24 Legal Practice TipsBy Colleen L. SahlasEmployee Benefits, July 2025Tips learned from 24 years in legal practice.
Meeting the Special Responsibilities of a Noble ProfessionBy Michael CortinaYoung Lawyers Division, May 2025The practice of law is a business. It matters not if a lawyer is on the bench, works in the public interest sector, is an in-house attorney, or is engaged in private practice. All of us make our living in the practice of law, and that means, by default, all of us are also engaged in the business of law. We sometimes need reminding, however, of the other obligations that we have to society.
Prioritizing Health in a Digital WorldBy Kashwal KaurYoung Lawyers Division, May 2025In today’s hyper-connected world, we are constantly online in an effort to be aware of trending news, viral videos, and even the latest TikTok dances. The benefits of digital accessibility are vast. However, it is crucial to take deliberate, conscious steps to prioritize our health in order to prevent digital burnout.
The Work of a GAL and Lessons LearnedBy Judge Maureen SchuetteYoung Lawyers Division, May 2025Judge Schuette provides insight and guidance from her days as a Guardian Ad Litem.
YLD Speed Networking Event 2025Young Lawyers Division, May 2025The YLD Speed Networking event provided an opportunity for young lawyers and law students to meet and connect with colleagues.
YLD Wine Tasting Event 2025Young Lawyers Division, May 2025Proceeds from the annual Wine Tasting event benefited the YLD’s Children’s Assistance Fund, which provides grants to organizations across the state related to children and law.
ABA’s February 2025 House Resolutions and Their Intersection with Family LawBy Olivia K. BasuYoung Lawyers Division, April 2025ABA’s House of Delegates held its February 2025 Midyear Conference in Phoenix. During the meeting, the ABA House of Delegates passed several key resolutions that intersect with the field of family law. The most influential resolutions are explored in this article.
A Decision from the Illinois Supreme Court Addressing Mootness in the Area of Juvenile Abuse, Neglect, and DependencyBy Lisa N. LogtermanYoung Lawyers Division, April 2025In January of 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court settled a split that was occurring within the First District Appellate Court of Illinois. Specifically, the Illinois Supreme Court addressed the issue of whether the challenge of one finding of abuse, neglect, or dependency of a minor at adjudication was rendered moot due to the absence of the challenge of another finding of abuse, neglect, or dependency at adjudication.
Navigating the Legal World as a Young Black Male Lawyer in Chicago: Challenges, Triumphs, and the Road AheadBy Jason A. Pica, IIYoung Lawyers Division, April 2025In this article, the author shares his personal perspective on what it means to be a young Black lawyer in Chicago. The author's experience is shaped by the history of his people, the stories he carries from his community, and the constant weight to represent those folks and their stories who have often been silenced.
Re-Cap of Women and the Law’s Annual Afternoon TeaBy Jessica SparbeckYoung Lawyers Division, April 2025Last month, the Afternoon Tea was held to celebrate Women’s History Month. The ISBA Standing Committee on Women and the Law hosts this event annually. This year’s Tea took place on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Loew’s Chicago Hotel.
ABA YLD Midyear 2025 Assembly RecapBy Kari GibsonYoung Lawyers Division, March 2025The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division met for the ABA Midyear Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, during the first weekend of February 2025. Here's a summary of the adopted resolutions from the ABA Assembly Meeting.
The Illinois Court of Claims—What’s That All About?By Leonard F. AmariYoung Lawyers Division, March 2025The Illinois Court of Claims serves any citizen with a claim of money damages or personal injury against a state agency or state employee. The Court also awards compensation to victims of violent crimes under the Crime Victims Compensation Act and to dependents of police officers, firefighters, and National Guard members killed in the line of duty.
Illinois State Bar Association’s 2024 Annual Midyear Meeting: A Resounding Success!By Genevieve E. Miller, Esq.Young Lawyers Division, February 2025The ISBA's 2024 Midyear Meeting lived up to its reputation as one of the premier events on the legal community’s calendar. Held at the JW Marriott in downtown Chicago on December 12 and 13, the two-day event provided a perfect blend of professional development, networking, and celebration for attorneys, judges, and legal professionals across Illinois. Attendees engaged in a full schedule of substantive section council meetings, dynamic CLE courses, and lively social gatherings.
Justice Is in the DoingBy Justice Michael B. HymanYoung Lawyers Division, February 2025A discouraged lawyer receives a visit from a special ghost of presidents past.
The Most Important Thing You Can Bring to CourtBy Judge Brian WeinthalYoung Lawyers Division, February 2025An administrative law judge shares insight on how attorneys can avoid losing credibility when appearing before a finder-of-fact.
New Workplace Laws in 2025: What Employers Need to KnowBy Lindsay DreisYoung Lawyers Division, February 2025Illinois has passed several new laws and made significant amendments to its key statutes governing employment that have gone into effect as of January 1, 2025. These modifications largely provide employees with broader protections and the ability to access documents concerning their employment as well as place more transparency requirements on employers.
Recap of YLD’s CLE from January 15: Family Law 101By Genevieve E. Miller, Esq.Young Lawyers Division, February 2025Olivia Basu and I teamed up as co-speakers on January 15, 2025, for a one-hour virtual CLE entitled Family Law 101 that was co-sponsored by ISBA’s YLD, Family Law, and Rural Practice Sections. We provided attendees with the basics of practicing family law, which included a brief overview of important aspects to consider when handling a family law case. We discussed tools to facilitate settlements and things to be mindful of, such as how each family dynamic is unique.
24 Legal Practice TipsBy Colleen L. SahlasYoung Lawyers Division, December 2024Tips learned from 24 years in legal practice.
5 Great Tips for How to Move Up in Your Career as a Young LawyerBy Genevieve E. Miller, Esq.Young Lawyers Division, December 2024Time is limited for young lawyers. We must balance myriad demands from work, personal life, and legal organization responsibilities. It can be challenging to fit everything into a day’s work while looking ahead to achieving your future professional goals. Organization is key. Schedule out every hour of your day. Prioritize deadline-driven matters to help ensure you make the most of your days. Here are some tips that will benefit your future career.
End of Year Reflections for Young LawyersBy Caroline Mazurek CozziYoung Lawyers Division, December 2024As the end of the year draws near, young lawyers have an opportunity to pause, reflect, and create a plan for their careers. Amid the never-ending tasks and pressures of the workday, setting aside time for reflection can be a powerful tool for growth. The end of the year also offers a great opportunity to deepen connections within the legal community, including getting more involved in bar associations and engaging in networking opportunities.
Discover the ISBA Mentorship ProgramBy Nichol BensonYoung Lawyers Division, November 2024The Illinois State Bar Association offers an amazing mentorship opportunity for its members. The idea of the program is that a new attorney is matched up with a more experienced attorney. The new attorney is someone who has been practicing for under five years and the more experienced attorney has been practicing for more than five years. Apply for ISBA's Mentoring Program by December 31, 2024.
Expectation Excellence: A Guide to Effective Performance StandardsBy Nicholas CorrellYoung Lawyers Division, November 2024As an attorney, you may also have a new role as a supervisor at some level. You have support staff that are a part of your team, and you may even have other attorneys that you supervise. On the other hand, maybe you do not directly oversee employees, but you have clients who have issues with managing employees. Managing employees and employee performance is known as “performance management.”
Over 600 Years of WisdomBy Laura A. Josephson-Bernat, J.D., MBAYoung Lawyers Division, November 2024Judges and lawyers share professional and personal advice that they wish they had learned earlier in their careers.
Preparing for TrialBy Courtney A. BerlinYoung Lawyers Division, November 2024As a young lawyer, getting ready for trial can be both exhilarating and daunting. The stakes are high and the pressure to perform can feel overwhelming. However, successful trial preparation is grounded in a few essential principles that can set you on the path to victory. By remembering the basics and prioritizing organization, you can navigate the complexities of trial work with confidence.
Why Is It Important for Young Lawyers and Law Students to Attend ISBA’s Midyear Meeting?By Genevieve E. Miller, Esq.Young Lawyers Division, November 2024Young lawyers and law students are without a doubt beyond busy, especially during the holiday season and the month of December. ISBA’s Midyear Meeting occurs annually in downtown Chicago, and it is truly such a wonderful and enjoyable networking opportunity you won’t want to miss! This year it is hosted at the JW Marriott in Chicago’s loop on December 12 and 13. Why should YOU make attending this annual affair a priority this holiday season?!? Please allow me to explain.
ISBA & IBF Reception 2024: Honoring Leaders and Celebrating ExcellenceBy Riz AliYoung Lawyers Division, October 2024The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Bar Foundation hosted a memorable reception on August 28, 2024, at the vibrant Hubbard Inn in Chicago, where esteemed members of the legal community gathered to celebrate and honor their leaders.
ISBA Annual Meeting Re-CapBy Kassandra R. MorfinYoung Lawyers Division, October 2024This year, ISBA's Annual Meeting took place in St. Louis, Missouri, known as the country’s “Gateway to the West” and the first U.S. city to host the Olympics in 1904. The ISBA provided an amazing list of places to explore. As an experienced solo traveler, I hoped to check out as many places as I could on my two-day trip!
Why Networking Is Crucial for Law Students and New LawyersBy Taylor TylerYoung Lawyers Division, October 2024Effective networking provides valuable opportunities to establish meaningful connections and convert initial interactions into practical leads.
