Is US law firm leasing rebounding post-pandemic?

Law firm leasing in the United States for the first half of 2023 is the strongest on record since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago, according to a new report from commercial real estate brokerage firm Savills.

From: 
ABA Journal

Judge denies bid for new trial in off-duty cop’s slaying

The sentencing of Alexander Villa, found guilty at trial for the 2011 murder of Chicago Police Officer Clifton Lewis in 2019, has been scheduled for Monday.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

Hulme, Dorman file new suit against Madison County and several officials

Doug Hulme and Rob Dorman, who worked for Madison County County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler until the county board fired them in 2020, have filed a new lawsuit against the county and several individuals for damages in Madison County Circuit Court.

From: 
Madison - St. Clair Record

Livingston County resumes lawsuit against courthouse contractor

Livingston County will proceed with a lawsuit against the firm responsible for designing and building its courthouse after the parties failed to reach a settlement during a nearly four-year pause in the case. 

From: 
The Pantagraph

Judge to decide if father of man accused in Highland Park parade shooting will stand trial too

An Illinois judge is expected to decide Monday whether the father of the man accused of fatally shooting seven people at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park will stand trial himself for helping his son obtain a gun license three years earlier.

From: 
WGN 9

29th Annual Agricultural Law 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!

29th Annual Agricultural Law Conference – Part 2
Presented by the ISBA Agricultural Law Section


1.75 hours MCLE credit, including 0.75 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit


Original Program Date: Friday, June 23, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­September 12, 2025 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Get the updates you need on these hot topics, including how to advise your landowner clients regarding their recreational property and hunting leases, and what to expect when practicing before the Illinois Commerce Commission.


Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Andrew G. White, Bellatti, Barton, Cochran & White, LLC, Springfield


Advising Illinois Recreational Landowners, Hunting Leases, and Beyond
The presenter practices in Western Illinois in an area well known around the country for recreational and hunting opportunities. Listen as he shares his knowledge on this topic, including representing landowners, working with outfitters, drafting agreements, and general trends.
Ronald K. Hoskin, Lowry and Hoskin LLP, Pittsfield

Practice before the Illinois Commerce Commission
With energy related projects affecting so many landowners, it is important for practitioners to have some knowledge of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). This portion of our program provides practitioners with an overview of practice before the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Brian R. Kalb, Byron Carlson Petri & Kalb LLC, Edwardsville



*Originally presented as part of the ISBA’s 29th Annual Agricultural Law 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 $52.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $87.50
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

29th Annual Agricultural Law 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!

29th Annual Agricultural Law Conference – Part 1
Presented by the ISBA Agricultural Law Section


3.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Friday, June 23, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­September 5, 2025 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Get all the information you need on a variety of hot topic issues, including an in-depth look at estate planning with real estate and the use of rights of first refusal and transfer on death instruments, what you need to know regarding Illinois grain contracts and an update on several new and developing issues from the general counsel of the Illinois Agricultural Association.


Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Andrew G. White, Bellatti, Barton, Cochran & White, LLC, Springfield


The Use of Rights of First Refusal and Opinions in Estate Planning with Real Estate
This presentation discusses the use of several important tools necessary when estate planning for clients with real estate interests. Listen as two experienced estate planning attorneys provide a comprehensive analysis into the use of rights of first refusal, options to purchase, and the Illinois transfer on death statute.
Alan E. Stumpf, Stumpf & Gutknecht P.C., Colombia
Nancy Handegan, Handegan Law Office, Decatur

The Basics of Illinois Grain Contracts
This presentation provides an overview of Illinois grain contracts and gives practitioners a basic understanding of the topic.
James R. Grebe, Hasselberg Grebe Snodgrass Urban & Wentworth, Peoria
Kyle M. Tompkins, Hasselberg Grebe Snodgrass Urban & Wentworth, Peoria

Hot Topics Facing Illinois Agricultural Law Practitioners
This segment outlines the timely issues facing the Illinois agricultural law practice today, including updates on ongoing matters such as the Navigator Carbon Pipeline, environmental legislation, and recent legislation or rulings which would be of interest to Illinois agricultural law practitioners
Laurie A. Harmon, Illinois Agricultural Association, Bloomington
Garrett W. Thalgott, Illinois Agricultural Association, Bloomington



*Originally presented as part of the ISBA’s 29th Annual Agricultural Law 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 $90 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $150
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

Firm ownership debate rages amid ABA innovation leader change-up

The new leaders of the American Bar Association’s innovation unit are outspoken critics of moves to loosen law firm ownership rules, a hot-button issue for the legal industry.  New York lawyer Stephen Younger and Illinois attorney John Thies in August took the top two roles at ABA’s Center for Innovation.

From: 
Bloomberg Law

Criminal gangs might be selling your identity to fraudsters. Here’s how and how to protect yourself.

They use sham bank accounts and online marketplaces to create “drop accounts” to steal from almost anyone — and some banks do little to fight the fraud. One victim: the Illinois EPA.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois Supreme Court announces creation of Committee on Pretrial Education

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the creation of the Illinois Judicial College Committee on Pretrial Education as a seventh Standing Committee of the Illinois Judicial College, elevating pretrial education from its current Pretrial Board Workgroup status in the Judicial College.

From: 
The Bar News