Feds charge man with attacking a U.S. District Court clerk

Federal authorities on Friday announced charges against a Chicago man accused of punching a federal court clerk earlier this week outside the Dirksen Federal Building in the Loop.

From: 
Chicago Tribune

Immigration advocates in Central Illinois face uncertainty, chaos following birthright citizenship ruling

A nonprofit that supports immigrant rights in Central Illinois is urging immigrant families not to panic following Friday‘s U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

From: 
NPR Illinois

Lawsuit claims New Lenox police engage in ‘policing-for-profit’ on seizing vehicles

A Will County lawsuit claims that the New Lenox Police Department engaged in “policing-for-profit” when its officers wrongfully seized a 2010 Jeep Wrangler belonging to a man innocent of wrongdoing.

From: 
Shaw Local News Network

Illinois Innocence Project pushes for DNA samples to enter state's database in Slover case

The Illinois Attorney General's Office has entered the courtroom in the Illinois Innocence Project's effort to overturn the Slover family's murder convictions.

From: 
WAND

Judge weeds out dozens more likely non-viable Paraquat suits

A judge has axed dozens more lawsuits from the list of thousands pending in Southern Illinois federal court accusing the makers of commercial weed killer Paraquat of allegedly causing Parkinson's disease.

From: 
Legal Newsline

Appellate court: Sterling man serving 8 years for 2017 drunken driving death can again try to withdraw plea

The state’s appellate court has vacated a Whiteside County judge’s 2024 ruling denying a Sterling man’s motion to withdraw the guilty plea he made three years ago in the 2017 drunken driving death of a Sterling woman.

From: 
Shaw Local News Network

South suburban property owner finally gets house back, says squatters lived in his home for months

A homeowner in the south suburbs finally has his house back after alleged squatters moved into his home and wouldn't leave.

From: 
ABC 7

ISBA's Solo & Small Firm Conference 2025: Pre-Order Bundle

The Innovative Lawyer: Smart Strategies for Small Firms in the Age of AI
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Sponsored by the ISBA Mutual Insurance Company


Pre-order the SSFC Bundle! Get access to the complete conference via our On-Demand Catalog no more than four weeks after the conference to earn 15.00 hours MCLE credit, including 12.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following categories:
  • 10.0 hours Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention
  • 1.0 hour Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit
  • 1.0 hours Diversity & Inclusion

Original Program Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025 – Friday, September 26, 2025


Can't attend the live, onsite conference in September? Then don't miss out on this opportunity to get access to the complete conference at a substantially reduced rate. Topics include:
  • How to use artificial intelligence ethically to market your law firm;
  • The myths about managing employees and what you need to know;
  • How proper incident planning can help thwart the cyber threats facing your practice;
  • The future of limited scope representation;
  • Why creating a succession plan for your law firm is so important;
  • How the ARDC is handling AI-related complaints;
  • How to use legal research tools in conjunction with new AI-tools; and
  • Much more!

Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, and Marketing
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Attorneys and law firms use social media, websites, and other electronic means to market themselves and solicit potential clients. But these platforms are using generative artificial intelligence more and more frequently to target and appeal to particular audiences or demographics, which may sometimes result in unintended consequences. Don’t miss this presentation that explores the ethical and professional issues that arise when using digital media and artificial intelligence to market your services, including your responsibility to vet your digital providers, safeguard client and prospective client information, and ensure that the content generated by these tools complies with the ethical rules.
Moderator: Rachel Hernandez, Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC, St. Charles
Sari Montgomery, Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke, LLC, Chicago

Getting Started with Artificial Intelligence for Law Firms
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Learn how to unlock AI’s potential for your practice with this informative presentation. Topics include: how to use AI effectively, safely, and ethically; how to leverage AI and what questions to ask before using it; and the fundamental concepts of AI, including machine learning and natural language processing. The presentation also includes an interactive component to show users how to train their AI tool to deliver the desired information.
Moderator: Genevieve E. Miller, Beattie|Onorato Family Law LLC, Chicago
Jeffrey Schoenberger, Affinity Consulting, Ohio

Dispelling Myths in Managing Employees: How to Avoid Stubbing Your Proverbial Toe
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Please join us as our speaker discusses the latest legal mandates that all employers (particularly private law firms and legal departments) must navigate when managing personnel. Key topics include: managing the medical issues, accommodations, and leave entitlements of employees; complying with wage and hourly mandates and avoiding liabilities; complying with workplace anti-harassment and discrimination laws; managing employee performance, productivity, and work quality; avoiding the problematic employee; and the art of coaching, correcting and disciplining employee misconduct.
Moderator: Rachel Hernandez, Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC, St. Charles
Jeffrey A. Risch, Amundsen Davis LLC, St. Charles

Cybersecurity and Data Protection: From Coverage and Claims to Threat Awareness and Incident Prevention
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Get the information you need to advise your clients on cyber insurance policies and coverage with this informative presentation. Topics include: the current threats and trends in cybersecurity and date protection; how cyber liability claims are affecting Illinois law firms and the broader legal community; the short- and long-term impacts of cyber incidents on firm operations, professional liability exposure, and client trust; the most common cyber incidents (and motivations) behind these actions; the privacy and security issues you need to be to be aware of; the applicable reporting laws and regulations; and the individual, regulatory, and contractual notice requirements.
Moderator: Elisabeth A. Ritter, Ritter Law Offices, Chicago
Adam Czerwinski, Sidebar Insurance Solutions, Inc., Chicago
Joseph M. Fusz, Wilson Elser, Chicago

5 Year-End Tasks Every Small Firm Should Know
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Taking a moment to address essential law firm housekeeping tasks can save you time, money, and stress in the long run. While often overlooked, these tasks are crucial for maintaining a well-organized and compliant practice. Join us for a look at the five most important year-end tasks every lawyer should review, including: reviewing and cleaning up your IOLTA accounts; familiarizing yourself with upcoming labor law changes; dealing with uncollectable accounts receivable; auditing your payroll expenses; and reviewing your software subscriptions.
Moderator: Genevieve E. Miller, Beattie|Onorato Family Law LLC, Chicago
Diane Camacho, DLC Consulting Services, California

Artificial Intelligence for Lawyers
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Learn how artificial intelligence works, how to use it ethically, how it can help you get rid of tasks you don’t want to do, and how it can help you get (and keep) more clients with this informative presentation.
Moderator: Bryan M. Sims, Sims Law Firm Ltd., Naperville
Andrew G. Vaughn, Deviant Marketing, Chicago

Future of Limited Scope Representation
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Limited scope representation is here to stay. This session explores emerging trends, potential pitfalls, and practical strategies for attorneys navigating the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Moderator: Genevieve E. Miller, Beattie|Onorato Family Law LLC, Chicago
Eleanor Endzel, Endzel Law LLC, Chicago

Don't Leave It to Chance: Communicating Effectively When You Delegate
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Delegation can make or break the success of a solo or small law firm – but most attorneys were never trained on how to do it effectively. In this engaging session, you’ll learn why clarity and ownership are essential when assigning tasks. Whether you’re managing a team or considering your very first hire, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to communicate clearly, avoid dropped balls, and create a more reliable, efficient practice.
Moderator: Bryan M. Sims, Sims Law Firm Ltd., Naperville
Melanie Leonard, Clio, Naperville

Succession Planning for Solo and Small Law Firms
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Attorneys play an irreplaceable role in the neighborhoods they serve, often acting as trusted legal advisors and community pillars. Without a succession plan, when a solo or small firm attorney retires, the community may lose access to critical legal resources. Don’t miss this session that explains why succession planning is so important – for you, for your clients, and for your community – and how to create a succession plan for your practice.
Moderator: Pamela J. Kuzniar, Haid and Teich LLP, Chicago
Constance R. Sherrod, The Sherrod Law Firm Ltd., Chicago

ARDC and Handling of AI-Related Complaints
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Moderator: Elisabeth A. Ritter, Ritter Law Offices, Chicago
Anisa L. Jordan, Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Chicago

Your Research Toolkit, Upgraded: AI Tools for Better and More Efficient Legal Research
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Listen as our speaker showcases the newest artificial intelligence features on a variety of legal research platforms, including vLex Fastcase, Westlaw Precision, and Lexis+ AI. Learn how you can use these features to supplement traditional research and maximize your efficiency.
Moderator: Rachel Hernandez, Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC, St. Charles
Jesse Bowman, Associate Law Librarian for Technology Initiatives and Instruction, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Chicago

Strategies for Recruiting & Retaining Law Firm Employees
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Join us for a timely discussion on the challenges smaller law firms face in hiring and retaining attorneys and legal professionals. Listen as our panelists share strategies for building an effective hiring process – from job design to onboarding—as well as best practices for integrating virtual legal staff. The speakers also address the legal desert issue in Illinois and explore solutions to attract and retain legal talent in rural areas, including an overview of the ISBA Rural Practice Fellowship Program.
Moderator: Diana C. Servos, ST Legal Group. Deerfield
Diane L. Camacho, DLCS Consulting Services, LLC, California
Constance R. Sherrod, The Sherrod Law Firm Ltd., Chicago
Sarah J. Taylor, Barrett Twomey Broom Hughes & Hoke LLP, Carbondale
Staci L. Vazquez, Geiger Vazquez LLC, Morris

Law Firm Diversity
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Diversity & Inclusion credit
Moderator: Pamela J. Kuzniar, Haid and Teich LLP, Chicago
Prof. Sacha M. Coupet, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago
How Artificial Intelligence Can Help You Run Your Small Law Office Efficiently
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Artificial intelligence can help you run your law firm and free up some of your time in the process, but there are many things to consider before using this technological advancement. Don’t miss this online program that discusses the key issues to consider when using AI, including: How AI can complement your own legal research; the importance of always double-checking case citations generated by AI; the necessity of reading all cases to confirm that the holding is as represented; explaining to your client why your law firm uses AI and how it can help achieve their objective; how to establish an AI policy for your law practice to ensure the ethical use of generative AI resources; and the professional liability issues to be aware of when using AI in your law firm.
Moderator: Hon. Donald Bernardi (ret.), Bloomington
Andrew G. Vaughn, Deviant Marketing, Chicago

Mental Health 101: Strategies for Thriving, Not Just Surviving
1.0 hour Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit
As attorneys, we work long hours, juggle multiple cases simultaneously, spend a large amount of time researching case law and preparing legal documents, and have strict deadlines that must be remembered (and met!) – all while staying up to date on the ever-changing laws and regulations that will impact our clients and practice. These mental demands can take its toll and leave us feeling deflated, burnt out, and running on fumes. Join us for this online seminar that teaches you how to create a better work-life balance, while still meeting your professional and personal goals.
Moderator: Courtney A. Berlin, Clifford Law Offices, Chicago
Erin Clifford, Clifford Law Offices, Chicago



Pricing Information
Limited Time Offer! Pre-Order the On-Demand SSFC Bundle at a discounted rate through September 26, 2025 for only $199 members/$399 non-members! A few weeks after the conference, the program will be available in the ISBA On-Demand CLE Catalog for purchase at regular pricing rates and will be eligible for members to order using Free CLE credits.
  • Please Note: You must complete the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $199 is displayed below when you login
    • Non-Member Price $399
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $99
    • Law Students - Free