New legislation on both the federal and state level is affecting how family lawyers in the Chicago area conduct business. On Jan. 1, 2019, the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 permanently eliminated the ability of the spouse paying spousal maintenance, or alimony, to deduct the maintenance payments from gross income in their federal taxes.
It’s not clear how many lawyers are freelancing, but more than 53 million Americans earned freelance income in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While a contract relationship can be mutually beneficial for law firms and freelance attorneys, sources say both parties must remain cautious before entering into such an arrangement.
On the surface, Leopoldo Lastre doesn’t physically appear much different from other attorneys. But the former Cook County assistant state’s attorney and sole proprietor of Lastre Law Office is also a member of Tilted Quintain, through which he’s raising funds to commission a reproduction of a horse and knight in full regalia that people can handle, not just look at in a museum.
For Steven Pflaum, receiving The Chicago Bar Foundation’s Edward J. Lewis II Pro Bono Service Award in July was an undeniable honor. But it’s one he’s also admittedly a bit reluctant and embarrassed about. Pflaum talked with Chicago Lawyer about his long history of pro bono work and what younger attorneys can do to incorporate it into their activities.
Collaboration spaces. Hoteling. Universal office sizes. Those are some things you will not find in Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney’s recent renovation of its space on the 55th and 56th floors of Willis Tower.
Women in Law 2019Chicago Lawyer is proud to present the 2019 Women in Law special section.