DCFS attorney fired after working second job with bank on state time, watchdog says

An Illinois Department of Children and Family Services attorney collected a state paycheck while also working at a local bank, at times doing both jobs during regular business hours, in violation of state rules, according to a report from the Office of Executive Inspector General.

From: 
Chicago Tribune

Lawsuit filed against companies accused of being responsible for explosion that damaged 20 buildings in Woodstock

An insurance company has filed a lawsuit against companies allegedly responsible for an explosion and fire that damaged 20 buildings, displaced 22 residents and injured two dogs in Woodstock in 2023.

From: 
Lake & McHenry County Scanner

After two-year vacancy, Chicago about to have a new US Attorney: Sources

The top federal law enforcement position in northern Illinois has been vacant for two years, but NBC 5 Investigates has been told by several sources that Andrew Boutros will be tapped to become the Chicago district's next U.S. Attorney.

From: 
NBC 5 Chicago

Rockford Pregnancy Care Center, Diocese of Springfield sue state of Illinois

A Rockford-based anti-abortion, pregnancy support group and the Diocese of Springfield are suing the state of Illinois over a law they say violates their religious beliefs and constitutional rights.

From: 
Rockford Register Star

Strategically Managing Cross-Border Litigation Risk

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the ISBA International & Immigration Law Section
Co-sponsored by the ISBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­April 7, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


In today’s digital economy, companies of all sizes are doing business globally, which necessarily entails the risk of cross-border disputes with contractual counterparts. While companies are generally comfortable managing their domestic litigation risks, managing cross-border risk is more challenging because they are often impacted by political, regulatory, economic, and procedural risks that your client might not encounter at home. Don’t miss this in-depth look at how you can help your clients manage their cross-border litigation risks with this informative seminar! Business advice attorneys, corporate law counsel, international and immigration lawyers, and alternative dispute practitioners with basic practice experience who attend this online program will learn:
  • How to assess cross-border dispute risks;
  • When to choose international arbitration over litigation;
  • The advantages (and disadvantages) of litigating cross-border disputes; and
  • How to develop a cross-border dispute resolution strategy.

Program Coordinator/Chat Moderator:
Angela Peters, Buffalo Grove Law Offices, Arlington Heights

Program Speaker:
Javier Rubinstein, Rubinstein ADR, LLC, Chicago



Program Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Business Divorce Series: Resolving Issues and Dividing Assets - Privacy & Cybersecurity

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the ISBA Corporate Law Departments


1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, and Sexual Harassment Prevention


Original Program Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 31, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Help your clients maintain their privacy and security throughout their business divorce (and beyond) with this informative online program. Topics include: the privacy and cybersecurity issues your client needs to be aware of; how to prevent copycatting; the vulnerabilities and increased attacks your clients may face; what your clients can do to protect their online environment; and much more.

Program Coordinators:
Chris Darby, DLA Piper LLP, Chicago
Margo Lynn Hablutzel, Gainwell Technologies LLC, North Carolina

Program Chat Moderator:
Kevin J. Stine, First Co Bancorp, Inc. Collinsville

Program Speakers:
Margo Lynn Hablutzel, Gainwell Technologies LLC, North Carolina
Aihong Yu, VP, Chief Privacy Counsel, CDK Global, Chicago


Pricing Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Business Divorce Series: Resolving Issues and Dividing Assets - Intellectual Property

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the ISBA Corporate Law Departments
Co-sponsored by the ISBA Intellectual Property Law Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­April 7, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Do your clients need help resolving issues and dividing assets due to their business “divorce”? Then don’t miss this online program that explores the intellectual property issues that can arise during the dissolution of a professional relationship between business partners. Corporate law attorneys, business and securities counsel, intellectual property lawyers, and general practitioners with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand:
  • The issues to be aware of, including ownership of the company’s intellectual property;
  • How to develop a new name and marks for one or both companies;
  • How to handle licensing and customer contracts; and
  • Much more.

Program Coordinators:
Chris Darby, DLA Piper LLP, Chicago
Margo Lynn Hablutzel, Gainwell Technologies LLC, North Carolina

Program Chat Moderator:
Margo Lynn Hablutzel, Gainwell Technologies LLC, North Carolina

Program Speakers:
Jennifer L Gordon, Practice Leader – Intellectual Property, Lorium Law, Chicago
David C. Brezina, Ladas & Parry LLP, Chicago



Program Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Business Divorce Series: Resolving Issues and Dividing Assets - An Introduction

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the ISBA Corporate Law Departments


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­April 7, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


ISBA’s Business Divorce Series kicks off with an introduction to the issues you or your client may face while dividing assets among business partners seeking to dissolve their professional relationship. Business advice attorneys, corporate law counsel, real estate lawyers, and employment law practitioners with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this online program will learn:
  • How to prepare for the separation of a company;
  • Whether one or both companies can remain viable;
  • The valuation process for dividing assets;
  • When (and what) to report to regulators;
  • The real estate issues that may arise during the process;
  • How to handle the continuation of insurance policies (including errors and omissions insurance); and
  • Much more!

Program Coordinators:
Chris Darby, DLA Piper LLP, Chicago
Margo Lynn Hablutzel, Gainwell Technologies LLC, North Carolina

Program Chat Moderator:
Margo Lynn Hablutzel, Gainwell Technologies LLC, North Carolina

Program Speaker:
John C. Sciaccotta, Aronberg Goldgehn, Chicago


Pricing Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Bring the Law to Everyone: Making Word Documents Accessible

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
ISBA’s Practice Toolbox Series
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association


1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Diversity & Inclusion credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 31, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Lawyers live and die by words, written and spoken, but mostly written. But, of course, not everyone literally reads; perhaps a disability prevents it. 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of President Bush signing the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. In the same way that much of our public physical spaces are shaped by this law (think ramps versus stairs or brick-colored bumps at the edge of a crosswalk), our legal technologies can accommodate disparate needs too. But you have to learn how to make documents accessible. In this seminar, learn the core techniques to produce accessibility-friendly Microsoft Word documents utilizing heading structures, alternative text descriptions, hyperlinks, text colors, and tables.

Program Speaker:
Danielle DavisRoe,, Affinity Consulting, Ohio
About the Speaker: Danielle’s many responsibilities at Affinity include speaking, writing, training, and consulting on how to improve processes and use of technology. Prior to joining the Affinity family, Danielle practiced family law. She discovered, however, that she enjoyed making efficient use of technology more than practicing law, making her a perfect fit for consulting. Danielle ‘s favorite part of her job is making others’ jobs easier.


Pricing Information
  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Challenge & Recovery

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

In his most recent Feedback Loops column, “Challenge & Recovery,” in the March Illinois Bar Journal, Patrick Barry discusses the importance of balancing one’s “challenge days,” when you have to perform at a high level and “recovery days,”  when rejuvenation is the goal. If you don’t get your own challenge-recovery balance right, Barry advises, the quality of the feedback you give other people can suffer, as can your ability to productively process the feedback that’s sent your way.