​​​​​MCBA NEWSLETTER

​Updated 2-6-2025

​february 3, 2025
MCBA Events 2025
February 
2/7 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

2/11 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

2/12 (Wed.)
H.S. Mock Trials & CLE for Volunteers

2/14 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

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

2/21 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

2/25 (Tues.)
CLE Committee Meeting

2/28 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

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

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

friday - breakfast with the bar
new location beginning this friday

Join in the conversation at the new Rice n Spice Indian Grill in downtown Bloomington this Friday!
​Hope to see you there.

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.
​

High School Mock Trial
​VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Wednesday, February 12
​
Our annual mock trial is coming upon us and we are looking for more Judges. Thank you for helping in the past. This year we have a record number (22) different schools coming. The 2 morning rounds are the ones we always need the most help. We host 26 teams in 13 courtrooms, and we would like 3 judges in each, meaning we need 39 volunteers for each round. Please fill out the registration below and we do our best to grant request in regards to presiding or just judging. As in the past, there is a free CLE during lunch. If your office has interns that one to come judge as well, we are open to that.  Just put that in the notes when registering. And if someone in your office is new or hasn’t come before, invite them to come along. These students work very hard and do a great job.

Thank you again for your consideration and we will see you February 12th.  

Event Details: 
The 2025 Central Illinois High School Mock Trial is sponsored by the MCBA Mock Trial Committee and in cooperation with the ISBA Committee on Law Related Education for the Public & the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Trial Courts. This year's tournament will be held on Monday, February 12, 2025. The rounds begin promptly at 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 2:15 p.m.

The Mock Trial tournament will be held in 3rd, 4th and 5th floor courtrooms of the Law & Justice Center located at 104 W. Front Street, Bloomington, Illinois.

There is an important note - it is imperative to monitor the round time closely so that each team has an equal chance.

A continental breakfast will be served from 8:30 - 9:15 and lunch will be served from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. These are provided to the many volunteers that make this event possible. A free 1.5 hour general CLE credit [pending approval] will be offered over the lunch time for all of the volunteer judges.

MOCK TRIAL ROUNDS AND JUDGE SCHEDULE NEEDS
For our Volunteers - Breakfast Opens at 8:30 a.m. and Training/Refresher begins at 8:45 a.m.

Round 1   9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Judges will be assigned to rounds once applications are received.  You will be notified when you have been assigned as a judge and of which rounds you will judge. 

Round 2   11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Judges will be assigned to rounds once applications are received.  You will be notified when you have been assigned as a judge and of which rounds you will judge. 

Round 3  2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
This round has reached the maximum for volunteers. Thank you!
The free CLE and lunch will be held from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Thank you to those who have already volunteered!
We need a few more volunteers!

hockey

On Sunday, February 16, the Bloomington Bison play Toledo at 3:00 pm. The game is being promoted as “Celebrate Lincoln’s Birthday.” Lincoln's his actual birthday is February 12, but I don’t set the hockey schedule. Since Lincoln is a former member of MCBA, let's pack the house!

It is $68.00 dollars per person for an all-inclusive ticket which would include an all you can eat buffet and unlimited domestic beer, seltzers, and non-alcoholic beverages. The buffet would be a taco bar with taco beef and chicken carnitas, black beans, chips, and salsa, as well as bags of chips and a brownie tray for dessert. The buffet will be served just after 2:00 PM (puck drop is at 3:00 PM) when the doors open, and the staff generally starts breaking down the buffet with about 10 minutes left in the 3rd period.
 
Based on my prior attendance there, if you eat or drink anything, you save money by the all-inclusive ticket.

All are welcome including family and friends. 

Sincerely, 
Randy Baker, ASA
McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office

monthly social

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

4th district oral arguments

Tuesday, March 25
​
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.

save the dates
​2025

Wednesday, February 12 - High School Mock Trials & CLE Event
​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

bar committee activities

Law Day Committee Meeting - February 4 12.15 pm
​BOG Meeting - February 11 noon
CLE Committee Meeting - January 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

from the supreme court communications office
​media monitor newsletter
​pretrial resources

The Pretrial Implementation Task Force page of the Illinois Courts website has been repurposed as the Pretrial Resources page. It now lists all recent pretrial related opinions and Rule 23s from the reviewing courts. Pretrial data sets from the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services are also available and will be updated regularly. The resources from the Pretrial Implementation Task Force are available at Additional Pretrial Resources.

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. 

​continuing legal EDUCATION
​2025

mcba CLE 

​
A Criminal Law Fall Update

There is a ISBA CLE on the same topic airing soon.
​This MCBA CLE will be hosted in the fall of 2025.

​

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

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

Ivy Lane Bakery - Downtown Bloomington
​

career opportunities

us department of justcie
Posted - February 3
​Closes Februrary 13

volunteer legal internships

Mclean COUNTY public defender

assistant public defender i & ii

Mclean COUNTY state's attorney

assistant state's attorney i, ii, iii

livingston COUNTY public defender
Posted - November 18
​Open until filled

assistant public defender​
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.
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