ISBA's Child Custody 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 Family Law Section


15.0 hours MCLE credit, including 15.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit


Original Program Date: October 10, 2013 – October 11, 2013
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­March 8, 2024 - March 7, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


The Child Custody Trial seminar, presented in Galena, Illinois on October 10-11, 2013, was the cooperative effort of members of the ISBA Family Law Section Council, mental health professionals, and attendees of ISBA seminar, Child Custody Litigation: Techniques for Trying a Custody Case from Rehearsal to Closing, who served as actors. The seminar and character testimony was based on the Guardian Ad Litem and Custody Evaluator Reports created by Pamela J. Kuzniar for CLE purposes. Trial attorneys chose witnesses from the reports. Once witnesses were determined, the play was cast with mental health professionals and ISBA attorneys. Trial counsel “deposed” witnesses prior to trial by submitting questions to the “actors” who answered in character via email. The custody evaluator also interviewed the attorneys playing the mother and father (who were in character) prior to trial to hone their performance. During the seminar five judges observed testimony and arguments. After each argument, motion, and witness, the trial was suspended to permit all five judges to comment on the trial strategy, objections and rulings. This seminar was a herculean effort by ISBA members and volunteer mental health professionals, and we applaud their dedication.

Although the law has changed since the original presentation, many of the techniques and precepts demonstrated are still very valuable for the family law practitioner. The Family Law Section Council has added a new introductory segment and additional material to highlight changes in the law since the original presentation.


The seminar won an Award of Outstanding Achievement on an international level as one of ACLEA’s* “Best” Awards in the Programs Category.
We suggest the viewer read both the GAL report and Custody Evaluator Report prior to watching the presentation. PDF’s of these documents
are available with the program materials under the "Commencement of Trial" video and under the Document icons below.

Program Coordinator & Moderator:
Pamela J. Kuzniar, Esq., Private Practice, Chicago

Participating Judges:
Hon. Arnold F. Blockman, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Urbana
Hon. Pamela E. Loza, Cook Judicial Circuit, Chicago
Hon. Timothy J. McJoynt, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, Wheaton
Hon. Brian R. McKillip, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, Wheaton
Hon. Jeanne M. Reynolds, Cook Judicial Circuit, Chicago

Trial Counsel:
Kelli E. Gordon, Feldman Wasser Draper & Cox, Springfield
William J. Scott, Jr., Momkus McCluskey, LLC, Lisle
Morris “Lane” Harvey, Law Offices of Morris Lane Harvey, Mt. Vernon
Roger E. White, Clark Racklin & Roth, Ltd., Olney


Program Outline
  • 2022 Update – Introductory Overview:
    • Hon. Arnold F. Blockman, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Urbana (retired)
  • Introduction to Play and Cast (No MCLE credit)
    • o Trial Judge: Hon. Arnold Blockman, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Urbana
    o Moderator: Pamela J. Kuzniar, Private Practice, Chicago
    o Commentary: Hon. Pamela E. Loza, Cook Judicial Circuit, Chicago
    o Commentary: Hon. Timothy J. McJoynt, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, Wheaton
    o Commentary: Hon. Brian R. McKillip, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, Wheaton
    o Commentary: Hon. Jeanne M. Reynolds, Cook Judicial Circuit, Chicago
    o Father’s Attorney: William J. Scott Jr., Momkus McCluskey, LLC, Lisle
    o Father’s Attorney: Kelli E. Gordon, Feldman Wasser Draper & Cox, Springfield
    o Mother’s Attorney: Morris “Lane” Harvey, Law Offices of Morris Lane Harvey, Mt. Vernon
    o Mother’s Attorney: Rory T. Weiler, Weiler & Lengle, P.C., St. Charles
    o Guardian Ad Litem’s Attorney: Susan W. Rogaliner, Attorney at Law, St. Charles
    o Guardian Ad Litem: Lisa M. Nyuli, Ariano, Hardy, Ritt, Nyuli, Richmond, Lytle & Goettel, P.C., South Elgin
    o Father: Jon J. Racklin, Clark Racklin & Roth, Ltd., Olney
    o Mother: Deanne J. Bowen, Law Office of Deanna J. Bowen, Gurnee
    o Custody Evaluator: Dr. Sol R. Rappaport, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Connections, Libertyville
    o Child Care Provider: Jennifer L. Stallings, Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel P.C., Elgin
    o Pediatrician: Jennifer A. Shaw, Jennifer A Shaw P.C., Edwardsville
    o Court Facilitator: Paul Chatzky, Law Offices of Paul Chatzky, Northfield
    o Detective: Roger E. White, Clark Racklin & Roth, Ltd., Olney
    o Teacher: Arlette Porter
    o Dual Roles as MD for Father & Abuse Evaluator: David L. Gates
    o MD for Mother: Elisabeth A. Ritter, Kalcheim Haber, LLP, Chicago
    o Triple Roles as Mother’s therapists and Abuse Evaluator: Mary E. Doheny, PhD, The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Chicago
    o Dual Roles as Father’s therapist & Sexual Deviancy Expert: Frank M. Lani PhD, PhD., Chicago

  • Commencement of Trial & Motions in Limine
  • Opening Statements
  • Petitioner’s 1st Witness, Mother
  • Petitioner’s 2nd Witness, Guardian Ad Litem
  • Petitioner’s 3rd Witness, Mother’s Therapist
  • Petitioner’s 4th Witness, Father’s Therapist
  • Petitioner’s 5th Witness, Pediatrician
  • Petitioner’s 6th Witness, Independent Abuse Evaluator #1
  • Petitioner’s 7th Witness, Independent Abuse evaluator #2
  • Petitioner’s 8th Witness, Teacher
  • Petitioner’s 9th Witness, Court Facilitator
  • Petitioner’s 10th Witness, Sexual Deviancy Expert
  • Petitioner’s 11th Witness, Child Care Provider
  • Petitioner’s 12th Witness, Father, Jared Smith:
  • Respondent’s 1st Witness, Father, Jared Smith
  • Respondent’s 2nd Witness, Custody Evaluator
  • Respondent’s 3rd Witness, Mother’s Doctor
  • Respondent’s 4th Witness, Police Officer
  • Respondent’s 5th Witness, Mother’s Therapist
  • Respondent’s 6th Witness, Mother
  • Closing Arguments, Deliberations, Ruling
  • Curtain Call: Cast Introductions and Ending Comments (No MCLE credit)


*ACLEA is the International Association of Continuing Legal Education Administrators

Pricing Information
  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $249 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $499
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $50
    • Law Students - Free

Basic Skills - ISBA's Program for Newly Admitted Attorneys

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


6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 6.0* hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following categories:
  • 4.75 hours Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention MCLE credit
  • 0.75 hour Diversity and Inclusion MCLE credit
  • 0.50 hour Mental Health and Substance Abuse MCLE credit


Original Program Date: February 15, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­February 14, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Newly Admitted Attorneys: Satisfy your Illinois Basic Skills
 MCLE requirement with this complimentary program!


Jump start your new Illinois legal career by attending this outstanding Basic Skills professional responsibility course that’s designed to equip you with the information you need as a new Illinois attorney, as well as help you begin to fulfill your Illinois Supreme Court Newly Admitted Attorney requirement (S. Ct. Rule 793)*. Our faculty of high-profile attorneys and judges offers insights, tips, and advice on the issues you face in your practice. The program closes with an in-depth look at the questions you need answered and issues you need help with as a new attorney.


Program Moderators:
Natali Thomas, ISBA Young Lawyers Division Chair 2023-24, South Carolina
Hannah R. Lamore, ISBA Young Lawyers Division Vice-Chair 2023-24, Mahoney Silverman & Cross LLC, Joliet

Welcome and Introduction
Shawn Kasserman, ISBA President 2023-24, Tomasik Kotin Kasserman LLC, Chicago

Perspectives from the Bench
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics MCLE credit
Although judges may operate their courtrooms in diverse manners, there are some things they agree that new attorneys should know. Our esteemed panelists share tips on common mistakes to avoid, civility, brief-writing, persuasive arguments, career options, remote court issues, and more!
Moderator: Carol A. Casey, Attorney at Law, Joliet
Hon. Jeffrey A. Goffinet, First Judicial Circuit Court
Hon. Chantelle A. Porter,18th Judicial Circuit Court
Hon. Elizabeth M. Rochford, Illinois Supreme Court

Ethical Dilemmas & Common Mistakes to Avoid
1.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hours Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics MCLE credit
This segment examines some of the common mistakes made by new attorneys and explores some of the best ways to deal with them once they've occurred. Using the framework of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, our panelists discuss common issues you may encounter with supervisory attorneys, opposing counsel, and clients. The discussion covers the requirements for properly setting up a firm, including necessary paperwork, managing trust accounts, recent case law issues impacting law firms, facts about risk management and malpractice, and important issues to be aware of. The importance of being prepared and conducting your practice with honesty and integrity (as well as the potential consequences when you don't) are also examined.
Michael P. Downey, Downey Law Group LLC, St. Louis
Sari W. Montgomery, Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke, LLC, Chicago

Improving and Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Legal Profession
0.75 hour MCLE credit, including 0.75 hour Diversity and Inclusion MCLE credit
Join us for this in-depth look at how to improve and promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Learn how your experiences and the challenges you have faced can create implicit bias toward others, as well as the barriers it creates during the hiring, retaining, and promoting process. A discussion on how to recognize unconscious biases in yourself and the strategies you can use to halt it in both your personal and professional life is also included.
Moderator: Khara A. Coleman, Office of the Cook County Sheriff, Oak Park
Lindy A. Giesler, Perbix and Morgan Attorneys at Law, Havana
Antonio Lee, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Chicago
Kenneth A. Matuszewski, Goldberg Segalla LLP, Chicago
Bhavani K. Raveendran, Romanucci & Blandin LLC, Chicago
Taylor Tyler, Tyler Law Offices PC, Chicago
Natali Thomas, ISBA YLD Chair 2023-24, South Carolina

Recognizing Impairment Issues and Lawyers Assistance Program Resources to Help
0.50 hour MCLE credit, including 0.50 hour Mental Health and Substance Abuse MCLE credit
You’ve learned to think like a lawyer. You also need to recognize that these thought processes can result in increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Learn to be aware of potential pitfalls and how to utilize the numerous resources available through the Lawyers’ Assistance Program.
Dr. Diana Uchiyama, Illinois Lawyers Assistance Program, Chicago

Professional Responsibility, Professionalism, and Technology Update
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics MCLE credit
Equip yourself with the information you need to effectively and ethically incorporate technology into your practice. Technology provides great benefits for attorneys, including highly efficient workflow, unprecedented access to information and rapid, cost-effective communications. Most lawyers, however, do not consider the great risks that technology creates for the practicing attorney. This session identifies those risks and shows you how to address them before launching into the latest and greatest in technology, including the benefits and risks of using Artificial Intelligence.
Melissa A. Smart, Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Chicago

Tips to Protect Your Practice
0.50 hour MCLE credit, including 0.50 hour Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics MCLE credit
As a new attorney, you want to make sure you have procedures in place to avoid a malpractice claim. In this session, the President and CEO of the professional liability insurance company founded by the ISBA in 1988 shares some of the tops tips to protect your practice, including client screening, ethical office sharing, conflicts of interest guidance, and more!
Jeffrey B. Strand, ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, Chicago

Time and Technology Strategies for Success
0.5 hour MCLE credit, including 0.5 hour Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics MCLE credit
Maximize your effectiveness by implementing time management strategies into your practice. Learn tips on managing multiple interruptions, calendaring for success in managing case deadlines, juggling email overload, using technology to stay organized, communicating with clients effectively, and more. Tips on how these strategies help you reduce the stresses of the profession are also shared.
Paul R. Unger, Affinity Consulting Group, Ohio

Your New Legal Career
0.75 hour MCLE credit, including 0.75 hour Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics MCLE credit
Our panelists draw upon their own experiences as a litigation lawyer, transactional practitioner, corporate counsel, and government attorney to address the issues you want to discuss during the closing segment! Topics include: challenges for new attorneys; where to turn for guidance; surviving the stresses of the first year of practice; settling on an area of practice (or transitioning from one you hate); finding your work/life balance, and much more!
Moderator: Judith E. Conway, Cooney & Conway, Chicago
Hannah R. Lamore, ISBA YLD Vice Chair 2023-24, Mahoney Silverman & Cross LLC, Joliet
Susannah Price Sullivan, Union Pacific Railroad Company, Lake Forest
Ryan Suniga, Securities Exchange Commission, Chicago
Natali Thomas, ISBA YLD Chair 2023-24, South Carolina



*Amended Supreme Court Rule 793(c)(1) requires newly admitted attorneys to complete a Basic Skills Course consisting of 6.0 hours
of Professional Responsibility MCLE credit and/or mentoring plus additional hours to equal 15 hours of MCLE credit. www.mcleboard.org.
For information on mentoring programs visit www.2civility.org/programs/mentoring/


To certify completion of this course, you must complete all the video or audio segments below.  Then to retrieve your certificate, complete the course evaluation and access your MCLE Certificate.  ISBA will report your credit to the MCLE board no later than 6 weeks after your certification.


Pricing Information
  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • Fees:
    • New Attorney Member - Free
    • ISBA Member Price of $210 is displayed below when you log in and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price - $420
    • Law Students - Free

Latest Developments in DUI and Traffic Laws

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 Traffic Laws and Courts Section


3.25 hours MCLE credit

Original Program Date: Friday, January 19, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­January 29, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Join us for an in-depth look at the new and trending DUI and traffic-related issues you need to be aware of, including the change in complex legal environment of standardized field sobriety testing, new case law and pending legislation, and how to help your client navigate the alcohol evaluation process.

Program Coordinator:
J. Brick Van Der Snick, Van Der Snick Law Firm Ltd., St. Charles

Program Moderator:
Nancy Easum, Easum Law Office LLC, Springfield


Introduction and Opening Remarks
Nancy Easum, Easum Law Office LLC, Springfield

Traffic Stops & Dog Drug Sniffs (Cannabis)
This segment examines traffic stops and K9 drug sniffs, as well as whether the odor of cannabis alone provides probable cause to search a vehicle. Additional topics include what happens when officers claim they see “shake” that they don’t document, and also report they smelled both burnt and raw cannabis to justify their legal basis for a search.
Matthew Paulson, Paulson & Vandersnick & Bradfield, Rock Island

Preparing Your Client for a Drug & Alcohol Evaluation Uniform Report
This presentation helps you prepare your client for a drug and alcohol evaluation uniform report, explores the differences between preparing for court vs. Secretary of State hearings, addresses confidentiality issues, and discusses the ability of the judges and prosecutors to use any information disclosed as aggravation in sentencing.
Jeffrey R. Hall, Hall Rustom LLC, Peoria

New and Current Case Law & Legislation
Discover the case law and legislative updates that may impact your next client with this informative segment.
Larry A. Davis, The Davis Law Group, P.C., Northfield
J. Brick Van Der Snick, Van Der Snick Law Firm Ltd., St. Charles

NHTSA 2023 Field Sobriety Testing Update
Don’t miss this brief overview of the NHTSA approved field sobriety testing battery, as well as a look at the changes that were recently put into effect in 2023. A digital copy of the new student manual will be provided to attendees.
Donald J. Ramsell, Ramsell & Associates, Wheaton


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 $113.75 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $227.50
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

ISBA'S LAW ED FACULTY DEVELOPMENT SERIES Virtual Presentations: The Basics and Beyond

ISBA’s Law Ed Faculty Development Series
Complimentary and Exclusively for ISBA Law Ed Faculty
(and for those who want to become Law Ed Faculty)
For ISBA Members Only


1.50 hours MCLE credit, including 1.50 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category : Professionalism, Civility, and Legal Ethics


Original Program Date: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Febuary 1, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)
Take your virtual presentation skills to the next level with the
practical tools and insights you will gain in this program.


Enhance your online zoom presentation skills by attending this interactive training program! With 95% of ISBA CLE credit delivered online to ISBA members, it’s important that you have the tools and insight you need to reach your next online CLE audience. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from our experienced presenters as they take you through the process of planning your presentation all the way through your zoom presentation day, offering best practices, top tips, and inside advice along the way. For your next on-camera presentation, you’ll learn how to:
Structure and develop your presentation, including how to create learning objectives for your audience;
Identify best practices for written materials;
Use effective interactivity exercises;
Make the most of your available technology tools;
Maintain comfort and confidence on-camera;
  • Use the camera in a professional manner;
  • Know which Zoom (and other platform) features can enhance your delivery skills;
  • Use lighting and sound to your advantage;
  • Develop and use polls and other virtual platform features effectively;
  • And more!

Program Moderator:
Carol A. Casey, Illinois Department of Children & Family Services, Joliet

Program Speakers:
Erika N. Harold, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, Chicago
Paul Unger, Affinity Consulting, Ohio

Nomination Deadline for ISBA Awards Is March 4

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

Each year, the ISBA presents awards to recognize individuals and law firms for their commitment and service to the profession, their communities, and the Association. Award recipients are selected through a nomination process, and members are encouraged to nominate persons who meet the criteria for each award. Please submit the online nomination form, available following the links below, no later than March 4, 2024.

Disorder in the Court: An Attorney’s Guide to Judicial Misconduct

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The Illinois Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct require attorneys to report any judge who violates the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. The Rules also mandate that attorneys will face professional misconduct charges themselves, if they knowingly assisting a judge in behavior that violates the Code. Because of this, it is imperative that Illinois attorneys be familiar with the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct and what should be expected from the Bench. Don’t miss this interactive and entertaining presentation in which Philip Bogdanoff uses video clips of courtroom conduct where judges were later disciplined for ethical violations.