​​​​​MCBA NEWSLETTER

​november 18, 2024
2024
November Events
11/19 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting
​(please note the date change)

11/22 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

​11/22 (Fri.)
GAL 25 Planning Committee Meeting
Breakfast with the Bar

11/28 (Thurs.)
Thanksgiving

11/29 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

December Events
12/4 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session

12/6 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

12/10 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

12/11 (Fri.)
CLE Luncheon at Law & Justice Center

12/13 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

12/19 (Thurs.)
Holiday Luncheon

12/20 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

12/27 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

MCBA Events 2025
1/13 (Mon.)
CLE Committee Meeting

1/28 (Tues.)
CLE Luncheon at 2nd Presbyterian (please note the date change)

2/12 (Wed.)
H.S. Mock Trials

May
Mental Health PR CLE Seminar for Members

5/1 (Thurs.)
Law Day Social Hour

5/7 (Wed.)
Law Day Luncheon

06/02 (Mon.)
Golf & Pickleball Event

9/26 (Fri.)
CIPA Annual Educational Seminar

10/22-23 (Wed. - Thurs.)
GAL Certification Seminar

MCBA HOLIDAY LUNCHEON 
​​thursday, DECEMBER 19 - NOON

Please join the McLean County Bar Association for our annual holiday luncheon and Project Santa collection on Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 12.00 pm - 1:00 pm. at the Bloomington Country Club. 

project santa
MCLEAN COUNTY NURSING HOME RESIDENT ADOPTIONS

Thank you to those who have already adopted the Nursing home residents! Over half of the residents were adopted within the first few hours of opening this year. What an amazing and generous community we have here! Thank you! 

With that said, we still have over 10 folks to be adopted at this moment. 

save the dates
​2025

Tuesday, January 28 - State of the Circuit CLE
Wednesday, February 12 - High School Mock Trials & CLE Event
Wednesday, May 7 - Law Day Luncheon
Monday, June 2 - Golf & Pickleball Event
Friday, September 26 - 35th Annual CIPA Educational Seminar
Wednesday & Thursday, October 22 & 23 - GAL Certification Seminar

mcba mentorship program​

How the McLean County Bar Association Uses the Commission’s Mentoring Program to Build a Sense of Community

In 2023, 50 organizations across the state used the Commission’s free, open-source mentoring curriculum as the foundation for their lawyer mentoring programs.

Since we began developing our professionalism-based curriculum for attorney mentoring programs in 2011, it has been used by law firms, bar associations, government offices, law schools, court districts, professional organizations, and a corporation.

The McLean County Bar Association (MCBA) has had a mentoring program for their members since 2011, and uses the Commission’s lawyer-to-lawyer mentoring curriculum. MCBA Mentoring Program Coordinator and Committee Chair Jaime Ganschow said mentoring not only benefits attorneys in McLean County, but everyone that those attorneys serve.
​
We spoke to Ganschow about the MCBA mentoring program and building a sense of community among MCBA members...

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. 

​4 sale

Details: 
*It's a beautiful piece of wood built by Slagel Cabinetry in Fairbury. 
*Soft-close drawers, plenty of drawers for files and shelves & stained glass doors
*Dimensions are: 10'8" w x 8' h x 2'4" d
*It comes apart in 6 sections and but once the sections are fastened you can't see the seams.
*Price is $500 OBO (or best offer)
*The purchaser removes it; purchaser will need a trailer or bigger truck to transport. The desk has been dis-assembled into 6 sections. Purchaser reassembles it. 
*Interested? - contact [email protected]

MCBA SCHOLARSHIP

The recipient[s] will be announced at the Holiday Luncheon on Thursday, December 19th.

​continuing legal EDUCATION
​2024

CLE - live webinar

Thursday, December 5
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
​​
Supreme Court of Illinois Judicial College 
Guardian ad Litem Education Committee
Presents:
​
Pre-Adjudication Requirements for Adult Guardianship Cases

Up to 1.5 hours general CLE

This course is designed to introduce individuals who may serve as GALs in adult guardianship cases to the initial guardianship process. This course will cover basic statutory requirements from the Illinois Probate Act and best practices, to ensure that GALs complete a fair and comprehensive investigation that will aid the court in determining whether the individual with an alleged disability needs a guardian and, if so, what orders should be entered to best serve the interests of the adult alleged to have a disability. The presentation will highlight relevant statutory provisions and challenge the participant to recognize the roles of the various parties and to consider the practical and ethical implications that arise.
Target Audience:
​
PRIMARY
➢Guardians ad Litem

SECONDARY
➢ Judges
➢ DCFS attorneys
➢ State and local offices serving as guardian
➢ Circuit clerks
➢ Courthouse self-help desk staff/navigators (JusticeCorps)

If you are registering for the first time, “Sign-Up” and create an account. Next. click on Events to locate this live webcast. If you are a returning user, click Link above and “Sign-In, search “Featured Events” to locate this live webcast. 

Technical questions? (888) 705-6002 or [email protected]
Non-Technical questions? [email protected]

​Google Chrome browser preferred
CLE
​
Wednesday, December 11
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
​​
Felony Sentencing Alternatives

Up to 1.5 hours general CLE
[Pending Approval] 
​
Get the information you need regarding sentencing alternatives to incarceration with this online seminar. Criminal justice attorneys, traffic law practitioners, and corrections/sentencing lawyers with all levels of practice experience who attend this program will learn more about Illinois’ problem-solving courts, various special probations. Participants will also learn the McLean County Specialty Court (Drug Court, Recovery Court, Veteran’s Court) process from referral to sentencing.

​Participants will also get an introduction to the new Office of Statewide Pretrial Services (OSPS), the changes in local pretrial supervision, and the new screening tool used for pretrial release hearings.

​The cost is $20.00 per attendee which includes 1.5 hours of CLE and a light lunch.
 
Presented by: 
​
Judge David Butler (Ret.)
Kristine Honiotes JD
Ron Lewis JD

Topics Include:
 
Drug Court Probation
Recovery Court Probation
Veteran’s Court Probation
First Offender Probation
Second Chance Probation
TASC Probation
First Time Weapon Offense Program
Child Abandonment or Endangerment Probation
Impact Incarceration
The Drug Court Process

cle recording opportunities

CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
​
​IRS Taxes Discharged in Bankruptcy

Presented by: Robert Schaller, JD

​[Up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved] 
​
You can become the client’s hero by eliminating IRS back taxes. Learn how to spot opportunities for IRS tax resolution. The focus of the seminar is how to eliminate IRS back taxes thru bankruptcy. The presentation will discuss Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 basics and the bankruptcy adversary proceeding process.

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn how to spot IRS tax resolution opportunities.
2. Learn how to eliminate IRS back taxes thru bankruptcy.
3. Learn Bankruptcy Code basics: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 and adversary proceedings.
​
CLE
Originally Recorded
​Tuesday, July 16, 2024
​
Traffic Stops & Motor Vehicles Searches

Presented by: Hon. David Butler (Ret.) & Matthew Butler

​[up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved] 
RECORDING ENDS June 25, 2026
​
Evidence of a crime is often found by police during the search of a vehicle that was stopped for a traffic violation. Items found during the search may be illegal contraband, such as drugs or weapons, or evidence of another crime. What starts out as a minor traffic violation can turn into a search of the vehicle to investigate evidence of crimes unrelated to the traffic stop. This CLE program presents an examination of the various legal bases for the police to conduct a motor vehicle search and the possible legal challenges to the search. Attorneys who either defend or prosecute criminal cases involving the possession of contraband will be better able to recognize evidentiary issues related to criminal charges arising out of traffic stops and motor vehicle searches.
 
TOPICS TO BE COVERED ARE:
 
Lawful basis of traffic stops
“Out of the Car”  Drivers and Passengers 
Search of Persons in the Vehicle
Search of Vehicles
Probable Cause Searches
Dog Sniffs
Odor of Cannabis
Search Incident to Arrest
Parole Searches
Inventory Searches
Consent Searches
Motions To Suppress Evidence
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.

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

peoria COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
Posted - November 18
​Ends - January 2025 if not filled

criminal defense attorney

u.s. attorney's office central dist. of il​
​Posted - September 2

asst. u.s. attorney (civil) 

office space available

The Office Space Available Area is removed at this time since there have been no recent updates. 
If you have informaiton to add in this space, please contact Mary Sellmyer at [email protected]

bar committee activities

​2024
​Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility [DEIA] Committee Meeting – November 20 noon
GAL 2025 Planning Committee Meeting - November 22 12.15 pm
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - December 4
​BOG Meeting - December 10 noon
​2025
Law Day Committee Meeting - January 7 12.15 pm
CLE Committee Meeting - January 13 noon
DEIA Committee Meeting - February 26 12.15 pm
Executive Committee 
President                            
​Judge Pablo Eves

2nd VP
Adrian Barr

Secretary
Paige Thielen
1st VP
​John L. Pratt

Immediate Past President
​​Nathan B. Hinch

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
Michael Butts [Year 4]
​Dean Davis [Year 3]
​Jaime Ganschow [Year 2]
Laurel Bingaman [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