2025 Annual Department of Justice ReportTrusts and Estates, January 2026The United States Department of Justice's 2025 Annual Report to Congress on Department of Justice Activities to Combat Elder Fraud and Abuse was recently released, summarizing activities during the prior fiscal year that were intended to promote elder justice through enforcement, raising public awareness, capacity building, victim support and recovery, and sharing data and research.
2025 Joint Midyear Meeting PhotosEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2026The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
2025 Joint Midyear Meeting PhotosSenior Lawyers, February 2026The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
2025 Joint Midyear Meeting PhotosBench and Bar, February 2026The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
2025 Joint Midyear Meeting PhotosTort Law, February 2026The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
2025 Joint Midyear Meeting PhotosYoung Lawyers Division, February 2026The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
2025 Joint Midyear Meeting PhotosTrusts and Estates, February 2026The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
2025 Joint Midyear Meeting PhotosFamily Law, February 2026The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
2025 Joint Midyear Meeting PhotosAlternative Dispute Resolution, February 2026The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
2025 Joint Midyear Meeting PhotosReal Estate Law, February 2026The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
Advance Your Practice at the 32nd Annual Agricultural Law SeminarBy Ted M. NiemannAgricultural Law, January 2026Illinois State Bar Association members are invited to attend the 32nd Annual Agricultural Law Seminar—a premier continuing legal education event designed for attorneys practicing in or interested in the dynamic field of agricultural law. This year’s seminar takes place on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Doubletree by Hilton in Bloomington, IL, running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Amendments to the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Relating To In-House CounselBy Margo Lynn Hablutzel, J.D.Employee Benefits, January 2026Changes to Illinois Supreme Court Rules 706(g) and 716, effective as of January 1, 2026, set certain requirements and limits that are applicable to in-house counsel within Illinois.
Amendments to the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Relating To In-House CounselBy Margo Lynn Hablutzel, J.D.Corporate Law Departments, January 2026Changes to Illinois Supreme Court Rules 706(g) and 716, effective as of January 1, 2026, set certain requirements and limits that are applicable to in-house counsel within Illinois.
Another Year, Another Flurry of Illinois Employment Legislation Brings Expanded Employee Rights and Employer ObligationsBy Daniel Canales & Jennifer LongLabor and Employment Law, January 2026Governor J.B. Pritzer signed over 200 bills in late 2025, all of which have become effective on or by January 1, 2026. Several statutes may impact labor and employment law practice, including the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act, Illinois Human Rights Act, Wage Payment and Collection Act, Military Leave Act, and more.
The Art of Attorney Networking: From Sidebar to Social Hour (Part I)By Elizabeth H. Schaller & Robert V. SchallerLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, January 2026This two-part article discusses the benefits of building a network for an attorney to grow their practice. Effective networking fosters genuine, long-term relationships with potential referrers—relationships that lead to recommendations when clients are in need.
Audit Trails and the Scope of Medical Record Discovery in IllinoisBy Courtney A. Berlin & Mary DalenbergTort Law, February 2026As electronic medical records have become standard practice, discovery disputes focus on not only what appears in the patient chart, but how the chart was created, accessed, and modified. One of the most contested sources of that data is the audit trail, a system-generated log showing when records were accessed, altered, or reviewed.
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Jessica R. DurkinEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2026At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Jessica R. DurkinSenior Lawyers, February 2026At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Jessica R. DurkinAlternative Dispute Resolution, February 2026At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Jessica R. DurkinLabor and Employment Law, January 2026At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Jessica R. DurkinLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, January 2026At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Jessica R. DurkinEmployee Benefits, January 2026At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Jessica R. DurkinInsurance Law, January 2026At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Jessica R. DurkinCivil Practice and Procedure, January 2026At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Jessica R. DurkinTraffic Laws and Courts, January 2026At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Beyond the Trust: Leveraging Letters of IntentBy Lauren EvansTrusts and Estates, February 2026When creating or updating a trust, many individuals focus solely on the legal document itself. While the trust establishes the framework for asset management and distribution, it often leaves room for interpretation regarding the grantor’s personal wishes, preferences and instructions. This is where a Letter of Intent, also known as a Letter of Wishes or Letter of Instruction, becomes an invaluable companion to a trust.
Bock Food Law & Policy Conference Agrivoltaics ObservationsBy Alan E. StumpfEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2026Esoteric subjects for most Illinois attorneys were presented in Carbondale, Illinois at the Simmons School of Law on September 19, 2025. However, after listening to the presentations (available online through ISBA) the information presented gives us a legal and policy background helpful to know when counselling our clients’ legal matters that relate to agricultural production.
Book Review: “Life, Law & Liberty”By Gary T. RafoolSenior Lawyers, February 2026A book review of Life, Law & Liberty, a memoir from Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, detailing his early life, rise to the United States Supreme Court, and prominent cases in which his legal expertise played a key role.
Book Review: “The Human Scale”By Gary T. RafoolSenior Lawyers, February 2026The book, The Human Scale, details the history of Palestine, Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, Gaza, and the Sini.
