Law Related Education

The newsletter of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Law Related Education for the Public

May 2025 • Volume 11 • Number 3 •

May 2025 Law Related Education for the Public Newsletter

ISBA Annual Meeting
June 5 – 6, 2025, in Lincolnshire
Please join us in welcoming Bridget C. Duignan as the ISBA’s 149th President in Lincolnshire for our 2025 Annual Meeting. You won’t want to miss this great opportunity to connect with fellow colleagues and attend our excellent lineup of programming. Save by registering before the Early Bird Registration deadline of 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 30.

May Is Member Appreciation Month
We're celebrating you with a free live CLE webcast, contests, discounts, and giveaways throughout the month! Renew by May 31 to be entered into a drawing to win one of five Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Coolers (or cash-equivalent VISA gift card).

2025 President’s Trip to Boston
Please join us from July 27–31 for the ISBA 2025 President’s Trip to Boston, MA. This promises to be an unforgettable ISBA getaway in the heart of historic Boston! Enjoy four luxurious nights at the iconic Four Seasons Hotel Boston, where timeless elegance meets modern comfort.

In This Issue

Behind the Bench

By Adeyemi Kasali

A member of the Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School Mock Trial Team shares her experience touring the Illinois Supreme Court while in Springfield for the 2025 Illinois State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Invitational.

Is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Obsolete?

By Madonna T. Lechner

On January 31, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14173, banning race- and sex-based preferences in DEI programs across federal agencies and other major sectors. The Order claims DEI violates civil rights laws and undermines merit. Opponents—including universities, nonprofits, and the City of Baltimore—sued, arguing it restricts free speech and harms historically underserved groups. A district court initially blocked parts of the Order, but a federal appeals court later allowed enforcement while the case proceeds. The lawsuit questions whether DEI programs violate anti-discrimination laws.

2025 High School Mock Trial Invitational Results

The 42nd Annual ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational took place on March 15-16, 2025, at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield. Fifty high schools throughout Illinois participated.

Maine South High School Competes in the 2025 ISBA Mock Trial Invitational

By Maine South High School Mock Trial Team

The Maine South High School Mock Trial Team reflects on its experience while touring the Illinois Supreme Court on Saturday, March 15.

Photos from the 2025 High School Mock Trial Invitational

Highlights from the 2025 ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational. Thank you to all members who volunteered!
LAWPAC Needs You!

The Illinois Lawyers’ Political Action Committee (LAWPAC) needs your help to fulfill its mission to support the legislative goals of the ISBA and Illinois’ legal community.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for subscribers’ personal use only; redistribution is prohibited. Copyright Illinois State Bar Association. Statements or expressions of opinion appearing herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Association or Editors, and likewise the publication of any advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement of the product or service offered unless it is specifically stated in the ad that there is such approval or endorsement.