Real Estate Law

Real Estate Law Update 2025

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 Real Estate Law Section


6.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: December 8, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Join us for this seminar that examines recent case law updates and legislative changes from the past year. Learn more about recovering attorney’s fees in real estate litigation, discover what you need to know about the Northwest Ordinance, and expand your knowledge on how to troubleshoot landlord-tenant issues. Additional topics include: understanding probate and what you need to know as a real estate practitioner, how to clear title exceptions, and how to handle the environmental issues that may arise for your client.


Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Cheryl A. Morrison, Law Office of Cheryl A. Morrison, Mokena

Welcome
Cheryl A. Morrison, Law Office of Cheryl A. Morrison, Mokena

Case Law Update
Stay up to date on the most recent case law impacting real estate with this informative presentation. Best practice tips and advice are also included.
Joseph Fortunato, Mainstreet Realtors, Downers Grove
Heather Glockler, Castle Law, Joliet

Legislative Update
Learn about the real estate-related legislation that was passed during the 2024-25 session.
Bruno W. Tabis, Huck Bouma, P.C., Wheaton

Recovering Attorney’s Fees in Real Estate Litigation
Join us for a review of the various statutes impacting attorney’s fees, including the Mechanics Lien Act and the Deceptive Business Practices Act, while learning when attorney’s fees are recoverable and how to do it.
Samuel H. Levine, Of Counsel, Downey & Lenkov LLC, Chicago

Northwest Ordinance
This segment offers an in-depth review of the City of Chicago’s Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance that grants a right of first refusal to residential tenants when selling a property. Learn how tenant opportunities to purchase have been quickly expanding across the country and the complications that can occur.
Bob Floss II, Floss Law, Northbrook
Hon. Leslie Hairston, Chicago

Troubleshooting Landlord-Tenants Issues from Both Perspectives
Gain a better understanding of the common issues that can arise in residential and commercial leasing with this informative presentation. Learn how to prevent and mitigate these issues from both the landlord’s and tenant’s perspectives.
John Brennock, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, LLC, Naperville
Aldo Huitzil, Amundsen Davis, LLC, Chicago

What Real Estate Lawyers Ought to Know About Estate Planning and Probate
This segment explores how real estate intersects with estate planning, as well as the common estate planning goals clients have regarding real estate and the best practices to implement those goals. Topics include: the standard misconceptions regarding living trusts, land trusts, joint tenancy, and transfer on death instruments; the pitfalls to avoid; and the benefits of selling real estate during probate and trust administration.
James S. Cerami, Cerami Law Firm LLC, Oakbrook Terrace

Clearing Title Exceptions
From common title exceptions to special circumstances, this session provides practical tips for clearing title exceptions.
Joseph Rogul (ret.), Former Corporate Counsel and Legal Dept. Manager, PNTN, Chicago

Environmental Due Diligence and Commercial Real Estate
The program closes with an analysis of the environmental due diligence in commercial real estate transactions – where a Phase I Report is almost never enough. Join us as we discuss the various steps involved in investigating and determining legal responsibility for environmental contamination cleanup, including whether the buyer qualifies as an innocent purchaser, a bona find prospective purchaser, or a contiguous property owner, as well as the seller’s role, and the legitimate concerns of lenders/investors.
William J. Anaya, UBGreensfelder, 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 $210 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $420
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Ebulon Financial Group, LLC v. Politanska

Ebulon Financial Group, LLC v. Politanska
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Eviction Act
Citation
Case Number: 
2025 IL App (1st) 240948
Decision Date: 
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
District: 
1st Dist.
Division/County: 
3d Div./Cook Co.
Holding: 
Reversed.
Justice: 
REYES

Plaintiff filed an eviction action against defendant seeking possession and money damages in connection with a single-family residence. After the circuit court entered an agreed eviction order, the defendant’s daughter filed a motion to vacate the agreed order in which she argued she was an occupant of the residence and was never named in the lawsuit or served. The circuit court granted the motion to vacate and granted her motion seeking immediate possession of the property. Plaintiff appealed and the appellate court reversed, finding that the defendant’s daughter was, at most, an “unknown occupant” for the purposes of the Eviction Act and was properly named and served in that capacity. (MARTIN and ROCHFORD, concurring)

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Course

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 Labor and Employment Section


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)


This course satisfies the state-mandated training requirement!
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

Pricing Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • 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

How Artificial Intelligence Can Help You Run Your Small Law Office Efficiently

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 Senior Lawyers Section


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: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 6, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Artificial intelligence can help you run your law firm and free up some of your time in the process, but there are many things to consider before using this technological advancement. Don’t miss this online program that discusses the key issues to consider when using AI, including:
  • How AI can complement your own legal research;
  • The importance of always double-checking case citations generated by AI;
  • The necessity of reading all cases to confirm that the holding is as represented;
  • Explaining to your client why your law firm uses AI and how it can help achieve their objective;
  • How to establish an AI policy for your law practice to ensure the ethical use of generative AI resources;
  • The professional liability issues to be aware of when using AI in your law firm; and
  • Much more.

Program Coordinators:
Michael J. Rooney, Attorney at Law, St. Charles

Program Chat Moderator:
Hon. Donald Bernardi (ret.), Bloomington

Program Speaker:
Andrew G. Vaughn, Deviant Marketing, 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

8 Movie-Lawyers Who Would Be Disciplined in Real Life

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!
Master Series presented by the Illinois State Bar Association


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.


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

NextGen Symposium 2025: Illinois' New Bar Exam Focuses on Getting Students "Practice Ready"

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 Illinois Bar Foundation


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

5th Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legal Legacy: Lessons for Today's Lawyers: Science and Technology's Rapidly Evolving Impact on the Law - 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!

5th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy: Lessons for Today’s Lawyers –
Science and Technology’s Rapidly Evolving Impact on the Law – Part 2
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


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 5th 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