Section Newsletters

Articles on Rural Practice

ISBA Live and On-Demand CLE Programs By Ean R. Albers Rural Practice, November 2025 Take advantage of the free CLE credits that are included in your ISBA membership! From on-demand programs to live programs, ISBA has numerous CLE options to fit your schedule and practice needs. 
ISBA Rural Practice Section Council Attorney Profile: Cari Rincker By Sara Peska & Ean R. Albers Rural Practice, November 2025 Get to know Cari Rincker, a member of the Rural Practice Section Council and Editor of the Agricultural Law Section Newsletter. 
Join Us at the ISBA & IJA Midyear Meeting—a Taste of What’s Ahead By Ted M. Niemann Rural Practice, November 2025 The Joint Midyear Meeting, hosted by the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association, is a can't-miss event, offering CLE programs on democracy preservation and the ethical use of AI; a Member Appreciation Reception featuring Glow Bingo and prizes; the Illinois Bar Foundation for the Champions Breakfast; the IJA/ISBA Joint Midyear Meeting Luncheon; and a Holiday Reception honoring the Supreme Court of Illinois. Register today! 
A Letter From the Chair By Angel Wawrzynek Rural Practice, November 2025 A note from the chair of the Rural Practice Section Council regarding the fellowship program. 
Rural Law Practice in the News By Regan McGuill Booth, Sam Ellis, & Cari Brett Rincker Agricultural Law, November 2025 Learn more about recent events that may be impacting the rural practice of law, including increasing legal deserts, incentives to bring attorneys to rural practice, and community-centered legal models. 
Ten Ways To Use #GenAI To Start Your Law Firm By Carolyn Elefant Rural Practice, November 2025 GenAI can be a valuable tool for attorneys starting their own firm. Learn 10 tips to incorporate AI into your new law firm.
Experiences in the Rural Practice Program By Matthew Wells Rural Practice, October 2025 A reflection on the Rural Practice Fellowship Program as a non-traditional law student. 
Frequently Asked Questions and Suggested Best Practices Related to Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Legal Profession By Carolyn Elefant Rural Practice, October 2025 AI in the practice of law is becoming unavoidable--familiarize yourself with obligations that may arise with usage of AI in your practice, including copyright, plagiarism, disclosure, privacy and confidentiality, duty to supervise, and legal ethics. 
A Letter From the Chair By Angel Wawrzynek Rural Practice, October 2025 A letter from the Chair of the Rural Practice Section Council. 
Rural Law Practice in the News By Regan McGuill Booth, Sam Ellis, & Cari Brett Rincker Rural Practice, October 2025 Learn more about recent events that may be impacting the rural practice of law, including increasing legal deserts, incentives to bring attorneys to rural practice, and community-centered legal models. 
Spotlight on Rural Practice Section Council Member: Ean R. Albers By Cari Rincker Rural Practice, October 2025 In this continuing Q&A series, we highlight the backgrounds, interests, and experiences of our members in a conversational “Member Spotlight” format.
Taking the Plunge: A Summer in Rural Practice Through the ISBA Initiative By Reagan Honn Rural Practice, October 2025 A 2025 summer law clerk details her experience as part of ISBA's Rural Practice Fellowship Program. 
Upcoming CLEs By Billie J. Constant Rural Practice, October 2025 Don't forget to regularly check the CLE calendar for programs that may impact your practice!
What Is the Remote Practice of Law? By Stephen B. Cohen Rural Practice, October 2025 In this article, the author emphasizes and describes how a major event affecting all aspects of society has changed many traditional aspects of the practice of law.
Child Support in Illinois—Multiple Answers to a Single Question By Nancy Chausow Shafer Rural Practice, April 2025 This article discusses allocation of the dependent tax exemption and designation of the majority-time parent—two tax-related choices often misunderstood and used incorrectly.
Thirteen Red Flags for Spotting Problem Clients By Matthew Benson Rural Practice, April 2025 The purpose of this article is to provide a list of “red flags:” the phrases that problematic or regrettable clients say or make reference to in initial consultations, so that they can be spotted early and encouraged to find counsel more suited to their disposition. If a client exhibits any of the following, it might be wise to question the wisdom of allowing them to hire you. 
An Update from the Chair By Angel Wawrzynek Rural Practice, April 2025 A message from the chair regarding recent section council activity.
The Use of a Police Report at Trial to Refresh the Recollection of an Investigating Officer and the Application of the Hearsay Rule and the Exceptions: Capsel v. Burwell By Richard L. Turner, Jr. Rural Practice, April 2025 In analysis of Capsel v. Burwell, 2024 IL App (3d) 230170. In this case, the truth and accuracy of the officer’s report could not be established in that he did not witness the collision and could not identify who provided the statements. The officer’s testimony lacked the necessary foundation and was inadmissible under the past recollection recorded exception, or any other exception, to the hearsay rule. The appellate court then found that the trial court’s act of admitting the statements in the report into evidence constituted reversible error meriting a new trial.
24 Legal Practice Tips By Colleen L. Sahlas Rural Practice, January 2025 Tips learned from 24 years in legal practice of interest to trusts & estates practitioners. 
A High Burden: A Discussion of People v. Krzeczkowski and the Standard for Securing DUI Drug Convictions By Matthew Moustis Rural Practice, January 2025 This Article discusses the legal standard for securing DUI drug convictions, the Third District’s unpublished Rule 23 Order in Krzeczkowski, and considerations for law enforcement agencies enforcing DUI drug laws.
Statutory Amendments Affecting the Illinois Power of Attorney for Property – Boon or Bane for Estate Planning Attorneys? By Mia O. Hernandez & Jennifer Bunker Skerston Rural Practice, January 2025 Recently, lively discussion ensued among estate planning practitioner members of the Trusts and Estates Section on the ISBA Central Community discussion board regarding Public Act 103-0994, effective January 1, 2025, which amends the Illinois Power of Attorney Act to add and describe unreasonable and reasonable causes for a third party to refuse to honor powers of attorney for property. The impetus for the Act’s amendment was to redress the perceived problem that it is not uncommon for third parties to unreasonably reject powers of attorney for property. 
The Corporate Transparency Act: A New Era of Business Accountability By Nikhil A. Mehta Rural Practice, October 2024 The Corporate Transparency Act, which aims to enhance transparency among business entities by combating illicit financial activities and bolstering efforts by the federal government to prevent money laundering and other financial crimes, went into effect on January 1.
Guilty Pleas Following People v. Wells By Hon. Randy Rosenbaum Rural Practice, October 2024 The Illinois Supreme Court considered whether a defendant is entitled to additional jail credit after a negotiated plea in People v. Wells.
Nice Trust, But What’s in It? Analyzing Funding for Revocable Trusts By Cameron T. Lythberg Rural Practice, October 2024 A trust should include a schedule of assets so that a successor trustee knows what assets are in the trust they have been tasked with administering.
A Rural Practitioner’s Plea for Action By Lindy A. Giesler Rural Practice, October 2024 While rural Illinois was once the home to a greater number of legal practitioners and law firms, these firms have struggled in recent years to attract new attorneys that are willing to take positions in rural areas.
Two Wrongs Do Not Make a Right: Illinois Adopts the ‘Partial Breach’ Doctrine By Ronald D. Menna, Jr. Rural Practice, October 2024 Illinois follows the “first-to-breach" rule, which holds a material breach of a contract provision by one party may be grounds for releasing the other party from its contractual obligations.
Welcome to the Rural Practice Section By Angel Wawrzynek Rural Practice, October 2024 The Rural Practice Section Newsletter is intended to circulate articles and information from the various sections addressing substantive legal updates as well as addressing law practice management and other topics of interest to general rural practitioners. 

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