Allerton Conference

Allerton Conference 2023 - Technology and the Courts: Transforming the Delivery of Justice

March 30 – April 1, 2023
I Hotel and Conference Center
1900 South First Street
Champaign, IL 61820

Presented by the ISBA Civil Practice and Procedure Section
Sponsored by the ISBA Mutual Insurance Company

The purpose of the Allerton Conference to discuss cutting edge issues in the courts and from the exchange of ideas to present suggestions to the ISBA leadership to improve the delivery of justice.

It is organized by the ISBA Civil Practice and Procedure Committee in alternate years and is intended to be the premier event of the ISBA to develop long range policies and legislation to enhance the operation of the courts.

Pre-registration for the Allerton Conference 2023 is now closed. Limited walk-in registration space is available. Please call the ISBA CLE Department if you are interested in registering as a walk-in on the day of the conference to confirm space availability.

If available, pricing is:

• ISBA New Attorney Member:  $150
• ISBA Member:  $250
• Non-Member: $450
• Meal Fee:  $175 (includes all meals – al la carte option is not available for walk-in registrants)

Agenda

Thursday: 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (reception and dinner to follow)
Saturday: 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Join us in Champaign as we explore hot topic issues impacting the civil practice and procedure arena – from how artificial intelligence is being used in the courtroom and how technology is being utilized to help disabled lawyers and clients, to using technology to serve rural communities. A look at legislative updates is also included.

Thursday, March 30, 2023

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.  Cocktail Reception

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  Dinner
Welcome and Introductions:
Rory T. Weiler, ISBA President, 2022-23, Weiler & Lengle, P.C., St. Charles
Emily N. Masalski, Eaton Corporation, Oak Park
Speaker: Hon. Mary Jane Theis, Illinois Supreme Court, Chicago

Friday, March 31, 2023

8:00 – 8:30 a.m.  Breakfast

8:30 – 8:45 a.m.  Welcome and Introductions
Ronald D. Menna, Fischel Kahn, Chicago
Gregory E. Mordock, Illinois Municipal League, Springfield
David A. Weder, Greensfelder Hemker & Gale P.C., St. Louis

8:45 – 10:00 a.m.  Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Courts – An Overview
Dory Reiling, Amsterdam District Court (ret.) Netherlands (via pre-recorded video)
George S. Bellas, Bellas & Wachowski, Park Ridge
Caroline Marouzek, Bellas & Wachowski, Park Ridge
Ronald D. Menna, Fischel Kahn, Wheaton

10:00 – 10:15 a.m.  Break

10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Using AI to Resolve Small Claims Cases (and Changing/Adopting Ethics Rules to Reflect the Use of AI)
Discover the potential of the application of Artificial Intelligence in the courts and the resolution of disputes with this informative segment.
Moderator: Nelson M. Rosario, Rosario Tech Law, LLC, Chicago
Hon. Michael J. Chmiel, Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit, Woodstock
Prof. Daniel W. Linna, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, Chicago
Hon. E. Kenneth Wright, Jr., Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago

12:00  - 1:30 p.m.  Lunch and Fireside Chat
Hon. Elizabeth M. Rochford, Illinois Supreme Court, Waukegan
Hon. Mary K. O’Brien, Illinois Supreme Court, Ottawa

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.  The Use of Technology to Assist Disabled Lawyers, Parties, and Witnesses
Moderator: Michelle J. Rozovics, Rozovics Law Firm LLC, McHenry
Hon. Azeema N. Akram, Illinois Human Rights Commission, Chicago
Brandy L. Johnson, Early & Miranda, P.C., Carbondale
Michal Nowicki, Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC, Virginia

3:00 – 3:15 p.m.  Break

3:15 – 4:15 Legislator Panel
Get the answers you need on how the legislative process works, how lawyers interact with the legislature both internally and externally, and how to affect this process with a legal background.
Moderator: Jim Covington, Illinois State Bar Association, Springfield
Sen. Steve McClure, Illinois State Senator, Springfield
Sen. Doris Turner, Illinois State Senator, Springfield
Sen. Sally J. Turner, Illinois State Senator, Springfield

4:15 – 4:30 p.m.  Break

4:30 – 6:00 p.m.  Legal Deserts: Using Technology to Serve Rural Communities
The panel presentation discusses the “legal deserts” that exist within many rural Illinois communities, and explores how lawyers, courts, and justice partners are utilizing technology to address those unmet legal needs, along with challenges and potential solutions to implementing those technological tools.
Moderator: Erika N. Harold, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Profession, Chicago
Diane Goffinet, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Carbondale
Edward Siemer, McDevitt, Osteen, Chojnicki & Deters, LLC, Effingham
Alison Downs Spanner, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, Chicago
Andrew M. Weaver, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, East St. Louis

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Cocktail Reception

7:00 – 8:30 p.m.  Dinner

Saturday, April 1, 2023

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.  Breakfast

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.  Changing the Ethics Rules on an Attorney’s Ability to Address Internet Criticisms
Online criticisms and negative reviews of attorneys and legal services affect legal practitioners and the field of law as a whole. This panel presentation discusses and analyzes the impact of Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.6(a). Panelists will provide session attendees with their perspectives on best practices and rule change recommendations.
Moderator: Erika M. Washington, U-46 School District, Elgin
Scott A. Carlson, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Chicago
James A. Doppke, Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke, LLC, Chcago
Yvette C. Loizon, Clifford law Offices, Chicago

10:00 – 10:15 a.m.  Break

10:15 – 11:15 a.m.  Breakout Session Reports / Changes to the Conference
Deanna L. Litzenburg, Mathis Marifian & Richter Ltd., Edwardsville

11:15 – 11:30 a.m.  Concluding Remarks

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MCLE credit to be determined based on presentations and materials submitted.