What to Know When Starting a Food or Agricultural Tech Business

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 Food Law Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 24, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Starting and running a food or ag-tech company comes with a myriad of issues that your client must know about and consider – from what information is required on product labeling and which type of insurance offers the best protection for their investment, to the BIPA warnings they need be aware of and the preferred entity types to consider. Business advice lawyers, food law practitioners, and agricultural law attorneys with intermediate practice experience who attend this online program will also learn:
  • What to consider when helping your client choose a business entity option;
  • Which business entity types will better promote growth and compliance for your client;
  • How to advise your clients on protecting their most important intellectual property, including recipes, product formulations, logos, brand names, and trademarks;
  • Best practices for safeguarding ownership of your client’s company; and
  • Much more!

Program Coordinators/Speakers:
Robert B. Anderson, Bahr Anderson Law Group LLC, Naperville
Deirdre Fox, Attorney at Law, Chicago
Elaine S. Vorberg, McCarthy Duffy LLP, Chicago

Program Moderator:
Elaine S. Vorberg, McCarthy Duffy LLP, Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Robert B. Anderson, Bahr Anderson Law Group LLC, Naperville


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

Immigration Law 2025: Updates and Essentials Under the New Administration

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from our speakers as they offer an in-depth look at key immigration law developments since the Trump Administration began its work on January 20, 2025, as well as a discussion on how the current domestic political landscape has impacted immigration law.

Supreme Court Rules Committee to Hold Public Hearing on April 23

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee will hear comments on eight proposals on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. at the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, 222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th Floor, in Chicago. All proposals must be approved by the Illinois Supreme Court before they can take effect.

The hearing will be livestreamed.

Did You Notice?

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

In his March Illinois Bar Journal article, “Did You Notice,” William G. Beatty outlines the usefulness of breach of warranty actions to provide sellers the opportunity to: 1) cure defects, minimize damages, and improve products; 2) protect the seller’s ability to investigate a breach and to gather evidence; and 3) encourage negotiations and settlement. Beatty notes the absence of such notice from buyer to seller is not an affirmative defense that the seller must assert in the answer to the plaintiff’s complaint alleging breach of warranty.

Bankruptcy Judge Positions in the Northern District of Illinois

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

The Judicial Council of the Seventh Circuit seeks applications from all qualified applicants
to fill up to three positions as a bankruptcy judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Northern District of Illinois with a duty station in Chicago, Illinois. The positions will be available
in early 2026. Applicants must be willing to travel to other locations in the Seventh Circuit to
handle cases as need arises. The term of office is 14 years, and the current salary is $227,608.

Inside the League: Key Legal Issues Shaping the Future of Pro Sports

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, ISBA Intellectual Property Section, ISBA Labor & Employment Law Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 24, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


 Don’t miss this informative program that explores the most pressing legal challenges faced by major sports leagues today – from negotiating high-stakes broadcasting rights and navigating complex contract negotiations, to the critical legal issues shaping professional sports. This is a must-attend event for anyone looking to understand the evolving legal landscape of professional sports and the strategies used by leaders at the forefront of the industry. Topics include:
  • Strategies for managing legal disputes over broadcasting agreements and the impact digital streaming has had on traditional broadcasting contracts;
  • The key terms, incentives, and dispute mechanisms in sports contracts;
  • The legal frameworks for protecting a team’s intellectual property and brand;
  • The legal methods that are used to combat counterfeit merchandise and unauthorized use of team logos and brands;
  • The role that internal investigations and public relations play in managing sensitive issues involving player misconduct and disciplinary actions;
  • The legal framework behind collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) in professional sports and the key issues that arise in labor negotiations between teams and players' unions; and
  • The legal and organizational challenges in fostering diversity within sports leadership.


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

Program Moderator:
Derrick Thompson, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Chicago

Program Speaker:
Brett Scharback, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Chicago Cubs, Chicago
*Join the NEW ISBA Sports & Entertainment Law Section for FREE through June 2025 and receive a $10 section member discount on CLE programming sponsored by the section!
www.isba.org/sections/sportsentertainment

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

How To Advise Your Criminal Law Client Regarding Deportation Issues

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 and ISBA International & Immigration Law Section


1.50 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Friday, February 28, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 24, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Get the information and updates you need to effectively advise your clients on important immigration law issues, as well as how to answer questions regarding their immigration status and the threat of deportation. Criminal law practitioners, immigration lawyers, traffic law attorneys, and human rights counsel with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this online program will better understand:
  • Your clients’ rights with respect to deportation;
  • The collateral consequences of criminal sanctions; and
  • How to advise your clients when they encounter ICE.

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

Program Speakers:
Juliet Boyd, Boyd Kummer, Chicago
A. Ross Cassingham, Scott Pollock & Associates, 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

Estate Planning Basics

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 Section
Co-sponsored by the ISBA Elder Law Section


1.50 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 24, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Are you new to the trusts and estates practice? Want to learn more about how to help families manage their assets? Then don’t miss this seminar that offers you a basic understanding of what it means to “plan an estate.” Topics include:
  • The most common documents used in estate planning;
  • How to help your clients draft wills and power of attorneys;
  • The tax issues that you should consider when helping your clients plan their estates;
  • How to anticipate and prevent ethical pitfalls in estate planning; and
  • Much more.

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

Program Chat Moderator:
Kerry R. Peck, Peck Ritchey, LLC, Chicago

Program Speakers:
Karen R. Mills, Aronberg Goldgehn, Wheaton
Sara E. Riechert, Chamberlin Riechert Law Group, P.C., 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 $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

Artificial Intelligence Advisor: Use AI To Help Manage Your 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, February 25, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 24, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Many groundbreaking inventions begin with someone’s desire to eliminate a rote task or annoyance. Remember texting before touchscreens? Smartphones produced their own gripes, but the iPhone and its progeny exist partly because, as former iPhone head Scott Forstall recalls, “We all hated our phones.” And smartphones have eliminated plenty of rote tasks and a surprising number of single-use devices. Will artificial intelligence do the same? With many companies announcing AI additions to their products, what should lawyers feel comfortable delegating to general-purpose AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot? Although not trained in legal nuances, they can eliminate some of the annoyances within the business side of a law practice. Artificial intelligence is a fantastic tool to end procrastination around firm management. Rather than staring at an empty screen with a blinking cursor, have AI produce a rough draft to get you started. It will need editing, but it’s a start. Join us for an in-depth look at how to craft good AI prompts, whether direct questions, scenario-based inquiries, or [non-legal] research assistance. Learn how to use AI offerings to help with law firm management, policy creation, and other non-legal-work-product items, where getting a draft to edit helps overcome “blank screen” writer’s block.

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