2025 Young Lawyer of the Year RecipientsSeptember 2025Congratulations to our 2025 Young Lawyer of the Year Recipients: Genevieve E. Miller, Cook County, and Paloma Holloman, Outside Cook County!
ABA YLD Midyear 2025 Assembly RecapBy Kari GibsonMarch 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.
ABA’s February 2025 House Resolutions and Their Intersection with Family LawBy Olivia K. BasuApril 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.
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Jessica R. DurkinDecember 2025At 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?
Chair’s ColumnBy Jason R. BlumenthalAugust 2025A note from the Chair of the Young Lawyers Division Section Council.
A Decision from the Illinois Supreme Court Addressing Mootness in the Area of Juvenile Abuse, Neglect, and DependencyBy Lisa N. LogtermanApril 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.
Direct Examination: Letting Your Client’s Story ShineBy Lauren E. ParkNovember 2025Direct examination of your client at trial is important to allow the jury to connect with your client and to ensure the record is properly preserved for any subsequent appeals. Incorporate these tips into your next direct examination to effectively tell your client's story.
The Illinois Court of Claims—What’s That All About?By Leonard F. AmariMarch 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.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.
Inspiring Community Engagement at DePaul LawAugust 2025ISBA Young Lawyer Representative, Genevieve E. Miller, recently spoke on a panel at DePaul Law, "Engaging Your Community."
Is Social Media Worth It for Lawyers?By Rizwan M. AliOctober 2025A look into social media and how you can leverage popular apps to expand your practice.
ISBA 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference PhotosOctober 2025The 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 AheadBy Ted M. NiemannNovember 2025The 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!
Justice Is in the DoingBy Justice Michael B. HymanFebruary 2025A discouraged lawyer receives a visit from a special ghost of presidents past.
Keeping Calm Waiting for Bar ResultsBy Violet KonopkaSeptember 2025Some tips to help you get by while you wait for the July 2025 bar exam results.
LAWPAC Needs You!February 2025The 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.
Meeting the Special Responsibilities of a Noble ProfessionBy Michael CortinaMay 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.
Midyear Online Food DriveBy YLD Pro Bono CommitteeDecember 2025The Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Committee is excited to announce that the 2025 Midyear Online Food Drive is officially live, and this year we are expanding our reach across the entire state of Illinois. In connection with the ISBA Midyear Meeting, the YLD is partnering with three separate food banks to support communities in the Chicagoland area, the St. Louis metropolitan area, and Central Illinois.
The Most Important Thing You Can Bring to CourtBy Judge Brian WeinthalFebruary 2025An administrative law judge shares insight on how attorneys can avoid losing credibility when appearing before a finder-of-fact.
Navigating the Legal World as a Young Black Male Lawyer in Chicago: Challenges, Triumphs, and the Road AheadBy Jason A. Pica, IIApril 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.
New Workplace Laws in 2025: What Employers Need to KnowBy Lindsay DreisFebruary 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.
November 2025 Bar Admission PhotosDecember 2025On November 5, 2025, 1,637 new lawyers were sworn into the practice of law in Illinois during ceremonies held across all five judicial districts. Congratulations to Illinois' newest lawyers!
Practical Tips for New Lawyers: Insights From a Young LawyerBy Taylor TylerOctober 2025Five tips that you can implement into your schedule to help ease the adjustment from law school to practice and set the foundation for long-term success.
