Being an attorney is more difficult than ever. Clients are more demanding. Advancements in technology require your immediate attention and feedback. It may be difficult to effectively manage your workday without something slipping through the cracks, making practice management software an essential component of an effective law firm.

Don’t miss the 26th Annual Agricultural Law Seminar, held from 8:30 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7 in Bloomington, which offers the updates you need on a number of important agricultural law issues, including Illinois and federal estate and income tax law. Attorneys with intermediate practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand: how the past years’ federal estate tax cases have impacted the agricultural community; how the 2019 federal and state income tax changes are affecting agricultural producers; the new farm bill and marijuana laws; how to negotiate and draft farm leases; the issues facing farmers on transferring farm ownership; the new Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act; Chapter 12 bankruptcy and farm workouts; and more. The program closes with a comprehensive look at mental health and suicide in the legal profession, including its causes, solutions, and how to help.

Model Illinois Government is a multi-collegiate state organization that simulates the workings of our state government. Each spring, nearly 300 students from 20 Illinois colleges and universities converge to participate in our state government simulation.   The chief justice of the MIG Supreme Court is seeking volunteer attorneys to assist with judging a 3-day moot court competition at the Wyndham Hotel in Springfield. Preferred volunteers will have an understanding of the moot court/supreme court oral argument process. Law school students and legal professionals will also be considered.   

The E-Notary Task Force created by the Illinois General Assembly has submitted a report on the feasibility and viability of electronic notarization or Remote Online Notarization or both. The Task Force recommends that the Illinois General Assembly amend the Illinois Notary Public Act to authorize the Secretary of State to issue electronic notarial commissions to qualified applicants and that electronic notarizations be accepted and recognized statewide.