Criminal Law

Live Webcast
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
2:00 – 5:20 p.m.

3.0 hours MCLE credit

In June 2023, Karina Gonzalez reported to police that her estranged husband had threatened to kill her, which led to her being granted an Order of Protection that automatically revoked her husband’s FOID card. But that alone did not remove the guns from her husband’s possession and on July 3, Jose Alvarez shot and killed his wife and 15-year-old daughter. The legislation that followed – and was subsequently referred to as Karina’s Law – requires the confiscation of guns from people who have had their FOID cards revoked due to an Order of Protection against them. Karina’s Law was signed by Governor Pritzker on February 10, 2025 and became effective in May 2025. Don’t miss this in-depth look at how Karina’s Law is designed to prevent unnecessary tragedy, how the new law intersects with the family law practice, and how it strengthens existing laws by clarifying who is responsible for removing firearms once an Order of Protection is granted. Family law attorneys, criminal justice lawyers, and general practitioners with all levels of practice experience who attend this online program will learn:

• How Karina’s Law grants law enforcement the authority to execute search warrants to seize firearms from alleged abusers;
• How this new law supports the existing protections offered by a traditional Order of Protection;
• How to correctly implement Karina’s Law to ensure that the individuals they represent are protected from potential tragedy; and
• The case law and pleading options to be aware of.

Program Coordinator:
Pamela J. Kuzniar, Haid and Teich LLP, Chicago

Program Moderators:
Olivia K. Basu, Hammer Serna and Quinn LLC, Chicago
Hon. Tamika R. Walker, 17th Judicial Circuit Court

Program Chat Moderators:
Sally Kolb, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Champaign
Genevieve E. Miller, Beattie | Onorato Family Law, Chicago


2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Orders of Protection: An Overview
Join us for this comprehensive look at the pleadings, orders, and evidence that is needed to ensure that your client is protected from domestic violence. Topics include rights, restrictions, available remedies, civil and criminal processes, rehabilitation, and punishment, as well as the special considerations necessary when the perpetrator is a law enforcement professional or service member, and the additional remedies that may apply.
Heather Hurst, Davis Friedman, Chicago
Sally Kolb, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Champaign

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Incorporating Gun Violence Protection into Your Family Law Practice
Gain a better understanding of why family law practitioners need to focus on gun violence prevention from initial intake through settlement or trial. Learn the alternative remedies to ensure that your client and their children are protected, including language for settlement agreements, options for firearm restraining orders in addition to (or in lieu of) a traditional Order of Protection, and the application of Karina’s Law. Gun violence trends and why family law practitioners should be aware are also discussed.
Stuart A. Reid, The Law Offices of Stuart A. Reid, P.C., Deerfield

4:00 – 4:15 p.m. Break

4:15 – 5:15 p.m. Karina’s Law: Mandates and Implementation
The time when victims seek and win an Order of Protection is statistically one of the most dangerous moments for them, and Karina’s Law ensures that guns are removed from abusers during these emergencies to safeguard victims from tragedy. This panel presentation discusses the differences between an Order of Protection issued under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act and those issued under the Illinois Criminal Statutes, as well as the mandates officers are to follow when serving/enforcing an Order of Protection, how to implement Karina’s Law, and the additional liability the officer now faces since this falls under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act. A look at how to word an order and what must be pled to secure the best possible outcome for the victim is also included.
Hon. Jennifer Clifford, 17^th Judicial Circuit Court, Rockford
Nancy Donahoe, DuPage County Chief Assistant State’s Attorney, Wheaton
Hon. Megan Goldish, Domestic Violence Courthouse, Chicago
Hon. Ramona M. Sullivan, Champaign County Circuit Court, Urbana

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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Registration coming soon!

 

Live Webcast
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Each Tuesday: 5:15 – 6:45 p.m.

27.0 hours MCLE credit, including 27.0* hours Professional Responsibility in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit

Improve your trial skills in this “learn-by-doing” program that covers all phases of trial work from both a plaintiff/prosecutor and defendant’s viewpoint, in both civil and criminal cases. Through this course, you will learn and practice new trial techniques that are most effective and consistent with the Illinois Rules of Evidence and the Federal Rules of Evidence. Each session is audio-video taped so you can see and hear the improvements in your voice, manner, and trial technique. The course has been proven to be of value whether your practice includes trying jury and non-jury cases, administrative hearings, arbitrations, or even mediations.

Fred Lane’s Trial Technique Institute consists of two semesters and runs approximately four months per semester. We are offering the Spring 2026 Semester as a stand-alone option via Zoom to make it available to all Illinois attorneys. Classes take place each Tuesday evening from 5:15 – 6:45 p.m. Breaks for holiday consideration do exist.

 

• Spring Semester: February – June
• Fall Semester: September – January

 

Spring Semester topics include:

 

• An overview of the principles of communication, argument and persuasion on behalf of the plaintiff/prosecutor and defendant.
• Jury Selection
• Making winning Opening Statements/Closing Arguments to the jury in various type of cases, such as:
  • Personal Injury Case (Motor vehicle malpractice, product liability, attractive nuisance, federal employers’ liability, wrongful death, suits against municipalities, dram shops, airline cases, etc.)
  • Contract Cases (Goods, wares and merchandise, breach of contract, real estate broker’s commission, and life insurance)
  • Special Actions (Will contests, assault and battery, slander, malicious prosecution, false arrest and imprisonment)

 

About the Speakers:
Scott Lane is a partner of the firm of Lane Brown, LLC, a plaintiff’s personal injury firm in Chicago, Prior to his present practice, Scott was a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney for several years. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Loyola University of Chicago of Law where he is a founding member of Loyola’s Circle of Advocates and has coached their Trial Team. Scott frequently lectures at bar association seminars and has authored numerous articles, chapters, and texts pertaining to various aspects of civil litigation and trial technique. He is a contributing author and editor to “Lane’s Goldstein Trial Technique” and “Lane Medical Litigation Guide” and co-authored the book, “Illinois Motions in Limine”. Scott has been consistently selected as an “Illinois Super Lawyer” as published by the Law & Politics and Chicago Magazine, and in 2014 he became a member of The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100.

Fred Lane , the original founder of this course, will serve as an occasional guest instructor. Mr. Lane is a former Assistant State’s Attorney and has had over 40 years of litigation experience. Mr. Lane is a lecturer and author on Trial Technique Subject: author of Lane’s Goldstein Trial Technique (3 vols.): editor of Medical Trial Technique Quarterly : author of Lane Medical Litigation Guide (4 vols.): author of Lane’s Goldstein Litigation Forms (3 vol.). He is the co-author of Lane & Calkins Mediation Practice Guid e and co-founder of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution. Mr. Lane is also past president of the following organizations and associations: Illinois Trial Lawyers Association: Diplomat and Past President of the American Board of Trial Advocates IL; Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Past President of the Illinois State Bar Association: and Past President of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers.
*Professional Responsibility MCLE credit subject to approval