February 12 Is the Deadline to Apply for the Rural Practice Summer Fellows and Rural Practice Associate Fellows Programs

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Rhys Saunders

The deadline to apply for the ISBA's Rural Practice Summer Fellows and Rural Practice Associate Fellows programs is tomorrow, February 12.

The Rural Practice Summer Fellows Program connects law students with rural practitioners to give them experience working in rural communities before they leave law school. The program includes a $5,000 fellowship stipend and mentoring.

2021 ISBA Annual Meeting Announcement

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Rhys Saunders

ISBA members:

The health and wellbeing of our members are always paramount concerns. In keeping with this important priority, we have decided to once again hold the ISBA Annual Meeting virtually. The 145th Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, June 25, 2021. The Annual Meeting will include the organizational meeting of the Board of Governors and a meeting of the Assembly. Both meetings will be conducted by Zoom. ISBA section councils and committees will be holding their organizational meetings via Zoom in the months of June and July.  

CLE: Thank You CLE Coordinators

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Rhys Saunders

Since 2013, ISBA members have received free on-demand CLE (sponsored by ISBA Mutual) that enables them to satisfy all MCLE requirements. Currently, ISBA provides over 600 hours of On-Demand CLE programming in a wide array of topics that are relevant to virtually every ISBA member. This benefit results from the tireless efforts of many dedicated ISBA volunteer CLE program coordinators working with the ISBA staff who plan and produce programs presented by our sections and committees. We proudly recognize those coordinators responsible for CLE programs presented throughout fall 2020. Please join us as we thank them for all they do to enhance the profession!

Thoughts at 5 a.m.

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Rhys Saunders

After more than four decades of practice in estate planning, estate administration, and real estate law, Gary Gehlbach (also, a member of the Illinois Bar Journal Editorial Board) shares a plethora of tips he has accrued over the years and that came to him during restless nights and in half-conscious streams, usually around 5 a.m. The 17 tips--all easily digestible and highly practical--include “address all contingencies,” “don’t use a legal life estate,” “avoid absolutes,” and “consider potential beneficiaries with special needs.” With nearly every tip, Gehlbach provides good reasons for it and an example or two from his practice.   

CLE: Starting and Running Your Own Law Practice

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Rhys Saunders

There are a number of reasons why you might be considering starting your own law firm—from a desire to have more freedom and independence to take the cases you want, to an unwanted downsizing with your current law firm. Regardless of the why behind your decision, it’s the how that’s most important. Join us for this two-part series that gives you all the information you need to ensure that your decision to branch out on your own will be successful.