​​​​​MCBA NEWSLETTER

​february 17, 2025

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MCBA Events 2025
February 
2/18 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

2/20 (Thurs.)
3rd Thursday Social - Pour Bros

2/21 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

2/25 (Tues.)
CLE Committee Meeting

2/26 (Wed.)
DEIA Committee Meeting

2/28 (Fri.)
GAL Committee Meeting

2/28 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

March
3/5 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session

3/11 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

3/17 (Mon.)
Law Day Committee Meeting

3/20 (Thurs.)
3rd Thursday Social

April
4/17 (Thurs.)
3rd Thursday Social

May
Mental Health PR CLE Seminar for Members

5/1 (Thurs.)
Law Day Social Hour

5/7 (Wed.)
Law Day Luncheon

5/15 (Thurs.)
3rd Thursday Social

June
6/02 (Mon.)
Golf & Pickleball Event

6/4 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session

6/19 (Thurs.)
3rd Thursday Social

July
​
August

September
9/3 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session

9/26 (Fri.)
CIPA Annual Educational Seminar

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

November

December
12/3 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session

12/17 (Wed.)
Holiday Luncheon

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​Complete 2025 List of Court Holidays & Closures

2025 Jury Calendar

friday - breakfast with the bar
​ivy lane

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membership renewals 2025

Thank you to those who have renewed!

​Please know that the applications have been udpated. In an effort to better serve the McLean County Bar Association, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee kindly requests your voluntary, confidential responses to three added questions on the 2025 member application.

Please see below to view the students who have recently joined the MCBA.
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Membership Renewal Application

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fun at the hockey game!

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the 3rd thursday
​monthly social

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Thursday, February 20 - Pour Bros Craft Taproom
236 E. Front Street, Bloomington
4pm - 6pm

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March 20 - Shake It Up
April 17 - TBD
May 15 - Gill Street
June 19 - Rice N Spice
July 17 - Crafted
August 21 - Mystic Kitchen
September 18 - Fiala Brothers
October 16 - Reality Bites
November 20 - The Station Saloon
December - No Social Planned

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4th district oral arguments

Tuesday, March 25
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The ISU Department of Politics & Government and the McLean County Bar Association will host oral argument for two cases before the Illinois Appellate Court for the Fourth District on Tuesday, March 25 in the Bone Student Center. The arguments are set for 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for the first argument and 10:45 for the second argument. No one will be admitted once arguments begin.

The two cases set for argument are the following:
 

• 10:00 a.m. People v. Barton McNeil
• 11:00 a.m. People v. James Snow

 
This year, the argument will return to the Prairie Room, located on the second floor of the Bone Student Center.

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save the dates
​2025

For all CLE dates and information, please see the CLE section below.
​Tuesday, March 25 - IL Appellate Court 4th District oral Arguments at ISU
Wednesday, May 7 - Law Day Luncheon - DoubleTree by Hilton
Monday, June 2 - Golf & Pickleball Event
Friday, September 26 - 35th Annual CIPA Educational Seminar
Wednesday & Thursday, October 22 & 23 - GAL Certification Seminar
​Wednesday, December 17 - Holiday Luncheon - BCC

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bar committee activities

CLE Committee Meeting - February 25 noon
DEIA Committee Meeting - February 26 12.15 pm
GAL 2025 Planning Committee Meeting - February 28 12.15 pm
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - March 5
​BOG Meeting - March 11 noon
Law Day Committee Meeting - March 17 12.15 pm

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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. 

New to My Office? or Retiring? or Moving? Any Update!

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mcba ​continuing legal EDUCATION
​2025

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tuesday, march 18

small law office efficiency - ai

Presented by
Drew Vaughn

[up to 1 hour of general CLE pending approval]
Second Presbyterian Church

More information to come.

Registration

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thursday, april 17

Bloomington Police Department's presentation on the
Community Engagement Unit

Presented by
Sergeant Kiel Nowers - BPD

[up to 1 hour of D&I CLE pending approval]
Location Law & Justice Center basement EOC Room

​Join the Bloomington Police Department as they present an in-depth overview of their Community Engagement Unit (CEU). This interactive session will explore the mission, strategies, and impact of the CEU in fostering trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. Topics include:

• The role of the CEU in building relationships with residents and local organizations.
• Initiatives designed to promote safety, awareness, and open communication.
• Success stories and measurable outcomes of community-focused policing efforts.
• How residents can get involved and partner with the CEU to address neighborhood concerns.

Participants will gain insights into how community engagement strengthens public safety, creates partnerships, and builds a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. Whether you're a resident, business owner, or civic leader, this presentation will highlight practical ways to engage with local law enforcement for a positive and collaborative future.

Registration will open in March

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cle recording opportunities

CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
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​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.
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Recording - email Mary Sellmyer if interested

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

Recording - email Mary Sellmyer if interested

CLE
Originally Recorded
​Tuesday, February 20, 2024
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​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. 

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

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

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

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

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

Ivy Lane Bakery - Downtown Bloomington
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career opportunities

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state farm insurance

Information

Closes May 11

in-house litigation counsel

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guardianship & advocacy commission

Information-Springfield

Information Intern Cook Co.

Posted - February 17
​Closes - March 3

student interns

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Mclean COUNTY public defender

Information APD I

Information APD II

assistant public defender i & ii

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Mclean COUNTY state's attorney

Information

assistant state's attorney i, ii, iii

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livingston COUNTY public defender

Information

Posted - November 18
​Open until filled

assistant public defender​

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