Karen Donnelly Law

05/22/2026

05/16/2026

Breaking news:

A person losing in court was unhappy about it.

Next at 10.

Before judging a lawyer by an online review, remember:

The loudest people are usually the ones who were told:

• “You can’t do that.”
• “That’s illegal.”
• “The evidence hurts your case.”
• “No judge is going to buy this.”

The internet has reviewers.
The courtroom has records.

Choose accordingly.

05/02/2026

Guess what I saw yesterday? The clothes and the music!!!!!

05/01/2026

Had a great time presenting with Ms. Skerston and Mr. Kohut at St. Michael’s School in Streator for Law Day today.

05/01/2026

Yesterday, I had the privilege to celebrate the remarkable retirement of the esteemed Judge Michael Jansz, whose courtroom was a beacon of justice and compassion. I was honored to appear before him during my early days in family law court and later as State's Attorney, witnessing firsthand his kindness, fairness, and dedication to mentoring aspiring lawyers. His legacy as a jurist and mentor continues to inspire, and I wish Judge Jansz all the best as he embarks on this new chapter of his life, filled with purpose and joy.

04/30/2026

The 2026 Law Day theme is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” The rule of law—the idea that no person is above the law—is what ensures the rights of the people to live their lives as freely as possible and to pursue their dreams. The ABA encourages all Americans to recognize Law Day on May 1, 2026, and to reflect on how the rule of law ensures all Americans have the ability to fulfill their dreams.

04/27/2026

You NEED that piece of paper!

If you think divorce is messy, try leaving a life built together without ever having been legally married.

More Americans than ever are facing that reality.

More than 20 million adults are living together without the legal bonds of marriage, up from 14 million in 2009, according to the National Center for Family & Marriage Research. Protracted court battles around the country over everything from pets to property show how laws haven’t kept up with the changing ways people are coupling up.

While state laws govern how marriages are unwound, resolutions for unmarried couples often hinge on a court’s interpretation of case law, with varying outcomes.

The law generally treats marriage as a financial partnership and the presumption is that assets will be equitably divided upon breakup. A few states including Texas and Kansas recognize common-law marriages, where u***d couples who publicly represent themselves as spouses are subject to the state’s marriage and divorce laws. But most states don’t.

Read more: 🔗 https://on.wsj.com/4vFuRVv