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Editor: Assistant Dean John M. McNamara, room 1212, ext. 393, 6mcnamar@jmls.edu.All information to be published in Up & Coming must be placed in the UPCOMING directory on the H drive of The John Marshall Law School's computer network by each Tuesday at 12 p.m. |
April 13 - 19, 1998 |
Fall Semester Start Date ChangesClasses for the Fall 1998 semester will begin on Thursday, August 20. This is a change from the previously scheduled date of August 24.
ContentsSchedule of EventsFall Semester Start Date ChangesJohn Marshall Professor Michael L. Closen Honored for Distinguished ServiceStudent Bar AssociationStudent ActivitiesNew Moot Court BoardFair Housing Center/ClinicCenter for Tax Law and Employee BenefitsCorkery Appears on CLTVJournal of Computer and Information LawSBA Candidate StatementsSchedule of Events
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John Marshall Professor Michael L. Closen Honored for Distinguished ServiceProfessor Michael Closen of The John Marshall Law School has been honored by "Illinois Politics" magazine for his distinguished service for legal and social reforms. "For years, you have devoted your time to educating your students and the public about a number of complex legal and social issues," Karen A. Nagel, editor-in-chief of "Illinois Politics," told the audience about Closen at the awards ceremony April 3 where he received a five-year award. "You have reached out to help people who have endured unfairness and injustice, recognizing that discrimination against one segment is harmful to all." Closen, of Lockport, has been arguing for the rights of persons infected with HIV-AIDS for more than a decade. In 1985, at the height of the AIDS panic, Closen agreed to represent pro bono a father who was being denied visitation with his two daughters because he would not submit to an AIDS test. The man had adopted a homosexual lifestyle, and his former wife assumed that because of his lifestyle he was infected with the disease. Closen argued that the man was being forced to submit to a test without a hearing or the presentation of evidence, and that the test would be an invasive medical procedure as well as a violation of his privacy. The test, Closen told the court, was irrelevant to his client's parental visitation rights because AIDS was not transmitted by casual contact. In 1986, a Cook County Circuit Court judge vacated the original order against the father and required that evidence be presented if it were to be reinstated. This case helped establish that homosexuality alone is an insufficient basis to order HIV testing. In 1987-88, Closen handled an almost identical pro bono case that focused on child custody. By 1989, Closen had co-authored, along with Professor Mark Wojcik and others, the only law school casebook on AIDS law, and had added a course on AIDS to The John Marshall Law School curriculum. He began lecturing nationally and internationally on AIDS-related legal decisions. He has been invited to make presentations in Germany, France, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands and Canada. In 1994, Closen co-counseled a pro bono case along with John Marshall alumnus Greg Bonnelli in the Illinois Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Illinois criminal statute on HIV exposure. Later this spring, Closen will argue another HIV-related case before the Illinois Supreme Court. Closen and John Marshall Alumnus Donald Weiland sued the Northwestern University Dental School on behalf of dental patients who were treated without their knowledge by an HIV-infected dental student. Closen's writing has been prolific about the legal ramifications of HIV-AIDS on its victims, from law review articles to books. As an outgrowth of his work on HIV-AIDS cases, Closen examined a host of court decisions and helped co-author the book "AIDS Law in a Nutshell," which was recently revised for a second edition. "Many have looked at the book as a primer on the legal aspects of the AIDS epidemic," the professor explains. "Your actions present the legal profession at its best, combining a standard of knowledge and expertise with compassion and respect," "Illinois Politics" editor Nagel told Closen. "It is the people like you who take the time to prioritize involvement and activism that become the true leaders of a community, generating the changes needed to improve the quality of life for all of its citizens."
Student ActivitiesSpring FlingThe Spring Fling will be here on Monday, April 13. Please join the JMLS Vocal Ensemble for a great performance and a tasty luncheon. Favorite Professor awards will be distributed so come by and see if your favorite professor wins. All are welcome. Affirmative Action SymposiumOn Thursday, April 16, GALLA/BLSA/HLSA will be sponsoring a symposium on affirmative action. Please stop by this informative session to hear about the current legislation and its after effects. The meeting will be in room 1200 at 4:00 p.m. Volunteer for Habitat for HumanityVolunteer for a great cause with the Lambda Alpha Association for
Habitat for
Express YourselfThis is your opportunity to express yourself to the top of the line. The JMLS Board of Visitors will be in the student lounge on 2E on Monday, April 20 at 11:30 a.m. If you haven't heard, The Board of Visitors is a group made up of distinguished practitioners, judges, academicians and businesspersons. They visit our school twice a year and are always interested in speaking to students. Please stop by and introduce yourself and feel free to express your thoughts and concerns regarding the law school.
Student Bar AssociationABA/Fair Housing Legal ClinicHeather A. Brady JA99, has been chosen to receive the SBA Fair Housing Scholarship for the summer 1998 term. The SBA is pleased to present $3,000 toward Ms. Brady's scholarship to work in the Fair Housing Legal Clinic. This scholarship was raised from the proceeds of the SBA Student/Annual Faculty Auction. Celebrate SpringOn Monday, April 13 take a break and have some fun. The annual Spring Fling is here again so stop by 3E for a free lunch and listen to the JMLS Vocal Ensemble. Student Organization merit awards will be distributed, and SBA Executive Board candidates will give brief candidacy speeches. Softball Anyone?Keep your calendars open April 18th. The SBA will be hosting a softball tournament at North Avenue Beach. There will be no registration fee. The only requirement is to sign up 15 players. Watch for flyers (both the informative and pop-up) or stop by the SBA office for more info. SBA ElectionsRemember to vote for your new student leaders on Wednesday, April 15. To learn more about the candidates, look for the candidate statements in this issue. Meet the New SBA BoardOn Thursday, April 19 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. the new SBA Executive Board will be at Manhattan's (on Van Buren and Dearborn). Stop by and meet your new student leaders. Drink specials will be available.
Center for Tax Law and Employee BenefitsOne of the Center's joint degree candidates, Barry Kozak, published a lead article in the Spring 1998 edition of the Journal of Taxation of Investments. The article, "Expanded IRA Planning Opportunities After The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997," deals with a very timely employee benefits topic.
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April 13