Access to Justice Commission Announces Winners of Colman and Kilbride Awards

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) announced today the winners of two awards, the Jeffrey D. Colman Access to Justice Award and The Hon. Thomas L. Kilbride (Ret.) Judicial Access to Justice Award. The 2024 recipients are Tiffany Schicker and Judge Thomas More Donnelly. These awards are designed to recognize and celebrate exceptional contributions to increasing access to the court system by improving the experience of litigants. 

60 Artificial Intelligence Tips in 60 Minutes

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

Join us for this entertaining and educational session focused on the safe and efficient use of artificial intelligence in your practice. Our presenters will give you 60 rapid-fire practical tips and tricks for using several popular artificial intelligence tools and techniques in your daily workflow. Topics include: ChatGPT, privacy and security issues to be aware of, tech support, and more.

1st Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy - Lessons for Today's Lawyers - Part 2

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 Illinois State Bar Association
Co-Sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


0.75 hours MCLE credit, including 0.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Friday, September 8, 2017
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­November 21, 2024 - November 20, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Abraham Lincoln overcame poverty, lack of formal education, chronic depression, and other obstacles to become one of the leading lawyers in Illinois. Lessons from Lincoln's life and law practice continue to inspire, influence, and impact generations of lawyers who strive to be leaders in the legal profession. Don't miss this full-day seminar that examines Lincoln's legal career, the character traits that helped him achieve success in law and politics, how he dealt with his personal and professional issues, and how he networked with clients and lawyers around the state to build a successful practice.

  • Learn the ethical obligations and available resources for lawyers suffering depression, substance abuse and mental health issues, along with the associated ethical obligations of others in their firm and opposing lawyers.
  • Understand the character issues that guided Lincoln in his professional life and how those were developed over time.
  • See how ethical issues were handled by the Bar in Lincoln's time and under the Code of Professional Conduct today.
  • Learn that Lincoln's secret to success as a lawyer was not a secret, and is available to all lawyers today.

Program Coordinator:
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, Board Member of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Taylorville

Lincoln’s Ethics
Discover the ethical issues that confronted Lincoln throughout his practice, while discussing how modern rules would have dealt with these concerns.
Moderator:Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association , Taylorville
Christine P. Anderson , Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Chicago
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett & Webber, P.C., Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association, Urbana
Prof. Roger Billings, Professor of Law, Chase College of Law, Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association, Kentucky
Guy C. Fraker , Attorney at Law, Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association, Bloomington



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 $26.25 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $52.50
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

1st Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy - Lessons for Today's Lawyers - Part 1

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 Illinois State Bar Association
Co-Sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


2.75 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE Credit in the following category: Mental Health/Substance Abuse


Original Program Date: Friday, September 8, 2017
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­November 21, 2024 - November 20, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Abraham Lincoln overcame poverty, lack of formal education, chronic depression, and other obstacles to become one of the leading lawyers in Illinois. Lessons from Lincoln's life and law practice continue to inspire, influence, and impact generations of lawyers who strive to be leaders in the legal profession. Don't miss this full-day seminar that examines Lincoln's legal career, the character traits that helped him achieve success in law and politics, how he dealt with his personal and professional issues, and how he networked with clients and lawyers around the state to build a successful practice.

  • Learn the ethical obligations and available resources for lawyers suffering depression, substance abuse and mental health issues, along with the associated ethical obligations of others in their firm and opposing lawyers.
  • Understand the character issues that guided Lincoln in his professional life and how those were developed over time.
  • See how ethical issues were handled by the Bar in Lincoln's time and under the Code of Professional Conduct today.
  • Learn that Lincoln's secret to success as a lawyer was not a secret, and is available to all lawyers today.

Program Coordinator:
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, Board Member of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Taylorville

Lincoln’s Character: How His Values Can be Caught and Taught
Learn about the character traits that Abraham Lincoln developed during his lifetime and successfully applied to his work in law and government and how those traits can be a guide for later generations.
Prof. Ron Keller , Lincoln College, Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association, Director of the Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development, Lincoln

Lincoln’s Law Practice
Twice a year, Lincoln traveled through the Eighth Judicial Circuit in an effort to bring the judicial system to the rural communities of central Illinois. This segment examines his time riding the Eighth Circuit, including: his service as a judge; how he networked with clients and other attorneys; the professionalism and civility issues of the times; and how he built his practice.
Guy C. Fraker , Attorney at Law, Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association, Bloomington

Lincoln’s Melancholy
Join us as our speakers discuss what we have learned from Lincoln’s frequent spells of melancholy and how it relates to today’s issues of legal competency. Learn which resources are available to you and your colleagues for burnout, depression, anxiety, addiction and more.
Christine P. Anderson , Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Chicago
Faye Freeman-Smith , Lawyers Assistance Program, 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 $96.25 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $192.50
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

2nd Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy - Lessons for Today's Lawyers - Part 2

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 Illinois State Bar Association
Co-Sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


2.5 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: September 7, 2018
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­November 21, 2024 - November 20, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


In 1858, Lincoln defended William Duff Armstrong on murder charges for the death of James Preston Metzker. During the trial, a key prosecution eyewitness named Charles Allen testified that he witnessed the fight after sunset by the light of the moon high overhead. Lincoln undermined Allen’s testimony by using an almanac to prove that the moon was on the horizon and did not provide sufficient light to see anything clearly at the time of the fight. William Duff Armstrong was acquitted and Lincoln’s use of the almanac became legendary in the legal community. Don’t miss this full-day seminar that examines the Lincoln Almanac Trial in the very courthouse where Armstrong was acquitted. Topics include:
  • An examination of the case from the trial advocacy perspective, and what modern lawyers can learn from it;
  • A look at Lincoln’s other murder trials, and how attorneys must fulfill their duty to represent clients zealously in such cases;
  • The problem with eyewitness identification and how to deal with it effectively at trial;
  • The ethical issues that can arise during a trial;
  • A look at Lincoln’s practice before the Illinois Supreme Court; and
  • Much more!

Ethical Issues at Trial
Peter L. Rotskoff, Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Springfield

Eyewitness Identification: A Panel Discussion
Moderator: Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, Board Member of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Taylorville
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
John Hanlon, Executive/Legal Director Illinois Innocence Project, UIS, Springfield
Hon. Bobby G. Hardwick, Eighth Judicial Circuit, Beardstown

Lincoln’s Practice before The Illinois Supreme Court
John A. Lupton, Director of the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, Springfield


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 $87.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $175
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

2nd Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy - Lessons for Today's Lawyers - Part 1

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 Illinois State Bar Association
Co-Sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


2.5 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: September 7, 2018
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­November 21, 2024 - November 20, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


In 1858, Lincoln defended William Duff Armstrong on murder charges for the death of James Preston Metzker. During the trial, a key prosecution eyewitness named Charles Allen testified that he witnessed the fight after sunset by the light of the moon high overhead. Lincoln undermined Allen’s testimony by using an almanac to prove that the moon was on the horizon and did not provide sufficient light to see anything clearly at the time of the fight. William Duff Armstrong was acquitted and Lincoln’s use of the almanac became legendary in the legal community. Don’t miss this full-day seminar that examines the Lincoln Almanac Trial in the very courthouse where Armstrong was acquitted. Topics include:
  • An examination of the case from the trial advocacy perspective, and what modern lawyers can learn from it;
  • A look at Lincoln’s other murder trials, and how attorneys must fulfill their duty to represent clients zealously in such cases;
  • The problem with eyewitness identification and how to deal with it effectively at trial;
  • The ethical issues that can arise during a trial;
  • A look at Lincoln’s practice before the Illinois Supreme Court; and
  • Much more!

The Lincoln Almanac Trial
George R. Dekle, Sr., Professor Emeritus, Levin College of Law, University of Florida

Lincoln’s Murder Trials
George R. Dekle, Sr., Professor Emeritus, Levin College of Law, University of Florida

The Trials: A Panel Discussion
Moderator: Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, Board Member of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Taylorville
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
George R. Dekle, Sr., Professor Emeritus, Levin College of Law, University of Florida
Hon. Bobby G. Hardwick, Eighth Judicial Circuit, Beardstown



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 $87.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $175
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

4th Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy: Overcoming Prejudice and Racial Discrimination in the Legal Profession - Part 2

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 Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours Professionalism Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category:
  • 1.0 hours Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit
  • 2.0 hours Diversity and Inclusion credit


Original Program Date: September 9, 2022
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: November 21, 2024 - November 20, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss ISBA’s 4th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we take an in-depth look at how to overcome prejudice and racial discrimination in the legal profession. The program offers an informative, historical look at how far we’ve come as a society – and how far we have yet to go. Topics include:
  • The remnants of prejudice and discrimination in the legal profession today and why diversity in the Bench and Bar matters;
  • The ethical issues created by judicial bias or prejudice;
  • What we can learn from Lincoln’s ability to overcome prejudice and defend civil rights equality; and
  • Much more.


Program Coordinators:
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office, P.C., Urbana
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Current Issues involving Bias, Prejudice, and the Need for Diversity
Explore the current issues involving bias, prejudice, and the need for diversity in the legal profession (and how we can make our profession better) with this informative panel discussion.
Moderator: J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office, P.C., Urbana
Eve M. Blackwell, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Melodi D. Green, Chief Diversity and Inclusion officer, City of Peoria, Peoria
Gregory K. Harris, U.S. Attorney, Central District of Illinois, Springfield
Sierra Senor-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Central District of Illinois, Springfield
Ruth A. Waller, Attorney at Law, Decatur

Contemporary Ethical Issues
Don’t miss this in-depth look at the ethical issues facing lawyers and judges today – from prejudice and incivility to inherent biases against those different from ourselves.
Hon. Raymond J. McKoski (ret.), University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, Lake Villa

Lincoln’s Evolution from Anti-Slavery to Equality of Civil Rights
Learn how lawyers can overcome prejudice by examining Abraham Lincoln’s move from anti-slavery beliefs to his stance on civil rights equality throughout his lifetime.
Moderator: Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office, P.C., Urbana
Prof. Roger Billings, Northern Kentucky School of Law (Ret.), Kentucky
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington



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 $105 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $210
    • New Attorney Member (within he first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free