Clifford’s Notes

Clifford’s Notes, Chicago Lawyer January 6, 2014 By Robert A. Clifford A new law takes effect Jan. 1 in Illinois – all cellphone use for drivers must be hands-free. Some communities in the state already banned the dangerous practice of hand-held cellphone use by drivers, but many had not. And Illinois state troopers often use spotters who alert other troopers of distracted drivers on the expressways. Illinois becomes the 12th state to outlaw hand-held cellphone…

In places like Chicago where ice and snow are a danger for almost a third of the year, their proper disposal is necessary for public safety. In a recent case, improper disposal caused a tragedy and the public entities were granted immunity because the court held that the snow and ice were naturally occurring. Read on for Robert Clifford’s expert opinion on why those responsible must be held accountable.

Was it contributory  negligence or did the defendant do all that could be done to make the premises safe? Read on for Robert Clifford’s outlook on the importance of consistency, and a comprehensive pursuit of justice when summary judgment may preclude the discovery of certain facts.

The legal profession is an ever-changing world oftentimes in the midst of an adversarial atmosphere. Sometimes, a step back to pause and reflect on the reasons lawyers chose their “noble profession” can be just what is required to renew passion and remember goals. Read on for Robert Clifford’s insights into both the profession and some key rules that are handy to remember.

Some dangers may be open and obvious, but courts have struggled with the concept of when it may amount to negligence when someone is hurt or killed. Recent court cases have considered the expansion of the scope of an open and obvious danger. Read on to hear Robert Clifford’s cautionary words against this trend here.

Clifford’s Notes, Chicago Lawyer November 6, 2013 By Robert A. Clifford The issue of producing quality law students for graduation is a continuing problem. It was addressed in depth by the Illinois State Bar Association and, most recently, by the American Bar Association, the entity that accredits law schools. At the ABA annual meeting in San Francisco in August, the ABA Task Force on the Future of Legal Education reported its recommendations to the board…

Clifford’s Notes, Chicago Lawyer October 3, 2013 By Robert A. Clifford A man called my office over the summer with a potential case. He is a professional who lives on the Near North Side of Chicago and rides his bike downtown to and from work nearly every day. He considers himself a highly experienced bicyclist, having ridden thousands of miles in his life — including across the country. One day after work as he is…

Clifford’s Notes, Chicago Lawyer September 11, 2013 By Robert A. Clifford Sylvia Lee Moore was exiting a Chicago Park District facility after her senior water aerobics class on Jan. 23, 2006. Three days earlier, 2 inches of snow fell and the district workers plowed the parking lot several times, including shoveling the sidewalks by pushing the snow to the curb. As Moore headed to her car in the lot, she found it was blocked by…

Clifford’s Notes, Chicago Lawyer August 1, 2013 By Robert A. Clifford The lights were out for a four-block area down 95th Street in Oak Lawn due to a malfunction that Commonwealth Edison repaired, but because of a lack of communication or just plain laziness, the street lights were not back on for five days. On the fourth night, a woman crossed 95th Street at Kenton Avenue, an intersection where there’s a bus stop. It’s dark…