Family Law with a Global Twist - London 2024 - 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 ISBA Family Law Section


2.50 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit


Original Program Date: October 17, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­February 10, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Families are global. And attorneys who lack knowledge of what occurs outside of Illinois - and even outside of the U.S. – are at a disadvantage when it comes to having the tools necessary to advise their clients. Don’t miss this opportunity to update your knowledge on how to handle settlements in complex financial cases, as well as what to do when there are cross-border matrimonial disputes. A discussion on how to maintain your own mental health and functionality despite the chaos and pressure generated by your family law practice is also included.


Program Coordinators:
Hon. Arnold F. Blockman, University of Illinois School of Law, Champaign
Pamela J. Kuzniar, Haid and Teich, LLP, Chicago

Program Moderators:
Hon. Arnold F. Blockman, University of Illinois School of Law, Champaign
Pamela J. Kuzniar, Haid and Teich, LLP, Chicago
William MacFarlane, Kinglsey Napley LLP, London

Structuring the Financial Settlement
Complex cases involving businesses and trust assets, division of retirements assets, employment benefits and executive compensation, stock ownership plans, profit sharing, and marital/non-marital tracing, are difficult enough to deal with in Illinois alone. So how do you handle the issues when there are cross-border matrimonial disputes? Don’t miss this presentation as our seasoned professionals explain the art of settlement in complex financial cases. This segment includes one 10-minute break and one 5-minute break.
Tim Amos KC, Queen Elizabeth Building, London
James M. Godbout, Marcum, Chicago
Jane Keir, Kingsley Napley, LLP, London
Matthew A. Kirsh, Kirsh & Anderson, Ltd., Chicago
Stephanie L. Tang, Baylor Law School, Texas

Maintaining Your Mental Health in the Practice of Family Law*
(1.0 hours Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit*)
Being a family law attorney requires more than your ability to successfully negotiate, litigate, and mediate. It requires you to maintain your own mental health and functionality despite the chaos and pressure generated by your practice, including witnessing clients undergoing various kinds of trauma, or your own personal loss. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain the perspective of a psychiatrist, psychologist, and counselor as they explain how to maintain your own mental health and successfully navigate the stressors of your career.
Annmarie Carvalho, The Carvalho Consultancy, London
Dr. Louis Kraus, Psychiatrist, Rush University Medical Center, Northbrook
Dr. Ruth Kraus, Clinical Psychologist, Northbrook


*Originally presented as part of the Family Law with a Global Twist – London 2024. Find more sessions in this series in the ISBA On-Demand CLE catalog.


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

Access to Justice Commission Announces Winners of Colman and Kilbride Awards

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) announced today the winners of two awards, the Jeffrey D. Colman Access to Justice Award and The Hon. Thomas L. Kilbride (Ret.) Judicial Access to Justice Award. The 2024 recipients are Tiffany Schicker and Judge Thomas More Donnelly. These awards are designed to recognize and celebrate exceptional contributions to increasing access to the court system by improving the experience of litigants. 

60 Artificial Intelligence Tips in 60 Minutes

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

Join us for this entertaining and educational session focused on the safe and efficient use of artificial intelligence in your practice. Our presenters will give you 60 rapid-fire practical tips and tricks for using several popular artificial intelligence tools and techniques in your daily workflow. Topics include: ChatGPT, privacy and security issues to be aware of, tech support, and more.

1st 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


0.75 hours MCLE credit, including 0.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Friday, September 8, 2017
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)


Abraham Lincoln overcame poverty, lack of formal education, chronic depression, and other obstacles to become one of the leading lawyers in Illinois. Lessons from Lincoln's life and law practice continue to inspire, influence, and impact generations of lawyers who strive to be leaders in the legal profession. Don't miss this full-day seminar that examines Lincoln's legal career, the character traits that helped him achieve success in law and politics, how he dealt with his personal and professional issues, and how he networked with clients and lawyers around the state to build a successful practice.

  • Learn the ethical obligations and available resources for lawyers suffering depression, substance abuse and mental health issues, along with the associated ethical obligations of others in their firm and opposing lawyers.
  • Understand the character issues that guided Lincoln in his professional life and how those were developed over time.
  • See how ethical issues were handled by the Bar in Lincoln's time and under the Code of Professional Conduct today.
  • Learn that Lincoln's secret to success as a lawyer was not a secret, and is available to all lawyers today.

Program Coordinator:
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, Board Member of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Taylorville

Lincoln’s Ethics
Discover the ethical issues that confronted Lincoln throughout his practice, while discussing how modern rules would have dealt with these concerns.
Moderator:Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association , Taylorville
Christine P. Anderson , Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Chicago
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett & Webber, P.C., Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association, Urbana
Prof. Roger Billings, Professor of Law, Chase College of Law, Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association, Kentucky
Guy C. Fraker , Attorney at Law, Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association, 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 $26.25 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $52.50
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

1st 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


2.75 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE Credit in the following category: Mental Health/Substance Abuse


Original Program Date: Friday, September 8, 2017
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)


Abraham Lincoln overcame poverty, lack of formal education, chronic depression, and other obstacles to become one of the leading lawyers in Illinois. Lessons from Lincoln's life and law practice continue to inspire, influence, and impact generations of lawyers who strive to be leaders in the legal profession. Don't miss this full-day seminar that examines Lincoln's legal career, the character traits that helped him achieve success in law and politics, how he dealt with his personal and professional issues, and how he networked with clients and lawyers around the state to build a successful practice.

  • Learn the ethical obligations and available resources for lawyers suffering depression, substance abuse and mental health issues, along with the associated ethical obligations of others in their firm and opposing lawyers.
  • Understand the character issues that guided Lincoln in his professional life and how those were developed over time.
  • See how ethical issues were handled by the Bar in Lincoln's time and under the Code of Professional Conduct today.
  • Learn that Lincoln's secret to success as a lawyer was not a secret, and is available to all lawyers today.

Program Coordinator:
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, Board Member of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Taylorville

Lincoln’s Character: How His Values Can be Caught and Taught
Learn about the character traits that Abraham Lincoln developed during his lifetime and successfully applied to his work in law and government and how those traits can be a guide for later generations.
Prof. Ron Keller , Lincoln College, Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association, Director of the Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development, Lincoln

Lincoln’s Law Practice
Twice a year, Lincoln traveled through the Eighth Judicial Circuit in an effort to bring the judicial system to the rural communities of central Illinois. This segment examines his time riding the Eighth Circuit, including: his service as a judge; how he networked with clients and other attorneys; the professionalism and civility issues of the times; and how he built his practice.
Guy C. Fraker , Attorney at Law, Board Member – Abraham Lincoln Association, Bloomington

Lincoln’s Melancholy
Join us as our speakers discuss what we have learned from Lincoln’s frequent spells of melancholy and how it relates to today’s issues of legal competency. Learn which resources are available to you and your colleagues for burnout, depression, anxiety, addiction and more.
Christine P. Anderson , Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Chicago
Faye Freeman-Smith , Lawyers Assistance Program, 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 $96.25 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $192.50
    • 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 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