MCLEAN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
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​​MCBA NEWSLETTER

​​​​  ​updated x 2      november 1, 2021   


November Events
11/5/21 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

11/5 - 11/7  (Fri. - Sun.)
ISU Mock Trials


11/11/21 (Thurs.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

11/12/21 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

11/19/21 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

11/25/21 (Thurs.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

11/26/21 (Fri.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

December Events
12/21/21 (Tues.)
Holiday Luncheon

12/24/21 (Fri.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

12/27/21 (Mon.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

12/31/21 (Fri.)
Law & Justice Center Closed

isu mock trial tournament 2021

NOVEMBER 5-7, 2021
HELP STILL NEEDED – I.S.U. MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND!
We still need volunteers for our invitational mock tournament this upcoming weekend (November 5-7, 2021).  We have tournament judge/evaluator needs in all four trial rounds this weekend, but our rounds of greatest need are Round 3 (Saturday afternoon) and Round 4 (Sunday morning). 
 
If you are available, or if you know a lawyer, paralegal, or other law-related professional who may be interested, then please see the attached flyer for details about the tournament and instructions for how to sign up.  Please help if you can!  Thank you!

 
--Scott Kording
Invitation to Judges & Evaluators

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aba law student division
regional negotiation competition via
zoom
​needs your help

This College of Law is proud to host the 2021 ABA Law Student Division Regional Negotiation Competition on Zoom. We are looking for an additional 25 attorneys who are willing to contribute their time and expertise to serve as judges as we host teams from the following universities across the nation. This event is CLE-eligible, and we are most happy to provide it for your kind participation!
 
These competitions are important experiential skill-building events and provide a means for law students to practice and improve their negotiating skills. This competition simulates legal negotiations in which law students, acting as lawyers, negotiate a series of legal problems. The simulations consist of a common set of facts known by all participants, as well as confidential information known only to the participants representing a particular side. This competition is about cultivating the fundamental skills necessary to become a successful attorney, therefore you do not need to be an expert in any particular area of law.
 
The College will be hosting this event on Zoom on Saturday, November 13. You may sign up for the morning session OR the afternoon session.
 
SATURDAY / NOVEMBER 13, 2021
Morning Session (1)         8:30 am – 12:30 pm      Zoom
Afternoon Session (2)      2:00 pm – 6:00 pm     Zoom        ​time of greatest need

Each volunteer will be on a panel of three which judges just two rounds and then provides oral feedback. Scoring will be submitted easily via a clickable electronic form.
 
Law students benefit tremendously from the perspectives of practicing attorneys! If you are willing to contribute your time to the College and our students in this way, please contact me directly by phone at (217) 244-5999, or by email at dshumard@illinos.edu
 
Materials you will need for competition should arrive no later than one full week before the day of the event. Again, we are happy to offer CLE credit for your participation. On behalf of the students from all of the universities participating, thank you kindly for your time and consideration.
 
Best Regards, DEANNA R. SHUMARD
Coordinator, Law Competitions Program 
College of Law   217.244.5999 | dshumard@illinois.edu   www.law.illinois.edu

Judge Lawrence to retire;
Judge McFarland to run for the seat

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Article from WGLT.org
McLean County Circuit Judge Paul Lawrence, who became an associate judge nearly 20 years ago and a full circuit judge in 2012, said Monday he will retire at the end of the year. “It has been a privilege and honor to serve the citizens of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for the past 20 years. I will miss my colleagues, the lawyers that have appeared in front of me and everyone I worked with at the Law and Justice Center. Helen and I are looking forward to the next chapter of our lives,” said Lawrence. Lawrence is married to Twin City attorney Helen Ogar with whom he practiced law before being appointed to the bench.


Chief Circuit Judge Mark Fellheimer said Lawrence is a homegrown judge born and raised in Bloomington. “He and his family are pillars of the local legal, civic and religious communities and graciously give of their time to others and we thank them. His calm and gentle demeanor will be missed as much as his broad legal knowledge and experience,” said Fellheimer.


Lawrence's retirement opens a position voters will fill in the 2022 election cycle.
​

Associate Judge Amy McFarland said she will announce plans Tuesday to run for the post as a Republican. McFarland is the presiding judge over family court and became an associate judge in 2016. She has served on the "Court operations during COVID" statewide task force, sits on as national committee assigned to create bold policy proposals for family law reform, and is a past chair of the Project Oz board. McFarland also is co-chair of the Guardian Ad Litem Education Committee of the Illinois Judicial College and has taught courses in family law. McFarland was appointed to the bench in 2016 and has practiced law since 2000. She lives in Bloomington.

​2022 MCBA membership renewal is now open

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Thank you for your continued support!

Please click on the MCBA button to the left to renew your MCBA membership. 

​a note from ​our circuit clerk

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​October 29, 2021

Dear Members of the McLean County Bar, 

When you e-file, we understand you have an expectation of quick processing by the circuit clerk. Why wouldn't you? Less handling of paper documents, quicker processing - right?
Unfortunately, the limitations of McLean County's aged case management system (CMS) prevent the courts from being fully electronic, i.e., paperless, requiring circuit clerk staff to print your electronically filed documents and create or add to a paper case file.

There are numerous other challenges clerk staff face with a CMS that does not integrate with Tyler's e-filing manager (EFM) - which is the statewide hub for all e-filing. What use to take staff 5 minutes to process (prior to e-filing), can now take upwards to 15 – 20 minutes.

Recent staff shortages, either due to illness or retirement, the current difficulty in finding qualified applicants, and this month's surge in eviction filings add to the mix.  

Please know that, since the 2018 Illinois Supreme Court e-file mandate for all civil case types, clerk staff have regularly worked overtime to review and process filings. As able, clerk staff from other divisions assist - all working hard to process your e-filings as quickly as possible.

There is light at the end of the tunnel (hopefully). Starting Monday, November 1, the Small Claims court will reply solely on the CMS for SC case information, a process that should allow clerk staff to process filings quicker.

Additionally, within the next 2 - 3 years the courts should be fully electronic. The courts, circuit clerk, justice partners and county administration formed a CMS exploratory committee, holding its first meeting in January 2019. This is a huge undertaking requiring considerable time and effort for all involved.

In the meantime, we ask for your understanding and patience as we work through the current issues. If you have an e-filing approaching filing statute of limitations, call or email the filing's envelope number.
​
Respectfully,
Don Everhart

press release

October 25, 2021

Robert Porter, J.D. to assume
Public Guardian and Public Administrator of McLean County office

The Office of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has appointed Robert Porter of Costigan & Wollrab, P.C. to assume duties as the Public Guardian and Public Administrator of McLean County on December 4, 2021. Mr. Porter will succeed Daniel Deneen, who has served in the office since 2003. Mr. Deneen is not retiring from the practice of law.

The Public Guardian of McLean County Office is a position in which an individual serves as the legal representative for a person with a disability who does not have qualified and willing family or friends to assume the position as guardian. In addition, the Public Guardian assists in situations in which local hospitals and nursing homes require immediate assistance or upon requests of families if there is a dispute between family members or factions. The Public Administrator assumes similar duties for deceased persons, including assisting the McLean County Coroner.
Full Press Release

gal conference

Special Thanks to our resident photographer - Nargis Khokhar!


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Project Santa
Adopt a McLean County Nursing Home Resident
Please click on the button below to view details and the remaining adoptees.
Adopt here

coming january 1, 2022

Changes to Case Category Coming in January 1, 2022
more information to come

holiday luncheon
tuesday - december 21

registration will open in mid-november


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about the painting
order your copy here

Law and McLean County: A 175 Year Partnership

Each print is individually numbered and signed by the artist, Randy Souders.
Each print measures 22”X28”       The cost of each print is $75.

attorneys on the move

Mueller, Hinch and Reese, LLC, has changed.

​Mr. Mueller has retired. Mr. Hinch joined Meyer Capel, A Professional Corporation. Mr. Reese has opened his own local office at 802 N. Clinton St., Suite B, Bloomington.  

new to your office?

If your office has new attorneys and support staff, then we would like to update membership on your additions! Please click on the link below to submit a little about the new addition and feel free to add a photo as well. 
New to My Office!

online arbitration competition
seeking volunteer judges

November 19 & 20
More Information HERE

cle - recorded OPPORTUNITY

1 HOUR CLE [approved]
RECORDING AVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER 30, 2021
recording CLE credit process

protecting your client's medicare benefits

Many thanks to our own John Muir, JD and Mr. Craig Pawley who presented this original CLE on August 24, 2021. The CLE presentation covered settling cases with a Medicare beneficiary and understanding the Medicare Secondary Payer Statue. This session also covered addressing Medicare liens, Medicare Set Asides, and how to administer those funds while adhering to the CMS guidelines. 

CLE - RECORDED OPPORTUNITY

1 HOUR CLE [approved]
RECORDING AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2021
Recording CLE Credit Process

adoption cases from start to finish

Please join the McLean County Bar Association in thanking the panel of presenters, Hon. Donald Bernardi Circuit Judge (Retd.), Hon. J. Brian Goldrick, Julia Davis, JD and Kathleen M. Kraft, JD. The presenters walked through the steps required for private and foster-care conversion adoptions. The presenters covered petition requirements, notice requirements, termination, hearings, and judgments.  ​

isba women & law committee
​activities

FROM YOUR LOCAL MEMBER CONTACT
LAURA CASTAGNA

CLE - 1.5 PR HOURS-DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
The $250,000 Difference:
​What does gender have to do with it?

CLE INFORMATION

NOVEMBER 12 - 12.00 PM-1.30 PM


ISBA'S WOMEN & LAW COMMITTEE HAS PARTNERED
WITH A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
FREE THE GIRLS: FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING
A BRA DRIVE

MORE INORMATION ON THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Yes, you read that correctly: A bra drive. By donating your new or gently used bras, you're giving economic opportunity to victims of human trafficking in Mozambique, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. Donations allow survivors of human trafficking to start their own businesses by selling bras in their local second-hand clothing markets while they recover and build their new life. Our office -- Kelly & Castagna, LLC-- is serving as a drop off location. From now until December 3rd, members can drop off new or gently used bras of all sizes and styles to our office at 121 N. Main St., 3rd Fl., Bloomington and place them in our drop box. We'll also be accepting monetary donations. Please see the above red button for an informational flyer. Thank you for your consideration!! 

​friday breakfast with the bar
join us this friday

8:00 am- 9:00 am

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Downtown Bloomington

mark your calendar
​2021 & 2022

​November 5-7 - ISU Mock Trials
​December 21 - Holiday Luncheon at noon

2022
January 18 - CLE State of the Circuit
February 15 - CLE Social Security 
February 23 - Bench/Bar Listening Session 12.05 pm
March 15 - CLE Orders of Protections  [up to 2 hours of CLE]
April 19 - PR CLE Underwood Committee Professionalism Program
May 17 - CLE Drone Law Update

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

2021 Schedule
Please contact​ Jennifer.julius@pnc.com if interested in attending.
If you have questions please call Jennifer at 309.655.5484

career opportunities


kraft, wood & Kelly, llc​

seeks
Details
posted 11-4-2021

legal assistant
​[full time]
​


us court of appeals
​7th circuit
​

seeks
Details
short deadline 11-16-2021

federal pd in southern il district ​


williams & swee, ltd

seeks
Details
posted 11-01-2021


​ATTORNEY
 
​


craig queen law

seeks
Details
posted 11-01-2021

to share part time assistant


mclean county state's attorney office


​seeks
Details
Closes 11-07-2021 


​assistant states attorney i


abbey, adams, byelick & mueller, llp​


​seeks
details
11-15-2021



attorney 
​



​​todd 
​miller 
​

​seeks
Details
posted 10-12-2021
​

​pro bono
rotation
​attorney 
​



​ronda
glenn

​law offices

seeks
Associate Attorney
and
Paralegal/Legal Assitant
11-1-2021

associate attorney 

and

paralegal / legal assistant


office space available


ILLINOIS HOUSE BUILDING
Quality Office Space at Affordable Rents
Two Blocks Directly North of Law & Justice Center
Call or text 309-531-0445
Through December 2021

DOWNTOWN LAW OFFICE BUILDING
​FOR SALE

105 N. Center Street - Bloomington
Through December 2021

DOWNTOWN OFFICE BUILDING
​FOR SALE OR LEASE

DOWNTOWN - ​BLOOMINGTON
210 S. East Street - Bloomington
Through December 2021

bar committee activities

2021
​​​BOG Meeting - November 9 noon 
​​​​CLE Committee Meeting - November 30 noon
​MCBA Foundation - December 16 noon

Executive Committee 
President                            
​Kathleen Kraft

2nd VP
Judge Pablo Eves

Secretary
Nargis Khokhar
1st VP
​Nathan B. Hinch

Immediate Past President
Julia Davis

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
John L. Pratt
Brendan Bukalski
Michael Butts
​Dean Davis


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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  • MCBA Home
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  • Career Opportunities
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  • Product