General Practice, Solo & Small Firm

The newsletter of the ISBA’s General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section

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2025 Articles

AI and Law: An Opportunity to Improve Legal Practice By Damien Riehl December 2025 Recent exponential leaps in advanced large language models have presented both opportunities and challenges that have the capacity to reshape the legal landscape.
Bankruptcies and the Economy: Out of the Attorneys Pockets! By Roza Gossage & Abdulah Abrahim July 2025 The authors discuss the relationship between bankruptcy and the state of the economy. 
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin December 2025 At 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 Champion By Jessica R. Durkin January 2025 At 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?
E-Filing: Waiting Until the Last-Minute May Be Too Late By Michael K. Muldoon July 2025 This article provides a summary of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9 and the historical evolution of e-filing. 
How to Successfully Manage a Remote Law Practice By Marie Sarantakis December 2025 Tips for attorneys who want to run a profitable practice that operates as a virtual, remote office. 
Illinois Supreme Court Uses Contingent Fee Structure in Attorney-Client Agreement to Calculate Quantum Meruit Award By Mary Anne Gerstner January 2025 A summary of the September, 2024, case, Andrew W. Levenfeld And Associates, Ltd, et al v. Maureen V. O’Brien, et al.
ISBA 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference Photos November 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.
1 comment (Most recent December 4, 2025)
Join Us at the ISBA & IJA Midyear Meeting—a Taste of What’s Ahead By Ted M. Niemann 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! 
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.
Matt Maloney—A Passion for the Law By John T. Phipps December 2025 Remembering Matt Maloney, who died unexpectedly on Christmas Day in 2007.
Nominate a Deserving Lawyer for the Matthew Maloney Tradition of Excellence Award By Ashanti Madlock Henderson December 2025 It is ISBA award nomination season: If you know someone that should be recognized, nominate them (or self-nominate) for the Matthew Maloney Tradition of Excellence Award! 
Reflections on 50 Years of Practice By Malcolm C. McPherson January 2025 A significant concern that looms large over our profession is the dwindling number of lawyers willing to practice in rural areas. Many of my early colleagues have retired or passed on, and we see fewer young lawyers stepping in to fill those vital roles. This decline isn't just a rural issue; it affects the entire legal fabric of our state.
Responding To Work-From-Home Accommodation Requests in a Post-Covid Environment By Josh Heidelman November 2025 In the wake of the pandemic, it may be more difficult for employers to argue remote work is not a reasonable accommodation. Learn more about developing case law on the topic and steps employers can take to strengthen their positions in court. 
Thirteen Red Flags for Spotting Problem Clients By Matthew Benson November 2025 The purpose of this article is to provide a list of phrases that problematic or regrettable clients say or make reference to in initial consultations, or "red flags," 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. 
What Is Mediation and ADR: History, Models, and Principles By Sandra Crawford, J.D. November 2025 An overview on the origins of mediation and alternative dispute resolution, different models of mediation, and the core principles of mediating disputes.