Join us in Quincy on Friday, March 28th to get the updates you need on a number of general practice areas! Topics include: courtroom probate practice; technology to help your practice; bankruptcy advice for disability clients; using social media as evidence; current criminal law trends; conceal and carry laws; insurance issues; limited scope representation; and office risk management. General practice attorneys with all levels of practice and experience will benefit from attending this informative seminar.The program is presented by the ISBA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section and co-sponsored by the Adams County Bar Association. It qualifies for 7.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).Click here for more information and to register.

As Judge Barbara Crowder notes in the January issue of Trial Briefs, last year's supreme court rule changes were "not major." Then again, there was a little drama here and there. (Rule 138, anyone?)If you're looking for a compendium of the 2013 changes, the good judge has written one. One nice touch is her organizational scheme, which groups the rules by topic, such as "the Internet is here to stay" and "Limited Scope Representation: Multiple rules allow counsel to assist litigants within a case." Read it here.

Hinsdale Central and Chicago Christian take 2nd, 3rd PlaceSt. Charles North High School, in St. Charles, placed first in the 32nd annual Illinois State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Invitational held at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign March 8 and 9, 2014.Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale came in second place, and third place went to Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights. Hinsdale Central also received the highest team average on the Written Law Exam which was administered in conjunction with the Invitational. Teams from 44 Illinois high schools traveled to Champaign to participate in the program. St. Charles North will represent Illinois at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Madison, Wisconsin.“The mock trial competition lived up to its billing this year, with solid competition from throughout the State,” says Hon. Michael J. Chmiel, of Woodstock, chair of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Law Related Education for the Public, which conducts the program. “The student competitors were well-prepared and very civil, and all augurs well for the legal profession in the future.”

ISBA President Paula H. Holderman hosted "Celebrating Women in the Profession" luncheon on March 13 at the Union League Club of Chicago. The keynote speaker was Professor Joan C. Williams, author of "What Works for Women at Work: Four Patterns Every Woman Should Know."