Spotlight on Pro Bono: Helping Veterans in Need Through the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

By Abigail Causer, Managing Attorney at the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) & Nicole Massey, Veterans Attorney and Pro Bono Coordinator at Land of Lincoln Legal Aid

In Illinois, there are over 800,000 veterans, active service members, National Guard members, and dependents of deployed service members. For people in these groups, access to civil legal services is highly sought after, and many cannot afford it. The 2023 survey by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education, and Networking Groups) identified several unmet needs for legal assistance in eight areas: credit issues and debt collection, expunging criminal records, family law and tax issues, child support issues, outstanding warrants and fines, discharge upgrade appeals, and financial guardianship.

A Giant Leap Forward

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

 For more than a decade, Legal Research provider Fastcase has been a standard benefit for Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) members. Its especially deep trove of Illinois materials spans a complete collection of caselaw; statutes; attorney general’s opinions; and the state’s court rules, constitution, and administrative code. During the second half of 2024, vLex Fastcase, comprising two namesake companies that merged in 2023, will roll out an update that will gallop ahead of the previous version’s capabilities with “nonhallucinatory” AI, a “negative” Cert citator that identifies nonprecedential decisions, and several other updates.

6th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy: Lessons for Today’s Lawyers – Democracy, The Constitution, and Lincoln the Lawyer/President

Posted on July 29, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

Don’t miss ISBA’s 6th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we study Lincoln’s actions as a lawyer and President in facing threats to democracy in America and the United States Constitution. The program takes place in Springfield, which was the center of Lincoln’s law practice and three partnerships, and where Lincoln developed his understanding of the democratic process and his interpretation of the Constitution. It was the venue for many of Lincoln’s significant trials, including the “Peachy” Quinn Harrison murder trial. Join us for this in-depth look at how Lincoln’s view of the Constitution changed over time and evolved into the use of his Presidential War Powers to advance the case of Union and emancipation.

Justice Joy V. Cunningham Announces Formation of Judicial Selection Committee

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

Justice Joy V. Cunningham of the Supreme Court of Illinois has announced the formation of a standing Judicial Selection Committee (Committee). The Committee has been formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those who apply for appointment to vacancies in the Supreme Court’s First District - Cook County. 

Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies on the Circuit and Appellate Courts are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Appointed individuals then must run in the next election to maintain the seat. 

You Can't Sue the King, Except When You Can: Proper Litigation Techniques for Suing and Defending a Unit of Local Government

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 Local Government Law Section
Co-Sponsored by the ISBA Young Lawyers Division


1.25 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Friday, June 7, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­July 29, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Join us for a look at what it truly means to sue a municipality and why you shouldn’t. Local government lawyers, administrative law council, civil practice attorneys, general practitioners, and new lawyers with basic practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand:
  • The lawsuit aspects that should be listed when filing a complaint;
  • What does tort immunity actually mean;
  • What the Freedom of Information Act is and how it differs from discovery; and
  • The proper discovery guidelines for municipalities

Program Coordinator/Moderator
Jason R. Blumenthal , Policy and Program Manager, DuPage County, Wheaton

Program Speakers:
Jason R. Blumenthal , Policy and Program Manager, DuPage County, Wheaton
Gregory E. Moredock, City of Springfield, Springfield
Richard J. Veenstra, Schain Banks Kenny and Schwartz, 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 $43.75 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $87.50
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

The Dawning of the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Promise or Threat to the Practice of Law?

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 Standing Committee on Artificial Intelligence & The Practice of Law


2.0 hours MCLE credit, including 2.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention


Original Program Date: Friday, June 7, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­August 5, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Machines thinking like humans used to be the premise of Sci-Fi novels and movies, but machines are now doing what we never thought possible. Join us for an overview of how this technology is already impacting the practice of law, why you should use it, how to use it ethically and efficiently, and how to recognize (and address) the risks of using it. Topics include:
  • What is artificial intelligence and how does it work?
  • How will artificial intelligence change the practice?
  • What is the promise of AI and peril to the practice?
  • Will it be a boost to productivity, or will it replace lawyers?
  • How will we deal with the threat of disinformation?

Artificial Intelligence and the Law: Promise or Peril?
Don’t miss this in-depth look at how artificial intelligence is being used in the legal practice, as well as the ethical issues to be aware of when using this technology. Topics include: recent developments in AI, type of AI, the application of artificial intelligence in the practice of law; how artificial intelligence is being used in the courts; and how to recognize (and address) Deep Fakes.
Moderator: George (“Geo”) Bellas , Bellas & Wachowski, Park Ridge
Jonathan Nessler, Nessler & Associates Ltd., Springfield
Nelson Rosario, Rosario Tech Law, LLC, Chicago

Practical Demonstration of Artificial Intelligence in the Practice
Learn how to identify problems that artificial intelligence can solve (and which AI tools to use in solving that problem) with this informative presentation. Examples of how artificial intelligence can assist with office tasks and market your law practice are also included.
Drew G. Vaughn, Deviant Marketing LLC, 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 $70 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $140
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Safeguarding Your Practice: Navigating Insurance Coverage for Law Firms and Attorneys

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 Standing Committee on Law Office Management and Economics


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


Original Program Date: Friday, June 7, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­August 5, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Join us for an in-depth look at how the right insurance coverage can safeguard you and your law practice, as well as the underwriting basics you need to know and the misconceptions regarding losses vs types of coverage. Solo and small firm attorneys, general practitioners, new lawyers, and insurance law attorneys with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand:
  • What you need to know about professional liability and cyber insurance;
  • The various types of insurance available to your practice;
  • The importance of transparency in applying for coverage;
  • The most common required underwriting information;
  • Business interruption coverage;
  • Commercial general liability and other coverage commonly required by landlords;
  • Key-person coverage and individual disability income coverage; and
  • Business overhead expenses.

Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Jennifer Danish , Bryant Legal Group P.C. Chicago

Program Speakers:
Daniel Cotter , Dickinson Wright, Chicago
Adam Czerwinski, Sidebar Insurance Solutions, Orland Park
Jennifer Danish , Bryant Legal Group P.C. Chicago
Scott Dutton , ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, 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

So You Want to Practice Sports & Entertainment Law: The Rules of the Game

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 Sports & Entertainment Law Section*
Co-sponsored by the ISBA Business & Securities Law Section and ISBA Intellectual Property Section


1.50 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­August 12, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


The sports and entertainment law landscape often confuses attorneys regarding what exactly it entails. This in-depth seminar is designed to guide legal professionals on the dynamic journey of becoming a sports and entertainment lawyer – from networking strategies and ethical considerations to relationship building and understanding the various ways you can help clients in the sports/music/film industry. Business law attorneys, intellectual property practitioners, corporate law council, and new attorneys with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this program will better understand:
  • The various pathways to becoming a sports and entertainment lawyer;
  • The types of cases sports and entertainment attorneys may handle;
  • The importance of cultivating professional relationships in the sports and entertainment legal field, including building and maintaining mentor-mentee relationships;
  • How to identify and engage with key professionals in the sports and entertainment industry; and
  • The ethical considerations that are specific to sports and entertainment law.

Program Coordinator:
Sivonnia DeBarros , SL DeBarros Law Firm LLC, Woodstock

Program Speakers:
Sivonnia DeBarros , SL DeBarros Law Firm LLC, Woodstock
Jeremy Evans , California Sports Lawyer, Los Angeles
Charles Harrington, Chiii Law, Chicago
 Michael Whittle, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis

*Join the NEW ISBA Sports & Entertainment Law Section - FREE membership through June 2025 and a $10 section member discount on CLE programming sponsored by the section!

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 $52.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $105
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Pre-Mediation Preparation

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 Alternative Dispute Resolution Section


1.50 hours MCLE credit, including 1.50 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention


Original Program Date: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­July 29, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Pre-mediation preparation is a key aspect to ensuring that your client’s dispute resolution case comes to a successful conclusion. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding of the value of pre-mediation meetings, while getting the tips you need from our seasoned speakers on the essentials of pre-mediation sessions. A discussion on what to expect throughout these meetings is also included


Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Sandra Crawford , Law Crawford P.C., Park Ridge

Program Chat Moderator:
Jerald A. Kessler , Kessler Mediation, Northfield

Program Speakers:
H. Case Ellis , Law Office of H. Case Ellis, Cary
Jerald A. Kessler, Kessler Mediation, Northfield
Ashanti Madlock Henderson , Madlock Henderson LLC, Chicago
Michael Zuckerman , Zuckerman Dispute Resolution LLC, 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 $52.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $105
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free