Live Webcast
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Each Tuesday: 5:15 – 6:45 p.m.

27.0 hours MCLE credit, including 27.0* hours Professional Responsibility in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit

Improve your trial skills in this “learn-by-doing” program that covers all phases of trial work from both a plaintiff/prosecutor and defendant’s viewpoint, in both civil and criminal cases. Through this course, you will learn and practice new trial techniques that are most effective and consistent with the Illinois Rules of Evidence and the Federal Rules of Evidence. Each session is audio-video taped so you can see and hear the improvements in your voice, manner, and trial technique. The course has been proven to be of value whether your practice includes trying jury and non-jury cases, administrative hearings, arbitrations, or even mediations.

Fred Lane’s Trial Technique Institute consists of two semesters and runs approximately four months per semester. We are offering the Spring 2026 Semester as a stand-alone option via Zoom to make it available to all Illinois attorneys. Classes take place each Tuesday evening from 5:15 – 6:45 p.m. Breaks for holiday consideration do exist.

• Spring Semester: February – June
• Fall Semester: September – January

Spring Semester topics include:

• An overview of the principles of communication, argument and persuasion on behalf of the plaintiff/prosecutor and defendant.
• Jury Selection
• Making winning Opening Statements/Closing Arguments to the jury in various type of cases, such as:
  • Personal Injury Case (Motor vehicle malpractice, product liability, attractive nuisance, federal employers’ liability, wrongful death, suits against municipalities, dram shops, airline cases, etc.)
  • Contract Cases (Goods, wares and merchandise, breach of contract, real estate broker’s commission, and life insurance)
  • Special Actions (Will contests, assault and battery, slander, malicious prosecution, false arrest and imprisonment)

About the Speakers:
Scott Lane is a partner of the firm of Lane Brown, LLC, a plaintiff’s personal injury firm in Chicago, Prior to his present practice, Scott was a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney for several years. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Loyola University of Chicago of Law where he is a founding member of Loyola’s Circle of Advocates and has coached their Trial Team. Scott frequently lectures at bar association seminars and has authored numerous articles, chapters, and texts pertaining to various aspects of civil litigation and trial technique. He is a contributing author and editor to “Lane’s Goldstein Trial Technique” and “Lane Medical Litigation Guide” and co-authored the book, “Illinois Motions in Limine”. Scott has been consistently selected as an “Illinois Super Lawyer” as published by the Law & Politics and Chicago Magazine, and in 2014 he became a member of The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100.

Fred Lane , the original founder of this course, will serve as an occasional guest instructor. Mr. Lane is a former Assistant State’s Attorney and has had over 40 years of litigation experience. Mr. Lane is a lecturer and author on Trial Technique Subject: author of Lane’s Goldstein Trial Technique (3 vols.): editor of Medical Trial Technique Quarterly : author of Lane Medical Litigation Guide (4 vols.): author of Lane’s Goldstein Litigation Forms (3 vol.). He is the co-author of Lane & Calkins Mediation Practice Guid e and co-founder of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution. Mr. Lane is also past president of the following organizations and associations: Illinois Trial Lawyers Association: Diplomat and Past President of the American Board of Trial Advocates IL; Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Past President of the Illinois State Bar Association: and Past President of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers.
*Professional Responsibility MCLE credit subject to approval

• 10.0 hours Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics credit, or Sexual Harassment Prevention
• 1.0 hour Mental Health and Substance Abuse credit
• 1.0 hour Diversity and Inclusion credit

• 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 $275 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
• Non-Member Price $550
• New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $75
• Law Students – Free