Getting Ready for Springtime!

Winter is almost over, with much to look forward to, and soon.

No matter what the groundhogs will have said by now, as daylight lengthens and we emerge from another harsh COVID-19 winter, I’m pleased to report that the ISBA continues to do what it does best: focus on the needs of members. From educational programming that will help members prosper to new publications that will keep them up to date on the law, ISBA leadership and staff have been quite busy. Please read on to learn about some of the exciting programs and offerings that we have planned for the coming months.

Upcoming programs

In addition to all of the traditional CLE programs planned for the next few months, I’m excited to announce that on May 11, we’ll be bringing back attorneys Keith and Dana Cutler for a sequel to their sold-out presentation from last year’s Midyear Meeting. The upcoming program will explore racial constructs in America and the impact of racism on the legal profession. Against this backdrop, the Cutlers will share how “courageous conversations” can help make a difference. Please stay tuned for this important program’s registration details.

I’m also working closely with staff to finalize details for the remaining sessions of the ISBA Business Institute. We’re planning to have programs in March, April, May, and June. Each session will focus on business-related best practices for managing a law firm. Again, please stay tuned to ISBA communications for details about these informative programs.

ISBA elections

As most of you know, the ISBA election season is now upon us. The filing period for candidate petitions has now closed and the final candidate list will soon be made available. Electronic and paper ballots will be distributed on March 31; voting concludes on April 29; and by May 6, we will announce the winners, including our new ISBA third vice-president.

To assist members with their voting, we’ll be holding two virtual candidate forums in March. The first one will feature third vice-president candidates and Board of Governors candidates from Cook County. The second forum will also feature third vice-president candidates but will focus on downstate Board of Governors candidates. I urge all members to attend these events and to participate in our elections. For more information, visit the ISBA Elections page.

New publications

Each new year brings new editions of your favorite ISBA books. In January, our best-selling “Illinois Rules of Evidence: A Color-Coded Guide” was released along with its accompanying pocket-size book of the complete Illinois Rules of Evidence. We’ll also soon be releasing new editions of our “Guide to Sentencing and Bond Hearings in Illinois” and “Rules Governing the Legal Profession and Judiciary in Illinois.” Also keep your eyes open for the soon-to-be-released “Family Law Toolkit” produced by members of the ISBA Family Law Section Council. Please visit the ISBA Bookstore to see all the great titles in the ISBA’s online bookstore.

ISBA awards

February also means it’s time to submit nominations for ISBA awards. Please visit the Awards page to see the comprehensive list of awards available for deserving members and consider nominating a colleague. The ISBA recognizes members and others for their contributions to a wide array of initiatives in the Association, legal profession, and community at large. We also have two new CLE-related awards available this year.

The deadline for submitting award nominations is March 4 and once all the hard decisions have been made, it’s my greatest hope that I’ll have the opportunity to present these awards in person and face to face.

Until then, be safe, stay healthy, and enjoy the last days of winter!