Understanding the facts of your case, learning how they fit together, and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of your narrative are crucial steps when preparing for trial, notes Benjamin Lawson in his August Illinois Bar Journal article, “Trial Lessons From Comedians.” But the more trials Lawson has participated in, the more he finds that the process feels incomplete. Just because a particular narrative best explains the facts doesn’t mean it will resonate well with the jury.

How your clients deal with stress in certain situations will vary by individual – and may result in challenges for your representation. Don’t miss this in-depth look at real-world issues when working with business clients who are experiencing highly stressful situation, such as overwhelming debt, business failure, and oppressive litigation.

By Abigail Causer, Managing Attorney at the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Imagine being without legal guidance when you need it most. Now, imagine being the ray of hope that brightens that darkness- from the comfort of your home. Hosted by the ABA and Administered in Illinois by PILI through the incredible support of the Illinois Bar Foundation, the Illinois Access to Justice grant program, and the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, Illinois Free Legal Answers is a secure website where lower income Illinois residents can ask a lawyer for help with a legal issue. Qualified users post questions about civil legal problems, then volunteer lawyers log onto the site - anytime and anywhere you can access the internet - and select questions to answer. It’s a virtual walk-in legal clinic and a great pro bono opportunity that you can engage with over your lunch or in your off hours in sweatpants.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Terrence Hake as he recounts how he worked undercover for the FBI during the 1980s by posing as a corrupt prosecutor accepting bribes from attorneys and, later, as an attorney in private practice making payoffs to Cook County judges and court personnel for the dismissal of cases. The investigation, known as “Operation Greylord,” resulted in bribery and tax charges being filed against 103 judges, lawyers, and other court personnel, and is one of the FBI’s most successful undercover investigations.