Illinois Attorneys Needed for 2Civility’s Anti-Bullying Focus Groups

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Celeste Antoinette Niemann

The ISBA is assisting in a special initiative that focuses on eliminating bullying in the legal profession, led by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. The first phase of the initiative was a statewide Survey of Illinois lawyers that received over 6,000 responses—which is believed to be a new record for surveys of lawyers in Illinois.

11th Annual Minority Bar Conference: 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, Asian American Bar Association, Black Women Lawyers’ Association,
Chinese American Bar Association, Cook County Bar Association, Filipino American Lawyers Association of Chicago,
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, Korean American Bar Association, LAGBAC-Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association,
South Asian Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois


3.75 hours MCLE credit, including 2.25* hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Diversity and Inclusion MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Friday, November 3, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­January 3, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss Part 2 of the 11th Annual Minority Bar CLE Conference as we explore a number of important hot topic issues that may impact you and your clients, including:

  • The issues with representation of minorities in the judicial system;
  • An overview of LGBTQ+ rights in the US;
  • Allyship of the legal profession regarding LGBTQ+ Issues
  • The activation of the SAFE-T Act and its repercussions


Program Moderators:
Jaz Park, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Chicago
Jerrod L. Williams, Law Clerk, Illinois Appellate Court, First District, Chicago


Judicial Panel: Issues on the Representation of Minorities
Coordinated by Asian American Bar Association, Cook County Bar Association, and Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois
(1.25 hour Diversity & Inclusion credit*)
Don’t miss this in-depth look at the representational issues facing minorities in the judiciary, as well as the diversity of newer associate judge classes. The impact of selection processes on judicial diversity and the effectiveness of a diverse vs. a non-diverse bench is also discussed.
Moderator: Jerrod L. Williams, Law Clerk, Illinois Appellate Court, First District, Chicago
Hon. Junaid “J” Afeef, Administrative Law Judge, Illinois Department of Public Health, Elgin
Hon. Edward M. Chen, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, California
Hon. Jesse G. Reyes, Illinois Appellate Court First District, Chicago

Advancing Equality: An Overview of the State of LGBTQ+ Rights in America and Increasing Allyship Among Legal Professionals
Coordinated by the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, Asian American Bar Association, Chinese American Bar Association, and Cook County Bar Association
(1.0 hour Diversity & Inclusion credit*)
This presentation provides an overview of the current state of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, highlighting historical milestones and legal advancements, while also acknowledging new and persistent challenges related to LGBTQ+ discrimination. This presentation will also emphasize the growing significance of allyship within the LGBTQ+ community, examining its role, discussing relevant legal initiatives, and offering insights into how legal professionals can better advocate for inclusivity and equality.
Moderator: Malcolm “Skip” Harsch, American Bar Association, Chicago
Kara Ingelhart, Lambda Legal, Chicago
Shannon Minter, National Center for Lesbian Rights, California
Mony Ruiz-Velasco, Equality Illinois, Chicago

Implementation of the SAFE-T Act
All eyes are on Illinois as it fulfills its promise to become the first state to eliminate cash bail, but not everyone has welcomed the change. Examples of perceived successes, as well as perceived failures, have been widespread. Join our panel of experts as we discuss whether the SAFE-T Act is achieving its goal of halting the practice of jailing the accused for purely financial reasons and whether we are more or less safe because of it – and what all of this means as a practical matter for courts and practitioners in terms of the time and costs involved. Participants will leave with an understanding of the purposes of the Act, whether the Act is achieving them, and the consequences of both a lawyer and a citizen.
Moderator/Speaker: Hon. Bertina E. Lampkin, Illinois Appellate Court First District, Chicago
Hon. Maryam Ahmad, Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago
Kevin M. DeBoni, Criminal Prosecutions Bureau, Cook County State's Attorney’s Office, Chicago
Sharone R. Mitchell, Jr., Law Offices of the Cook County Public Defender, Chicago


*Professional Responsibility MCLE credit subject to approval


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 $112.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $187.50
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

11th Annual Minority Bar Conference: 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, Asian American Bar Association, Black Women Lawyers’ Association,
Chinese American Bar Association, Cook County Bar Association, Filipino American Lawyers Association of Chicago,
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, Korean American Bar Association, Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association,
South Asian Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois



4.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0* hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following categories:
  • 2.0 hour Diversity and Inclusion MCLE credit
  • 1.0 hours Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­January 3, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


The 11th Annual Minority Bar CLE Conference is back again, allowing you to earn CLE credit while staying up to date on important issues that may impact you and your clients. Topics include:

  • The implicit biases of artificial intelligence against minorities;
  • The legal career pathways available to attorneys – from transitioning to a new law firm and creating a succession plan, to winding down a law firm;
  • The decriminalization of cannabis and how legislation has changed since 2019;
  • The racial disparities in the criminal justice system and the role of minority lawyers and judges in addressing the disparities; and
  • Much more.


Program Moderators:
Jaz Park, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Chicago
Jerrod L. Williams, Law Clerk, Illinois Appellate Court, First District, Chicago

Welcome and Introduction
Hon. Jesse G. Reyes, Illinois Appellate Court First District, Chicago


Artificial Intelligence and the Effects on Minorities
Coordinated by Black Women Lawyers’ Association, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, Asian American Bar Association, The Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, and South Asian Bar Association
(1.0 hour Diversity and Inclusion Credit*)
Don’t miss this discussion on the bias against minorities in artificial intelligence when making predictions, and what engineers can do to minimize implicit bias when creating AI. Additional topics include: how AI works (in general), the aspects of facial recognition to be aware of (including surveillance and privacy issues), and using AI in the workplace.
Moderator: Reena Bajowala, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Chicago
Kwanwoo Lee, UnitedHealth Group, Chicago
Shannon Stokes, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Chicago

Legal Career Pathways
Coordinated by Chinese American Bar Association and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
(1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit*)
Join us for this in-depth look at the various career pathways available to attorneys, including how to transition to in-house, government, or other areas of the law; how to wind down a law firm; how (and why) to create a succession plan for your solo or small firm; and the technical aspects of generational law firms.
Moderator: Rachel Huan Kao, Attorney at Law, Glenview
Saadia Siddique, Siddique Law Group, LLC, Chicago
Dennis Mondero, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Chicago

Cannabis Law Update and Illinois’ Budding Industry
Coordinated by Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, Black Women Lawyers’ Association, and South Asian Bar Association
Get the updates you need on the most recent cannabis legislative reform and industry regulation from this cultivated group of legal professionals! We will discuss opportunities for interested practitioners in the area of Cannabis law and regulation as well as the importance of equity and inclusion for our communities.
Moderator: Alana M. De Leon, Attorney at Law, Chicago
Sonia Antolec, Chief Legal Officer, The 1937 Group, Chicago
Jason Lee Garcia, Managing Partner, CGG Law Partners LLC, Chicago
Erin A. Johnson, Illinois Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer, Chicago
Neffér-Oduntunde A. Kerr, Illinois Women In Cannabis, Chicago

The Role of Minority Lawyers in the Criminal Justice System/Access to Minority Lawyers
Coordinated by Black Women Lawyers’ Association, South Asian Bar Association, Cook County Bar Association, Asian American Bar Association, and Filipino American Lawyers Association of Chicago
(1.0 hour Diversity & Inclusion credit*)
This presentation explores the role of minority lawyers in the American criminal justice system, including their ethical responsibilities in addressing the structural and systemic injustices in the criminal justice system. Listen as our speakers discuss their own experiences – whether in representing clients or dealing with the Courts throughout criminal proceedings. Additional topics include: the racial disparities in the criminal justice system, the role of minority lawyers and judges in addressing these disparities, and access to attorneys in rural and economically diverse communities. Recent changes in the bail system due to the Safe-T Act will also be discussed.
Moderator: Louisa Nuckolls, DuPage County States Attorney’s Office, Wheaton
Hon. Laura Ayala-Gonzalez, Cook County Circuit Court, Chicago
LaTonya Burton, Bur-Men Law Group, Waukegan
Tisa Morris, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Chicago
Phillip A. Turner, Law Offices of Phillip A. Turner, 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 $120 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $200
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

Intellectual Property "Quick Look" Audits: Why and When in Business Transactions

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 Intellectual Property Law Section
Co-sponsored by the ISBA Corporate Law Departments


1.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: November 20, 2025 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Learn how to manage intellectual property portfolios and identify situations where an audit is advisable with this informative seminar. Business advice and financial planning lawyers, intellectual property law attorneys, corporate law counsel, and general practitioners with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this online program will better understand:
  • How to identify different types of intellectual property rights;
  • The different types of business transactions where intellectual property rights are in play;
  • How to interpret and use clearance searches and opinions; and
  • Why it’s important that your intellectual property clients be ready for an audit.

Program Coordinator:
Margo Lynn Hablutzel, Gainwell Technologies LLC, North Carolina

Program Moderator:
Aaron W. Brooks, Brooks Law and Consulting LLC, Naperville

Program Speaker:
David C. Brezina, Ladas & Parry LLP, Chicago


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 $30 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $50
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

Why Won't the Bank Accept My Client's POA? Understanding the Issues Facing Trust & Estate Lawyers and Bank Attorneys

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 Trusts & Estates Section


1.50 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 20, 2025(You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Do interactions with financial institutions have you singing the banking blues? Sometimes it seems harder than it should to get financial institutions to do things like accept POAs, open accounts in the name of a trust, provide medallion signature guarantees, or provide account access to executors or guardians. Don’t miss this panel presentation that’s comprised of both banking attorneys and trust/estates lawyers as they discuss why this might happen and how to help avoid it in the future. Topics include:
  • Understanding the legal requirement that financial institutions must observe;
  • The documentation requirements to allow access to the accounts of deceased accountholders;
  • The risk management considerations that may impact financial institution policies procedures, and decisions;
  • The common obstacles to avoid when dealing with financial institutions; and
  • The practice tips you need to address these issues in advance, before it’s too late to resolve them.

Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Elizabeth Anne Khalil, CIBC Bank USA Legal Department, Chicago

Program Speakers:
Lauren Barney, CIBC Bank USA Legal Department, Chicago
Aaron White, CIBC Bank USA Legal Department, Chicago
Eric R. Wilen, Brooks, Tarulis & Tibble, LLC, Naperville



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 $45 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $75
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

Powers of Appointment: Your "Power" Tool for Drafting and Implementing Illinois Trusts

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 Trusts & Estates Section


1.0 hour MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 20, 2025 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Modern trusts should be flexible to adapt to dynamic family and investment situations, which are guaranteed to change over time and may last for generations. Powers of appointment have taken on increased importance in trust instruments, allowing Settlors, Beneficiaries and Trustees to achieve the goals of the trust instrument. This seminar addresses the powerful ways powers of appointment are being used in both the drafting and implementation of Illinois trusts, and will include the following topics:
  • How to draft useful powers of appointment in both terms and scope;
  • Knowing when to not use powers of appointment;
  • How powers of appointment have been used to address common trust administration issues since the Illinois Trust Code’s January 1, 2020 effective date; and
  • How the Uniform Powers of Appointment Law (760 ILCS 3/1301) fills in the gaps in powers of appointment in trust instrument.

Program Coordinator:
Daniel P. Felix , The Professional Trustee, Deerfield

Program Moderator:
Jeffrey D. Glickman , Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Chicago

Program Speakers:
Adam M. Damerow ,, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Chicago
Benjamin Lavin , Katten Muchin Rosenman 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 $30 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $50
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

Limited Scope Representation Part 1: Nuts and Bolts

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 Delivery of Legal Services


1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 21, 2025 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Gain a better understanding of this form of representation, including how limited scope representation can be used to grow your business, supplement your practice, and allow you to provide pro bono representation to clients in need. Topics include:
  • What limited scope representation is and how it works;
  • The rules and required forms for this type of representation;
  • The challenges and best practice tips you need to be aware of; and
  • How to implement it in the courtroom.


Program Coordinators:
John E. Brennock, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, LLC, Naperville
Abigail G. Causer, Public Interest Law Initiative, Champaign
Lori K. Hansen, Champaign County Circuit Court, Urbana
Bryan P. Thompson, Chicago Consumer Law Center, P.C., Lisle
Megan McGlothlin Wood, Prairie State Legal Services, Inc., Bloomington

Program Moderator:
John E. Brennock, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, LLC, Naperville

Program Chat Moderator:
Abigail G. Causer, Public Interest Law Initiative, Champaign

Program Speakers:
Melvin L. Sims III, Tenants Rights Group LLC, Chicago
Hon. Ramona M. Sullivan, Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Urbana


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 $30 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $50
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

Illinois Real Estate Tax Sales after Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota

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 State and Local Tax Section


2.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: October 31, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 20, 2025 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this in-depth discussion on the recent SCOTUS decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota [1] regarding the government’s seizure of property to compensate for delinquent taxes when the property value is greater than the tax debt owed, as well as how this decision and P.A.103-0555 may impact Illinois tax sales/tax deeds. Tax attorneys, general practitioners, real estate lawyers, and banking/collections counsel with intermediate to advanced levels of practice experience who attend this online seminar will better understand:
  • Illinois tax sales and tax deed procedures;
  • Why SCOTUS came to a unanimous decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota ;
  • How this case and P.A. 103-0555 may impact Illinois tax sales/tax deeds.


Program Coordinators:
Lynnette E. Lockwitz, Reiter Law Office, Ltd., Chicago
Rodney C. Slutzky, Slutzky & Blumenthal, Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Gary H. Smith, Law Offices of Gary H. Smith, P.C., Chicago

Program Speakers:
David R. Gray, Jr., Gray Law Offices, Inc., Chicago
Hon. Maureen Ward Kirby, Acting Presiding Judge. Circuit Court of Cook County, County Division
Justin F. Kirvan, Cook County Treasurer’s Office, Chicago
Lynnette E. Lockwitz, Reiter Law Office, Ltd., Chicago
Anthony O’Brien, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Chicago
Rodney C. Slutzky, Slutzky & Blumenthal, Chicago

[1] https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22-166_8n59.pdf,

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 $60 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $100
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

Nursing home resident charged with murder

An Illinois nursing home resident is in custody and charged with first-degree murder after police say he violently attacked a fellow resident.

From: 
14 News