2025 Articles

ISBA 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference Photos October 2025 The Illinois State Bar Association hosted the 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference: The Innovative Lawyer: Smart Strategies for Small Firms in the Age of AI on September 25–26 at the Embassy Suites in Naperville, IL.

Join Us at the ISBA & IJA Midyear Meeting—a Taste of What’s Ahead By Ted M. Niemann December 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!

LAWPAC Needs You! January 2025 The Illinois Lawyers’ Political Action Committee (LAWPAC) needs your help to fulfill its mission to support the legislative goals of the ISBA and Illinois’ legal community.

Marital Settlement Agreements: The Devil Is Still in the Details By Hon. Tamika Walker September 2025 When drafting Marital Settlement Agreements, details matter. In re Marriage of Tronsue highlights the pitfalls that may arise when special care is not afforded to specific details of a written settlement agreement.

Part II—Pet Peeves and Practice Tips: Views From the Bench and Bar By Hon. Jeanne M. Reynolds December 2025 This two-part series explores the "pet peeves" of family law practitioners and judges. Part II: Views from the bar highlights the "pet peeves" and "best practices" as told by various attorneys practicing family law.

“Pet Peeves” and Practice Tips: Views From the Bench and Bar By Hon. Jeanne M. Reynolds November 2025 This two-part series explores the "pet peeves" of family law practitioners and judges. Part I: Views from the bench highlights the "pet peeves" and "best practices" as told by various judges in the domestic relations division.

Pulling Out: A Rules-Based Approach To Withdrawing From Representation By Matthew Benson September 2025 It is inevitable that an attorney will eventually have to withdraw from representing a client based on a breakdown of the attorney-client relationship. Ensure you are taking necessary steps to not only protect yourself in the withdrawal but also to develop internal procedures that govern when your office must withdraw from representation.

Recap of Illinois State Bar Association’s 149th Annual Meeting By Genevieve Miller July 2025 The Illinois State Bar Association’s 149th Annual Meeting was held June 5 and 6 at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort this year and brought together legal professionals from across the state for two days of education, collaboration, and celebration! The conference marked the official installation of incoming ISBA President Bridget C. Duignan, who welcomed attendees with a renewed focus on innovation, inclusivity, and attorney well-being. From continuing legal education to social receptions and business meetings, the event offered a dynamic and enriching experience for all who participated.

Reynolds v. Reynolds: Recalibrating the Standard for Modifying Parenting Time in Illinois By Michael J. Levy December 2025 The Second District Appellate Court recently ruled that a "substantial" change in circumstances is not required for parenting time modification, but rather the "changed circumstances" standard as set forth in section 610.5(a) of the IMDMA is applicable.

So You Want To Seal a Family Law Case? Confidentiality Issues in Family Law By Hon. Anna M. Benjamin October 2025 Sealing a case in family law court is a complicated issue, requiring compelling reasons that go far and above an agreement between the parties. Learn the requirements that are necessary to successfully request to seal a file.

Supporting and Visiting Non-Minor Children By Lisa M. Nyuli September 2025 Learn more about the requirements under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and the Probate Act to award child support or parental visitation for a non-minor child with a disability.

Thirteen Red Flags for Spotting Problem Clients By Matthew Benson January 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.

Updates To Leveraging AI and ChatGPT as a Divorce Attorney in Illinois By Rachael Toft October 2025 AI can be a useful tool in streamlining time-intensive tasks; however, it is imperative that attorneys and staff take great care to ensure that AI usage is respecting ethical and professional standards.

We Can End the Suffering: Illinois’ Child Marriage Problem By Nancy Chausow Shafer & Fraidy Reiss May 2025 Thousands of Illinois girls are being legally married off to adult men, without any input from the girls, often before the girls are legally old enough to consent to sex. Always before the girls are old enough to enter a domestic violence shelter. Or old enough to file for divorce. But we can end the suffering.

What Is Mediation and ADR: History, Models, and Principles By Sandra Crawford, J.D. August 2025 An overview on the origins of mediation and alternative dispute resolution, different models of mediation, and the core principles of mediating disputes.

The Work of a GAL and Lessons Learned By Judge Maureen Schuette April 2025 Judge Schuette provides insight and guidance from her days as a Guardian Ad Litem.