2024 Legislative 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 Sangamon County Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association


0.75 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­September 16, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Join us for this comprehensive update on the various legislation that has taken place throughout 2024, as well as an overview of the FY2025 budget, including Senate Bill 251 (FY25 budget bill), House Bill 4959 (budget implementation bill), House Bill 4952 (revenue package), and House Bill 4582 (bond authorization). Additional topics include:
  • Highlights from the 2024 legislative session, including which notable bills were passed and which were held;
  • How to use My Legislation on the General Assembly’s website;
  • A summary of the legislation that has been sent to the Governor this year (as well as the “drop dates” by which he must take action); and
  • Much more.


Program Moderator:
Shirley Wilgenbusch, Sangamon County Bar Association, Springfield

Program Speakers:
Jessica A. Nardulli,Jessica A. Nardulli LLC, Springfield
David P. Eldridge, Attorney at Law, 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 $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) - $18.75
    • Law Students – Free

Family Law Update 2024: New Legislation, Tax Tips, Family Law Software Enhancements and Key Considerations for your Practice

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 Sangamon County Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association


0.75 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­September 16, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Get the updates you need on new legislation impacting your family law clients with this informative online seminar. Topics include:
  • What you need to know about the 2024 tax law changes, including adjustments to tax brackets and what will be expiring;
  • What tax law changes to prepare for and expect in 2025;
  • What you need to know about SB 3284, including changes to the IMDMA 500 series and the IMDMA 600 series;
  • Which sections of the IMDMA has changed;
  • The family law software that is available to help you calculate RSU and stock options, as well as separate expenses for each real estate asset being divided among your client’s dissolution of marriage;
  • How to market your law firm to ensure that your clients can find you online (and also help you quickly determine if a potential client is a good match for you);
  • The importance of legal management software; and
  • Upcoming changes to the parenting time formula and child support calculations.


Program Speakers:
Nancy Chausow Shafer, Director of Family Law Sales and Training
Karen O. Gray, GM, Small Law for Legalfit, a Centerbase company



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) - $18.75
    • Law Students – Free

The Conundrums of the Parentage Act

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


3.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­September 16, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


While the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution Act concentrates on intact families who are undergoing a separation, the Illinois Parentage Act impacts all children regardless of parental separation, unmarried couples, and parents who were never couples. In a nutshell, the Illinois Parentage Act is the statute that deals with everyone. Join us for this half-day seminar that offers a clear understanding of how to operate under the Parentage Act and explores many of the issues you may encounter. Family law attorneys, general practitioners, civil practice lawyers, and judges who need a refresher or aren’t familiar with the current Parentage Act will learn:
  • How to address the jurisdictional issues that may arise in your next case;
  • The necessary protocol for establishing parentage;
  • How the Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity may impact your client;
  • What to do when an alleged parent is deceased;
  • The issues arising from DNA testing companies like 23andMe; and
  • Much more.

Program Coordinators/Chat Moderators:
Pamela J. Kuzniar, Haid and Teich, LLP, Chicago
Jessica Patchik, DuPage County’s State’s Attorney’s Office, Wheaton

Jurisdiction Issues
Don’t miss this opening segment as our seasoned practitioners examine the jurisdictional issues you may encounter, including the time constraints that impact available remedies, the situations that often baffle attorneys, and how to obtain both subject matter and personal jurisdiction to ensure a valid result. Emergency jurisdiction and the putative father registry is also discussed.
L. Steven Rakowski, LSR Family Law Group, Wheeling

A Primer on Establishing Parentage
This in-depth look at established parentage offers the unique perspectives from a sitting judge and an experienced practitioner. Topics include: the necessary protocol for establishing parentage, appropriate pleadings, essential testimony, testing, and the distinctions between presumed parents and adjudicated parents, as well as the impact of the Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity.
Hon. Karen Bowes, Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago
Liz Wakeman, Wakeman Law Group, P.C., Crystal Lake

Parentage Conundrum
Get the answers you need for a wide range of parentage conundrums with this informative segment, including: the complex issues that may arise (and how to deftly handle them), what to do when the alleged parent is deceased, the common mistakes to avoid (and how to undo them when they happen), how DNA testing companies like 23andMe have created a new set of issues for practitioners, how parentage can impact estate planning, and much more.
Staci Balbirer, Davis|Friedman, Chicago
Jessica Patchik, DuPage County’s State’s Attorney’s Office, Wheaton
Angel M. Traub, A. Traub & Associates, Lombard


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

Niching Down in Sports & Entertainment Law

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*


1.0 hour MCLE credit

Original Program Date: September 6, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­September 16, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Watch this on-demand program for a look at how the law, sports, and the entertainment industry intersect. Whether you're an intellectual property lawyer intrigued by the complexities of entertainment or a business attorney seeking to leverage contract negotiation principles in sports broadcasting, film, speaking agreement, or more, this seminar is tailored to empower you with the insights and strategies you need to thrive in this dynamic field of law.
Through engaging discussions, expert panels, and real-world case studies, we'll delve into the intricacies of sports and entertainment law, uncovering untapped avenues for legal practitioners – from navigating the legal landscape of athlete endorsements to understanding the nuances of content licensing in the digital age! Topics include:
  • Identifying lucrative opportunities within the sports and entertainment industry that align with your legal expertise;
  • Understanding how various legal specialties, such as intellectual property and contract law, intersect with sports and entertainment;
  • The emerging trends and challenges shaping the future of sports and entertainment law;
  • The practical strategies for building a successful practice and establishing yourself as a trusted advisor in the industry;
  • Understand how your expertise aligns with professionals currently in the sports and entertainment industry; and
  • The importance of networking with fellow legal professionals and industry insiders to expand your professional connections and opportunities for collaboration.

Program Coordinators:
Sivonnia DeBarros , SL DeBarros Law Firm LLC, Woodstock
Charles Harrington , Chiii Law, Chicago

Program Moderator:
Charles Harrington, Chiii Law, Chicago

Program Speaker:
Charles Harrington, Chiii Law, Chicago
Donald M. Woodard, Carter + Woodard, Georgia
*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 $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

Big Ticket Federal and Illinois Laws and Regulations That Transactional Health Care Lawyers Must Know

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 Health Care Law Section


1.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, September 5, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­September 16, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Strategic corporate transactions that involve hospitals and health systems are subject to a plethora of federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The high level of governmental oversight requires that hospital/health system transactions have separate signings and closings to allow sufficient time for the parties to accommodate the many filings, notices, consents, and other governmental approvals that are necessary to close the transaction as well as operate the business effectively after closing. This presentation highlights the “big ticket” federal and Illinois laws and regulations that you need to know to be an effective hospital/health system deal lawyer as well as best practices for efficiently getting over the closing finish line. Health care, government, and corporate lawyers with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this online program will better understand:
  • Federal and Illinois laws and regulations that loom large for strategic corporate transactions that involve hospitals and health systems;
  • Best practices for efficiently and effectively navigating the executory period between signing and closing; and
  • Consequences for failing to meet governmental requirements for closing a hospital/health system transaction.

Program Coordinator:
James R. Engelman, Attorney at Law, Lexington

Program Moderator:
Meredith E. Eng, Polsinelli P.C., Chicago

Program Speakers:
Meredith E. Eng , Polsinelli P.C., Chicago
Nasir Hussain , Winston & Strawn LLP, Chicago
Sumaya M. Noush , McDermott Will & Emery LLP, 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

Change Your Outlook

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, August 27, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­September 16, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Microsoft is rolling out a new user interface for its venerable Outlook program. It’ll be more like smartphone apps—for good and for ill. Learn what changes Microsoft has made, and the tips and tricks for handling them.


Program Speaker:
Danielle DavisRoe, Affinity Consulting Group
About the Speaker: Danielle’s many responsibilities at Affinity include training, CLE/speaking, writing, and management consulting. Prior to joining the Affinity family, Danielle practiced family law. She discovered, however, that she enjoyed making efficient use of technology more than practicing law, making her a perfect fit for consulting. Danielle describes her superpower as “herding cats,” and her favorite parts of her job are making others’ jobs and lives easier.
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

Targeting Success: Build a Plan to Hit Your Financial Goals

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, August 13, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: September 16, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Strategy often gives way to daily interruptions and the unforeseen. This session walks through developing a thorough strategic plan. Build for success by understanding your vision, values, goals, and key business numbers. Figure out what matters and how that drives growth.


Program Speaker:
Jeff Krause, Affinity Consulting Group
About the Speaker: Jeff is part of Affinity’s document management team. He specializes in corporate legal department deployments and workflow design and efficiency. Jeff practiced law for two years after finishing law school in 1996, but decided technology was a better path for him. He began working for a pioneering legal technology consultancy called MicroLaw in 1998. In 2003, Jeff started his own legal technology consultancy, which he ran until 2016, when he joined Affinity. Jeff’s superpower is patience, and his favorite part of his job is the satisfaction of helping someone solve one of their business problems
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

The Importance of Compassion and How to See Your Client as an Individual in Need

Posted on September 12, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

As attorneys, we strive to be successful, appear confident, and bolster confidence in our clients. But too often, these “professional” traits saddle us with the reputation of being arrogant and unfeeling. This reputation is bad for our profession and bad for our clients who, after all, are individuals that came to us for help.