Join us in Chicago from 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Monday, March 9 for an introduction to restorative philosophy, principles, and circle process, as well as their practical use in helping parties who need to communicate in sustainable and respectful ways to move forward. It will be a “first step” in exposing participants to the nuts and bolts of circle process. Restorative justice principles can be applied across multiple practice areas. Attorneys attending this program will better understand: the circle process and the community building that circles foster and inspire; the skill-building that circles support, including listening, communication, critical thinking, analysis, reflection, and collaboration; and how to build upon and apply these skills in working with clients, colleagues, members of the bar, and others as they begin to think about the benefits in fulfilling their roles and carrying out their responsibilities.

Join us in Chicago or via a live webcast from 8:10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday, March 6 for the ISBA's 11th annual Animal Law Conference, which highlights important animal law updates and examines the advances made in this rapidly-evolving area of practice. Animal law attorneys, general practitioners, environmental/natural resources lawyers, and counsel for municipalities with all levels of practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand: the current state of the puppy mill industry in Illinois; how civil litigation is being used to help the treatment of farm animals; the role of undercover investigations in animal law; the ongoing legislative and regulatory reform in the horse racing industry, including the Horseracing Integrity Act; the considerations that go into implementing animal protection legislation in Illinois; how to apply the “well-being of the companion animal” in marriage dissolution cases; the recent developments in the pet insurance industry; how mandatory animal encounter training can help reduce the number of dogs shot by police officers; and what Lewis & Clark’s Aquatic Animal Law Initiative is doing to help aquatic animals.

By Steve Riley, Attorney and Atticus Certified Practice Advisor Tired of working evenings and weekends? Tired of practicing pay-the-rent law? Tired of being tired all the time? It’s time to look forward and grow your practice, which will increase your personal income and have a positive effect on your team and your clients. Along the way, the confidence you gain will help you propel the practice forward in the years to come.

Join us via live webcast from noon until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 for an in-depth overview of the steps involved in representing a party in an appeal before the Illinois Appellate Court. All significant parts of the process are covered—from the commencement of the appeal through issuance of the Appellate Court decision and beyond. Attorneys with basic practice experience who have never handled an appeal (or have not handled an appeal since Illinois instituted mandatory e-filing) attending this seminar will better understand: obtaining or opposing a stay of enforcement in the circuit court; filing the notice of appeal in the circuit court; deciding whether to cross-appeal; requesting preparation of the record on appeal; filing the docketing statement in the Appellate Court; assuring that the record on appeal is complete; filing a supplemental record; determining what issues have been preserved for appeal; selecting the errors to advance; motions in the Appellate Court; drafting the opening brief; drafting the reply brief; preparing for oral argument; delivering oral argument; the Appellate Court decision; petitions for rehearing; the Appellate Court mandate and remand; and considering whether Illinois Supreme Court review may be available.