Illinois Supreme Court Eliminates Fees In Minor Guardianship and Small Claims Cases

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today amendments to M.R. Order 29741 which will eliminate filing and appearance fees in minor guardianship cases and appearance fees in small claim cases. The amended rules are effective October 1, 2025.

“The Illinois Supreme Court is always looking to remove barriers to access to justice in our state,” Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis said. “Removing and simplifying fees and processes for underrepresented litigants helps ensure they are able to have their voices heard in court.”

Criminal Justice Update - Spring 2025 - 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 ISBA Criminal Justice Section


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


Original Program Date: Friday, March 7, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­April 16th, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Get the updates you need on new and existing issues in criminal law with this informative onsite program, including: the ethical obligations of criminal defense attorneys; what you need to know when representing juveniles in a criminal law case; and much more!


Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Sara Vig , Vig Law P.C., Springfield

Ethical Obligations of Criminal Defense Attorneys: Communication, Competence, and Conflicts, Oh My!*
Join us for a look at the ARDC disciplinary matters from the last annual report (which includes statistics on the types of practitioners being disciplined), followed by a discussion on the ethics rules guiding attorney competence, diligence, communication, and conflicts of interest.
Rachel C. Miller , Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Chicago

The ABCs of Representing Juveniles
Learn how to better represent juveniles facing criminal charges with this informative segment.
Hallie M. Bezner , Bezner Law, Oak Park



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

Criminal Justice Update - Spring 2025 - 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 ISBA Criminal Justice Section


2.75 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Friday, March 7, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­April 15, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Get the updates you need on new and existing issues in criminal law with this informative onsite program, including: what to look for when dogs are used by police officers; issues with canine sniffs; the outcome of the Bruen case; the decisions and statutory changes you need to be aware of; and much more!


Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Sara Vig , Vig Law P.C., Springfield

Issues in Police Canine Tactics
This segment examines the common issues with police canine units and using experts when canine sniffs are involved. Case law updates are also discussed.
Elisabeth R. Pollock , Champaign County Chief Public Defender, Urbana

Bruen Issues
Don’t miss this comprehensive overview of NYSRPA v. Bruen, the case law resulting from this decision, and the issues to be aware of when advising your clients.
Thomas Drysdale , Office of the Federal Public Defender, Urbana

Case Law Update
This presentation gives you the updates you need on important decisions and statutory changes that may impact you or your clients.
Daniel L. Fultz , Brown, Hay & Stephens, 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 $96 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $192
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Using the Collaborative Process

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-presented by the ISBA Family Law 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: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­May 13, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


The collaborative process is a voluntary and confidential form of dispute resolution where two parties work together with a team of collaboratively trained professionals to avoid going to court. Don’t miss this online program that discusses how the collaborative process can effectively help your next family law case, the ethical considerations to be aware of, and the best practices you need to know when using this method for your client. Additional topics include: understanding how to discharge your duty of “zealous advocate” in the context of a collaborative process; limited scope representation throughout this process; and how this less adversarial option may impact your client’s outcome.

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

Program Moderator:
Carlton R. Marcyan, Jackson, Buckley & Pfanenstiel, LLP, Lake Forest

Program Speakers:
Sandra Crawford, Law Crawford, P.C., Park Ridge
Carlton R. Marcyan, Jackson, Buckley & Pfanenstiel, LLP, Lake Forest
Patrick T. Ryan, Jackson, Buckley & Pfanenstiel, LLP, 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

Navigating Artificial Intelligence with an Ethical Compass

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 Elder Law Section
Co-presented by the ISBA Standing Committee on Artificial Intelligence & the Practice of Law, ISBA Trusts & Estates Section, and ISBA Rural Practice Section


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: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: May 13, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Learn how the ethical challenges of using artificial intelligence play out in the elder law arena with this informative seminar! Elder law attorneys, trusts and estate lawyers, disability law practitioners, health care counsel, and general practitioners with basic practice experience who attend this online program will learn:
  • How to identify which artificial intelligence technologies and tools can be incorporated ethically into an elder law practice;
  • How using artificial intelligence can streamline your case management workflow and improve access to legal services for older adults; and
  • How to address (or avoid) the ethical challenges that may arise when using artificial intelligence technologies.
  • Hypothetical scenarios will be presented and discussed throughout the program to show when artificial intelligence can be ethically utilized in your elder law practice.

Program Coordinators:
Mia O. Hernandez, Webber & Thies, P.C., Champaign
Dolores Wigman, Prairie State Legal Services, Woodstock

Program Chat Moderator:
Megan Kinney, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, East St. Louis

Program Speakers:
Brian Lambert, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, East St. Louis
Susan M. Simone, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, East St. Louis



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

ADHD: A Rise in Diagnosis of Women, Its Impact on the Legal Profession, and How It Affects the Professional Woman

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 ISBA’s Standing Committee on Women & the Law


1.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­May 13, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from our speaker, Dr. Cortney Bindrich, as she draws upon her experience as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in Neuropsychology to discuss the rise of ADHD diagnoses in women. In addition to explaining the mental health condition of ADHD (and why more and more female professionals are being diagnosed with this condition), Dr. Bindrich will offer real-world tactics to improve your daily practice and grow in the legal profession. Additional topics include: strategies that can help with time management issues; how to create better professional relationships; and the best practices you can employ to ensure a successful legal career with of an ADHD diagnosis.

Program Coordinators:
Bridget L. Schott, Assistant State’s Attorney, Lee County State’s Attorney’s Office, Champaign
Debra L. Thomas, Romanucci & Blandin, Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Jessica Durkin, Assistant Corporation Counsel, Supervisor,City of Chicago Law Department, Chicago

Program Speakers:
Dr. Cortney Bindrich, Bindrich Consulting, PLLC, 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

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.