Mediation is designed to resolve differences both in and out of the courts. It requires a very different mindset than courtroom litigation. This five-day Master Series program – which takes place in Chicago from February 13-17, 2017 – trains practitioners to resolve conflicts in a non-adversarial, non-confrontational manner, allowing peaceful resolutions between parties. The program is taught by Richard Calkins and Fred Lane—two nationally recognized mediators, authors and educators. Mr. Calkins and Mr. Lane have developed an approach that encourages the mediator to be a peacemaker, deemphasizing the antagonism involved in formal litigation. Their five-day course has considerable hands-on training and requires each participant to complete two full mediations as a mediator. Course topics include an introduction to mediation, caucus form of mediation, qualities of a peacemaker, ethical considerations, other Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, advanced mediator techniques, and arbitration.

Mr. Calkins and Mr. Lane are co-authors of the “Lane & Calkins Mediation Practice Guide,” which is included as part of this program.

Click here for more information and to register.

Get the information you need regarding anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws regarding housing and property rights! Don’t miss this four-part series that explores the housing access injustices suffered by individuals and families facing economic challenges across the spectrum and how their communities are being devastated.

Join us via the Internet on January 25, 2017 for Part 1, which examines a number of housing issues, including: how the SCOTUS Opinion in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs vs. The Inclusive Communities Project may impact access to affordable, quality housing for low-income minority residents; the impact of affordable housing initiatives on individuals and communities; which housing initiatives work and which ones promote racial, ethnic, and socio-economic class segregation; the successes and failures of government-funded housing programs; HUD’s 2015 ‘guidance’ stating that “adverse housing decisions may constitute racial discrimination”; and the impact on children’s educational progress and opportunities due to constant residence changes.

Get the updates you need on statutory, regulatory, case law, and policies concerning Illinois state and local taxes! Tax attorneys, CPA’s practicing state tax, and attorneys with an interest in state and local tax practicing at law firms, industry, or governmental agencies – with intermediate practice experience – who attend this seminar in Chicago or via live webcast on January 27, 2017 will better understand: the legislative items affecting members of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Taxpayers’ of Illinois; which legislative items will impact all Illinois residents; the recent policy changes at the Illinois Department of Revenue; the tax changes in Chicago and Cook County, including Chicago’s lease tax and amusement tax; the policy issues and court decisions regarding Illinois property tax; and much more!

Learn how to write better non-disclosure agreements and safeguard your clients’ confidential information! Non-disclosure agreements are used in a wide variety of contexts, including corporate negotiations, intellectual property transactions, and the employment cases, to name a few. A strongly-drafted non-disclosure agreement can better position clients for protecting and enforcing their rights. Join us via the Internet on January 18, 2017 for a basic to intermediate look at: how to avoid the potential pitfalls that could erode the purpose of the non-disclosure agreement; the recent cases that provide best practice lessons for drafting these agreements; why non-disclosure agreements are needed; the decision to make the agreement unilateral or mutual; how to define confidential information; how to draft ownership and work product clauses; how to craft a legal remedy for a breach of agreement; and much more!’