​​​​MCBA NEWSLETTER

​​​​​​november 6, 2023
2023
OCTOBER EVENTS
10/31/2023 (Tues.)
CLE Committee Meeting
​
NOVEMBER EVENTS
11/1/2023 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listenting Session

11/3/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

11/6/2023 (Mon.)
​No Enewsletter Publication this week

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

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

11/21/2023 (Tues.)
CLE Presentation-2nd Pres

11/23 & 24/2023 (Thurs. & Fri.)
Closed-Thanksgiving

DECEMBER EVENTS
12/1/2023 (Wed.)
ADR Committee Meeting

12/19/2023 (Tues.)
​Holiday Luncheon

12/22 & 25/2023 (Fri. & Mon.)
Law & Justice Center is Closed

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

1/15/2024 (Mon.)
MLK Day

1/25/2023 (Tues.)
CLE Committee Meeting

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

photos from past mcba events

Professionalism Spotlight:
Thomas McClure, Illinois State University
​
By 2Civility, Friday, October 27, 2023 12:32 PM
In our first Professionalism Spotlight, we profile Thomas McClure, a professor in Illinois State University’s Department of Politics and Government where he teaches paralegal education courses and constitutional law. Tom also serves as a pro bono attorney with Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) in Bloomington. The post Professionalism Spotlight: Thomas McClure, Illinois State University appeared first on 2Civility.

tips from the clerks corner

* A Reminder - Please remember to set your office up as a service contact on each of your cases. If you do not provide this information within the case, you will not receive e-service with court order(s) that are entered within the courtrooms. 

help needed!
​I.S.U. MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT
judges/evaluators

The Illinois State University Mock Trial Program is hosting its 20th annual invitational mock trial tournament at the McLean County Law & Justice Center on the weekend of November 3-5, 2023. We need volunteer judges/evaluators for the tournament! 
 
Any available attorneys, paralegals, judges, and other law-related professionals are welcome to participate, and we need your help! Please see the attached informational letter for details about the tournament, this year’s mock trial case, and instructions for how to sign up as a volunteer judge/evaluator. 

Thank you! 
Scott Kording (sekordi@ilstu.edu)

project santa

Be sure to watch for the Project Santa Adoption List to be posted the week of November 13.

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.

wednesday, november 8

Write a letter to a Veteran - On Wednesday, NOV. 8th from 10am to 2pm come write a letter to a veteran at the 6th floor law library at the Law & Justice Center, Bloomington. You can also drop off any letters you write during the week of Nov. 6 - 9 at the law library.

​Email jgarrett@iljusticecorps.org with questions.

mcba
​continuing legal EDUCATION

Moved to Monday, February 12 for the High School Mock Trial Event

TRAFFIC LAWS, ISSUES and CONSEQUENCES

Hon. David Butler, Ret and Hon. Scott Kording

[up to 1.5 hours general CLE pending approval]
​
Understanding the various aspects of traffic offenses can be challenging. This CLE program presents an explanation of the traffic court process, plea agreements and trials of traffic cases, and the consequences of traffic offense convictions. Attorneys who either defend or prosecute traffic violations will be better able to recognize the most important issues in traffic cases and the impact of convictions on driving privileges. 
 
Topics to be covered are:
 
Courtroom procedure for traffic court in McLean County
Plea Agreements
Trial protocol for Traffic Offenses
Graduated Licensing System
Pleas in minor traffic cases
How to read a SOS driver’s abstract
Suspensions and Revocations
Moving violations
Immediate action offenses
Admissibility of traffic violations in personal injury and property damage cases
Issues in some common traffic offenses
Motions to Suppress based on improper traffic stops

​Tuesday, November 21
​Noon-1.00 pm

ATTORNEY REGISTRATION & DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION [ARDC] BASICS
Hosted by the Underwood Committee
Presented by
​David Collins, JD

[up to 1 hour PR CLE - pending approval]

​An in-person CLE only.

Please join the MCBA community in welcoming Mr. David Collins, ARDC Litigation Counsel. Mr. Collins was previously in private practice for many years, will provide an overview of the ARDC - its structure, function and procedure. He will discuss the Rules of Professional Conduct and how the ARDC can assist attorneys with understanding and applying the rules. He will also address the resolution of ethical questions. Finally, he will summarize and comment upon what to expect if a complaint is submitted and provide an overview of the disciplinary process. 

Topics to be Covered: 
Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct
Ethical Questions Resolution
ARDC's structure, function & procedures
Attorneys Complaint Process
ARDC Attorney Assistance (Ethics Hotline)
​
2024 MCBA CLE

Tuesday, January 16 - State of the Circuit
Tuesday, February 20 - Cyber Risk
Tuesday, March 19 - The Allure of Using Paralegals! 
Tuesday, April 16 - Lincoln Award of Excellence Panel
Tuesday, May 21 - Diversity & Inclusion Presentation

recording opportunities

​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]

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

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 extended end date: december 5, 2024 

mcba mentoring program
needs you!

The McLean County Bar Association Mentoring Program is 
seeking attorneys to serve as Mentors.
​
Help us prepare a list of attorneys who are ready and willing to serve as Mentors to the next group of attorneys who pass the Illinois Bar Exam.  This is a great opportunity to invest in the next generation of our profession!
 
A Mentor must be licensed in the state of Illinois for more than five years.  As a Mentor you will complete eight meetings with the new lawyer.  Upon completion, both the Mentor and the Mentee will qualify for six hours of professionalism credit CLE credit (at no cost), including the required one hour of diversity and inclusion CLE and one hour of mental health and substance abuse CLE.  More information can be found at: www.2civility.org/mentoring.
 
If you are interested in serving as a Mentor, please contact the MCBA Mentoring Program Coordinator:  Jaime Ganschow at jganschow@ganschowlaw.com.

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

**A change in location as of 10/13/2023**
​**Ivy Lane Bakery - 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

state farm insurance
Posted - October 30

paralegals needed​

mclean county public defender
Posted - October 16

assistant public defender

livingston county public defender
Updated - October 23

assistant public defender

prairie state legal services
Posted - October 9​

staff attorney housing stability project

LAW OFFICE OF CLARK A. WALKER
Posted - October 2

LEGAL ASSISTANT

illinois state university
Posted - October 2

PARALEGAL

mclean county
​sao
Posted - September 25​

assistant states's attorney iii

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
​​​​​​CLE Committee Meeting - October 31 noon
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - November 1 3.30 pm
​​​BOG Meeting - November 14 noon
​​​​GAL Committee Meeting - November 17 12.15 pm
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee - December 1 noon
​2024
​​​​​​CLE Committee Meeting - January 30 noon
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility [DEIA] Committee Meeting – January 30 noon
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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