Published Articles

August 31, 2020: Decalogue Society’s journal publishes Adam Sheppard’s article on the tolling of the speedy trial clock during the pandemic: Tolling of the Speedy Trial Clock During the Pandemic

July 28, 2020: CBA Record Magazine Publishes Adam Sheppard’s Article on “The Pandemic’s Effect on Criminal Law.” Mr. Sheppard, a CBA Editorial Board member, writes on developments on compassionate release jurisprudence, the First Step Act, bond motions, and technology in the courts, which the pandemic has affected. See “The Pademic’s Effect on Criminal Law”

April 1, 2020: The Tablets (Decalogue Society’s Magazine) publishes Adam Sheppard’s Article on People v. Gil, the recent Appellate Decision which changed the way Bail Hearings must proceed. Sheppard Law Firm was also responsible for the victory in the Appellate Court. Adam Sheppard’s article re: Appellate Decision on Bail Hearings: The Gil Case

July, 2019: Chicago Bar Association publishes Adam Sheppard’s article on Reducing Implicit Bias in the Courtroom. Adam Sheppard was elected to the CBA’s Board of Managers and serves on the Edtitorial Board as well. Mr. Sheppard was honored to lecture at a seminar on reducing implicit bias along with a distinguished panel of judges and the leading law professor in this area: Implicit Bias Article

ADAM SHEPPARD, WHO HAS BEEN ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS FOR THE CHICAGO BAR ASSOCATION, AUTHORED THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE FOR THE CBA RECORD MAGAZINE ON THE CBA DELEGATIONS’ TRIP TO ISRAEL, INCLUDING THE ISRAELI SUPREME COURT

Israel Supreme Court Article

ADAM SHEPPARD HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN VARIOUS LEGAL PUBLICATIONS OVER 20 TIMES, MANY OF HIS ARTICLES HAVE BEEN REPUBLISHED IN THE PREEMINENT LEGAL RESEARCH DATABASE OF WESTLAW:

• “#MeToo In Criminal Court:” March, 2018: After Sheppard Law Firm obtained a dismissal of all charges on behalf of an 80 year-old man who was charged with battery based on the touching of a tatoo on a saleswomen’s neck, coupled with a comment that he would like to kiss her, Sheppard Law Firm was prompted to write the following article about the intersection of the #MeToo movement and criminal law. The article was published in the spring edition of the Decalogue Society magazine, The Tablets: #Me Too In Criminal Court

• Adam Sheppard Review’s the 94th Annual Bar Show for the Chicago Bar Association Record magazine (January, 2018): Bar Show Review

• “Creating a Path Towards Solutions,” Summit on Curbing the Violence in Chicago,” CBA Record (July/August, 2017): Sheppard Article on Gun Violence Summit

• “Mann Act” Prosecutions, CBA Record (Chicago Bar Association’s legal magazine), March, 2017: “Mann Act” Prosecutions

• “Updates Regarding Mandatory Minimum Sentencing” by Adam Sheppard (Decalogue Society magazine, 2017):Updates Re: Mandatory Minimum Sentencing

• “Prosecuting Physicians for Opioid Prescriptions,” Decalogue, 2016:Prosecuting Physicians for Opioid Prescriptions

• “Making the Case for Civility”– CBA Record 2016 (March) by Adam Sheppard (Adam is a member of the Editorial Boar of the CBA Record): Making the Case for Civility – CBA Record, 2016

• “Authenticating Social Media Evidence — Decalogue, 2016: Adam is a member of Decalogue’s editorial board and serves on its executive council. He has authored numerous article for Decalogue, including this recent article on authenticating social media evidence: Authenticating Social Media Evidence

• Adam Sheppard’s article regarding the Supreme Court decision in Riley v. California regarding warrantless searches of cell phones incident to arrest. (Published in the Decalogue Magazine, February 2015)Greater Privacy Protections for Cell Site Location Information: Supreme Court Holds Police Need Warrant to Search Cell Phones, Decalogue Tablets, 2015

• The Honorable Richard J. Elrod: In memoriam of The Honorable Richard J. Elrod, distinguished jurist for nearly 26. years and Cook County’s Sheriff for 16 years (Loving Uncle of Adam and Barry Sheppard)

• Chief Judges Castillo and Evans, CBA Record, May 2014:A CBA Record article, written by attorney Adam Sheppard, that examines the value of diversity in our state’s judiciary system.

• Petitioning the Court for a Competent Expert, ABA, Spring 2014: Written by attorney Adam Sheppard, this article addresses the importance of securing funds for an effective expert witness in criminal defense cases.

• “Hey Teachers Leave Them Kids Alone,” Searches and Seizures in the School Setting, CBA Record July 2010
  This article addresses the growing trend of searches and seizures on young people. It also discusses the notable lack of privacy rights among teenagers.

• “A Trail-Blazing Opinion” (Federal Sentencing and Apprendi), CBA Record September 2010
  A landmark Supreme Court decision made an important ruling regarding maximum sentencing for federal crimes.

• “10 Tips for Young Lawyers” (A review of Judge Holderman’s Lecture), CBA Record, 2010
  Written by attorney Adam Sheppard, this article reviews 10 tips for young lawyers as presented by Chief Judge James Holderman of the U.S. District Court

• “Working In A Family Run Law Practice,” CBA Record, February/March 2011
  This article discusses the challenges inherent in operating a family-run law practice, and offers useful tips.

• “Constitutionality of Police Roadblocks,” Decalogue Newsletter, Summer 2009
  Roadblocks have long been controversial. This article discusses the constitutional issues involved in roadblock cases, and outlines guidelines for their use.

• “Criminal Investigations of Students,” Decalogue Newsletter, Fall 2009: Students face serious legal consequences if they are discovered with drugs or alcohol.

• “What do you wish you had learned in law school,” CBA Record, December 2011:An article addressing the need for law school curriculum reform, and offering ideas for improved educational opportunities.

• Adam Sheppard’s Article in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin: “Court discusses Fourth Amendment in digital age,” January, 2012
  In an age full of GPS records and hidden online information, it is important for each person to understand their rights regarding search and seizure.

• Adam Sheppard named as a “RISING STAR” by Super Lawyers Magazine for a Second Consecutive Year
  The “Rising Star” award is given to only 2.5 percent of lawyers. Attorney Adam Sheppard has repeatedly made the cut.

• Adam Sheppard’s Article on Illinois Eavesdropping Statute Published in Decalogue Tablets Illinois has strict laws surrounding the recording of conversations, even in public and when the recording is open and obvious. These laws may be changing, however.

• ADAM SHEPPARD’S RECENT ARTICLE IN CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN: STUDENTS’ RIGHTS IN DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
  Students often face an uphill battle in disciplinary hearings, as colleges and universities do not adhere to the same standards as criminal courtrooms.

• Evidentiary Rulings: Preserving the Record on Appeal; ABA Newsletter Fall 2013: An article by attorney Adam Sheppard that offers insightful legal advice regarding criminal appeals and preserving the record of evidentiary errors.

• Videos: Sheppard Law Firm, P.C.A collection of videos from Sheppard Law Firm, P.C. These short clips discuss the firm’s philosophy and values and offer useful advice for those who have been confronted by a police officer.

  • Those convicted of drug crimes in Illinois face severe consequences
    Even a minor drug crime can carry long-term consequences. This article describes the penalties for various drug crimes in Illinois.

  • A primer on federal crimes
    Federal crimes follow a different legal process than crimes prosecuted at the state level. This basic primer covers many important facts about federal crimes.

  • Understanding white collar crimes in Illinois
    There are a number of common misconceptions relating to white collar crimes in Illinois. This article describes various white collar offenses at both the state and federal level.

  • An overview of the possible consequences in sex crimes cases in Illinois
    Sex crimes carry very serious penalties in our state. Read our article to learn more.

March, 2016: Decalogue Society publishes Adam Sheppard’s article re: Authenticating Facebook Communications — Link Above. Adam serves on Decalogue’s editorial board as well as the editorial board of the Chicago Bar Association. Adam is on the Board of Managers of Decalogue and serves on the CBA/YLS Executive Council as Director of the Criminal Law Committee (YLS)

September, 2015: The Decalogue Tablets magazine, of which Adam Sheppard is an editorial member, publishes Adam’s article — link above- regarding searches and seizures of cell site location information – i.e., information regarding a phone’s geographic location at a particular time in question.

Other links of interest and Videos