ADR and Mediation

Live Webcast
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
2:00 – 3:05 p.m.


1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Join us for an in-depth look at what you can do to give your pro bono work a human touch and the ethical issues to consider when using artificial intelligence throughout your pro bono practice. Attorneys with all levels of practice experience who attend this online program will gain a better understanding of the following topics:

• Navigating the Tension Between Innovation and Integrity – Learn how to maintain your technological competence and use emerging tools responsibly as we discuss your ethical duty under Rule 1.1 (Competence).
• Redefining the Attorney’s Role: Humans, Not Machines – Explore the contrast of mechanical productivity against the deeper ethical value of human presence in lawyering, particularly in a pro bono and public service context.
• Strategies for Human-Centered Pro Bono Practice – Get practical strategies for integrating AI into your pro bono practice that will enhance (not erode) the human connection.
• Lawyer Well-Being and Reflective Practice – Discover how AI integration ties into your personal and professional wellness.

Program Coordinator:
Andrew Sharp, CARPLS Legal Aid, Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
William Tasch, CTM Legal Group, Chicago

Program Speaker:
Andrew Sharp, CARPLS Legal Aid, Chicago


*Professional Responsibility MCLE credit subject to approval


For best practices, before attending the program using ISBA's Zoom platform, please visit our Technical Support page.

1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: November 18, 2022
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 19, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Improve the culture of your office and satisfy your annually mandated sexual harassment prevention training requirement by attending this program. Consistent with the requirements established in Section 2-109(B) of the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act (Public Act 101-0220) this program will help you gain an understanding of what sexual harassment is, what remedies are available to victims of sexual harassment, and what responsibilities employers have in the prevention, investigation, and provision of corrective measures to address sexual harassment in the workplace. Topics include: reporting allegations; conditions of employment; settlement or termination agreements; and more. This program is open to both Illinois lawyers and their staff members.

Program Virtual Moderator:
Laura E. Schrick, Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd., Belleville

Program Speakers:
Michael R. Lied, Attorney at Law, Dunlap
Thalia Pacheco, Fish Potter Bolaños, P.C., Chicago

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1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 6, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Movies often depict lawyers behaving badly, acting unprofessionally, or blatantly violating rules of professional conduct – all for the sake of entertainment. But in real life, attorneys need to avoid these gaffes at all costs, learn from their mistake when they do occur, and understand the consequences that may arise in the aftermath. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Stuart Teicher as he examines both the obvious and subtle ethics violations being committed by lawyers in the movies and on television. Topics include:

• Ex parte conversations with a judge (Rule 3.5);
• How fictional lawyers are constantly disrupting a tribunal (Rule 3.4(d)); and
• Your responsibility to report a colleague’s misconduct (Rule 8.3 (a)).

About the Speaker:
Stuart I. Teicher , Esq. is a professional legal educator who focuses on ethics law and writing instruction. A practicing lawyer for 30 years, Stuart’s career is now dedicated to helping fellow lawyers survive the practice of law and thrive in the profession. He teaches seminars, provides in-house training to law firms and legal departments, provides CLE instruction at law firm client events, and also gives keynote speeches at conventions and association meetings. Stuart helps lawyers get better at what they do (and enjoy the process) through his entertaining and educational CLE “performances.” He speaks, teaches, and writes. His most recent book is titled, How to Stop Hating the Law: A Path to Hope for Miserable Lawyers. Mr. Teicher is a Supreme Court appointee to the New Jersey District Ethics Committee where he investigates and prosecutes grievances filed against attorneys. He is an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown Law where he teaches Professional Responsibility, and served for 15 years as an adjunct professor at Rutgers University in New Brunswick where he taught undergraduate writing courses. He also taught both Professional Responsibility and Legal Writing at St. John’s University School of Law in New York City.

1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 21, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Higher input costs and slowing demand have many concerned about the economic impact of tariffs. Added volatility over actual tariff rates make it difficult to strategize … but what’s your next best move? Turns out there’s a lot that can be done right now that doesn’t involve pondering price increases. Join us for a step-by-step look at how to quickly assess your tariff exposure, the over 20 techniques that can help you tackle it, and the roadmap of actionable steps you can take to protect your business in three distinct areas:

• Low Hanging Fruit. Learn why being familiar with your expenses is so important to the financial health of your business and how to confirm that you aren’t paying a nickel more than you have to (regardless of tariff rates) by: scrubbing invoices for accuracy, reviewing taxes for additional deductions, understanding and utilizing accounting treatments, and cash flow/currency considerations.
• Reduce Exposure / Current Footprint. Learn to identify short term investments for margin preservation, while understanding the importance of capacity-driven pricing, cash flow analysis, cross-border warehousing, and tariff engineering. Additional topics include inventory techniques to use to your advantage, free/foreign trade zones, and how to build a model with dynamic inputs and dynamic pricing outputs.
• Reduce Exposure / Reimagined Footprint. Shift from defense to offense while taking control of your economic destiny by better understanding the value of long-term profitability and how to create a board-level long-term strategic plan.

Program Coordinator/Chat Moderator:
Angela Peters, Buffalo Grove Law Offices, Arlington Heights

Program Speakers:
Matthew A. Bock, Bock Trade Law, Massachusetts
Jennifer Clement, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Wisconsin

6.25 hours MCLE credit, including 6.25 hours approved Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025 – Friday, September 12, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 30, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Why is Illinois joining 42 other jurisdictions that have chosen to implement NextGen for their bar exam? What effect will this implementation have on the practice of law in this state? How are these changes likely to impact both law school study and the legal community as a whole? Get the answers to these questions and more with these two half-day seminars that explore the various ways Illinois law schools are preparing their students to practice law in the real world. Topics include:

• An overview of the NextGen Bar Exam;
• How law school leadership can help students succeed after law school;
• The historical efforts of the Illinois State Bar Association in helping prepare law students to practice law;
• Understanding what the NextGen Bar Exam means for the future of legal education and the practice of law; and
• A look at the new topics on the NextGen Bar Exam.

Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Ted A. Donner , Donner & Company Law Offices, LLC, Glen Ellyn

Overview: Illinois Adopts the NextGen Bar Exam*
Moderator: Prof. Wendy H. Vaughn, Northern Illinois University College of Law, DeKalb
Prof. Jon J. Lee , Distinguished Scholar in Residence, National Conference of Bar Examiners, Wisconsin
Susannah Pollvogt , Principal Consultant for Curriculum, Law School Admission Council, Pennsylvania
Suzanne J. Schmitz , President, Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar, Carbondale

Law School Leadership: What Do Students Need from Their Law Schools and Bar Associations?*
Moderator: Jason R. Blumenthal, Donahue & Rose, P.C., Rosemont
Moderator: Joseph A. Souligne, Webber & Thies, P.C., Urbana

Roundtable Discussion: What the NextGen Bar Exam Means for the Future of Legal Education*
Moderator: Daniel R. Thies , Webber & Thies, P.C., Urbana
Prof. Marsha Griggs , St. Louis University School of Law, Missouri
Megan Kreminski , Director of Academic Success, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, Chicago
Susannah Pollvogt , Principal Consultant for Curriculum, Law School Admission Council, Pennsylvania
Prof. Kate Waldinger, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago

Next Gen’s Emphasis on Foundational Lawyering Skills*
Moderator: H. Case Ellis, Resolute Systems, Chicago
Michael Bergmann , Executive Director, Public Interest Law Initiative, Chicago
Melissa A. Smart , Director of Education, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Chicago

Pricing Information

• Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
• ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
• Fees:
• ISBA Member Price of $150 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
• Non-Member Price $310
• New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
• Law Students – Free

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3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit


Original Program Date: Friday, September 8, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 9, 2025 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this two part series from ISBA’s 5^th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar, as we take an in-depth look at how inventions and advancements in science and technology create opportunities for lawyers to represent innovators, as well as those clients who are disrupted by the innovation (including the legal profession). The program takes place at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum located on the historic island that supported part of the railroad bridge subject to Lincoln’s famous case of Hurd et al v. Rock Island Bridge Company (often called the Effie Afton trial.) Ft. Armstrong has been on Rock Island since 1816. Army Dr. Emerson was stationed at Ft. Armstrong from 1834 to 1836 and took Dred Scott with him as a slave. Slavery was prohibited in Illinois and that later served as Scott’s claim for freedom in the Dred Scott case. The first rail bridge over the Mississippi used the Island to connect Illinois to Iowa and was finished in 1856 (and struck by the steamboat Effie Afton the same year!). President Lincoln signed the legislation creating the Arsenal in 1862, which became a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Join us for this informative, historical look at how Lincoln addressed the science and technology issues of his time, and how lawyers of every generation face similar challenges. Topics include:

• The ethical issues facing lawyers regarding science and technology innovations;
• How AI and emerging technology is impacting current lawyers and law practice; and
• Much more.

Program Coordinators:
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Contemporary Ethical Issues
Explore the ethical issues facing lawyers today – from the need to stay current with technology to problems with email, websites, cybersecurity, and more – with this informative session.
Peter L. Rotskoff, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Springfield

How Artificial Intelligence Will Impact Lawyers and the Legal Profession
Get the information you need about how the evolving area of AI may impact your law practice and the legal system.
Jonathan T. Nessler, Nessler & Associates Ltd., Springfield

Block Chain, AI, Disruptive Innovations – What is a Lawyer To Do?
This panel presentation discusses what we can learn from Lincoln’s experiences with science and technology, and how lawyers and the legal profession will continue to be impacted.
Moderator: J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
Jonathan T. Nessler, Nessler & Associates Ltd., Springfield
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville



*Originally presented as part of the ISBA’s 5th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy Conference. Find more sessions in this series in the ISBA On-Demand CLE catalog.



Pricing Information

• Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
• ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
• Fees:
• ISBA Member Price of $105 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
• Non-Member Price $210
• New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
• Law Students - Free

2.75 hours MCLE credit, including 2.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit


Original Program Date: Friday, September 8, 2023
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­October 21, 2025 - October 20, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this two part series from ISBA’s 5^th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar, as we take an in-depth look at how inventions and advancements in science and technology create opportunities for lawyers to represent innovators, as well as those clients who are disrupted by the innovation (including the legal profession). The program takes place at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum located on the historic island that supported part of the railroad bridge subject to Lincoln’s famous case of Hurd et al v. Rock Island Bridge Company (often called the Effie Afton trial.) Ft. Armstrong has been on Rock Island since 1816. Army Dr. Emerson was stationed at Ft. Armstrong from 1834 to 1836 and took Dred Scott with him as a slave. Slavery was prohibited in Illinois and that later served as Scott’s claim for freedom in the Dred Scott case. The first rail bridge over the Mississippi used the Island to connect Illinois to Iowa and was finished in 1856 (and struck by the steamboat Effie Afton the same year!). President Lincoln signed the legislation creating the Arsenal in 1862, which became a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Join us for this informative, historical look at how Lincoln addressed the science and technology issues of his time, and how lawyers of every generation face similar challenges. Topics include:

• How Lincoln’s curiosity and self-study of other disciplines (including science and technology) enhanced his ability to represent clients from a broad range of industries;
• Lincoln’s representation in the famous Effie Afton trial where the interests of steamboats clashed with the development of railroad expansion;
• Lincoln’s role as legislator, lawyer, President, and inventor in other areas of science and technology innovations;
• Much more.

Program Coordinators:
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Lincoln’s Interest and Commitment to Science and Technology
The program’s opening segment examines Lincoln’s evolving interest in and involvement with science and technology issues – and how it impacted his role as lawyer, legislator, and President.
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Lincoln and the Effie Afton Case
Don’t miss this in-depth look at how the westward expansion of railroads required a bridge over the Mississippi and how that collided, figuratively and literally, with the steamboat industry.
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington

Lincoln’s Cases involving Railroads and Other Patents and Inventions
This segment explores some of the many cases Lincoln participated in as new inventions, methods of transportation, commerce, and industry came to Illinois.
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville



*Originally presented as part of the ISBA’s 5th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy Conference. Find more sessions in this series in the ISBA On-Demand CLE catalog.



Pricing Information

• Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
• ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
• Fees:
• ISBA Member Price of $96.25 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
• Non-Member Price $192.50
• New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
• Law Students - Free

2.75 hours MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following categories:

• 0.75 hours Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment credit
• 1.0 hours Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit
  

Program Coordinator/Moderator:
John A. Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield

Abraham Lincoln’s Medical Malpractice Cases*
(0.75 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment credit)
This presentation explores one of Lincoln’s more famous cases – the chicken bone case – and how today’s medical malpractice field differs from Lincoln’s time period.
John A. Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield

Legal Ethics and Medicine*
(1.0 hour Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit)
This session examines the juxtaposition of medical issues in the legal community and legal ethics, and what you need to know when representing your clients.
Melissa A. Smart, Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Springfield

David Davis and Abraham Lincoln
The program closes with a look at the personal and professional relationship between David Davis – who was an Illinois 8th Judicial Circuit Judge, Lincoln’s campaign manager, and an U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice – and Abraham Lincoln.
Hon. Raymond J. McKoski (ret.), University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, Chicago



Pricing Information

• Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
• ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
• Fees:
• ISBA Member Price of $96 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
• Non-Member Price $193
• New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
• Law Students – Free

1.75 hours MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following categories:

• 0.75 hours Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment credit
• 1.0 hours Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit
  

Original Program Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 4, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss Part 1 of ISBA’s 7^th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we discuss the medically-based cases Lincoln handled involving expert witnesses, personal injury, and insanity, as well as his own personal struggles with depression and how it impacted his career.


Program Coordinator/Moderator:
John A. Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield

Abraham Lincoln’s Medical-Related Cases*
(0.75 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment credit)
This segment opens with a brief introduction to the Court House Square’s Lincoln sites, followed by an in-depth look at the cases Lincoln handled that dealt with the medical profession, including expert witnesses, personal injury, and insanity.
Guy Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington

Abraham Lincoln’s Melancholy*
(1.0 hour Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit)
This segment focuses on Lincoln’s own personal struggles with depression and how it impacted his legal and political careers.
Samuel Wheeler, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield



Pricing Information

• Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
• ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
• Fees:
• ISBA Member Price of $62 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
• Non-Member Price $124
• New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
• Law Students – Free