Join us online from 11 a.m. until noon on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to gain a better understanding of the range and scope of bias in the legal profession, how it affects hiring, evaluation, and selection of leaders, as well as the actions needed to integrate diversity and inclusion in the law office and in the larger community.

Topics include: nationwide law firm studies and surveys; how bias is both explicit and implicit; how unequal gender distribution in certain roles creates implicit associations; how evaluation of a work product can be negatively influenced by the worker’s race and/or gender; the connection between implicit bias and subtle negative messaging; the importance of being open to the existence and influence of cognitive biases; and how to use training, reverse mentoring, accountability, and other activities to integrate diversity and inclusion in both the law office and the community.

Join us in Chicago or via live webcast from 8:50 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8 for a full-day seminar that reviews a range of general practice topics—from discovery and dispositive motions, to handling harassment in the workplace.

Attorneys involved in general practice and civil litigation with intermediate practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand: how to set the proper foundation; how to obtain the discovery you need; motions to dismiss and summary judgment motions; how to recognize incivility in the legal profession and strategies for mitigating the effects of these behaviors; how to use motions in limine to bar or admit evidence; and how to increase your chance for a successful appeal.

A dispute over who gets the dog after a breakup, estrangement, or adoption mishap is an all-too-common path that can lead to litigation. Where the animal is treated as “property” in our legal system, replevin actions can be used to resolve the issues of ownership and possession. Animal law attorneys, family law practitioners, and civil practice lawyers won’t want to miss this in-depth look at the avenues for relief when such disputes arise, how to advise your client who is facing an animal replevin case, and the procedures involved with these types of cases. The live webcast will be held from noon until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Topics include: an introductory overview of replevin cases in animal law; typical replevin cases and treatment by the courts; replevin statutes and relevant caselaw; procedures and client preparation, including initial hearing, bond requirement, and the necessary documents; and mediation, settlement, shared custody, and other alternatives.

Join us online from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 29 to learn how to safeguard yourself against accusations of misusing or commingling client funds by following the specific rules and procedures developed by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission for creating and managing trust accounts. New attorneys, veteran practitioners, and transitioning lawyers in all areas of practice who attend this online seminar will better understand: your ethical duties in handling client trust funds; conversion and commingling—and how these circumstances occur; the disciplinary treatment of trust account violations and how to avoid ARDC sanctions; how to determine the appropriate type of trust account for your client; the functions and purposes of an Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA); how to open the trust account; the accounting system basics you need to know; and best practices for managing your clients’ accounts.