In addition to a Family Law Section seminar and an Update on Legal Developments for the General Practitioner next month at the ISBA Midyear Meeting, a program on Legal Implications of Effective Representation of Unmarried Couples is planned.

This seminar will be conducted from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel by the Committees on Women and the Law, Minority and Women Participation, and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

ISBA President Joseph G. Bisceglia will provide introductory remarks at the opening of the discussion by members of the bench, bar and community.

At 2:15 p.m., a view from the bench will include an overview of areas addressed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

Speakers are Cook County Associate Judge Nancy J. Katz, retired 18th Circuit judge Edward R. Duncan Jr., and Ronald J. Broida of Broida & Tullis, Naperville.

At 3 p.m., a panel will discuss ethical considerations in representing unmarried couples and the legal barriers and challenges they face in a variety of practice areas.

Speakers are Phillip J. Mohr, deputy director of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation; Donald C. Hammer of Hayes, Hammer, Miles & Cox, Bloomington; Jennifer A. Shaw of Edwardsville, and Chicago attorneys Andrea M. Schleifer and Richard A. Wilson.

At 3:40 p.m., the current status of laws that address or impact unmarried couples in Illinois and elsewhere will be discussed.

Speakers are James P. Madigan, staff attorney for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund; Colleen Connell, executive director of ACLU Chicago, and State Rep. Greg Harris.

A question and answer forum at 4:15 p.m. will conclude the program. This seminar is accredited for 1.5 hours of MCLE.

The ISBA Family Law Section will present a diverse issues seminar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel.

Section council chair Gregory A. Scott of Scott & Scott, Springfield, and council member Roza B. Gossage of Belleville are program coordinators.

Gossage and section council CLE liaison Pamela J. Kuzinar of Kalcheim, Haber & Kuzniar, Chicago, are moderators for the seminar. The schedule of topics follows, with speakers to be named.

9 a.m. – Third Party Actions Regarding Children: Interplay of the Probate Act, the Parentage Act, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, and the Juvenile Court Act, with Cook County Judges Kathleen G. Kennedy and Kathleen M. McGury.

11 a.m. – Third Party Actions Regarding Property: What Relief Is Sought and What Pleadings are Necessary to Obtain Relief? Judges Kennedy and McGury are the presenters.

12 noon – Luncheon break.

1 p.m. – Case Law Update, with Enrico J. Mirabelli of Madler, Pritikin & Mirabelli, Chicago.

2 p.m. – Limiting Issues Prior to Trial: Use of Summary Judgments, Declaratory Judgments and Motions in Limine, with section council member Gary L. Schlesinger of Libertyville.

3 p.m. – Financial Issues Regarding Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Parentage Act, and Members of the Armed Forces, with Kimberly Klein Power of Belleville.

This seminar is accredited for 5.5 hours of MCLE.

An Update on Legal Developments for the General Practitioner will be conducted by the ISBA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel.

Section council vice chair Julie Ann Sebastian, an assistant Cook County state's attorney, is program coordinator. She will open the seminar with introductions. The schedule follows.

9:05 a.m. – Elder Law Update, with speaker to be announced.

9:35 a.m. – Update on Family Law, with Anne Martinkus of Erwin, Martinkus & Cole, Champaign.

10:05 a.m. – Update on Grandparent Visitation, with Michael K. Goldberg of Goldberg & Frankenstein, Chicago.

10:45 a.m. – Update on Civil Practice Law, with Patrick M. Kinnally of Kinnally, Krentz, Loran, Hodge & Herm, Aurora.

11:15 a.m. – Update on Traffic Law, with Kelly P. Ward of Ward & Ward, Dixon.

11:45 a.m. – Luncheon break.

1 p.m. – Update on Criminal Law, with Michele M. Jochner, law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Freeman and member of the ISBA Board of Governors.

1:30 p.m. – Update on Real Estate, with ISBA Second Vice President John G. O'Brien of Arlington Heights.

2 p.m. – Update on Medical Malpractice, with Karen M. Enright of Winters, Enright, Salzetta & O'Brien, Chicago.

2:45 p.m. – Update on Professional Responsibility and Attorney Discipline, with section council past chair Matthews A. Maloney of Pierson, Maloney & Rayfield, Princeton.

This seminar is accredited for 4.5 hours of MCLE.