​​​​​MCBA NEWSLETTER

​june 3, 2024
2024
​​June Events
6/3 (Mon.)
​Golf & PickleBall

6/5 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session 4pm
​Mediators Happy Hour

6/6 (Thurs.)
8pm MCBA Softball Team

6/7 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

6/12 (Wed.)
Social Committee Meeting

6/13 (Thurs.)
Social Hour
9pm MCBA Softball Team

6/14 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

6/19 (Wed.)
Juneteenth - Court Closed

6/20 (Thurs.)
Social Hour
8pm MCBA Softball Team

6/21 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

6/25 (Tues.)
CLE Committee Meeting

6/27 (Thurs.)
Annual Meeting
7pm MCBA Softball Team

6/28 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

​July Events
7/4 (Thurs.)
Fourth of July Celebration
​
7/5 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

7/11 (Thurs.)
7pm MCBA Softball Team

7/12 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

7/16 (Tues.)
CLE
​
7/19 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

7/16 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

​August Events
8/20 (Tues.)
CLE
​
September Events
9/6 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar
ADR Committee

9/8 (Sun.)
Adult Dinner at the Deneens
​
2024 Court Holidays & Closures & MCBA Events

9/2 (Mon.)
Labor Day

11/1-3 (Fri. pm - Sun. am)
ISU Invitational Mock Trial Tournament

2024 Court Holidays & Closures & MCBA Events 2025
10/22-23 (Wed. - Thurs.)
GAL Certification Seminar

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
hon. david butler, ret.

​isba john c. mcandrews award

The ISBA established the John C. McAndrews Award to honor the extraordinary commitment of individuals, bar associations, or law firm/corporate legal departments to providing free legal services to the income eligible in Illinois or expanding the availability of legal services to the income eligible in Illinois. 
 
Judge Butler served as an Associate Circuit Court Judge in the McLean County Circuit Court from 2005 to 2018. Since his retirement, he has continued to serve his community by taking on pro bono cases through PSLS. Over the past year, he has spent over 130 hours assisting over 100 clients with housing and domestic violence issues. Since he began volunteering in 2019, he has spent more than 630 hours serving 347 clients. However, the hours Judge Butler has spent on case work does not tell the full story. His work helping set up an eviction help desk at the courthouse, training other volunteers, and mentoring new PSLS attorneys has helped countless other clients. Judge Butler has been an indispensable resource for PSLS over the last several years and his dedication to his community is extraordinary.

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
​danielle kays


​Partner
Fisher & Phillips LLP
10 S. Wacker Drive, Ste 3450
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312.260.4751
Email: [email protected] 
Website: https://www.fisherphillips.com/en/index.html​
​

members on the move
​nargis khokhar

New Public Guardian in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit
The Office of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker appointed local attorney, Nargis Khokhar, as Public Guardian and Public Administrator of Ford and Livingston Counties on April 15th, 2024. The Public Guardian serves as the legal representative for individuals with disabilities who do not have qualified and willing family or friends to assume the position as guardian. Ms. Khokhar frequently serves as a Guardian ad litem in probate court, and is a member of the Illinois Guardianship Association and the Elder Law Section Council of the ISBA.

Local Attorney appointed to ISBA Board of Governors
The Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors appointed Nargis Khokhar to its ranks on May 17th, 2024. The Board of Governors oversees the operations and management of the ISBA, subject to policies set by the Assembly. The ISBA is the largest voluntary bar association in the country and aims to assist Illinois lawyers in the practice of law and promote improvements in the administration of justice. Ms. Khokhar serves on Section Council for Child Law and Elder Law, and is the Board Liaison for Standing Committee on Professional Conduct, Standing Committee on Racial & Ethnic Minorities and the Law, Child Law Section Council, and Insurance Law Section Council.

new to your office?
​or maybe an attorney/staff 'on the move'?

If your office has new attorneys and staff, then we would like to update membership on your additions! Maybe you have an attorney making moves within your office. Please click on the link below to submit a little about the new addition and feel free to add a photo as well. 

annual meeting

Members, please join us at our annual meeting.

This meeting will take place at Bloomington Country Club, Bloomington, Illinois. The meeting will doors will open at 3:30 pm and the meeting will commence at 4:30 pm on Thursday, June 27. 

This years agenda will include important business a summary of committee reports, a vote on open Board positions and the transition for the 2024-2025 term. This years agenda will also include the 2024 Young Lawyer of the Year Award. The list of memorials who will be honored for those who have passed away will be updated soon.

The cost is $30.00 for attendees if paid on or before June 17. After June 17, the cost increases to $35.00 for attendees. Registration will close on Friday, June 21.
​
There will be light appetizers provided along with a cash bar.

This years memorials presentations are: 
E. William Rolley
David Rumley
Jerry Raymer
William T. Caisley​
​

mcba team softball schedule​

All games will be played at Champion Fields #2 in Normal
This league is scheduled for Thursday evenings.
Come on out to cheer!
​
06-06  8:00 pm
06-13  9:00 pm
06-20  8:00 pm
06-27  7:00 pm
07-11  7:00 pm
07-18 time-TBD - rain date from 5-16
Tournament Dates & Times to come

Game Results:
Game 1 - WON 23 to 10
Game 2 - WON 12 to 9
Game 3 - Rained Out
​Game 4 - Lost
​Game 5 - Lost

Social Hour & activities

2024 MCBA Social Calendar
​
​June 5
​
August 3

​September 8 [Rain date 15th]
​​​
Summer/Fall​

​December 
​​
​Mediators Happy Hour - Keg Grove
​
​A Cigar Road Trip to Decatur
​
MCBA Adult Dinner at the Deneens

Softball Challenge - The Battle of the Bars

Holiday Luncheon
​​​
There are more Social events in the works. If you have ideas or would like to help organize an event, please email Mary at: [email protected] ​

mcba
​continuing legal EDUCATION
​2024

CLE

"Arrests, Searches, Seizures & More"

​Tuesday, July 16th

more information to come
​
2024 MCBA CLE
​
Tuesday, August 20 - IRS Taxes Discharged in Bankruptcy

cle recording opportunities

CLE
Originally Recorded
​Tuesday, February 20, 2024
​
​CYBER RISK & CYBER LIABILITY INSURANCE

presented by
Scott Dunton & Adam Czerwinski

​[up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved] 
RECORDING ENDS February 15, 2026
​
This CLE will provide a basic understanding of the cyber risks facing law firms and why firms must care. Real-life examples will be shared. Attendees will leave this course with a better understanding on how to mitigate your firm's cyber risk and avoid cyber losses. 
Below are comments shared from attendees evaluations...
It was an excellent presentation highlighting pitfalls for the unwary.

With ISBA insurance withdrawing their cybersecurity coverage, I will need to look into other insurance. This presentation assisted in learning areas of inquiry when looking for this kind of insurance.
CLE
Originally Recorded
​Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Filing & Defending Civil Pre-Trial Motions
presented by
​Hon. David Butler, Ret and Thomas McClure, JD

[up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved]
RECORDING ENDS August 30, 2025
​
Many civil lawsuits are won or lost without a trial. This CLE program presents an in-depth examination of pre-trial motion practice. Some critical aspects of pre-trial Motions To Dismiss and Motions For Summary Judgment will be discussed. This program will help attorneys to recognize various legal bases for the dismissal of a civil lawsuit filed against their client. In addition, learn how to respond to Motions To Dismiss and Motions For Summary Judgment.
 
Topics to be covered are:
Motions To Dismiss Based on the Pleadings (Sec. 2-615 Motions)
Involuntary Dismissals Based on Certain Defects or Defenses (Sec. 2-619 Motions)
Motions For Summary Judgment
Pre-Trail Motions in Small Claims Cases
Below are comments shared from attendees evaluations...
Clearly very knowledgeable & did a great job reviewing these litigation basics.

Thank you for providing so much substantive material.

Both Presenters are knowledgeable, engaging, and good at explaining concepts.

​What is one of your take aways? What did you learn today?
* Clearer difference between types of motions
* Best practices for Affidavits
CLE
Originally Recorded
​December 6, 2022

Ethics Rules Every Lawyer Must Know
presented by
​Hon. David Butler, Ret and Hon. Thomas Funk

[up to 1 hour PR - Ethics - CLE Credit Approved]

recording extended end date: december 5, 2024 

Please join the McLean County Bar Association in welcoming Judge Butler (Ret.) and Logan County Judge Funk. This one-hour program will survey some of the most important rules of ethics that every attorney should know and the possible consequences of violating these rules. Judge Thomas Funk and Retired Judge David Butler will identify and explain rules of ethics found in the Illinois Code of Professional Conduct. Topics will include: safekeeping of client’s property (trust accounts), duty to report professional misconduct of other attorneys (In re Himmel), dealing with unrepresented persons, confidentiality of information, meritorious claim or contentions, communication with person represented by counsel, firm names and letterhead, attorneys fees, client-lawyer sexual relationships, and ex parte communications with judges. 
​
Below are comments shared from attendees evaluations...
Both presented the material very well.

I appreciated the commentary and use of examples that they used during their presentations.

mcba upcoming events

2024
​November 1-3 - ISU Invitational Mock Trial Tournament

2025
February 12 - High School Mock Trials
October 22-23 - Guardian Ad Litem Child Representative Certification Seminar

friday breakfast with the bar
join us this friday
8:00 am-9:00 am

Ivy Lane Bakery - Downtown Bloomington
​

BLOOMINGTON CANNON ESTATE PLANNING
TELECONFERENCE SERIES PROGRAM
​HOSTED BY PNC WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Please contact​ [email protected] if interested in attending.
If you have questions please call Jennifer at 309.655.5476 ​

career opportunities

mclean COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
Posted - June 3

asst DEFENDER i
​asst defender ii

Ehlers law​
Posted - May 29

part time legal secretary ​

glenn law offices​
Posted - May 20

paralegal​

a local firm
​Posted - May 20

sr. attorney

STATe farm insurance
​Closes - June 23
​Closes - June 16

paralegal & employment law counsel

prairie state legal services
Posted - May 13

various openings

state farm insurance​
​Closes - June 9

in-house technologry counsel

LIVINGSTON COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
Open Until Filled

ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER

office space available

Illinois House Building, bloomington

Posted 6-3-2024

108 w. monroe, BLOOMINGTON

Posted 6-3-2024

105 N. Center, BLoomington

Posted 12-8-2023

121 N. Main Street, 2nd Floor

Posted 12-8-2023

205 N. Main Street

Posted 12-8-2023

​217 E. Washington

Posted 12-8-2023

115 Jefferson

Posted 12-8-2023

bar committee activities

​2024
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - June 5
​​​​BOG Meeting - June 11 noon
Social Committee Meeting - June 12 12.15 pm
​​​​​​The Underwood Committee on Professionalism Meeting - June 14 12.15 pm
Law Day Committee Meeting Wrap Up - June 24 12.15 pm
​​​​​​CLE Committee Meeting - June 25 noon
GAL 2025 Planning Committee Meeting - June 28 12.15 pm
​Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility [DEIA] Committee Meeting – August 28 12.15 pm
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - September 4
​Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee - September 6 noon
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - December 4
Executive Committee 
President                            
​John L. Pratt

2nd VP
Michael Butts

Secretary
Calli Farrell
1st VP
Adrian Barr

Immediate Past President
​Judge Pablo Eves

Treasurer
Sara James
Disclaimer:
The McLean County Bar Association (MCBA) presents the information on this web site as an information service to our members and other Internet users. While the information on this site is about legal issues, it is not legal advice. The information is not intended to create, and receipt of the information does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Those using this information should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel.
Board of Governors
Dean Davis [Year 4]
​​Jaime Ganschow  [Year 3]
Laurel Bingaman  [Year 2]
Spencer Chikahisa [Year 1]

Administrative Assistant
Mary Sellmyer

​Find a Lawyer Disclaimer:
The intention of the MCBA"Find a Lawyer"search is only to refer members of the public requiring legal services to members of the MCBA who have indicated that they wish to receive referrals in a particular area of the law.
Proudly powered by Weebly