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Articles by Robert Merlo
Illinois Supreme Court To Again Address Section 22.1 Of The Condo Act
Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP are most popular: within Strategy and Coronavirus (COVID-19) topic(s) with readers working within the Insurance industries As discussed in a prior Insight, in November 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court spoke on section 22.1 of the Illinois Condominium Act (765 ILCS 605/22.1), holding that it did not provide condo sellers with a private right of action against their associations' boards or property managers related to allegedly excessive fees for the...
First Circuit Grants Motion for Summary Judgement in Chapter 93A
The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts recently granted, in part, a motion for summary judgment in Powers v. Receivables Performance Management, LLC limiting the plaintiff’s damages in her Chapter 93A case to nominal damages. No. 4:21-cv-12125-MRG, 2025 LX 444693 (D. Mass. Sep. 25, 2025). In Powers, a debt collection agency allegedly called a debtor an impermissible number of times and the plaintiff alleged a subsequent emotional distress injury.
Illinois Supreme Court Addresses Section 22.1 of Condominium Act
As discussed in a prior Insight, in November 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court spoke on section 22.1 of the Illinois Condominium Act (765 ILCS 605/22.1), holding that it did not provide condo sellers with a private right of action against their associations’ boards or property managers related to allegedly excessive fees for the production of documents mandated under that section. See, Channon v. Westward Management, Inc., 2022 IL 128040.
Navigating the Winds of Change
“The question whether it’s best to swim with the current or against it seems out of date. . . . The method of the yachtsman who tacks with the wind and against it seems more fruitful. Such a procedure applied to society demands stoic disbelief and the greatest attentiveness.” — Hans Magnus Enzensberger, German author, poet, translator, and editor Success in today’s dynamic world isn’t about following a single direction — it’s about adjusting your sails to ever-changing, often messy conditions.
The Relationship Between the Serial-Position Effect and the Messy Middle: Navigating Memory and Progress
Human memory and progress are intricate systems, often governed by psychological principles that influence how we recall information and navigate challenges. This essay explores the fascinating intersection of the “Serial-Position Effect” and the “Messy Middle.” By understanding their relationship, we can better approach both personal and professional challenges, recognizing the value of persistence, creativity, and reflection during our journeys’ critical yet less memorable phases.
Illinois Appellate Decisions Offer Guidance For Claims Against Real Estate Professionals
It is no secret among professional liability defense attorneys that the sellers of residential real estate are not the only parties susceptible to lawsuits alleging insufficient disclosures. Illinois real estate brokers and their agents also routinely are named as defendants in these cases.
Illinois Appellate Decisions Offer Guidance for Claims Against Real Estate Professionals
It is no secret among professional liability defense attorneys that the sellers of residential real estate are not the only parties susceptible to lawsuits alleging insufficient disclosures. Illinois real estate brokers and their agents also routinely are named as defendants in these cases.
Professionally speaking - July 2024 edition
PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING NEWS & INSIGHTS Wilson Elser's newsletter features articles written by the firm's Professional Liability & Services Practice attorneys. Professionally Speaking explores current topics of interest to general counsel, claims professionals and risk managers for various professional liability lines, including accountants, lawyers, design professionals, insurance brokers and others.
The Art of Purposeful Mess for Personal Growth
Introduction: At first glance, intentionally creating messes seems counterproductive for personal development. Self-help gurus and productivity experts often tell us that being organized and tidy is the path to productivity and self-improvement. However, with an open mind, controlled messiness can be leveraged creatively to help us grow and flourish, especially in our inner lives. Embrace Flexibility One way is to embrace ambiguity and looseness in our routines.
The Art of Messy Leadership: Mastering disorder, uncertainty, and complexity in a chaotic world
Disorder and messiness frequently emerge for professionals navigating intricate projects or knotty problems. But underlying structures and logic often belie the apparent chaos. Rather than flounder amidst the turbulence, leaders must train themselves to uncover the hidden shapes within. The messiness of competing priorities, shifting goals, and uncertainties inherent in complex initiatives can seem discouraging.
Applying the "Five Whys" to Professional Development
"The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life." This Chinese proverb encapsulates the spirit of the "Five Whys" - an interrogative problem-solving technique pioneered in the 1930s by Sakichi Toyoda, founder of the Toyota Motor Corporation. By repeatedly asking "why" up to five times, we can peel back the layers of symptoms to reveal the true origin of the issue. Fixing this core problem allows for targeted, long-lasting solutions.
Illinois Condominium Act: Supreme Court Refuses To Acknowledge New Private Right Of Action For Sellers
Reversing the decisions of the Circuit and Appellate courts, the Illinois Supreme Court entered an opinion holding that section 22.1 of the Illinois Condominium Act does not imply a private right of action in favor of condominium-unit sellers. In its Opinion ( Channon v.
Illinois Condominium Act: Supreme Court Refuses to Acknowledge New Private Right of Action for Sellers
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 Reversing the decisions of the Circuit and Appellate courts, the Illinois Supreme Court entered an opinion holding that section 22.1 of the Illinois Condominium Act does not imply a private right of action in favor of condominium-unit sellers. In its Opinion (Channon v.
What to “See” at SAPPHIRE - Don’t miss the 3D View!
SAP’s SAPPHIRE Now event will be taking place in two weeks. This is the world’s premier business technology event and largest SAP customer-run conference. It is a great place for senior executives and decision makers to learn about the latest business technology trends and innovations, as well as hear directly from peers who have integrated SAP solutions into their business operations.
2013 - Navigating the Digital Universe with 3D Graphics
In its recent 2013 predictions, analyst firm IDC projects there will be 4.4 zettabytes (or 4.4 trillion gigabytes) of data created or replicated this year. Known as the “digital universe,” this represents a 50% growth in data over 2012, and analysts admit even this figure is likely too conservative. This mind-boggling amount of information makes one wonder if it’s even possible to locate useful bits of knowledge among all the data zipping around.
Chapter 7,
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The State Of Industry 4.0 In 2020: Smart Products
The State Of Industry 4.0 In 2020: Smart Products Robert Merlo Part 3 in a series on the findings of an Industry 4.0 adoption study by The MPI Group Here, we wrap up our brief series on a recent study by The MPI Group that surveyed hundreds of manufacturers on Industry 4.0 adoption. The first blog provided an overview. The second blog looked specifically at how Industry 4.0 is being adopted for plants and processes. Today, we look at adoption in terms of smart products.
The State Of Industry 4.0 In 2020: Plants And Processes
11-May-2020 | Internet of Things | Internet Of Things The State Of Industry 4.0 In 2020: Plants And Processes Robert Merlo Part 2 in a series on the findings of an Industry 4.0 adoption study by The MPI Group The previous blog in this series looked at the overall findings of a recent study by The MPI Group that surveyed hundreds of manufacturers on Industry 4.0 adoption. One specific area of focus in this study was plants and processes – which we’ll look at here.
The State Of Industry 4.0 In 2020
The State Of Industry 4.0 In 2020 Robert Merlo Part 1 in a series on the findings of an Industry 4.0 adoption study by The MPI Group It was in 2011 at Hannover Messe that the German government first announced a new initiative to digitize manufacturing – an initiative known as Industry 4.0. Now, less than a decade later, the uptake of Industry 4.0 – not only in Germany and Europe, but around the world – has been impressive.
Add Muscle And Flexibility To Your Manufacturing Operations With 3D Printing
Add Muscle And Flexibility To Your Manufacturing Operations With 3D Printing Robert Merlo Part 3 of a 3-part “Manufacturing Fitness” series Concluding our series on manufacturing fitness, we now turn our attention to 3D printing – the process of physically manufacturing a product directly from a CAD model. Simply upload the CAD file to a 3D printer, feed it with some sort of base material, and the printer builds the object layer by layer.
Use Robots To Improve Your Manufacturing Fitness
29-October-2019 Part 2 of a 3-part “Manufacturing Fitness” series In the previous blog in this series, we used the human body as an analogy to talk about the idea of manufacturing fitness – where the manufacturing function acts like the heart of the business by pumping out products, the supply chain acts like its veins and arteries by moving things around, and predictive analytics serve as the brain by helping teams to see ahead and plan accordingly.
How To Get Your ‘Business Body’ In Shape
Getty By Robert Merlo, SAP Any business that makes and delivers physical products can be likened to the human body. At the heart of the business is its manufacturing operations. The veins that connect to and flow from this manufacturing heart correspond to the digital supply chain, which carries the lifeblood of the organization throughout the business. This “business body” wants to remain fit. In manufacturing and supply chain management, fitness means efficiency.
The Brilliance Of Building Smart Products
The Brilliance Of Building Smart Products Robert Merlo Part 5 in the “Digital Manufacturing Series“ Finding a competitive edge isn’t easy. Companies search high and low for fresh ways to differentiate their businesses – to push their organizations over the top with brand-new approaches or innovative technologies. Thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT), many companies have found precisely what they’ve been looking for.
Adopting A New Manufacturing Mindset: Serving Customers In The Individualization Era
Adopting A New Manufacturing Mindset: Serving Customers In The Individualization Era Robert Merlo Part 3 in the series “Digital Manufacturing“ The first time a colleague mentioned mass customization to me, I thought they were nuts. You mean to tell me that a single production line can produce multiple, different items? No way! Looking back, I realize I was mired in traditional thinking, which prevented me from seeing the full possibilities of customization.
Product Individualization And The Network Of Digital Twins
If you’re an engineer on the front lines of product R&D, you know that increased demand for highly individualized products and services is making itself felt across industries. What companies understand is that to deliver the customer experiences and outcomes that distinguish them in the market, they need to deliver highly customized products tailored to the needs and whims of the customer.
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