The Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) has published SmartEvidence: Commercial Litigation 2012, a “quick guide” for Illinois litigators to use when faced with unexpected evidentiary issues. The guide was written by Novack and Macey attorneys Mitchell L. Marinello, Timothy J. Miller and Rebekah H. Parker. Alison Talbert Schwartz, formerly Of Counsel with the firm, also contributed to the booklet.

The guide contains chapters on the opening statement, relevancy, relevancy exceptions, document issues, hearsay, witnesses and testimony, opinion testimony and expert witnesses, judicial notice and closing argument. It also provides a list of major objections and the grounds for sustaining or overruling each objection.

The booklet is “not intended to be a comprehensive treatise on the law of evidence,” according to the authors. ”Instead it is a quick guide, a starting point for further research, and something that can be thrown in a briefcase on the way to court.”

Mr. Marinello has more than 25 years’ experience in commercial litigation and has written numerous articles for a variety of publications. His practice is concentrated in commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Miller also has more than 25 years’ experience in business and commercial litigation and has written articles for a variety of publicati0ns.  He focuses his practice on the representation of lawyers and law firms. Ms. Parker concentrates her practice in commercial litigation. 

Mr. Marinello, Mr. Miller and Ms. Parker can be reached at (312) 419-6900 or by email at mmarinello@novackmacey.com, tmiller@novackmacey.com and rparker@novackmacey.com.