CLE Fest

Don’t miss this opportunity to satisfy your MCLE reporting requirements and attend some of the ISBA’s top CLE programs from the past year, as well as all new programming created just for this event! Each course is offered in two-hour increments, meaning you can earn between two and twenty MCLE credit hours, including all four hours of Professional Responsibility MCLE credit—it’s up to you! With a broad array of CLE topics, there’s bound to be something for everyone! (Ten minute break included in all time blocks. PMCLE* credit is indicated, if included.)

 

Program topics include: Civil Union Practice Tips, Elder Law, Trusts & Estates, Law Office Management, Case Law Update on Schoolyard Bullying, Arbitration and Mediation Issues, Real Estate Update, Legal Writing, and Family Law Issues.

 

 

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

• 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Elder Law for Every Lawyer
  As the population grows older and life expectancy increases, Baby Boomers, the Sandwich Generation, and Generation Xers find themselves responsible for the care of elderly loved ones. This informative presentation explains why all practitioners – regardless of practice area – should be relatively familiar with current elder law issues.
  Rick L. Law, Law Elder Law, LLP, Aurora
  
  2:00 – 2:10 p.m. Break
• 2:10 – 3:10 p.m. – Estate Planning
  In this session, the speakers examine several estate planning considerations, including drafting wills, trust & testamentary substitutes, probate issues, and more. Planning for minor or adult special needs children is also examined.
  Cameron R. DeGuerre, Peck Bloom, LLC, Chicago
  Nancy Franks-Straus, Nancy Franks-Straus, Ltd., Chicago

• 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. – To Probate or Not To Probate / Opening the Estate
  The speaker examines the basic elements of opening a probate estate, including the determination of whether probate is necessary or appropriate, client communications, procedures for contacting heirs and legatees, basic forms, anticipating will contests, and charitable beneficiaries. A discussion on the Illinois State’s Attorney and/or the Illinois Attorney General’s involvement is also provided.
  Ray J. Koenig, III, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago
  
  4:30 – 4:40 p.m. Break
• 4:40 – 5:40 p.m. – Ethics in Estate Administration*
  There are several ethical issues to consider when handling the probate estate of a decedent. This segment examines those considerations through an interactive discussion on who the attorney represents, engagement letters, final letters, conflicts of interest, and keeping the executor/beneficiaries informed.
  David F. Rolewick, Attorney at Law, Wheaton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Friday, June 3, 2011

• 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. – Cleaning Up Common Writing Problems
  This segment focuses on learning to reorganize common problems in legal writing and quick fixes to those problems. This segment will emphasize clarity and readability, and interactive exercises will be used for illustration using examples from actual court files or the public domain.
  Jim Covington, ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs, Springfield
  
  9:00 – 9:10 a.m. Break
• 9:10 – 10:10 a.m. –  Tips and Tricks for Clarity and Readability
  This segment builds on the first by focusing on document design, editing, and organization spiced by little tips again emphasizing clarity and readability. Interactive exercises will again be used for illustration.
  Jim Covington, ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs, Springfield

• 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. – Family Law Case Law Update
  This segment— presented by master litigator Enrico Mirabelli—offers a comprehensive overview of recent family law updates, as well as insight on the reasoning behind the opinions and current trends of the court.
  Enrico J Mirabelli, Nadler, Pritikin & Mirabelli, Chicago
  
  11:30 – 11:40 a.m. Break
• 11: 40– 12:40 – a.m. – Client Management and Ethical Issues*
  In this segment, the speaker discusses client management and ethical issues to consider while managing a family law practice.
  Rory T. Weiler, Weiler & Lengle P.C., St. Charles

• 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Introduction to the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act
  This general overview examines the legal benefits and protections provided to both same-sex and different-sex couples who enter into a civil union under Illinois Civil Union Law. Discussion includes effective date, recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages and civil unions (or other similar relationships), and the impact and risks of out-of-state travel.
  Christopher Clark, Lambda Legal, Chicago
  
  2:00 – 2:10 p.m. Break
• 2:10 – 3:10 p.m. – Employer Obligations under the Civil Union Act
  This segment explores the difference between government and private employers, as well as employer obligations under the Civil Union Act. Topics include: receipt of spousal health insurance benefits under federal and state tax code, pension treatment, and other employment-related benefits.
  Todd A. Solomon, McDermott Will & Emery, Chicago

• 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. – Family Law and Civil Unions
  This in-depth discussion explores the impact of the Illinois Civil Union Act on family law matters, including the formation of a union, the rights/interest while the union is intact, and the dissolution process. Additional topics include: key questions and potential problems facing the family law practitioner regarding the parentage statute and existing presumptions; the impact of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act; and the tax ramification/financial issues upon dissolution.
  Richard Wilson, Grund & Leavitt, P.C., Chicago
  
  4:30 – 4:40 p.m. Break
• 4:40 – 5:40 p.m. – Illinois Civil Unions and Estate Planning
  In this segment, the speaker addresses Federal Transfer Taxes and the issues facing same-sex couples under the Defense of Marriage Act when transferring property, as well as the differences under the Illinois Transfer Tax statues. Topics include: Illinois Probate Act (including the rights afforded spouses and the impact of Civil Union on probate proceedings); healthcare powers of attorney recommendations; guardianships; the Healthcare Surrogate Act; Disposition of Remains; creditor protections under tenancy by the entirety; and other estate planning issues.
  Mary C. Downie, Clark Hill, P.C., Chicago