Communication Breakdown: It's Always the Same (But It's Avoidable)

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: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: May 13, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Breakdowns in client communication are a major cause of malpractice claims and practice management problems, by creating dissatisfied clients, decreased productivity, and causing conflicts both internally and externally. This webcast explains the technologies and techniques that can help you improve communication, lower your stress, improve your service, generate happier clients, and lower your malpractice risk.


Program Speaker:
Supriya Venkatesan, Affinity Consulting, Ohio
About the Speaker: Supriya is a Lawyerist Business Coach, specializing mindset & marketing. She guides Law firm owners in honing their marketing, scaling teams, and creating sustainable business strategies while emphasizing mental well-being, profit generation, and efficient systems. She is a seasoned leader with 18+ years of expertise, having worked with Fortune 500 brands like Apple and Dropbox, and notable organizations such as the United Nations and the David Lynch Foundation. A storyteller at heart, some of her pieces have been published in The New York Times, CNN, Forbes, and more. Her journey in leadership and coaching began during her 6-year active duty in the US Army, leading teams across 3 continents. Supriya now harnesses her diverse skills as a business coach as part of the Lawyerist team. Her work-related superpower is her ability to delve deep, and spot root causes of issues, ensuring that solutions are long-lasting. Her favorite part of her job is seeing people achieve what they once thought impossible and being a witness to their transformations.


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

Cleaning Up Your Digital Footprint

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

 Left unchecked, an overflowing email inbox leads to an inbox overflowing with spam, an increased risk of phishing attacks, and an overall loss of control over your personal information. Fortunately, you can clean up your digital footprint. Not only is it possible, it might even be easier than you think.

Read the April Illinois Bar Journal’s Pointers From Practice HQ column, “Cleaning Up Your Digital Footprint,” for tips to spring clean your digital mess.

Ex-Pritzker aide ‘assisting authorities’ in federal extortion case involving Lincoln Park restaurant owner

Lisa Duarte, now a high-profile lobbyist, says she’s a victim of Jawad Fakroune, who’s accused of shaking down a Lincoln Park restaurateur, but won’t say why she paid nearly $20K in property taxes on a Lemont estate where Fakroune lived that was raided by FBI.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois bill would remove cannabis odor as probable cause for police to search car

The Illinois Senate passed S.B. 42 on Thursday by a vote of 33-20. It was sent to the House of Representatives for passage in that chamber.

From: 
Fox 32

Few know about crime victim compensation. East St. Louis group wants to change that

Back in 2019, East St. Louis’ Gloria Hicks received a last-minute invitation to a meeting at a local church. It was about an organization called Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice.

From: 
Belleville News-Democrat

Despite IHSA opposition, Illinois lawmakers approve bill for student-athletes

Student-athletes could be granted waivers for non-school athletic events with a measure approved by the Illinois House.

From: 
Advantage News

American Alliance for Equal Rights sues American Bar Association for racial discrimination in scholarship program

The American Alliance for Equal Rights filed a federal lawsuit against the American Bar Association for operating a racially discriminatory scholarship program that unlawfully excludes white students.

From: 
Morningstar

U.S. Army veteran who became a Central Illinois judge retires from the bench

A Central Illinois judge admired for his compassion and understanding of military veterans who came before him in criminal court is retiring from the bench. Associate Judge William Workman is himself a U.S. Army veteran and became the presiding judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit Veterans’ Treatment Court.

From: 
25 News Now

ISBA's Civil Appeal Basics: Appealing Orders That Do Not Resolve All Claims

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 Civil Practice and Procedure Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: June 22, 2023
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­May 6, 2025 - May 5, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Not all appeals involve final judgments. Practitioners should be aware that other types of orders may be appealed -- and may have to be appealed -- before the entire case is concluded. The deadlines and procedures in such cases are often much different from those in appeals of final judgments. This program explains each kind of appealable order, the legal authority that permits an appeal, and the special timelines and procedures that apply to each kind of appeal. Topics include appealing:
  • Final judgements that do not dispose of an entire proceeding after a special finding by the trial court under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 304(a);
  • Otherwise non-appealable judgments without the need for a special finding by the trial court under Rule 304(b);
  • Certain types of interlocutory orders by right under Rule 307;
  • Interlocutory orders by petitions for leave to appeal under Rule 306; and
  • A certified question of law by application for leave to appeal under Rule 308.

Program Coordinator/Speaker:
Timothy J. Storm , Storm Appellate Law, Barrington


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

ISBA's Civil Appeal Basics: The First 30 Days after Judgment

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!
Sponsored by Civil Practice and Procedure Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: May 16, 2023
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: May 6, 2025 - May 5, 2027(You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


The first 30 days after the trial court enters an unfavorable judgment to your client are critical. During this period, you will have to walk your client through several important and complex decisions that could mean the difference between success and failure on appeal. Join us for this informative program that provides a step-by-step guide for using this timeframe to give your client a head start toward winning on appeal. Topics include:
  • What are the important deadlines?
  • Should you file a motion attacking the judgment and what should such a motion contain?
  • Should you appeal instead of filing a post-judgment motion or if the motion is denied?
  • Have the potential issues on appeal been properly preserved in the record?
  • How can you estimate the likelihood of success on appeal?
  • How much will an appeal cost?
  • Is an appeal cost effective?
  • Is it possible to stay the judgment during the appeal?
  • What must be done to obtain a stay pending appeal?
  • How can you ensure that the record on appeal is accurate and complete?
  • If you will refer the case to an appellate attorney, how can you assure a seamless transition?

Program Coordinator/Speaker:
Timothy J. Storm , Storm Appellate Law, Barrington


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