​​​​MCBA NEWSLETTER

​​​​​​september 11, 2023
2023
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
9/12/2023 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

9/14/2023 (Thurs.)
GAL Committee Meeting
​
9/15/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar
Underwood Committee Meeting

9/19/2023 (Tues.)
CLE Presentation - L&J Center

9/22/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

9/22/2023 (Fri.)
CIPA Legal Education Seminar

9/26/2023 (Tues.)
CLE Committee Meeting
​Financial Friends Meeting

9/29/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

OCTOBER EVENTS
10/6/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

10/9/2023 (Mon.)
Courts Closed

10/10/2023 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

10/13/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

10/17/2023 (Tues.)
CLE Presentation

10/19/2023 (Thurs.)
​6th Annual Behavioral Health Community Forum - ISU

10/20/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

10/24/2023 (Tues.)
DEIA Committee Meeting

10/25 & 10/26 (Wed. & Thurs.)
MCBA Biennial GAL Conference
​
10/27/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar
​
NOVEMBER EVENTS
11/1/2023 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listenting Session

11/3/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar
CLE Presentation - L&J Center

11/10/2023 (Fri.)
Veterans Day-Law & Justice Center is Closed
Breakfast with the Bar

11/17/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

11/24/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

DECEMBER EVENTS
12/19/2023 (Tues.)
​Holiday Luncheon

2024
Upcoming Save-The-Dates
​
All Court Holidays & Closures
1/1/2024 (Mon.)

1/15/2024 (Mon.)
MLK Day

2/12/2024 (Mon.)
Lincoln's Birthday

2/19/2024 (Mon.)
Presidents' Birthday

5/27/2024 (Mon.)
Memorial Day

6/19/2024 (Wed.)
Juneteenth

7/4/2024 (Thurs.)

9/2/2024 (Mon.)
Labor Day

interested in a bus ride to a hocky game?

MCBA SCHOLARSHIP

If you know of any L2 or L3 law students, please inform them about the 2023 MCBA Community Service Scholarship. The $2,500 scholarship is open to second or third year law students with strong ties to McLean County, Bloomington-Normal, or its surrounding communities. Prime candidates will express and demonstrate a commitment to legal aid work, pro bono activities, or community service. The application deadline is October 31, 2023. Please see the link to the scholarship application below.
Click on the image above to submit an application.

mcba
​continuing legal EDUCATION
calendar


​Tuesday, September 19
​Noon-1.30 pm

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

[up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved]

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:
Voluntary Dismissals
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
Friday, September 22
​all day

The 33rd Annual Legal Education Seminar

[up to 5 hours CLE - Approved]
[including 2 hours Professional Responsibility - 1 hour Ethics & 1 hour Diversity - Approved]

Earn up to five hours of CLE credit including an Ethics & Diversity Professional Responsibility credit [PR credit applied for]. There will be five presentations which include AI - Artificial Intelligence in Law: Opportunities and Challenges for Attorneys, Paralegals, and Law Firms, Post-Dec: Post Haste, The Mercurial World of NIL: Wait 15 Minutes and It Will Change, Bond Reform in Illinois: What it Was, Is & Yet May Be, and Redefining Neurodiversity in the Legal Industry.

Register by Friday, September 1 to get the reduced registration fee!
Tuesday, October 17
​Noon-1.00 pm

We Have to Talk:
Navigating Challenging Conversations about Diversity
Julia Livingston & John Kim, JD

[up to 1 hour PR CLE pending approval]

​More information coming soon.
Thursday, October 19
all day

Behavior Health Forum

[up to 5 hours general CLE pending approval for $20.00]
​
Attendance at the Forum is FREE to all community members. Lunch is included for those that register by October 9th, 2023. Those who register after October 9th, 2023 will be responsible for providing their own lunch on the day of the Forum. Parking is offered in the Bone Student Center parking lot, free for all attendees. Please follow this link regarding our venue and parking information.

We are offering continuing education units for several professional disciplines. Continuing education credits are available for purchase upon registration or the day-of the Forum.

Online registration will close on Monday October 16th, 2023 but walk-in registration on the day of the Forum is welcome! To register for the 2023 McLean County Community Behavioral Health Forum, please click the Information & Registration button below, and you will be directed to our registration page through Carle Health. If you need assistance with registration, please contact Sarah Stalter at sarah.stalter@mcleancountyil.gov
Wednesday & Thursday, October 25 & 26

Guardian Ad Litem Certification Seminar

[up to 10.25 hours general CLE pending approval]
[Hours above include 1 hour PR-Ethics & 1 hour PR-Diversity & Inclusion]
​
Topics presented by Dr. David Thompson, Ph.D, Our Family Wizard, Soberlink and 30 GAL Tips in 60 minutes. There will also be a Guardianship Panel on the first day. A Happy Hour will be hosted by the McLean County Bar Association within The Holiday Inn Lobby area. Topics presented on day two will include Ethics and Case Law Updates by Hon. Scott Kording. A Judges and practitioners panel will incorporate their view from the bench and inside the courtroom. Lunch will be followed by topics on Diversity and Inclusion as well as experience as viewed through the eyes of school professionals.
Friday, November 3
​Noon-1.30 pm

Traffic
Hon. David Butler, Ret and Hon. Scott Kording

[up to 1.5 hours general CLE pending approval]
More information coming soon.
2024 MCBA CLE

Tuesday, January 16 - State of the Circuit
Tuesday, February 20 - Cyber Risk
Tuesday, April 16 - Lincoln Award of Excellence Panel
Tuesday, May 21 - The Allure of Using Paralegals!

Are you interested in joining a dynamic
working Board of Directors? 


The ExtraOrdinary Women Project BN is looking for more board members to help shape this fledgling local project. Our full Board will total 15 and we currently have openings.

If you are passionate about empowering women and have a desire to share stories that lift up others and inspire our community, we are looking for you to join our Board.

The Board meets once a month for one hour via Zoom and for occasional community outreach or marketing events.

We are looking for members who want to be active in our community and who can dedicate the time and energy to give our new nonprofit wings!

Please review our webiste at: https://www.theextraordinarywomenprojectbn.org/
If you are interested, please email us at: extraordinarywomenbn@gmail.com .

11th judicial circuit legal advice fair

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
DETAILS
DATE: Saturday, September 23
TIME: 8:45 am - 12:00 pm
VENUE: Mid Central Community Action

What you will be doing: * Answering Questions * Working with PILI Staff * Receiving coverage under PILI's malpractice insurance * Providing service for people with legal needs who cannot afford an attorney

What you will NOT be doing: * Taking cases or bringing home work * Representing clients in court * Working on cases that involve a criminal or traffic violation

civil mental health proceeding series

recording opportunities

CLE
ABOLISHING IRS BACK TAXES
​A FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY'S GUIDE

[1 HOUR General CLE CREDIT APPROVED]
RECORDING ENDS March 1, 2024

CLE
BOND REFORM NUTS & BOLTS:
 Illinois' Safety, Accountability, Fairness & Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act
with updates

[Up to 1.5 HOURS General CLE CREDIT APPROVED]
RECORDING EXTENDED -  ENDS January 30, 2024

CLE
ethics: rules every lawyer must know

[1 HOUR PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY - Ethics - CLE CREDIT APPROVED]

 recording ends october 30, 2023

thomas sanner

Thomas Sanner is an experienced attorney with a diverse legal background in civil law. Practicing in the areas of contracts, construction, municipal property, probate, family, business, and regulatory law. Thomas is proud to have provided quality legal services to clients in a wide range of legal issues. Now, Thomas focuses his practice on family law to meet the needs of clients in the Central Illinois area through assertive representation and personal attention. Thomas has gained valuable experience and perspective in the litigation of family law matters. Thomas is a strong advocate for children and their best interests. In addition to serving the needs of clients, he is also often appointed as a GAL to serve the interests of children.

Thomas was born and raised in Decatur, Illinois. After graduating high school, Thomas earned his bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. After obtaining his Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Law Thomas returned to the Central Illinois area to practice law.

Thomas takes a personal interest in his clients’ legal needs and advocates strongly to ensure their voices are heard. Thomas considers his compassion, attention to detail, and effective communication to be some of his most important qualities in serving as counsel for his clients and meeting their objectives.

In his free time, Thomas enjoys spending time outdoors, playing tennis, traveling, competitive shooting sports, and spending time with loved ones. He is active in USTA tennis leagues and a member of the McLean County Bar Association.

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. 

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

The Coffee Hound - Downtown Bloomington
​

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

Please contact​ Jennifer.julius@pnc.com if interested in attending.
If you have questions please call Jennifer at 309.655.5484

career opportunities

law office of clark a. walker
Posted - August 28

LEGAL ASSISTANT

onward injury law​
Posted - August 21

legal assistant - new position!

us district court
Closes September 11

federal district court judge

prairie state legal services
Updated - July 24

statewide
​openings

office space available

205 n MAIN STREET, BLOOMINGTON 
professional office suites- LEASE

Downtown office building with lease space available on the second and third floors. Building is  accessible with elevator, shared entry and shared restrooms.
posted May 2023

 121 main STREET, BLOOMINGTON 
office suite - 2nd floor - lease

Second floor office suite available for lease. The full floor is available for a single tenant. Previously occupied as an attorney’s office, the space has a perimeter of private office spaces and conference room, open/work area/reception, two (2) restrooms, breakroom, data storage and secured storage areas inclusive in suite. Building has elevator access. Parking adjacent to building.
posted May 2023

306 E grove street, bloomington 
freestanding building - FOR SALE​​

We are pleased to present the former Yoder Law Office Building, now Murphy Building, in Downtown Bloomington for sale. The current business will be relocating, making this unique freestanding office building available. This property has unique characteristics, lots of natural lighting, large private offices with windows, conference rooms, break room and updated mens and womens restrooms, as well as a large storage room. The property has been well maintained and with the adjacent parking lot, this presents a great opportunity for a new or expanding business in Bloomington. Please call to schedule a tour today.
posted May 2023

105 n. center street - downtown blooomington
​office - for sale​

Downtown Bloomington is home to over 100 shops, restaurants, and services ready to provide you  with distinctive merchandise and friendly small town customer service. You can be apart of what makes Downtown great in owning this spectacularly cared for former law office. The property has three stories and a full basement, private offices, conference rooms, storage, vaults, restrooms, library and more.​
posted February 2023
ILLINOIS HOUSE BUILDING

Now Leasing- seven (7) newly constructed single room offices available
ranging in size from 200 square feet to 274 square feet
including access to a common conference room
Internet access is included.
​Call or text 309-531-0445 for particulars. 

updated February 2023

Office Space Available

Located one block from the McLean County Law & Justice Center, two offices (209 sq. ft. & 108 sq. ft.) available for rent. The offices are ideal for a single office user or a professional with an administrative assistant. Both offices are newly painted, fully furnished, and move-in ready. Offices have access to kitchen/break room. Conference room available for reservation. Parking included.
​For more information, call or text (708) 831-2733.
​posted January 2023
OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE 
2nd Floor

121 N Main St., Bloomington, IL 
3,625 sq. ft. Total.  Smaller space units available.
​Parking on site
Call or Text 309-868-1604
​posted November 2022

bar committee activities

2023
​​​BOG Meeting - September 12 noon
​​​GAL Committee Meeting - September 14 12.15 pm
​Underwood Committee Meeting - September 15
​​​​​​CLE Committee Meeting - September 26 noon
Finanical Friends Meeting - September 26
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility [DEIA] Committee Meeting – October 24 noon
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - November 1 3.30 pm
Executive Committee 
President                            
​​Nathan B. Hinch

2nd VP
​John L. Pratt

Secretary
Spencer Chikahisa
1st VP
​Judge Pablo Eves

Immediate Past President
​Kathleen Kraft

Treasurer
Calli Farrell
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
Brendan Bukalski
Michael Butts
​Dean Davis
​Jaime Ganschow

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.
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