For more information, please contact:
Gwen Osborne, director of public affairs, (312) 906-5251
ADVISORY TO PRODUCERS, COLUMNISTS, AND ASSIGNMENT, LEGAL, BUSINESS, POLITICAL, TECHNOLOGY, RELIGION, INTERNATIONAL, PLANNING, CITY DESK, FEATURES AND DAYBOOK EDITORS
CHICAGO–December 1, 2008–Chicago-Kent College of Law and Stuart School of Business have experts available to discuss current issues. To reach experts on IIT’s Downtown Campus, please call Gwen Osborne, director of public affairs, at (312) 906-5251. Press releases and earlier advisories are available on our Web site: www.kentlaw.edu/news/advisory.
Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) has asked President Bush to commute former governor George Ryan’s prison sentence to time served. Ryan currently is serving a six-and-a-half-year sentence for conspiracy, lying to the FBI, mail fraud, racketeering and tax fraud. Chicago-Kent Dean Harold J. Krent is a constitutional scholar and the author of Presidential Powers (New York University Press 2005). Dean Krent is available for interviews about presidential pardons.
’Tis the season to point and click. Online retailers traditionally looked forward to the hordes of shoppers who spend billions of dollars on year-end holiday gifts. Due to the sluggish economy, online spending for the first three weeks of November 2008 decreased 4 percent from the same period last year, according to comScore Inc., a company that tracks consumer behavior on the Internet. Cyber retailers are paying close attention to the period between "Black Monday" (December 1) and "Green Monday" on December 15, the date when free shipping ends at most online stores. Experts from Chicago-Kent and the Stuart School are available to discuss a wide range of e-commerce issues, including Internet privacy, identity theft, site authentication and laws to protect online consumers.
Looking for green gifts this year? "A gift package of ‘fair trade’ coffee or other ‘fair trade’ edibles allows us to share both the product and the ideals behind its very being," says Professor John Paul Kusz, associate director of Stuart School of Business’ Center for Sustainable Enterprise. "I also like to give a gift card--eliminating boxes, wrapping--and it's easy on the planet and easy to send." Professor Kusz has more gift suggestions and contact information for businesses and organizations whose products strive to achieve "sustainable" goals.
Green Bay, Wis., Golden, Colo., and Salem, Wash., are among the cities facing disputes over displays of menorahs, nativity scenes and other religious symbols on government property this season. These displays have often been the subject of lawsuits while displays of holiday trees, Santas and so-called secular symbols have not. Distinguished Professor Sheldon H. Nahmod is a constitutional scholar who can discuss separation of church and state and freedom of expression issues. Professor Nahmod can also discuss City of Pleasant Grove, Utah v. Summum, a case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court that involves the scope of the government’s authority to regulate the display of permanent monuments and religious and artistic displays in public spaces.
"LouWhoVille" and several popular costumed characters from How the Grinch Stole Christmas will not be part of Louisville’s holiday lights display this year. Lawyers for the estate of Theodor Seuss Geisel, who wrote as "Dr. Seuss," issued cease-and-desist letters to city and visitors bureau officials warning that the "Who-ville" name and image, the Grinch and the Whos are copyrighted and cannot be used without permission. The celebration will now be called "Lou-ville," a play on the Kentucky city’s name. Quoting a line from the Dr. Seuss classic, Louisville mayor Jerry Abramson said, "These lawyers’ hearts are ‘two sizes too small.’" Experts from Chicago-Kent’s Program in Intellectual Property Law are available for interviews about the copyright issues involved.
Downtown Campus Events:
December 11: 2008 Chicago-Kent Alumni Awards and Recognition Luncheon. Sportscaster and alumnus Bruce Wolf ’81 will serve as master of ceremonies as Chicago-Kent College of Law honors six law school alumni for their professional service and achievement. Dina Merrell ’95, associate director of the Chicago Bar Foundation, and Mary Anne Smith ’77, vice president and general counsel of Illinois Institute of Technology, will receive Distinguished Service Awards. Bruce Kohen ’79, managing partner at Anesi Ozmon Rodin Novak & Kohen Ltd., and Michael Marick ’82, partner at Meckler Bulger Tilson Marick & Pearson LLP, will receive Professional Achievement Awards. Mark Cumba ’98, associate at Wilson Petty Kosmo & Turner LLP, and Margaret Firnstein ’99, associate at SmithAmundsen LLC, will receive Young Alumni Awards. The law firm of Franczek Radelet & Rose PC will receive the first Chicago-Kent College of Law Institutional Partner Award for its significant impact on the law school and the lives of alumni and students by furthering the growth and development of Chicago-Kent. Dozens of volunteers who have given their time to support law school endeavors during the past two years will also be recognized at the event. The event will be held at the Standard Club, 320 South Plymouth Court, in Chicago. The reception will begin at 11:30 a.m.; the luncheon will begin at noon. To register or for more information, please call (312) 906-5245 or visit www.kentlaw.edu/depts/alums/lunch/ on the Web.
–DTC–
|
