PRE-ORDER
This practice guide arms attorneys with the practical knowledge and know-how necessary to open a civil case. Providing both the broader strokes and the finer details, the handbook’s 12 chapters start with the nature of the attorney-client relationship and proceed through gathering facts, determining jurisdiction and venue, drafting pleadings, filing pretrial motions and affidavits, and negotiating a settlement to avoid trial altogether. The updated 2026 edition includes new discussion of amendments affecting the damages framework of the Biometric Information Privacy Act and changes to Illinois Supreme Court Rules furthering the electronic service of summons and complaints. The handbook also includes more than 100 editable forms for attorneys’ practical use, some of which have been updated since the previous edition.
Chapter 1 — The Attorney-Client Relationship
Leah G. Nolan and Laura L. Buecker, Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, Chicago
Chapter 2 — Development of the Case on Facts and Law
Stephen J. Phillips and Terrence M. Quinn, Phillips Law Offices, Chicago
Chapter 3 — Settlement
Joe Giamanco, Giamanco Law Partners, Ltd., Bolingbrook
Chapter 4 — Jurisdiction of the Subject Matter
Patrick W. Stufflebeam, James Kelly Law Firm, Edwardsville
Chapter 5 — Venue and Forum Non Conveniens
Panos T. Topalis, Tribler Orpett & Meyer, P.C., Chicago, and David J. Handley, Burke & Handley, P.C., Glen Ellyn
Chapter 6 — Limitations
Sean P. Murray, Murray Legal Group, Chicago
Chapter 7 — Pleadings
Adria East Mossing and Merna Abusamen, Mossing & Navarre, LLC, Chicago
Chapter 8 — Original Process and Appearance
Julie L. Pustilnik, Marc A. Taxman, and Jackson D. Wingert, Taxman, Pollock & Bekkerman, LLC, Chicago
Chapter 9 — Interpleader
Alexander B. Mahler and Brett A. Thomaston, Nicolaides Fink Thorpe Michaelides Sullivan LLP, Chicago
Chapter 10 — Third-Party Practice
Jeffrey F. Clement, BCM Law, P.C., Chicago
Chapter 11 — Motions, Affidavits, and Orders
Timothy R. Herman, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago
Chapter 12 — New Parties
Zoë M. Baker, Dahna Kazemyan, and Benjamin Blekhman, Sinars Slowikowski LLC, Chicago
