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Discover a new approach to addressing the ongoing problem of nutrient pollution in Illinois’ waterways with this online seminar! Don’t miss this comprehensive look at how a market-based approach to solving water quality problems may lead to cleaner water in a shorter timeframe and with less financial burden than traditional approaches. Environmental lawyers, administrative practitioners, and local government attorneys with all levels of practice experience who attend this online seminar on October 31, 2017 will better understand: what a market-based approach entails; how the trade of pollution reductions between different entities could be the answer to lowering nitrogen and phosphorus levels in our water; the potential challenges with this new approach (including local hot spots and market illiquidity); and how a properly designed market could address each of these challenges.

The program is presented by the ISBA Environmental Law Section and qualifies for 1.0 hour MCLE credit.

Click here for more information and to register.

Are you thinking of expanding your practice to include helping your clients apply for and receive Medicaid benefits to help pay for the cost of long term care? Then you won’t want to miss this nuts-and-bolts seminar in Chicago on October 12, 2017 that teaches you everything you need to know about the Illinois Medicaid rules and procedures. Estate planning practitioners, family law attorneys, elder law lawyers, and new attorneys with basic to intermediate practice experience who attend this seminar will learn: how to represent your clients when it’s time to apply for public benefits; how a homestead or family farm can affect Medicaid eligibility; the concepts and strategies you can use to legally and ethically protect assets while facilitating Medicaid eligibility; how to prepare and submit applications in Decatur and Chicago; how to appeal a denial of benefits; and much more.

By Michael G. Bergmann

Coordinated by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Pro Bono Week is intended to inspire greater pro bono participation by lawyers throughout the nation. This initiative provides an opportunity for legal organizations across the country to collaboratively commemorate the vitally important contributions of America’s lawyers, and to recruit and train the many additional volunteers required to meet the growing demand. The Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service undertook this initiative to provide a format for showcasing the incredible difference that pro bono lawyers make to our nation, to our system of justice, to our communities and, most of all, to the clients they serve.

The ISBA commemorates this national celebration each year by encouraging its members to do pro bono and by recognizing those who meet the call. Two years ago, the ISBA launched its Pro Bono Partner initiative, through which members commit to: (1) seek out the local pro bono legal services being supplied to individuals or charitable, religious, or civic organizations in their community; (2) attend or support a recognition ceremony for those who participate in pro bono services in their community; (3) consider attending training provided to lawyers who provide pro bono services; and (4) commit to joining the efforts to increase access to the legal system.

The ISBA Delivery of Legal Services Committee organized two webinars in October geared towards those interested in helping low-income individuals with their legal needs. Tune in to “Working Effectively with Interpreters” on Wednesday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m., which is free for the first 26 registrants who agree to take a pro bono case in the next year. “Working with Low Income Clients” will be held on Wednesday, October 25 at noon, and is available at no cost for the first 30 registrants who agree to take a pro bono case in the next year.

Back by popular demand! Don’t miss this full-day seminar on October 9, 2017 in Chicago or Fairview Heights that arms you with the information you need to successfully handle your next workers’ compensation case! Labor and employment attorneys and workers’ compensation practitioners attending this seminar will better understand: how orthopedic physicians diagnose and treat workers’ compensation injuries; the recent rule changes at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission; the ethical issues to avoid during your next workers’ compensation case; how to prepare and present your arbitration case; how to coordinate workers’ compensation benefits with the Public Employee Disability Act; and recent case law updates that may affect your client.