This is a hybrid event with an in-person and a webinar option. Please select the appropriate button when registering if you plan to attend in-person at the Chicago Bar Association.

This course is for new lawyers only. The CBA's Basic Skills Course for Newly Admitted Attorneys will satisfy the Supreme Court of Illinois' MCLE Rule 793 Requirement for Newly Admitted Attorneys 6.00 hours of basic skills course requirement which includes Professional Responsibility, 1.00 Diversity / Inclusion & 1.00 Mental Health / Substance Abuse PR-MCLE Credits. 

8:40 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Opening Remarks                                                          
Kenny Matuszewski, Chair of the CBA YLS 
                                                                                          
8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Part 1: MCLE Requirements                                       
Karen Johnson, Director, Illinois MCLE Board  

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  Part 2: Ethics for New Attorneys                                           
Mary Andreoni, Ethics Education Counsel, Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois (ARDC)   
                                                                                          
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Part 3: Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession               
Sandra Yamate, Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession 
                                                                                          
11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. BREAK                                                                           

11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Part 4: Pro Bono:  Supreme Court Rules and Opportunities 
Bob Glaves, Executive Director, The Chicago Bar Foundation   
                                                                                          
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Part 5: Your First Court Appearance
Christopher Mackey, O’Hagan Meyer
                                                                                          
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.  LUNCH BREAK                
                                                                                          
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Part 6: Taking and Defending Depositions             
Elizabeth Kaveny, Kaveny and Kroll
                                                                                          
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Part 7: Legal Research: Mining the Web for Information  
Catherine Sanders Reach, Director of the Center for Practice Management, North Carolina Bar Association 

2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. BREAK                                   

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Part 8: Enhance Legal Work with GenAI          
Mathew Kerbis, The Subscription Attorney                                                                   

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Part 9: Wellness and Mental Health for New Attorneys                                  
Karen Munoz, Partner, Dolan Law & Well-being Advocate
Gina Crumble, Supervising Attorney, Cook County State’s Attorney                    
                                                                                          
4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Part 10: Civility in the Profession . . . How to Play Nice    
James Campbell, Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd, LLC
Bianca Ciarroni, Taft     
Andre Hunter, Associate, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP
Pam Sran, Fox Rothschild          
Moderator:  Hon. Nichole C. Patton, Circuit Court of Cook County  

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

This is a hybrid event with an in-person and a webinar option. Please select the appropriate button when registering if you plan to attend in-person. Event will take place at the Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604.

At this seminar, speakers will discuss the recent Illinois Supreme Court decision In re Estate of Mark A. Coffman. Coffman has taken the probate world by storm. While we have had many presentations talking about the case when discussing breach of duty, this panel will take a deeper look at the case. Attendees will hear a comprehensive discussion from the panelists speaking from various focus points, including the effect of Coffman on estate planning and probate, future probate litigation, a judicial perspective, and hear from the lead attorneys who represented the appellees/prevailing party in the Coffman case itself. Panelists will engage in discussion of the case, considerations of its effect, and what this will mean for practitioners and clients going forward. 

Speakers:
Ruben Garcia, Garcia & DeCostanza PC
Michael A. Otte, Otte & Czajkowska, LLC
Hon. Kent A. Delgado, Circuit Court of Cook County, Probate Division
Hal J. Wood, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Matthew R. Barrett, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP 

Moderators:
Mallory A. Moreno, Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.; Chair, CBA Probate Practice Committee
Nicholas W. Zausch, Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.; Vice-Chair, CBA Probate Practice Committee

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

The CBA/YLS Family Law Committee presents a panel of attorneys and mental health professionals to discuss the role and interactions of Guardian Ad Litems, Parenting Coordinators, and 604.10 Evaluators. The goal is to educate family law attorneys on the types of professionals the court may appoint and the role of each. Topics of discussion will include the credentials required for each court-appointed professional, the similarities and differences of each role, best practices for attorneys, the interplay amongst the multiple court professionals appointed in a case, and each professional’s role and testimony to be elicited at trial.  

Speakers:
Jessica L. Boike, Partner, Boike Jonaitis Law LLC
Kerry Smith, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Breakthrough Family Solutions 
Hollie Sobel, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Psychological Assessment, Consultation & Treatment (PACT)
David M. Sternfield, Partner and GAL, Davis Friedman, LLP 

Moderator:
Colleen M. Breems, Partner and GAL, Beermann LLP

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

Topic: From Exposure to Trial: the Foundations of Asbestos Litigation for Illinois Attorneys

Speaker: Andre Hunter Jr., Litigation Attorney, Gordon Rees

(IL MCLE credit for live webcast only. No MCLE credit for on demand webcast.)

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

This year’s consumer bankruptcy seminar will focus on asset and asset protection. There will be speakers from outside the bankruptcy practice to illuminate on techniques used by private investigators to find assets. Also hear from attorneys who practice family law and estate planning give overviews of their practices and insights as it relates to assets and asset protection. 

Topics and Speakers:
Protecting Assets in Divorce During Bankruptcy
This presentation will focus on guiding clients navigating the complexities of simultaneous divorce and bankruptcy proceedings. Topics include asset protection, support obligations, and the impact of bankruptcy on divorce settlements.
Joerika Stitt, Joerika Stitt Esquire, LLC 

Demystifying the Estate Planning Process
This presentation will cover the legal framework governing estate planning, including relevant laws and recent changes. Practical steps for effective estate planning will be outlined, from initial client consultations to document implementation. Additionally, common challenges will be addressed, such as complex family dynamics and potential disputes.
Jessica Handy-Burris, The Law Office of Jessica Handy-Burris 

Asset Tracing 101 for Lawyers
Amid a spike in personal and business bankruptcy cases, asset tracing can help identify and locate secreted assets. The presentation will provide an overview of two of the main methods of obscuring assets and highlight common red flags indicative of these. Also, will explore when and how asset tracing can be useful in piercing the corporate veil. By gaining insight into several fundamental research techniques, lawyers will also be better prepared to direct their teams to search for assets and recognize potential concerns.
Michelle Risley, The Cassandra Group 

Moderators:
Jason Shimotake, The Shimotake Law Firm, LLC; Chair, CBA Bankruptcy and Reorganization Committee
Rigoberto Garcia, Feldman Garcia Leshinsky & Miljus; Vice-Chair, CBA Bankruptcy and  Reorganization Committee

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

This program will review some of the most common violations of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct (IRPC) and discuss tools and strategies to avoid disciplinary issues, as well as how to address ARDC investigations. Discussion will include the changes to the IRPC and conversations regarding best practices.  Speakers will give pointers from differing perspectives, including both an attorney from the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission and counsel who primarily represents respondents in such matters. 

Topics and Speakers:
Topics of discussion will include common violations of the IRPC, the most egregious kinds of misconduct, and which portions of the attorney population are most at risk of disciplinary proceedings. Additionally, strategies for avoiding such pitfalls, and how to address complaints filed with the ARDC will be covered. 
Tammy L. Evans, Counsel, Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission  

From the perspective of disciplinary defense counsel, discussion will offer information about the problems their clients encountered in practice leading to discipline and how best to avoid those issues. 
Jeffrey Ogden Katz, Principal, The Katz Law Firm, P.C.

Moderator:
Scott A. Kozlov, Chief Ethics Officer & Legal Counsel, Office of the Cook County Clerk

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

Topic: Navigating Conflict: The Role of the Parenting Coordinator in Family Law

Speaker: Jessica Malmquist, Attorney, Mediator, Collaborative Law Fellow, Greenwich Law Group, LLC

(IL MCLE credit for live webcast only. No MCLE credit for on demand webcast.)

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

In the ever-evolving landscape of legal services, the concept of personal branding has emerged as a crucial element for lawyers seeking to distinguish themselves in a crowded marketplace. Gone are the days when a law degree and a shingle were enough to build a thriving practice. Today's legal professionals must navigate a complex ecosystem where first impressions are often formed long before a potential client steps into an office. This new reality calls for a thoughtful, strategic approach to building one's professional identity – a process known as personal branding.

Speaker: Catherine Sanders Reach, Director of the Center for Practice Management, North Carolina Bar Association

Catherine Sanders Reach is Director for the Center for Practice Management at the North Carolina Bar Association. Formerly she was Director, Law Practice Management and Technology for the Chicago Bar Association and the Director at the American Bar Association's Legal Technology Resource Center. She was co-chair of ABA TECHSHOW 2020. She is co-editor of the 2023 ABA book Design Your Law Practice. Follow her on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/catheri...  or connect at www.linkedin.com/in/catheriner... 

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

This is an in-person program at the Tenant Lounge (150 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606).

Topic: Meet and Greet!

Description: Join the Class Action Committee for a meet and greet at Tenant Lounge! Coffee, donuts, and bagels will be provided.

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

American and Quebec Electoral Systems: Comparative Analysis and Legal Implications of the 2024 Elections

Join The Chicago Bar Association and the Bar of Montreal for an in-depth analysis of the November 2024 U.S. elections, focusing on the legal aspects governing the electoral process in the United States. This program aims to equip both Montreal and Chicago lawyers with the necessary knowledge to understand the differences and similarities between the American and Quebec electoral systems, as well as the crucial role lawyers play in ensuring election integrity. Topics covered will include electoral legislation, election administration, election monitoring, and the management of electoral disputes, with insights into improvements and shortcomings in the U.S. system over the past 25 years. 

Additionally, the program will highlight the role of lawyers in shaping public policy and defending civil and democratic rights. Comparisons will be made between the fundamental values of the Quebec system, such as equality, justice, and respect for diversity, and how these values are reflected or differ in the American context, particularly regarding voting rights and citizen participation.  

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with hypothetical scenarios to discuss legal issues related to the elections, fostering a rich exchange of perspectives and experiences. This interaction will help both Montreal and Chicago lawyers enhance their professional skills in line with the continuing education requirements of the Barreau du Québec and the Illinois Supreme Court. Ultimately, this training promotes cross-border collaboration among legal professionals.

This program will be hosted on the Bar of Montreal’s Zoom account. The Zoom link will be sent from the Bar of Montreal to registrants in advance of the program.

Speakers:
William J. Kresse, Commissioner, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, President, Institute of Election Auditors, Associate Professor, Governors State University
Attorney Olivier Cournoyer-Boutin, Élections Québec

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live.