2025 Joint Midyear Meeting PhotosFebruary 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.
2026 Annual Meeting PhotosSeptember 2026ISBA members and guests gathered at the Ritz-Carlton in St. Louis on June 11–12, 2026, for the Annual Meeting, which featured outstanding CLE programming, networking, and business meetings. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the Annual Meeting a success!
American Bar Association Annual Meeting Recap: Proposed Resolutions Related to Internet-Dependent Bar ExamsBy Kassandra R. MorfinSeptember 2026Earlier this summer, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division reconvened in Chicago to consider and vote on various proposed resolutions, including addressing safeguards for jurisdictions administering the NextGen UBE or other internet-dependent bar examinations in light of the cancellation of the July 2026 Washington State bar exam due to severe technical and Wi-Fi bandwidth issues.
Anticipatory Discovery: Predicting Issues in LitigationBy Devin J. Piper & Mary DalenbergApril 2026Anticipatory discovery is not about expanding the scope of litigation, it is about ensuring your access to relevant evidence, and making sure you have what you need to best advocate for your client. By framing targeted early discovery, and sequencing strategically, counsel can optimize their position and set their case up for fair resolution.
Chair’s ColumnBy Joe SouligneSeptember 2026A note from the Chair of the Young Lawyers Division, introducing the efforts of YLD and how you can become involved.
Clerkships: An Insider’s PerspectiveBy Emma G. OvertonFebruary 2026An in-depth look at clerkships that allow attorneys early in their careers to sharpen their legal writing and analysis skills, gain meaningful insight into the inner workings of the judicial process, and help shape their future careers. Learn more about the application and interview process, as well as advice for a successful clerkship.
Confessions of a Young AttorneyBy Deborah CainFebruary 2026A reflection of the practice of law from a young attorney on doing your best.
Conversation StartersBy Audrey StallingsSeptember 2026It’s no secret that legal professionals are experiencing mental health challenges at rates far higher than that of the average U.S. adult. While the profession has made strides in addressing these mental health challenges and raising awareness, it is important that practitioners are able to implement these changes in their day-to-day lives. One part of creating a mental-health focused profession that is often overlooked is giving attorneys the tools they need to start honest conversations about mental health with one another.
The Double-Edged Sword: Artificial Intelligence in Illinois Litigation PracticeBy Matthew WilgerFebruary 2026As we navigate through 2026, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly prevalent tool in legal practice, fundamentally transforming how attorneys approach litigation. Be sure you familiarize yourself with the advantages and pitfalls of AI prior to utilizing in your practice!
From Appointment to Action: ISBA YLD’s Proposed Resolution for Language Equity in Legal PracticeBy Kassandra MorfinApril 2026While Rule 1.4 of the Rules of Professional Conduct require an attorney reasonably communicate with his or her client to aid the client to effectively participate in the legal matter, guidelines regarding language barriers and interpreters are lacking. The ISBA YLD Section Council is conducting research in an effort to influence an amendment to Rule 1.4, clarifying requirements for adequate representation of native foreign language litigants.
Income Shares Model: Progress, Not PerfectionBy Lacey K. BoulwareJanuary 2026A look at the current child support scheme in family law and suggestions for improvements to increase calculation flexibility to best serve children of all families.
Overview of Proper Witness Disclosures Under Illinois Rule 213By Gregory R. JonesMay 2026In Illinois, it is incumbent on practitioners to know how to make proper witness disclosures to avoid witness or testimony exclusions at or before trial. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 213 sets forth various requirements for different types of witness disclosures in civil litigation, as well as the limitations on testimony resulting from disclosures. This article examines the applicable rules and requirements.
A Refresher on Personal Injury Settlements for MinorsBy Josephine ShaneMay 2026Resolving a personal injury settlement for an adult client is usually very straightforward. However, for individuals under 18 years old involved in a personal injury matter, additional steps are required to ensure the minor’s settlement is fair and reasonable, which means court approval must be obtained.
Smaller Estates Are Not Always Simpler To AdministerBy Hayden R. EarlMarch 2026For many attorneys who are new to estate administration, it may be tempting to gravitate towards working on smaller estates, under the guise that probate will be simpler. Though, at first, it may seem intuitive that an estate with a single, easily identifiable asset would be easy to administer, smaller does not always mean simpler.
A Taste of NetworkingBy Molly Anne KrebsMarch 2026A recap of the YLD Speed Networking and Wine Tasting event, held on February 27, 2026, at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office!
Three Smart Phone Applications for Young Lawyers’ Mental WellbeingBy Maura AsheMay 2026It's important for lawyers to prioritize their mental health, which may include taking frequent breaks, finding time to exercise, and focusing on nutritious meals. While it may not always be feasible for a young attorney to expend the time required for those activities, a re-set can easily be found through apps available to smart phones, including the How We Feel app, the Insight Timer app, and the Calm app.
What Elegant Legal Writing Gets Right About Legal WritingBy Jake A. LeahyJanuary 2026Elegant Legal Writing by Ryan McCarl offers several valuable, insightful tips that can be employed by young lawyers to take your legal writing to the next level.
YLD Kicks off Another Bar Year in St. LouisBy Emma G. OvertonSeptember 2026If you missed ISBA's 2026 Annual Meeting, keep an eye out for future events, including YLD Wine Tasting and Speed Networking, the 2026 Joint Midyear Meeting, and other opportunities for YLD members to connect!
YLD Speed Networking and Wine Tasting 2026March 2026The YLD Speed Networking and Wine Tasting events on February 27 provided an opportunity for young lawyers and law students to meet and connect with colleagues. Proceeds from the Wine Tasting benefited the YLD’s Children’s Assistance Fund, which provides grants to organizations across the state related to children and law.
A Young Lawyer’s Guide to Karina’s LawBy Olivia K. BasuJanuary 2026Karina's Law brings changes to orders of protection in Illinois, particularly as it relates to relinquishment of respondent's firearms.
A Young Lawyer’s Thoughts on the Multigenerational Law OfficeBy David GuerraApril 2026A multigenerational law practice can be beneficial for all involved, from instilling wisdom after decades of law practice to younger generations, to upgrading or teaching seasoned generations about technological advancements, and everything in between.
