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

ISBA's Guardian Ad Litem Training

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 Bench & Bar Section, ISBA Child Law Section, and ISBA Family Law Section


11.25 hours MCLE credit, including 4.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit  in the following categories:
  • 4.0 hours Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit

Original Program Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2021
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­April 25, 2025 - April 24, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


This three-part program is designed to help those attorneys who represent children. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 906(c), an attorney should receive ten hours of education every two years in child developments; roles of guardians ad litem and child representatives; ethics in child custody cases; relevant substantive state, federal, and case law in custody and visitation matters; and family dynamics, including substance abuse, domestic abuse, and mental health issues. Topics for this seminar include:
  • How to become a guardian ad litem and what the work entails;
  • What is expected from the guardian ad litem;
  • The challenges facing the next generation of advocates;
  • How to handle your client’s issues;
  • How implicit bias impacts the way legal matters are handled;
  • How (and what) the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 protects children;
  • The recent case law updates that may impact your next case;
  • Guardian ad litem appointments;
  • Removing children from, to, and within Illinois;
  • Structuring parent and grandparent time;
  • The hot topic issues facing the judiciary, attorneys, and litigates;
  • How to prepare your child client for litigation;
  • Understanding the differences between a guardian ad litem, child representative, and attorney for the child;
  • The ethical dilemmas facing guardian ad litems and child representatives; and
  • Much more.
The training may qualify the attendee to be placed on their local Circuit’s guardian ad litem list and/or qualify as continuing guardian ad litem education required by the attendee’s local rules, but attendees should verify with their Circuit to ensure this training will meet the Circuit’s rules.


Program Coordinator:
Hon. Michael J. Chmiel, Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit, Woodstock

Program Moderator:
Sandra M. Blake, Kane County Public Defender's Office, Oak Park


Child Advocacy
Discover what requirements exist for those representing children in litigation, which requirements are mandated, and why this training is so important.
Anna P. Krolikowska, Anna P. Krolikowska, P.C., Northbrook

The Important Role of an Attorney in the Life of a Child*
This segment discusses the Illinois Supreme Court’s expectations for those representing children in Illinois’ court system.
Hon. Anne M. Burke, Illinois Supreme Court, Chicago

Emerging Issues for Attorneys*
Gain a better understanding of the challenges facing the next generation of advocates, as well as what law schools are doing to help.
Prof. Camille M. Davidson, Southern Illinois University School of Law, Carbondale

The Expanding Challenges for Attorneys: Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the Pandemic
Learn how to help a depressed colleague in need, the repercussions of substance abuse, and how to bridge the gap that the pandemic’s social distancing has created.
Dr. Alexandria A. Tsang, Director, Kane County Diagnostic Center, St. Charles

Implicit Bias*
This comprehensive overview explores the various forms of implicit bias and how it affects how we handle legal matters.
Trina Smith, Cook County Public Defender’s Office, Chicago

Juvenile Acts
The first session of this three-part program closes with an in-depth look at what the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 covers, how children are protected, how juveniles are prosecuted, and how attorneys can help.
Hon. Christopher M. Harmon, Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit, Woodstock

Case Law Update
Don’t miss this case law update that explores what’s new in the family law and child law arena – and how these changes may affect your next case.
Prof. Jeff Atkinson, Illinois Judicial Conference, Wilmette

Guardian ad Litem Exposure
To what extent are guardians ad litem (and perhaps others appointed by the Court) immune from tort liability? This session discusses this issue by examining the recent decision of the Illinois Supreme Court in the case of Nichols v Fahrenkamp, 219 IL 123990 .
Hon. Donald D. Bernardi (ret.), Bloomington

The Removal of Children
Learn the ins-and-outs of child removal with this informative presentation, including who can be moved from, to, and within Illinois and what the requirements of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.
Gunnar J. Gitlin, The Gitlin Law Firm, P.C., Woodstock

Structuring and Scheduling Parenting Time
This segment discusses who should have parenting time, what that parenting time consists of, and exactly how grandparents fit in to the structure.
L. Steven Rakowski, LSR Family Law Group, Northbrook

View from the Bench
This presentation discusses the hot topics and issues facing the judiciary, attorneys, and litigants in domestic relations courtrooms.
Hon. Robert J. Anderson (ret.), Wheaton
Hon. Anna M. Benjamin, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Urbana
Hon. Debra B. Walker, Cook County Circuit Court, Chicago

Interviewing Children of High Conflict Parents*
The final session of this three-part program begins with a look at how to prepare for interviewing children of high-conflict parents, what to watch for in parents and in children, and what to do in response.
Joseph Canevello, Connections Counseling & Consulting Services, Inc., Crystal Lake

The Compete Roles of the GAL, Child Representative, and Attorney
This segment explores the duty of the guardian ad litem or child representative to investigate what is in a child’s best interest. The discussion includes what should (and should not) be included in pleadings and court files, as well as what rights exist for the protection of mental health during custodial proceedings.
Sean N. McCumber, Sullivan Taylor & Gumina, Napverville

Ethics in Child Custody and Allocations of Parental Responsibilities Cases*
This presentation examines the ethical issues you need to consider when representing children.
Umberto S. Davi, Davi & Associates P.C., Western Springs

Other Professionals: Non-Lawyers Who Deal with Children*
The program closes with a comprehensive look at the non-legal professionals who work with children. Topics include: who is available to do what; when they should be involved; and what evaluations can (or should) be conducted.
Dr. Robert B. Shapiro, Robert B. Shapiro & Associates, Bloomingdale


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 $375 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $750
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $50
    • Law Students - Free

2025 Law Day Virtual Legal Clinic

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

To celebrate Law Day, the ISBA, the ISBA Young Lawyers Division and the Illinois Bar Foundation have partnered with PILI to hold a virtual clinic to train volunteer attorneys on how to answer civil legal questions from people in need through Illinois Free Legal Answers.

Illinois Free Legal Answers is a secure website where low-income Illinoisans can ask a lawyer for help with a civil legal issue. Volunteer lawyers then log onto the site and answer questions waiting in the queue.

VIRTUAL CLINIC
Thursday, May 1, 2025 
12:00pm to 1:30pm

Evolving Theories for Online Tracking Litigation 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 Privacy and Information Security Law Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Friday, March 28, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­April 14, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Gain a better understanding of how privacy violations can occur when websites use tracking technology, as well as how federal and state law theories are shaping online tracking litigation in Illinois. Business advice and financial planning lawyers, corporate law attorneys, health care counsel, privacy and information security practitioners, and labor law attorneys with basic practice experience who attend this online program will learn:
  • What the current nationwide legal landscape looks like regarding the use of online tracking technology;
  • The theories of online tracking privacy litigation in Illinois;
  • How to avoid litigation in Illinois (and nationwide);
  • The policies and procedures constituting best practices when using online tracking technology; and
  • The new technologies that require special considerations.

Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Rachel L. Schaller, Blank Rome LLP, Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Gabrielle N. Ganze, Blank Rome LLP, Chicago

Program Speakers:
Tatyana L. Ruderman, InfoLawGroup, LLC, Chicago
Rachel L. Schaller, Blank Rome 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 $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

Hate Crime Laws in Illinois: An Overview

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 Human and Civil Rights Section


1.50 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: April 10, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this in-depth discussion on the definition and prevalence of hate crimes, as well as recent changes to Illinois’ hate crimes statute. Criminal justice lawyers, general practitioners, human and civil rights attorneys, and bench and bar counsel with all levels of practice experience who attend this online program will better understand:
  • What constitutes a hate crime;
  • The difference between hate speech and hate crimes;
  • How to identify the indicators, evidence, biases, and motivations of individuals to commit hate crimes;
  • The types of hate crimes people are experiencing on both a state and national level;
  • How hate crimes differ from other causes of action, including bias-motivated incidences, such as harassment or discrimination;
  • How to identify when a crime rises to the level of a hate crime because of bias motivation;
  • The legislative history behind Illinois’ current hate crimes statute;
  • The types of actions that can be brought against a perpetrator (both civilly and criminally) in Illinois; and
  • How to address the needs of hate crime victims (and those of the affected community), as well as the resources that are available to them.

Program Coordinators:
Hon. Junaid M. Afeef, Administrative Law Judge, Illinois Dept. of Public Health, Chicago
Prof. Cindy Buys, SIU Simmons Law School, Carbondale
Ronald Langacker, Langacker Law, Urbana
Jill D. Leka, Clark Baird Smith LLP, Rosemont
Abra C. Siegel, Leland Grove law LLC, Chicago

Program Moderator:
Ronald Langacker, Langacker Law, Urbana

Program Chat Moderator:
Prof. Cindy Buys, SIU Simmons Law School, Carbondale

Program Speakers:
Prof. Jeannine Bell, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago
Marvet Sweis Drnovsek, Commissioner, Illinois Commission on Discrimination & Hate Crimes, Chicago
Michael I. Rothstein, Tabet DiVito & Rothstein, Chicago



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 $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

Probate Pitfalls

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 Trusts & Estates Law Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: April 10, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Probate “pitfalls” are inevitable, and no two cases are alike. Learn how to manage or avoid common pitfalls in Illinois probate proceedings for decedents’ estates with this informative online seminar. Estate administration practitioners, Civil practice attorneys, and elder law attorneys with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this online program will also learn:
  • Practical problem-solving solutions when unavoidable probate pitfalls arise;
  • Filing requirements and procedures, and Cook County nuances;
  • How to handle:
    • When a named Executor Declines to Serve - Who can Serve Thereafter?
    • Failure to Send Timely Notice
    • Preservation of Assets
    • Insolvent Estates and Abatement of Claims
    • Distributing Unclaimed Property to the Illinois Treasurer
    • Unknown Heirs and/or Legatees
    • Post-deceased Estate Representative or Post-deceased Heirs/Legatees
    • Nonresident Representatives
    • When a Trust is a Legatee
    • Family Dynamics and Conflicts
    • Ademption
    • Recalcitrant Heirs/Legatees
    • The Caregiver Statute
    • When to use a Notice of Probate and Release of Estate’s Interest in Real Estate
    • When Beneficiaries want to Rearrange Who Inherits What
    • When you Opened Probate by Mistake – Now What?

Program Coordinator:
Colleen L. Sahlas, Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook

Program Chat Moderator:
Melissa Johnson, Generation Law, Elmhust

Program Speakers:
Sarah M. LeRose, Leonard J. LeRose, Jr., Ltd., Chicago
Colleen L. Sahlas, Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook



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

Practical and Inexpensive Cybersecurity Tools and Best Practices for the Solo & Small Firm

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, March 25, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: April 10, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


This seminar provides essential guidance on securing your practice with affordable and effective tools. Learn strategies for safeguarding client information, preventing data breaches, and complying with legal cybersecurity standards on a limited budget. Topics include secure document storage, encrypted communication, and remote work safeguards tailored for smaller practices. Join us to build a robust cybersecurity framework that protects both your clients and your firm without straining your resources.

Program Speaker:
Jeffrey Schoenberger, Affinity Consulting, Ohio
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