Federal Civil Practice

6th Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legal Legacy: Lessons for Today's Lawyers - Democracy, The Constitution, and Lincoln the Lawyer/President - Part 2

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


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


Original Program Date: Friday, September 6, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­January 6, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss ISBA’s 6th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we study Lincoln’s actions as a lawyer and President in facing threats to democracy in America and the United States Constitution. The program takes place in Springfield, which was the center of Lincoln’s law practice and three partnerships, and where Lincoln developed his understanding of the democratic process and his interpretation of the Constitution. It was the venue for many of Lincoln’s significant trials, including the “Peachy” Quinn Harrison murder trial. Join us for this in-depth look at how Lincoln’s view of the Constitution changed over time and evolved into the use of his Presidential War Powers to advance the case of Union and emancipation. Additional topics include:
  • How the 1909 Centennial Celebration of Lincoln’s birth resulted in no minorities attending the festivities and how, at the same time in New York City, concerned citizens formed the NAACP to discuss and address racism and white supremacy in the U.S.;
  • The current ethical issues facing attorneys, including lawyer-client privilege, confidentiality concerns, and limits on lawyers and litigants’ speech during trials;
  • How future lawyers can research Lincoln’s legal career and cases;
  • What current and future lawyers can learn from Lincoln’s legal legacy; and
  • Much more.

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

Contemporary Ethical Issues*
Join us for a discussion on the ethical issues facing lawyers today, including lawyer-client confidences, confidentiality requirements, restrictions on speech by lawyers and clients during trial, and more.
Melissa A. Smart, Director of Education, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Chicago

Looking for Lawyer Lincoln? How Future Lawyers Can Access Lincoln’s Legal Cases, Papers, and Career*
John Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, Springfield

Lincoln’s Legacy as Lawyer/President*
This panel presentation discusses what current and future generations of lawyers can learn from Abraham Lincoln as a lawyer and a President.
Moderator: Hon. Ronald D. Spears(ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville
J. Steven Beckett, Steve Beckett Law Office LLC, Urbana
Prof. Brian Dirck, Anderson University, Indiana
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington
John Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, Springfield


Program 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

6th Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legal Legacy: Lessons for Today's Lawyers - Democracy, The Constitution, and Lincoln the Lawyer/President - Part 1

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 2.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Friday, September 6, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: January 6, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


 Don’t miss ISBA’s 6th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we study Lincoln’s actions as a lawyer and President in facing threats to democracy in America and the United States Constitution. The program takes place in Springfield, which was the center of Lincoln’s law practice and three partnerships, and where Lincoln developed his understanding of the democratic process and his interpretation of the Constitution. It was the venue for many of Lincoln’s significant trials, including the “Peachy” Quinn Harrison murder trial. Join us for this in-depth look at how Lincoln’s view of the Constitution changed over time and evolved into the use of his Presidential War Powers to advance the case of Union and emancipation. Additional topics include:
  • Lincoln’s representation in the high-profile “Peachy” Quinn Harrison murder trial. (Robert Hitt, a court stenographer at the time, recorded the trial and produced a trial transcript, which is now preserved at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum);
  • The 1908 Springfield Race Riot and how its violence and aftermath showed the nation that Lincoln’s struggle for freedom and equality for all citizens was far from a reality;
  • Much more.

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

Lincoln’s Evolving Views on the Constitution as Lawyer and President*
The program’s opening segment examines Lincoln’s loyalty to the rule of law and commitment to democracy and the rights enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, while at the same tine operating under a Constitution that protected slavery.
Prof. Brian Dirck, Anderson University, Indiana

Lincoln and the “Peachy” Quinn Harrison Murder Trial*
In 1859, a former law clerk of Lincoln’s was murdered, but Lincoln defended the accused, who happened to be the grandson of Reverend Peter Cartwright (who had run against Lincoln for office twice) and the son of a prominent political supporter. Don’t miss this in-depth look at one of Lincoln’s most high profile trials.
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington

1908 Springfield Race Riot
This segment examines the events leading up to racial violence in Lincoln’s Hometown in August 1908, as well as its aftermath.
Kathryn Harris Former Division Manager of Library Services of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and Past-President of Abraham Lincoln Association


Program 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

Monroe v. Bowman

Federal 7th Circuit Court
Monroe v. Bowman
Civil Court
Preliminary Injunctions
Citation
Case Number: 
No. 23-3371
Decision Date: 
December 5, 2024
Federal District: 
S.D. Ill.
Holding: 
Vacated and remanded.
Judge: 
HAMILTON

In a class action lawsuit challenging the treatment of prisoners with gender dysphoria by the Illinois Department of Corrections, the defendant prison officials appealed from the imposition of several injunctions and a finding of civil contempt by the district court. The Seventh Circuit vacated the injunctions finding that they were preliminary in nature and expired 90 days after they were entered and that they could not retroactively be transformed into permanent injunctions as was argued by the plaintiffs. The appellate court dismissed the challenge to the findings of contempt for lack of jurisdiction because the district court had not yet imposed any sanctions. (ROVNER and KIRSCH, concurring)

Dent v. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

Federal 7th Circuit Court
Dent v. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Civil Court
Statute of Limitations
Citation
Case Number: 
No. 24-1480
Decision Date: 
November 22, 2024
Federal District: 
S.D. Ind., Indianapolis Div.
Holding: 
Affirmed.
Judge: 
PER CURIAM

Plaintiff filed a complaint alleging racial discrimination against her former employer and appealed after the district court dismissed the case because it was filed five days late and was time-barred. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, finding that the late filing, which was due to human error, did not constitute an “extraordinary circumstance” that would warrant equitable tolling and the district court did not abuse its discretion in granting the motion to dismiss. (ELLIS and COBBS, concurring)

Artificial Intelligence: The Ethical Headwinds

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the ISBA Administrative Law Section
Co-sponsored by the ISBA Standing Committee on Government Lawyers and
the Illinois Government Bar Association


1.50 hours MCLE credit, including 1.50 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following categories: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Friday, November 15, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­December 2, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Across all levels of society – including the legal profession – it is believed that artificial intelligence will allow us to do our work with greater accuracy, more creativity, and in a fraction of the time it would normally take to complete each task, making it a boon to both the busy lawyer and the harried law firm staff. But this ever-advancing technology comes with professional risks and ethical concerns that you need to be aware of when using this tool in your practice. Join us for a better understanding of what artificial intelligence is and how these types of programs work. Additional topics include:
  • The concerns raised by invalid output produced by artificial intelligence;
  • The attorney’s duties to a client and the court when using artificial intelligence;
  • How artificial intelligence may impact billable hours (and how the attorney should be compensated when using artificial intelligence); and
  • The future of attorneys in the age of this new technology.

Program Coordinators/Chat Moderators:
Hon. Yolaine Dauphin, Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings, Chicago
Hon. Patricia Jackowiak, Chief Administrative Law Judge and Director, Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings, Chicago

Program Speakers:
Athena T. Taite, Director of Professional Development, Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Chicago
Anisa L. Jordan, Ethics Education Counsel, Attorney Registration and 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 $52.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $105
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Mental Health 101: Strategies for Thriving, Not Just Surviving

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the ISBA Young Lawyers Division


1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour  Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Mental Health and Substance Abuse


Original Program Date: November 5, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­December 2, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


As attorneys, we work long hours, juggle multiple cases simultaneously, spend a large amount of time researching case law and preparing legal documents, and have strict deadlines that must be remembered (and met!) – all while staying up to date on the ever-changing laws and regulations that will impact our clients and practice. These mental demands can take its toll and leave us feeling deflated, burnt out, and running on fumes. Join us for this online seminar that teaches you how to create a better work-life balance, while still meeting your professional and personal goals. Topics include:
  • Positive strategies to enhance your self-care;
  • How to practice mindful stress management;
  • Tactics for building your resilience and mental fitness; and
  • How to find your perfect mental health space.

Program Coordinator:
Jason R. Blumenthal, Donahue & Rose P.C., Rosemont

Program Chat Moderator:
Courtney A. Berlin, Clifford Law Offices, Chicago

Program Speaker:
Erin Clifford, Clifford Law Offices, 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 $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

International Commercial Arbitration Series Part 3 - Initiating Arbitration Proceedings, Including Dispositive Motions

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the ISBA International & Immigration Law Section
Co-sponsored by the ISBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, ISBA Federal Civil Practice Section, ISBA Construction Law Section, and the ISBA Diversity Leadership Council


1.50 hours MCLE credit, including 1.50 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­December 2, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Join us for Part 3 of the International Commercial Arbitration Series as we discuss initiating arbitration proceedings, responding to arbitration claims, and tackling jurisdictional challenges. International and immigration law attorneys, alternative dispute resolution counsel, federal civil practitioners, and construction lawyers who attend this online program will better understand:
  • The concepts of evidence and document production;
  • The role of arbitrators and parties in shaping the proceedings;
  • The procedural rules and guidelines you need to be aware of; and
  • Much more.

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

Program Moderator:
H. Vincent Draa III , FCIArb, Kochhar & Co., Chicago

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

Program Speakers:
H. Vincent Draa III, FCIArb, Kochhar & Co., Chicago
Harshitha Ram, FCIArb, Lex Apotheke, Michigan
Sarah Reynolds, FCIArb, Goldman, Ismail, Tomaselli, Brennan & Baum LLP, 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 $52.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $105
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

4th Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy: Overcoming Prejudice and Racial Discrimination in the Legal Profession - Part 2

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours Professionalism Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category:
  • 1.0 hours Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit
  • 2.0 hours Diversity and Inclusion credit


Original Program Date: September 9, 2022
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: November 21, 2024 - November 20, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss ISBA’s 4th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we take an in-depth look at how to overcome prejudice and racial discrimination in the legal profession. The program offers an informative, historical look at how far we’ve come as a society – and how far we have yet to go. Topics include:
  • The remnants of prejudice and discrimination in the legal profession today and why diversity in the Bench and Bar matters;
  • The ethical issues created by judicial bias or prejudice;
  • What we can learn from Lincoln’s ability to overcome prejudice and defend civil rights equality; and
  • Much more.


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

Current Issues involving Bias, Prejudice, and the Need for Diversity
Explore the current issues involving bias, prejudice, and the need for diversity in the legal profession (and how we can make our profession better) with this informative panel discussion.
Moderator: J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office, P.C., Urbana
Eve M. Blackwell, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Melodi D. Green, Chief Diversity and Inclusion officer, City of Peoria, Peoria
Gregory K. Harris, U.S. Attorney, Central District of Illinois, Springfield
Sierra Senor-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Central District of Illinois, Springfield
Ruth A. Waller, Attorney at Law, Decatur

Contemporary Ethical Issues
Don’t miss this in-depth look at the ethical issues facing lawyers and judges today – from prejudice and incivility to inherent biases against those different from ourselves.
Hon. Raymond J. McKoski (ret.), University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, Lake Villa

Lincoln’s Evolution from Anti-Slavery to Equality of Civil Rights
Learn how lawyers can overcome prejudice by examining Abraham Lincoln’s move from anti-slavery beliefs to his stance on civil rights equality throughout his lifetime.
Moderator: Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office, P.C., Urbana
Prof. Roger Billings, Northern Kentucky School of Law (Ret.), Kentucky
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington



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 he first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

4th Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legacy: Overcoming Prejudice and Racial Discrimination in the Legal Profession - Part 1

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


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


Original Program Date: September 9, 2022
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­November 21, 2024 - November 20, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss ISBA’s 4th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we take an in-depth look at how to overcome prejudice and racial discrimination in the legal profession. The program offers an informative, historical look at how far we’ve come as a society – and how far we have yet to go. Topics include:
  • The evolution of Lincoln’s view on racial equality – from his view of the Declaration of Independence up to his “final speech”;
  • The arguments on race that took place between Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas during the 1847 Debate;
  • How to represent unpopular clients or cases (and how Lincoln handled this very situation); and
  • 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 Legal Cases involving Slavery
This segment examines Lincoln’s legal cases involving slavery, including Matson v. Ashmore in which Lincoln defended the slave-owner in Coles County, Illinois in 1847.
John A. Lupton, Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, Springfield

Lincoln and Douglas: The 1847 Debate
This presentation discusses the debates and arguments on race that took place in Charleston, Illinois between Abraham Lincoln (who as the Republic Party candidate for the U.S. Senate) and Senator Stephen Douglas (the Democrat incumbent).
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Lawyer Representation of Unpopular People and Causes
Join us for this informative panel presentation that discusses the representation of unpopular clients or cases, as well as the attacks in later political campaigns and judicial confirmation proceedings.
Moderator: Hon. Ronald D. Spears(Ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office, P.C., Urbana
Prof. Roger Billings, Northern Kentucky School of Law (Ret.), Kentucky
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington



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

Thomas v. JBS Green Bay, Inc.

Federal 7th Circuit Court
Thomas v. JBS Green Bay, Inc.
Civil Court
Employment Discrimination
Citation
Case Number: 
No. 24-1404
Decision Date: 
November 8, 2024
Federal District: 
E.D. Wis.
Holding: 
Reversed and remanded.
Judge: 
EASTERBROOK

Plaintiff filed a lawsuit against his employer under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act alleging that he was discriminated against on account of his race. The district court dismissed the complaint for failure to state a claim on which relief may be granted. The Seventh Circuit reversed and remanded, finding that the complaint was dismissed prematurely based on a lack of evidence but that the question of the sufficiency of the evidence is more appropriate at summary judgment or trial and not the pleadings stage of proceedings. (JACKSON-AKIWUMI and MALDONADO, concurring)