2025 Articles

AI in the Small Law Firm—The Need for a Formal Written Policy By Edward J. Jarot, Jr. & William D. Lohrman April 2025 Carefully drafted policies are especially critical in the setting of a small firm, where the attorney is constantly torn between performing legal services while also balancing the legal and ethical limitations and pitfalls. For all the power that AI offers, small firms are strongly encouraged to develop and refine an express policy for the use of chatbots, generative AI, and the other AI tools currently available, along with those that will be created in the immediate future. This article contains a sample AI policy.

Beware AI “Hallucinations”: Bankruptcy Court Sanctions Counsel for Fake Citations in In re Martin By Julia Jensen Smolka October 2025 Avoid the pitfalls of AI, and the sanctions that were imposed in In re Martin, by familiarizing yourself with 6 practical takeaways and recommendations for practitioners when employing AI usage in your practice.

Call for Articles: Inspire and Lead Through Your Expertise! By Jennifer M. Danish October 2025 Learn more about contributing your work to The Bottom Line newsletter!

How To Stop This $475,000 Email Scam From Happening to Your Law Firm By Mark C. Palmer October 2025 Heed the warning of Thomas v. Corbyn Restaurant Dev. Corp. and ensure that your firm is handling client funds through strict protocol and stringent judgment with 4 tips to protect your practice.

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.

LAWPAC Needs You! April 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.

New Workplace Laws in 2025: What Employers Need to Know By Lindsay Dreis April 2025 Illinois 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.

Phone Calls Ignored, Emails Unanswered: Fixing the First Impression Problem for Law Firms By Mark C. Palmer April 2025 The legal technology company Clio played “secret shopper” for its 2024 Clio Legal Trends Report. Clio reported dismal results on how law firms are doing on first impressions. The purpose was to test how easy it is for prospective clients to get in touch with law firms through phone or email, and how effectively law firms answered their questions. See how Clio's research can help you and your firm make a positive first impression on prospective clients.

Responding To Work-From-Home Accommodation Requests in a Post-Covid Environment By Josh Heidelman October 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 October 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.

The Value—and the Challenges—of Bar Association Membership for Your Firm: Cultivating Meaningful Participation from Day One By Jennifer M. Danish April 2025 This article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of membership in bar associations and professional organizations, with particular emphasis on the meaningful integration of new attorneys into these networks. The discussion will highlight how supportive law firm leadership facilitates young lawyers' navigation and maximization of benefits within these organizations. While the ISBA serves as a prime example, the principles discussed are applicable to other local, national, and practice-specific associations. Ultimately, a thoughtful and strategic approach, particularly one that invests in junior attorneys, can yield significant returns in professional growth, firm cohesion, and business development.