Vested Interest - Kevin J. Conway, ITLA President 2004-2005

May 2005 Issue
Illinois legislators on both sides of the aisle in Springfield quietly agree with the testimony of Professor Hyman M.D., J.D. of the University of Illinois and the study he authored along with professors from Columbia University and the University of Texas indicating that caps on jury awards will not reduce medical malpractice premiums. The study concludes that spikes in premiums are caused by forces outside of the jury system. While payouts for medical malpractice have been flat, premiums have risen independently of the tort system. [View Full Issue]

April 2005 Issue
An excellent trial attorney and ITLA member described a recent conversation that he had following a discovery deposition of a surgeon in northern Illinois. The surgeon complained that his insurance rates have increased sharply as a result of patients and trial lawyers filing more medical malpractice cases and getting higher settlements and verdicts. The doctor, though never named in any litigation, stated that he was not fond of trial attorneys and patients because of the increases. [View Full Issue]

March 2005 Issue
Since becoming President of ITLA, I have gained a new appreciation for our members, the trial lawyers of Illinois. Many have given their time, effort and resources to protect justice for all citizens in Illinois. In addition they have provided helpful suggestions and have asked thoughtful questions regarding our purpose, our commitment to our clients and the ethical duties of attorneys. [View Full Issue]

January/February 2005 Issue
The testimony below was given by Ms. Donna Harnett to a medical malpractice task force of the 93rd General Assembly in Springfield, on January 11, 2005.
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My name is Donna D. Harnett. I currently reside in the 7th Senate District and the 14th Representative District. [View Full Issue]

December 2004 Issue
In 1906, Ed Johnson was arrested and accused of rape. He was innocent. However, he was poor, uneducated and Black. [View Full Issue]

November 2004 Issue
As we head into Thanksgiving, it is time to reflect on the positive actions of the citizens of Illinois and the positive actions taken by members of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association recently. [View Full Issue]

October 2004 Issue
Members of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association assisted by our staff in Springfield have worked extremely hard this election year. Thank you very much for all you have done on behalf of the citizens of the State of Illinois. Specifically, I thank you. [View Full Issue]

September 2004 Issue
An attorney told me recently that she was asked to sign a petition during a recent doctor’s visit. While in the doctor’s waiting room, she was asked to sign a petition directed to state legislators in order to "benefit doctors and health care." The petition sought tort reform. [View Full Issue]

July 2004 Issue
Recently, a southern Illinois municipality was considering an ordinance to remedy rising medical malpractice insurance rates. When asked to respond to the efforts of the municipality, I encouraged them to thoroughly investigate the causes of the spike in rates and to take public testimony under oath as part of their inquiry. [View Full Issue]

June 2004 Issue
Judges, juries and lawyers in Illinois are under a serious and coordinated attack. A bombardment of advertising by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the Civil Justice League and others, describing courts as "out of control", lawyers as "sharks" and lawsuits as "frivolous" is misleading and insulting. It is particularly offensive to members of the judiciary who are constrained in their abilities to respond to this blatant political offensive. [View Full Issue]

Vested Interest Past Issue Archive