing tax information
7/10/25
By: Scott Eric Anderson and James G. Bozza
Internal Revenue Code § 7216 is a criminal provision that prohibits tax return preparers from knowingly or recklessly disclosing their clients’ tax return information for a purpose other than completing an income …