Update your civil practice knowledge with this top-rated, full-day seminar in Springfield on May 2nd that addresses all phases of the trial—from setting the proper foundation and successfully prosecuting/defending a case, to developing a powerful and effective closing argument! Topics include: filing the lawsuit; pleadings; good faith settlement of claims; motions to dismiss; discovery; requests to admit; Supreme Court Rule 213; motions in limine; closing arguments; post-trial motions; and obtaining circuit court and appellate review of administrative decisions. A discussion on temporary restraining orders and injunctive relief is also included.The program is presented by the ISBA Civil Practice & Procedure Section and qualifies for 5.5 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).Click here for more information and to register.

Choosing the right clients and managing their expectations may be the two most important jobs for any family law practitioner, veteran Kane County matrimonial lawyer Rory Weiler says. Find out more in the May Illinois Bar Journal.

Back by popular demand! Join us in Chicago on May 7 for this unique opportunity to hear tips on all aspects of federal civil practice directly from more than 20 federal judges on topics ranging from the initial pleading through post-trial motions. Attorneys with all levels of experience practicing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois who attend this seminar will gain a better understanding of: Federal court pleadings and the issues that confront a lawyer practicing in federal court; discovery practice, including the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of the Northern District; post-discovery issues, such as summary judgment and final pre-trial orders; settlement conferences and the procedures for a successful mediation; trial practice and advocacy, including use of technology; and an attorney’s ethical and civility obligations.The program is presented by the ISBA Federal Civil Practice Section and co-sponsored by the Seventh Circuit Bar Association. It qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 2.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).Click here for more information and to register.

During its Annual Meeting on April 18 at its Chicago headquarters, ISBA Mutual Insurance Company re-elected several board members to another three-year term. They are Jack Carey, David A. Decker, James J. DeSanto, Robert K. Downs, Christopher Mullen and John E. Thies.The board also announced its newest member, Paula H. Holderman, president of the Illinois State Bar Association, who was elected to a three-year term.In remarks at the meeting, Jon DeMoss, president and CEO of ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, stated that “the company has retained our “A” Excellent Rating from A.M. Best Rating Company and that the Board of Directors declared a 10 percent policyholder dividend for 2013 equaling $1.7 million.” The company has returned a total of $14.7 million to policyholders since 2000.