2nd Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy - Lessons for Today's Lawyers - 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 Illinois State Bar Association
Co-Sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


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


Original Program Date: September 7, 2018
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­November 21, 2024 - November 20, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


In 1858, Lincoln defended William Duff Armstrong on murder charges for the death of James Preston Metzker. During the trial, a key prosecution eyewitness named Charles Allen testified that he witnessed the fight after sunset by the light of the moon high overhead. Lincoln undermined Allen’s testimony by using an almanac to prove that the moon was on the horizon and did not provide sufficient light to see anything clearly at the time of the fight. William Duff Armstrong was acquitted and Lincoln’s use of the almanac became legendary in the legal community. Don’t miss this full-day seminar that examines the Lincoln Almanac Trial in the very courthouse where Armstrong was acquitted. Topics include:
  • An examination of the case from the trial advocacy perspective, and what modern lawyers can learn from it;
  • A look at Lincoln’s other murder trials, and how attorneys must fulfill their duty to represent clients zealously in such cases;
  • The problem with eyewitness identification and how to deal with it effectively at trial;
  • The ethical issues that can arise during a trial;
  • A look at Lincoln’s practice before the Illinois Supreme Court; and
  • Much more!

Ethical Issues at Trial
Peter L. Rotskoff, Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Springfield

Eyewitness Identification: A Panel Discussion
Moderator: Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, Board Member of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Taylorville
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
John Hanlon, Executive/Legal Director Illinois Innocence Project, UIS, Springfield
Hon. Bobby G. Hardwick, Eighth Judicial Circuit, Beardstown

Lincoln’s Practice before The Illinois Supreme Court
John A. Lupton, Director of the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, 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 $87.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $175
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

2nd Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy - Lessons for Today's Lawyers - 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 Illinois State Bar Association
Co-Sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


2.5 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: September 7, 2018
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­November 21, 2024 - November 20, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


In 1858, Lincoln defended William Duff Armstrong on murder charges for the death of James Preston Metzker. During the trial, a key prosecution eyewitness named Charles Allen testified that he witnessed the fight after sunset by the light of the moon high overhead. Lincoln undermined Allen’s testimony by using an almanac to prove that the moon was on the horizon and did not provide sufficient light to see anything clearly at the time of the fight. William Duff Armstrong was acquitted and Lincoln’s use of the almanac became legendary in the legal community. Don’t miss this full-day seminar that examines the Lincoln Almanac Trial in the very courthouse where Armstrong was acquitted. Topics include:
  • An examination of the case from the trial advocacy perspective, and what modern lawyers can learn from it;
  • A look at Lincoln’s other murder trials, and how attorneys must fulfill their duty to represent clients zealously in such cases;
  • The problem with eyewitness identification and how to deal with it effectively at trial;
  • The ethical issues that can arise during a trial;
  • A look at Lincoln’s practice before the Illinois Supreme Court; and
  • Much more!

The Lincoln Almanac Trial
George R. Dekle, Sr., Professor Emeritus, Levin College of Law, University of Florida

Lincoln’s Murder Trials
George R. Dekle, Sr., Professor Emeritus, Levin College of Law, University of Florida

The Trials: A Panel Discussion
Moderator: Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, Board Member of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Taylorville
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
George R. Dekle, Sr., Professor Emeritus, Levin College of Law, University of Florida
Hon. Bobby G. Hardwick, Eighth Judicial Circuit, Beardstown



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 $87.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $175
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

4th Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy: Overcoming Prejudice and Racial Discrimination in the Legal Profession - 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 Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours Professionalism Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category:
  • 1.0 hours Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit
  • 2.0 hours Diversity and Inclusion credit


Original Program Date: September 9, 2022
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: November 21, 2024 - November 20, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss ISBA’s 4th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we take an in-depth look at how to overcome prejudice and racial discrimination in the legal profession. The program offers an informative, historical look at how far we’ve come as a society – and how far we have yet to go. Topics include:
  • The remnants of prejudice and discrimination in the legal profession today and why diversity in the Bench and Bar matters;
  • The ethical issues created by judicial bias or prejudice;
  • What we can learn from Lincoln’s ability to overcome prejudice and defend civil rights equality; and
  • Much more.


Program Coordinators:
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office, P.C., Urbana
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Current Issues involving Bias, Prejudice, and the Need for Diversity
Explore the current issues involving bias, prejudice, and the need for diversity in the legal profession (and how we can make our profession better) with this informative panel discussion.
Moderator: J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office, P.C., Urbana
Eve M. Blackwell, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Melodi D. Green, Chief Diversity and Inclusion officer, City of Peoria, Peoria
Gregory K. Harris, U.S. Attorney, Central District of Illinois, Springfield
Sierra Senor-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Central District of Illinois, Springfield
Ruth A. Waller, Attorney at Law, Decatur

Contemporary Ethical Issues
Don’t miss this in-depth look at the ethical issues facing lawyers and judges today – from prejudice and incivility to inherent biases against those different from ourselves.
Hon. Raymond J. McKoski (ret.), University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, Lake Villa

Lincoln’s Evolution from Anti-Slavery to Equality of Civil Rights
Learn how lawyers can overcome prejudice by examining Abraham Lincoln’s move from anti-slavery beliefs to his stance on civil rights equality throughout his lifetime.
Moderator: Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office, P.C., Urbana
Prof. Roger Billings, Northern Kentucky School of Law (Ret.), Kentucky
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington



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 $105 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $210
    • New Attorney Member (within he first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

4th Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy: Overcoming Prejudice and Racial Discrimination in the Legal Profession - 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 Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours Professionalism Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: September 9, 2022
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­November 21, 2024 - November 20, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss ISBA’s 4th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we take an in-depth look at how to overcome prejudice and racial discrimination in the legal profession. The program offers an informative, historical look at how far we’ve come as a society – and how far we have yet to go. Topics include:
  • The evolution of Lincoln’s view on racial equality – from his view of the Declaration of Independence up to his “final speech”;
  • The arguments on race that took place between Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas during the 1847 Debate;
  • How to represent unpopular clients or cases (and how Lincoln handled this very situation); and
  • Much more.

Program Coordinators:
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office, P.C., Urbana
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville


Lincoln’s Legal Cases involving Slavery
This segment examines Lincoln’s legal cases involving slavery, including Matson v. Ashmore in which Lincoln defended the slave-owner in Coles County, Illinois in 1847.
John A. Lupton, Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, Springfield

Lincoln and Douglas: The 1847 Debate
This presentation discusses the debates and arguments on race that took place in Charleston, Illinois between Abraham Lincoln (who as the Republic Party candidate for the U.S. Senate) and Senator Stephen Douglas (the Democrat incumbent).
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Lawyer Representation of Unpopular People and Causes
Join us for this informative panel presentation that discusses the representation of unpopular clients or cases, as well as the attacks in later political campaigns and judicial confirmation proceedings.
Moderator: Hon. Ronald D. Spears(Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office, P.C., Urbana
Prof. Roger Billings, Northern Kentucky School of Law (Ret.), Kentucky
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington



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 $105 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $210
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

Recent Amendments to the Illinois Power of Attorney Act: Unreasonable and Reasonable Refusal to Honor Property Powers

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

On August 9, 2024, Governor Pritzker signed Illinois Public Act 103-0994 into law, which amended the Illinois Power of Attorney Act to provide a statutory framework for when it would be reasonable for a third-party to refuse recognition of a financial Power of Attorney, as well as when it would be unreasonable for a third-party to not honor an otherwise properly executed Power of Attorney for Property.

Public Notice for Appointment of United States Magistrate Judge—Peoria Division

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of a full-time United States magistrate judge for the Central District of Illinois at Peoria. The annual salary is $223,836. The eight-year term begins upon appointment. A court’s essential function is to dispense justice. A community’s belief that a court dispenses justice is heightened when the court reflects the community’s racial, ethnic, and gender diversity.

SIU Chooses Dean for Simmons Law School

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

Hannah Brenner Johnson, professor of law and vice dean for academic affairs at California Western School of Law, will become the next dean of the Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School.

Sheryl Tucker, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, today (Nov. 14) announced Brenner Johnson's appointment, effective July 1, subject to approval by the SIU Board of Trustees.

The national search for dean included a “very competitive pool of highly qualified candidates,” said Tucker, adding that Brenner Johnson “was the desired candidate across all constituents.”

Illinois Courts Help Secure Federal and Private Grants for Rural Communities

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) announced today that the Putnam, Marshall, Stark County Probation District was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Foundation for Rural Services-Community Service Grants Program. The Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) is a nonprofit organization that works with the NTCA Rural Broadband Association to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America. 

Campus Conversations: A Discussion About Free Speech in the Education Environment

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

College campuses across the nation have erupted in protests, anger, hatred, and violence in recent months, which has put college administrators in a position to consider enforcing restrictions on protests and demonstrations – but are these restrictions a violation of students’ First Amendment rights? Don’t miss this timely discussion regarding free speech in the educational environment, as well as the issues that can arise.