Arbitration Consternation

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

 In the past year, Illinois appellate courts have seen an increase in the number of cases involving enforceability of mandatory arbitration clauses in nursing home resident contracts, writes Amelia Buragas in her May Illinois Bar Journal LawPulse article, “Arbitration Consternation.”

The Future Shift: How Lawyers Can Thrive in the Midst of Change

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

Attorneys continue to face challenges with rapidly evolving societal and technological advances, as well as increased competition from non-lawyers. Some attorneys have embraced these changes by learning to automate with new systems and adopt progressive attitudes. Others, however, remain in denial about the significant impact these changes may have on their ability to prosper in tomorrow’s environment. Don’t miss this in-depth program in which Cynthia Sharp discusses future trends, including the rise of non-lawyers performing functions traditionally reserved for licensed attorneys and the steps that attorneys must take to flourish in an age of unparalleled innovation.

Identifying and Resolving Ethical Issues Arising in Environmental 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 Illinois State Bar Association Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, The Chicago Bar Association Environmental Law Committee, and The Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Environmental Committee


1.25 hours MCLE credit, including 1.25 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Friday, May 10, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­July 15, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


This lively presentation examines all new hypothetical scenarios familiar to environmental law practitioners, including those focusing on the unique issues faced by environmental lawyers in balancing client confidentiality, avoiding and managing potential conflicts while representing multiple clients, advising on clients’ legal obligations to report environmental issues, and more. Using ISBA’s polling software, attendees can respond to a set of multiple-choice questions, followed by a discussion weighing the various analyses and possible solutions.

Moderator/Speaker: Lisle A. Stalter, Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, Waukegan
William J. Anaya, UBGreensfelder, LLP, Chicago
Karen Kavanagh Mack, Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, Chicago
Scott Renfroe, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, 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


22nd Annual Environmental Law Conference - Part 5

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 Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, The Chicago Bar Association Environmental Law Committee, and The Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Environmental Committee


3.50 hours MCLE credit, including 1.25 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024 – Friday, May 10, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­July 15, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this opportunity to better understand the quickly developing and evolving areas of environmental law with this informative program. Topics include: an overview of environmental justice and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act; a look at the important changes to the New ASTM Guidelines and how the unique Illinois requirements vary from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements; and how to identify and resolve the ethical issues that may arise in your environmental law practice.


Environmental Justice, Title VI, and Environmental Law
In 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formed the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. These quickly developing and evolving areas of law have spurred a lot of interest from citizens, nonprofit organizations, and the regulated community. This panel presentation provides a brief overview of environmental justice and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and offers a look at the speakers’ various (and fairly different) views on and experience with this fast-developing area.
Moderator/Speaker: Ariel MacMillan-Sanchez, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region V, Chicago
Chris Pressnall, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Springfield
John Petoskey, EarthJustice, Chicago
Ellis Walton, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Chicago

Phase I/Phase II: Implementation of the New ASTM Guidelines
On December 15, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopted a Final Rule incorporating by reference the latest iteration of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice for conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. This new standard replaces the prior standard – and beginning February 13, 2024, only the new standard practice will satisfy the Final Rule. Don’t miss this panel presentation that focuses on the important changes and relates them to the unique Illinois requirements that still vary from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
Moderator/Speaker: Phillip R. VanNess, Webber & Thies P.C., Urbana
Timothy McGahey, CHMM, LEED-AP, AKT Peerless, Chicago
Eugene P. Schmittgens, Jr., Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes P.C., Missouri

Identifying and Resolving Ethical Issues Arising in Environmental Law
(Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, and Sexual Harassment Prevention credit)
This lively presentation examines all new hypothetical scenarios familiar to environmental law practitioners, including those focusing on the unique issues faced by environmental lawyers in balancing client confidentiality, avoiding and managing potential conflicts while representing multiple clients, advising on clients’ legal obligations to report environmental issues, and more. Using ISBA’s polling software, attendees can respond to a set of multiple-choice questions, followed by a discussion weighing the various analyses and possible solutions.
Moderator/Speaker: Lisle A. Stalter, Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, Waukegan
William J. Anaya, UBGreensfelder, LLP, Chicago
Karen Kavanagh Mack, Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, Chicago
Scott Renfroe, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, 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 $122.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $245
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

22nd Annual Environmental Law Conference - Part 4

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 Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, The Chicago Bar Association Environmental Law Committee, and The Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Environmental Committee


2.75 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024 – Friday, May 10, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: July 11, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


This program gives you the updates you need on the jurisdiction of WOTUS, the current trends in Illinois’ lead poisoning litigation, the enforcement provisions found in the Illinois’ Lead Poisoning Prevention Act; and the recent federal and state cases and state regulations, rulemakings, and legislation.


WOTUS Federal Jurisdiction and State Initiatives
The scope of federal jurisdiction associated with Waters of the United States (WOTUS) is fast-evolving, with more rapids, unexpected twists, turns, impediments, and floods than any known stream. Don’t miss this discussion on the recent developments associated with jurisdiction of WOTUS as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as the recent rules promulgated by President Biden. A look at the current initiatives in state and local government is also included.
Moderator/Speaker: William J. Anaya, UBGreensfelder, LLP, Chicago
Vince Mosca, Hey & Associates, Chicago
Prof. Robert A. Weinstock, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, Chicago

Lead Enforcement
This session provides a comprehensive overview of current trends in the State’s lead poisoning litigation, including the concerns associated with lead poisoning, the Illinois Department of Public Health’s detection of lead poisoning and subsequent referrals for litigation, the enforcement provisions found in the Illinois’ Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, and common litigation scenarios.
Moderator: Jane E. McBride, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Natalie Long, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Springfield

The Year in Review: Case Law and Statutory Update
Don’t miss this comprehensive summary of recent federal and state cases and state regulations, rulemakings, and legislation.
Moderator/Speaker: Alex Garel-Frantzen, ArentFox Schiff, Chicago
Sophie Grueterich, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region V, Chicago
Sarah L. Lode, ArentFox Schiff, Chicago
Arielle B. McPherson, Lathrop GPM, Chicago
Steve Sylvester, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, 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