Pre-Mediation Preparation

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

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.

Firm for Sale?

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

 The Illinois Bar Journal’s June cover story, “Firm for Sale?,” concerns to Illinois State Bar Association’s (ISBA) new online service, Law Practices for Sale, where attorneys in Illinois who are planning to retire, relocate, or need to sell their practice can connect with prospective buyers. 

Spotting and Solving Customs Problems for Businesses That Import

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 the International & Immigration Law Section
Co-sponsored by the ISBA Administrative Law Section, ISBA Business Advice & Financial Planning Section, and the ISBA Diversity Leadership Council


1.0 hour MCLE credit

Original Program Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­June 13, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Learn how to spot compliance issues and solve customs import problems for your next client with this informative seminar. Business advice attorneys, international and immigration law lawyers, and administrative law counsel with basic practice experience who attend this online program will better understand:
  • The liabilities for businesses importing goods into the United States;
  • How to classify and determine value of goods using Tariff Schedule;
  • How antidumping and countervailing duties help level the playing field for domestic businesses that have been injured by unfairly traded imports;
  • Detentions and seizures;
  • Potential penalties to be aware of;
  • When to disclose prior violations;
  • And more!

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

Program Speaker:
Jason Wapiennik , Great Lakes Customs Law, Illinois/Michigan


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

Civil Practice Basics Series - Part 2: Affirmative Defenses in Illinois

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 and the ISBA Young Lawyers Division


1.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­June 13, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Affirmative defenses in Illinois vary depending on the area of the law. Join us for Part 2 of this series in which we cover some case law examples of valid affirmative defenses recognized in Illinois (generally) and in contract law and tort law (specifically). Topics include:
  • The pleading requirements to assert a valid affirmative defense in Illinois, including pleading “affirmative matter”;
  • Sections of the Code of Civil Procedure that apply to pleading a valid affirmative defense;
  • The requirement in Illinois to respond to an affirmative defense; and
  • Understanding the burden-shifting effect of pleading an affirmative defense.

Program Coordinators:
Cathy A. Pilkington, The Law Offices of Cathy A. Pilkington, Chicago
Joseph A. Souligne, Webber & Thies, P.C., Urbana

Program Chat Moderator:
Joseph A. Souligne, Webber & Thies, P.C., Urbana

Program Speaker:
Cathy A. Pilkington, The Law Offices of Cathy A. Pilkington, 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

Sign Me Up: The Ins and Outs of Using Adobe Sign for Digital Documents and Signatures

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, or Legal Ethics credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­June 6, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Depending on your state, some “wet” originals govern. But, for many transactions, digital signatures have the same full legal effect as “wet” signatures, and they’re more secure to boot. A digital signature platform produces proof not only of who signed a document, but also when and where, as well as a “chain of custody” for the document. After a short primer on digital signatures, we walk through the core features in Adobe’s Sign product. Learn how to prepare, send, and track a document you submit for a digital signature through Adobe Sign.


Program Speaker:
Jeffrey Schoenberger, Affinity Consulting Group
About the Speaker: Jeff’s unique role at Affinity involves managing our Practice Management Advisory program. Prior to joining the Affinity family, Jeff practiced law with Legal Aid in Cincinnati, Ohio. He learned about Affinity and consulting as a career path through some of partners Paul Unger’s and Barron Henley’s CLE courses. Jeff’s describes his superpower as his ability to “get the podcast done.” His favorite part of his job is discovering new tech and techniques to help attorneys.

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

The Ethics of What NOT To Do as a Business Lawyer

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 Business and Securities Law Section


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: Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­June 6, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this online program that is designed to give new business attorneys a better understanding of the key recurring issues to be aware of, as well as inform more experienced business attorneys of the novel and complex ethical issues that may arise in their practice. Business advice lawyers, civil practice attorneys, and corporate law counsel who attend this seminar will better understand:
  • The ethical issues in determining the identity of the client in the corporate context;
  • The conflicts of interest to be aware of, especially during dual representation;
  • The nationwide concerns with competence and the unauthorized practice of law;
  • Confidentiality issues and duties to third parties in a transaction;
  • The professional conduct concerns when offering legal counsel outside the scope of your expertise;
  • Knowing when your client communication is privileged (and when it is not); and
  • Much more.

Program Coordinator:
Jay Schleppenbach , Dechert LLP, Chicago

Program Moderator:
Colin Clark, Sandberg Phoenix, Edwardsville

Program Chat Moderator:
Candice L. Kline, Saul Ewing LLP, Chicago


Welcome and Introductions
Colin Clark, Sandberg Phoenix, Edwardsville

Don’t Try to Represent Everyone: The Identity of the Client and Conflicts of Interest in the Corporate Setting
Business attorneys may find themselves dealing with a variety of individuals and legal entities throughout the course of a single transaction or legal issue. It is important to determine and document who the client is and make sure to avoid conflicts of interest. This segment examines scenarios to be aware of in which executives may ask for individual representation, side projects, or legal services in exchange for business equity. Topics include Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 1.13 (the organization as client), Rule 1.7 (conflicts of interest in dual representation), and Rule 1.18 (prospective client). Examples of disciplinary action where attorneys have run afoul of these rules are included throughout the discussion.
Nikhil A. Mehta, Saul Ewing LLP, Chicago

Don’t Take on Tasks Beyond Your Expertise or The Scope of Your License
Because so many companies do business nationwide, they often come to their attorneys with a wide range of legal problems. Lawyers may be tempted to work through their client’s legal issues, even when those issues are not within their area of expertise or geographic experience. This presentation explores a number of hypothetical scenarios to be aware of and offers examples of disciplinary actions that have resulted from these types of situations. Topics include: Rule 1.1 (competence), Rule 5.5 (the unauthorized practice of law), and Rule 2.1 (the scope of advice).
Chad J. Richter, Mathis Marifian & Richter Ltd., Edwardsville

Don’t Reveal or Use Client Confidences
The Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 1.6 state that lawyers may not “reveal information relating to the representation of a client” except under certain circumstances. There are also laws (such as those against insider trading) that prohibit the use of client confidences. But Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 4.1 does provide that lawyers have some limited duties towards third parties. Join us for this comprehensive look at how to handle a myriad of issues regarding client confidences, including cooperating with government investigation into client crimes or fraud, clients requesting “the same deal” as a prior client got, mistakes made by the other side in a transaction, and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. Examples of real-life cases that resulted in disciplinary action are also included.
Christopher C. Kendall, The Law Office of Christopher C. Kendall, P.C., Chicago

Don’t Assume All Your Client Communications Are Privileged
Business attorneys often wear multiple hats by providing both legal and business advice to their clients. Jurisdictions are split over whether and when “dual-purpose” communications can be covered by the privilege. The Second, Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth Circuits state that communications are privileged only if legal advice is “the” primary purpose. The D.C. Circuit applies privilege if legal advice is “a” primary purpose. Yet the Seventh Circuit views it differently altogether. This segment explores the various issues to be aware of, including why separating business and legal advice as much as possible is paramount. A discussion on the importance of developing clear document retention policies for both business and legal communication is also included.
Jay Schleppenbach, Dechert LLP, Chicago

Final Remarks/Questions
Colin Clark, Sandberg Phoenix, Edwardsville


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 $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

The Collaborative Team Process: A Primer for Family Lawyers and Judges

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
Co-sponsored by the ISBA Family Law Section and the ISBA Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services


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


Original Program Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­June 6, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


The Collaborative Process is a well-developed Limited Scope Representation that has been practiced in Illinois for over 20 years. Don’t miss this informative online program that is designed to introduce you to this model of conflict resolution, acquaint you with a Collaborative Practice Professional Team, demonstrate how teams work, and explain how this approach promotes civility and professionalism while achieving more amicable outcomes for families.

Program Coordinator:
Sandra Crawford, Law Crawford, P.C., Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Sandra Petras Bruckner, Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, St. Charles

Program Speakers:
Sandra Petras Bruckner, Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, St. Charles
Sandra Crawford, Law Crawford, P.C., Chicago
L. Todd Johnson, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, Elmhurst
Dr. Lydia C. Richardson, Clinical Psychologist and Divorce Mediator, 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