Law Related Education

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

November 2025 • Volume 12 • Number 1 •

November 2025 Law Related Education for the Public Newsletter

Midyear Meeting Early Bird Registration
Join us in Chicago, December 11-12, for the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting, featuring exceptional programming and networking in a fun, social setting. Register by December 5 to get the Early Bird discount.

Looking for an Opportunity to Lead?

ISBA Election - Read the Notice of Election for a list of offices to be filled by the 2026 annual election. Create and sign petitions, see important dates, and more.
Nominate yourself for one of our section councils and committees for the 2026-27 bar year. Deadline for nominations is January 15, 2026.

In This Issue

“Can I Just Talk to the Judge?”: What Pro Se Litigants Should Know Before Going To Court

By Brittany J. Shaw

Court can be intimidating, but it’s not impossible. If you are representing yourself in court, be sure you don't make these mistakes!

Externships Provide Real-Law Experience

By Judge Michael J. Chmiel

The value of externships is immeasurable. Through externships, we can impart good practices and get help when resources are scant. In our digital age, technology allows students to Zoom into a courtroom from miles away, access court files, and engage prompt communications through telephone, email, and text.

Join Us at the ISBA & IJA Midyear Meeting—a Taste of What’s Ahead

By Ted M. Niemann

The Joint Midyear Meeting, hosted by the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association, is a can't-miss event, offering CLE programs on democracy preservation and the ethical use of AI; a Member Appreciation Reception featuring Glow Bingo and prizes; the Illinois Bar Foundation for the Champions Breakfast; the IJA/ISBA Joint Midyear Meeting Luncheon; and a Holiday Reception honoring the Supreme Court of Illinois. Register today!

2025 in Review: A Year of Key Federal Law Anniversaries Benefitting Older Americans

By Karen Alice Kloppe

Several legal developments, from the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and much more, are highlighted in this article. Learn more about the changes experiencing milestone anniversaries in 2025 that have shaped our legal system over the past 160 years.

We Lost a Great Man, Fortunately We Have His Memoir: A Review of Compassion in the Court

By Hon. John J. O’Gara

A book review of Compassion in the Court, a memoir by Hon. Frank Caprio, details Judge Caprio's life, his rise to the bench, and his journey to reimagine justice not only as a set of rules, but as a process shaped by understanding, fairness, and compassion.

ISBA 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference Photos

The Illinois State Bar Association hosted the 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference: The Innovative Lawyer: Smart Strategies for Small Firms in the Age of AI on September 25–26 at the Embassy Suites in Naperville, IL.

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.