Join us from 9 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4 at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign for a full-day seminar on how to properly handle the ethical issues that may arise in your practice. Topics include: why civility and professionalism are important to the law; how the U.S. Supreme Court perceives civility and professionalism in Illinois federal courts; challenges facing law schools, faculty, and students; knowing when a colleague needs intervention; understanding your professional obligations in the electronic world; the role of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission in the legal profession; and what to expect regarding civility and professionalism for the remainder of 2019 and beyond.

Arguably one of the most significant developments in recent Illinois criminal justice reform was Public Act 100-284. Signed into law on Aug. 24, 2017, this amendment to the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (ICIA) enacted among the nation’s broadest sealing and expungement reforms to date. As a result of the ICIA (one might also add the automatic expungement provisions included in the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act signed into law this summer), there has never been a better time to file an expungement or sealing petition in Illinois. But clients seeking to take advantage of criminal record reforms are going to have questions—lots of them. You’ll need answers. In his September 2019 Illinois Bar Journal article, “Make It Go Away,” criminal-defense attorney Paul Meyers examines typical questions and concerns clients have when pursuing relief under the ICIA.

Attorney Marie Sarantakis discusses the five things every attorney should know about handling a divorce, which include being familiar with the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, focusing on the facts of your case, familiarizing yourself with your county’s rules, being aware of a judge’s preferences, and knowing your clients.  

A tornado is one of the most violent and destructive types of storms, often developing with little to no advance warning. Parts of Illinois are particularly susceptible to tornadoes, so it’s important for law firms to be prepared for such an occurrence.