Advances and Best Practices in Passwords

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, Legal Ethics credit, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­May 23, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Cyberattacks against law firms grow yearly – from malware to ransomware to who knows what’s next. As stewards of confidential information (Rule 1.6), we must protect client information. We also must communicate timely and consult with clients (Rules 1.3 and 1.4). Often, we delegate these responsibilities to other attorneys or staff (Rules 5.1 and 5.3). Learn about the features of password management programs, how to configure one for a multi-user firm, passkeys, and other identity technology to protect your clients’ information.


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

“Searching” for an Answer

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

 In his May Illinois Bar Journal article, “’Searching’ for an Answer,” Christian Ketter recounts a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit concerning whether evidence discovered from pressing the remote key fob of a defendant’s car should be suppressed. Ketter assesses this case, as well as others, ruling that using a key fob to locate a vehicle is not a search, and is more like a binary “on-the-spot” field or dog-sniff test that only detects the presence or absence of a thing.

3rd Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy - Lessons for Today's Lawyers

Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Co-Sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


5.50 hours MCLE credit, including 2.25 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Friday, September 6, 2019
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­May 24, 2024 - ­­­­­­­May 23, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


In 1857, Lincoln was the defense attorney for Melissa Goings, who was charged with the murder of her husband, Roswell Goings – a 77-year-old man with a reputation for heavy drinking and spousal abuse. The abuse led to a tragic ending when, according to Melissa, Roswell tried to strangle her and she defended herself by striking him with a piece of firewood. Roswell died of the resulting skull fracture four days later. On the first day of trial, Lincoln conferred with Melissa during a break, but when court resumed, Melissa was nowhere to be found – and was never seen again in Metamora. When asked if he knew anything about her absence, Lincoln allegedly quipped that “she wanted to know where she could get a good drink of water and I told her there was mighty good water in Tennessee!” Don’t miss this full day seminar that examines the Melissa Goings case in the very courthouse where Lincoln was present. Topics include:
  • An examination of the Goings case and Lincoln’s participation in it;
  • A look at family law cases in Lincoln’s time, as well as Lincoln’s experience in this area of law;
  • The development of civil and criminal law protections to prevent domestic violence and provide defenses in certain criminal cases, including Domestic Violence Orders of Protection and Battered Spouse Syndrome;
  • The ethical issues that can arise when representing a family or criminal law client, including reliance on advice of counsel, lawyer-client privilege, and duty to report domestic violence or child abuse; and
  • An exploration of the influence that Lincoln’s law practice has on the Eighth Judicial Circuit today.


Program Coordinator:
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, LLC, Taylorville; Board Member of the Abraham Lincoln Association
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana; Board Member of the Abraham Lincoln Association

An Overview of Lincoln’s Connections to Metamora
The program opens with a look at how Abraham Lincoln was connected to Metamora, as well as a brief overview of the courthouse, which is now a historic site in Illinois.
Alex Timmerman, Metamora Courthouse Site Manager, Metamora

State of Illinois v. Melissa Goings
This segment discusses what we know about the Melissa Goings case and the aftermath that resulted from it.
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington

Family Law in Lincoln’s Time
Don’t miss this comprehensive overview of how family law was handled during Lincoln’s time, including the legal treatment of marriage, children, and women.
John A. Lupton, Executive Director, Illinois Supreme Historic Preservation Commission, Springfield

Developments in Legal Response to Domestic Violence in Civil and Criminal Cases
Gain a better understanding of how the laws have changed and developed over time regarding domestic violence in civil and criminal cases.
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
Julia R. Rietz, Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office, Urbana
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution, Board Member of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Taylorville

Ethics Issues Raised by Melissa Goings’ Case
This segment examines the ethical issues and concerns in the Melissa Goings’ case, as well as how this case affected the ethical outlook of future family and criminal law cases.
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
Julia R. Rietz, Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office, Urbana
Peter L. Rotskoff, Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Springfield
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Looking for Lincoln in Illinois: A Guide to Lincoln’s Eighth Judicial Circuit
Discover how the modern practice of law is still influenced by Lincoln’s “footprints” around the Eighth Judicial Circuit.
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 $192.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $385
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free