The Bar News

Bar News Sections

CLE

  • May 15, 2015 | CLE
    CLE: The Ethical Adventures of Sam Seedy

    Eek! It has happened again. Attorney Sam Seedy has lost his copy of the Rules of Professional Conduct while engaging in all types of social media activity – both in his personal and professional life – and needs help! Join us in Chicago on May 28, 2015 for a series of skits performed by high-energy and talented actors as they transport us to the fictional town of Nirvana City and showcase Sam’s ethical breaches. James Grogan, a renowned ethics expert, shows how the exercise of professional and moral judgment is well-guided by the basic principles underlying the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct – which could’ve saved Sam from a wealth of ethical trouble!

    The program is presented by the ISBA Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation Section and co-sponsored by Chicago Bar Association Committee on Energy, Telecommunications, and Water. It qualifies for 2.25 hours MCLE credit, including 2.25 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • May 11, 2015 | CLE
    CLE: Federal Jury Instructions - A Refresher Course [Live Webcast]

    The right to trial by jury, though secured by our federal constitution, is meaningful only if jurors have a clear understanding of what they are to decide and which legal principles should guide their decision. Attorneys who try civil cases before juries in Federal Court need to understand the “ins and outs” of the various legal rules and issues that present themselves when drafting and using jury instructions. Join us on May 20th for this online seminar that offers a basic understanding of the federal civil practice and local federal court rules that address jury instructions, including how to draft and when to use jury instructions, protecting against instruction error, and preserving jury issues for appeal.

    The program is presented by the ISBA Federal Civil Practice Section and qualifies for 2.0 hours MCLE credit.

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • May 7, 2015 | CLE
    Free CLE webcast: 15 Tips for an Ethical Law Practice

    You are invited to attend ISBA’s upcoming Free Live CLE Webcast as part of our Member Appreciation Month.

    Seating is limited so register today!

    Learn how to evaluate and address risk in your law practice with this one-hour live webcast!

    Join us as legal ethics lawyer, litigator and law firm practice professor, Michael Downey, shows you 15 areas of your practice that are in need of immediate assessment, including employee engagement and compensation, client intake, client communication, handling of client funds and property, marketing your practice and developing new business, dealing with unhappy and dangerous clients – and much more!

    Michael Downey of the Downey Law Group, LLC has represented lawyers on disciplinary and malpractice matters in Missouri and Illinois, and has taught legal ethics and law firm practice to thousands of lawyers, as well as to law students as an adjunct professor at both Washington University and St. Louis University.

    The program closes as a representative from ISBA Mutual Insurance Company provides a brief overview of the claims process and answers your questions.

    *Professional Responsibility MCLE credit subject to approval

    PROGRAM SPEAKERS:

    Michael P. Downey, Downey Law Group LLC, St. Louis

    Representative, ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, Chicago

  • May 4, 2015 | CLE | Events
    Next Solo & Small Firm Practice Institute set for May 14 in Chicago

    The fifth Solo & Small Firm Practice Institute will be held on Thursday, May 14 in at the ISBA Chicago Office, 20 S. Clark. This program will focus on “Protecting Your Practice: Finances and Technology.”

    As a solo or small firm attorney, you have worked hard to build your practice, manage your time, and prepare for the future. Now it’s time to protect everything you’ve accomplished. Join us for this in-depth look at how you can continue building your practice, promote yourself online, and enjoy your profession – all while avoiding various ethical traps along the way. Attorneys who are new solo or small firm practitioners – and those thinking about becoming one – who attend this seminar, will better understand:

    • The ethical issues you need to be aware of regarding client confidentiality;
    • How to protect your retainers, fees, and income;
    • How to properly use IOLTA accounts;
    • The financial details involved in starting your own firm;
    • How to network during business events;
    • The risks associated with using social media to promote your practice;
    • How to balance stress with a happy personal and professional life;
    • The top causes for grievances against lawyers;
    • And much more!

    Find out more and register at tinyurl.com/ok55gqe.

  • April 29, 2015 | CLE
    CLE: Gain the Edge!® Negotiation Strategies for Lawyers

    You negotiate every day. In fact, your ability to effectively negotiate may be the most critical skill you possess, yet most negotiate instinctively or intuitively. Join us in Chicago or via live webcast on June 4, 2015 for this Master Series seminar that trains you to approach negotiations with a strategic mindset, allowing you to become a more effective lawyer. And make no mistake – no matter how much you’ve negotiated, you can still learn. Adding that one new tactic may be the difference between winning and walking away empty-handed. Topics include: the golden rules of negotiation; gaining leverage with alternatives; using objective criteria and timing to your advantage; techniques for gathering information; generating creative solutions; dealing with “negotiation games”; ethical considerations; and much more.

  • April 24, 2015 | CLE
    CLE: Introduction to Public Private Partnerships (P3s)

    As a professional working in the construction law arena, it is important that you understand how public private partnerships are used to finance public improvements, as well as the public regulations and laws impacting the use of P3s. Construction and real estate law practitioners, local government attorneys, and other professionals working in the public construction field, including public procurement and public contract administrators, officials, and directors who attend this seminar in Chicago on May 1, 2015 will better understand: how public private partnerships have become a funding option for public improvements; how a conventional public private partnership is defined; the historical challenges faced by government entities using public private partnerships to fund infrastructure improvements; the use of public funds for traditionally private development; the alternative delivery methods of public private partnerships; how the Engineers Joint Contract Document Committee's new contract form assists in the development of P3 projects; and the various statutes and regulations applicable to public private partnerships.

    The program qualifies for 6.25 hours MCLE credit and is presented by the ISBA Construction Law Section and co-sponsored by the ISBA Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy Section, ISBA Real Estate Law Section, LitCon Group, LLC, American Council of Engineering Companies-IL, Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association, American Society of Civil Engineers-IL Section, Chicago Building Congress, and the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys.

  • April 20, 2015 | CLE
    CLE: Criminal Law: Back to Basics

    Don’t miss this opportunity to update your knowledge on a number of key criminal law areas, including pre-trial motions, pleas of guilty, jury selection, and more. Criminal defense attorneys, general practitioners, assistant state’s attorneys, and assistant public defenders with all levels of practice experience who attend this seminar in Collinsville on May 1, 2015 will better understand: how successful attorneys use strong opening/closing arguments and direct/cross examinations to convince the judge and jury of their client’s innocence; the new amendments moving through the Illinois legislature; the pre-trial issues that can arise in your next criminal court case; how to properly present plea agreements and avoid claims of ineffective assistance of counsel; how Sixth Amendment law continues to be impacted as a result of Crawford v. Washington; how to develop good relationships with your clients; the importance of successful jury selection; how to properly preserve your trial and/or hearing for appeal; and much more!

    The seminar is presented by the ISBA Criminal Law Section and co-sponsored by the Southern Illinois University School of Law. It qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 2.25 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • April 9, 2015 | CLE
    CLE: 2nd Annual Elder Law Bootcamp: Basics and Beyond

    Back by popular demand! Don’t miss ISBA’s second annual elder law bootcamp in Chicago on April 23-April 24, 2015 that offers you the guidance and information you need to effectively represent your aging clients! Attorneys with all levels of practice experience who attend this two-day seminar will gain a better understanding of: how to prevent, prosecute and defend breach of fiduciary duties; the current trends in elder abuse – and why elder abuse and animal cruelty are connected; the most common types of debt facing the elderly; Illinois Medicaid eligibility rules; when to open a probate estate (and when not to); estate planning for the aging client; the differences and similarities between POA’s and Guardianships; current trends in health care fraud; what it takes to become a public guardian; the ethical pitfalls of representing aging clients; Social Security retirement strategies; estate planning for companion pets; the ins and outs of Medicare; the statutes that protect your client’s rights in a nursing home; and how to advise unmarried couples on the various planning options available.

    The program is presented by ISBA Elder Law Section and qualifies for 12.50 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • April 3, 2015 | CLE
    CLE: Civil Procedure Update and Review

    Update your civil practice knowledge with this top-rated, full-day seminar that addresses all phases of the trial! Get the information you need on new developments in the last year and a review of various civil procedure issues, particularly those that could create professional liability, on Friday, April 17, 2015 in Moline, Illinois. Attorneys with intermediate practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand: how to set the proper foundation for a successful outcome; the issues that can arise during the pleading phase of a lawsuit; motions to dismiss and summary judgment motions; how to effectively use all types of discovery before trial; how electronically stored data affects all types of cases; the disclosure of opinion witnesses and Supreme Court Rule 213; the requirements and considerations for requesting or defending against temporary restraining orders and injunctive relief; the strategic use of motions in limine before the trial; how to create a strong closing argument; how to obtain circuit court and appellate review of administrative decisions; and the post-trial motions appellate issues that counsel wishes you knew.

    The seminar is presented by the ISBA Civil Practice & Procedure Section and qualifies for 5.75 hours MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • March 31, 2015 | CLE
    Solo & Small Firm Practice Institute set for April 16 in East Peoria

    The next ISBA Solo & Small Firm Practice Institute will be held in East Peoria on April 16. The focus of this seminar is Building Your Practice and Preparing for the Future. The program runs from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and provides 6.50 MCLE hours, including 6.50 Professional Responsibility MCLE credit hours (PMCLE credit subject to approval).

    Get the best practice tips and practical tools you need to run your office efficiently and profitably with this full-day seminar! As an attendee, you will: