Being a Pronoun Pro

Posted on March 4, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

 The assumption that gender expressions are fixed and fall into one of two categories correlating with one’s biological sex has given way to a gender-fluid world in which cohorts of people of all ages are transitioning between male and female identities or identifying as nonbinary or genderqueer (neither female nor male). As recounted in the March issue of the Illinois Bar Journal article, “Being a Pronoun Pro,” this has led to discussions and debates about pronouns in all types of settings—schools, health care institutions, and corporate boardrooms to name a few.

Navigating Ethics in Trusts & Estate Practices: Part 3 - Cultural Competencies

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


1.25 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0* hourProfessional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Diversity & Inclusion credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 11, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


 Don’t miss Part 3 of this online series that focuses on the importance of cultural competence and sensitivity in trust and estate practices. Attorneys with all levels of practice experience who attend this online program will better understand:
  • The importance of cultural competence and how it better serves your diverse clientele;
  • How to become an active listener and ask open-ended questions;
  • The importance of respectful, non-judgmental communication;
  • Strategies to accommodate the cultural preferences of clients:
  • How to incorporate legally effective, but culturally sensitive, language in your estate planning documents; and
  • How attending cultural competency training and collaborating with cultural experts can foster more effective attorney-client relationships.
The program closes with a brief Q&A in which attendees to submitted their question via the webcast chat feature.**


Program Coordinator:
Daniel P. Felix, The Professional Trustee, Deerfield

Program Moderator:
Jessica J. Birnbaum, ArentFox Schiff LLP, Chicago

Program Speaker:
Jason D. Foster, ArentFox Schiff LLP, Chicago

**The Q&A session does not qualify for Professional Responsibility MCLE credit


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

Construction Defects Covered by Comprehensive General Liability Insurance

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 Construction Law Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 14, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Until recently, there was no insurance coverage in Illinois that would cover damage caused by defective construction. All of this changed, however, when the Illinois Supreme Court ruled on Acuity vs. M/I Homes of Chicago, LLC [1] and agreed that coverage can be provided for claims of defective construction under standard commercial general liability (CGL) insurance policies. Don’t miss this hot topic discussion regarding the change in insurance law governing construction defect claims. Construction law attorneys, real estate lawyers, and corporate law counsel with intermediate practice experience who attend this online program will better understand:
  • What the law entailed prior to Acuity;
  • What changed in the law after the Acuity case;
  • The significance of the Acuity case moving forward;
  • The possible responses by the insurance industry; and
  • The practice pointers and advice you need to effectively help your construction clients.

Program Coordinator:
Geoffrey A. Bryce , Attorney at Law, LaGrange Park

Program Moderator:
Cornelius F. Riordan, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Clifford J. Shapiro, Shapiro Dispute Resolution LLC, Chicago

Program Speakers:
Geoffrey A. Bryce , Attorney at Law, LaGrange Park
Clifford J. Shapiro, Shapiro Dispute Resolution LLC, Chicago

[1] https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/855de139-4267-4ea7-ba1b-ff51dd6d99f1/Acuity%20v.%20MI%20Homes%20of%20Chicago,%20LLC,%202023%20IL%20129087.pdf



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

Making the Most of Document Templates

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, February 27, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 11, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


What should your firm’s document lifecycle look like? How do you create, review, store, and update your work product? No legal professional creates documents in a vacuum. This seminar walks you through creating and documenting your drafting process. Find out where the rough spots are. Learn how you can use “gold standard” templates to get you 70% of the way to the perfect document, with all current language, statute references, and other changeable information, without spending extra money by unlocking the potential of what you already own. Finally, learn how to share those documents inside or outside the firm and securely store them for later retrieval.

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

Bankruptcy Judge Position Northern District of Illinois

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

Bankruptcy Judge A. Benjamin Goldgar of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois will retire in August 2024. The Judicial Council of the Seventh Circuit seeks applications from all qualified applicants to succeed Judge Goldgar as bankruptcy judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois with a duty station in Chicago, Illinois. 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 $223,836.

Pronouns On Trial

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 Standing Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity


1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Diversity & Inclusion credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 7, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Transgender and non-binary individuals need the same respect and attentive representation as our other clients, but discomfort and implicit bias oftentimes get in our way. Join us online for this comprehensive discussion on how to work with witnesses, jurors, and experts who may differ from ourselves. Topics include: strategies for discovering honorifics and pronouns; how to address objections (both principled and vituperative); possible form changes (appearance/jury questionnaire); and the proposed changes to Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4 (Misconduct).

Program Coordinator/Moderator:
John W. Moore, John W. Moore, P.C., Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Rachael N. Toft, Toft Law, Chicago

Program Speakers:
Hon. Mary Cay Marubio, Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago
John W. Moore, John W. Moore, P.C., Chicago
Joanie Rae Wimmer, Law Offices of Joanie Rae Wimmer, 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 $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

The Corporate Transparency Act: The Beneficial Ownership Reporting Rule

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 Young Lawyers Division and the ISBA Business Advice and Financial Planning Section


1.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 7, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Get the information you need to advise your clients on the beneficial ownership reporting requirement under the Corporate Transparency Act. Trust & estate lawyers, corporate law counsel, business advice and financial planning attorneys, and general practitioners with intermediate practice experience who attend this online seminar will learn:
  • Who is required to report under the Corporate Transparency Act;
  • What exemptions exist from reporting;
  • The information needed to be reported to FinCEN; and
  • The deadlines for reporting existing and newly formed entities.

Program Coordinator:
Kerry R. Peck, Peck Ritchey, LLC, Chicago
Colleen L. Sahlas, Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook

Program Chat Moderator:
Melissa Johnson, Generation Law, Elmhurst

Program Speakers:
Tyler C. Bartholome , Much Shelist P.C., Chicago
Priya Thennarasu, Much Shelist P.C., 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

2024 Federal Tax Update

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 Federal Taxation Section
Co-Sponsored by the Kane County Bar Association Tax Law Committee


4.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Friday, February 16, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­March 25, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this program that explores the recent changes in federal tax law that you need to be aware of in order to advise your clients effectively. Administrative law attorneys, corporate law council, federal tax lawyers, and trusts and estate practitioners with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this program will better understand:
  • How the Corporate Transparency Act impacts disclosure and filing requirements;
  • The updates to individual, partnership, and corporate tax law that may affect your clients;
  • Changes and updates to gift and estate tax law;
  • The various barriers faced by immigrant taxpayers, including common issues and best practices to overcome these obstacles;
  • The improved efforts in the IRS and some broad-based policy recommendations put forth by immigration and tax lawyers; and
  • The necessary requirements to qualify for dischargeability in bankruptcy.


Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Michael Duhn , IRS Trouble Solvers, Chicago


Update in Individual, Partnership, and Corporate Taxation
Get the updates you need to advise your clients on federal individual, partnership, and corporate tax issues. A discussion on the Corporate Transparency Act is also included.
Philip D. Speicher, Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd., Belleville

Update on Gift and Estate Tax
This segment discusses the recent updates on tax cases and regulations in the federal
gift and estate taxation sectors.
Ryan A. Walsh, Croke, Fairchild, Duarte, and Beres, Chicago

Tax Issues for Immigrants
Learn the current situational, procedural, and legislative barriers faced by immigrant taxpayers with this informative presentation. Topics include: the common issues and best practices for assisting immigrant taxpayers, the current improvement efforts in the IRS, and the broad-based policy recommendations put forth by immigration and tax professions.
Prof. Samantha Galvin, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago

Dischargeability of IRS Taxes in Bankruptcy
Gain a better understanding of the requirements for federal tax balances due to qualify for dischargeability in bankruptcy.
Robert Schaller, Schaller Law Firm, P.C., Oak Brook


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 $140 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $280
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free