MCLEAN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
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​​​​MCBA NEWSLETTER

​​​​​​march 13, 2023



2023
March Events
3/14/2023 (Tues.)
CLE - Family Bar 

3/15/2023 (Wed.)

BOG Meeting- [note change of date]

3/16/2023 (Thurs.)
Happy Hour @ Mystic -sponsored by FONTIER TITLE COMPANY, LLC


​3/17/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar


3/22/2023 (Wed.) 6pm-8pm
Ethics CLE-
Operation Greylord

3/24/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar


3/28/2023 (Tues.)
CLE Committee Meeting


April Events
​4/1/2023 (Sat.)
Young Lawyer Award Nominations Open

4/7/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

4/11/2023 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

4/12/2023 (Wed.)
D&I Committee Meeting
​Criminal Law Committee Meeting
​

​4/14/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar
​

4/18/2023 (Tues.)
​CLE Event

4/19/2023 (Wed.)
​
4th District Illinois Appellate Court Oral Arguments

​4/21/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar
​

​4/28/2023 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar
​

4/25/2023 (Tues.)
CLE Committee Meeting


Upcoming Save-The-Dates
5/3/2023 (Wed.)
Law Day Celebration

9/22/2023 (Fri.)

CIPA Legal Education Seminar

10/25 & 10/26 (Wed. & Thurs.)
MCBA Biennial GAL Conference

All Court Holidays & Closures
​Complete List of Court Holidays & Closures
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Sponsored by Frontier Title Company, LLC

happy hour 
The mystic bloomington
march 16 beginning @ 4:30


young lawyer AWARD nominations
open in april


THE MCLEAN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION IS ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
​FOR THE
2023 LINCOLN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The McLean County Bar Association is seeking nominations for the Lincoln Award of Excellence. Established in 1997, this award seeks to recognize attorneys for their service to the legal community as well as for their contributions to the community. The nominee must be a member of the McLean County Bar Association, respected as a citizen and member of the legal profession and be an example of the best of our profession who has a demonstrated commitment to public service, public good and who has dedicated his/her effort to improve the quality of life in our community and society.

​Retired attorneys who were involved in these activities during their career are also eligible to be nominated.

NOMINATION DEADLINE - APRIL 7

More Information & Nomination Form

civil mental health proceeding series

Registration & More Information HERE
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americorps week
& our local justicecorps!
the law library & patron self-help leaders

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Dear Members of the McLean County Bar Association,
 
I am writing this letter to let you know about “AmeriCorps Week” from March 12th- March 18th. During this time, AmeriCorps members spread the word about AmeriCorps programs, members, and alumni as well as the impact that our services have on the country. My name is Shaul Latif. I am a full-time fellow with Illinois JusticeCorps, a program of the Illinois Bar Foundation and AmeriCorps. The program places volunteers in courthouses around Illinois to help people without lawyers navigate the civil justice system. There are now 12 courthouses in the State of Illinois that have JusticeCorps in it. Fellows and members consist mainly of students and recent college graduates such as myself. I work in the McLean County Law & Justice Center, in the Law Library.  
 
Since the start of this fellowship in August of 2022 till January 2023 we have helped in total 1,350 court patrons in McLean county. As someone who wants to attend law school and become a practicing attorney in the State of Illinois, I find my position an amazing way to gain exposure to the civil justice system. Being able to serve everyday people in need, regardless of socio-economic status, has been a rewarding experience. Across the state the fellows and volunteer members engage in services, increasing access to justice for our communities’ most underserved.
 
I work alongside one college intern from ISU Brittany Lurz and three high school interns Cort Welch, Megan Segrist, and Plamedie Lubika. Every one of these interns work extremely hard to provide legal assistance to every pro se litigant who walks through our doors. I find the work we do here at the McLean County Law & Justice Center extremely important and rewarding. The majority of the patrons we help are grateful we are here to help and make sure we know the work we do here matters. At times not all court patrons make us feel this way, oftentimes taking their frustration out on us. We all know what we signed up for and understand that we must approach each patron with patience and empathy.
 
I am not always in the Law Library. I help with McLean County foreclosure mediation as well as assisting Prairie State legal services with their eviction clinic. I attend monthly Court Navigator Network meetings and attend CLE meetings that help me improve my scope of knowledge so I can better serve self-represented litigants. Recently I and some of my other JusticeCorps colleagues were at the first Law Student Leader Summit run by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice, in Chicago. At this Summit we discussed ways to improve how we can better assist self represented litigants. Even though I have been here for almost six months there are always areas we can improve and grow from. 
 
I am very proud to be an AmeriCorps member and as for “AmeriCorps Week” I ask that you spread the word of the great work we are doing. Feel free to follow us on social media; our instagram is @iljusticcorps. 
 
 
Sincerely, Shaul Latif, Fellow Illinois Justice Corps
104 W. Front Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Email: slatif@iljusticecorps.org

committee updates

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​*Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 12 noon
5th Floor Jury Assembly Room at L&J Center
​
*Topics: see the Newsletter by clicking on the logo to the left
  

law day 2023 celebration
wednesday may 3

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CLE
wednesday - MARCH 22
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
up to 2 hours pr ethics cle [approved]

​Operation Greylord:
​Corruption in the Cook County Courts​

​Please join the McLean County Bar Association and The Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University in welcoming Mr. Terrence Hake. Mr. Hake was a young attorney who became an important untrained undercover agent in America's biggest corruptioni bust (Operation Greylord).

Mr. Hake relates how as a young prosecutor in complained about the corruption in the Cook County Courts. After his complaint, he was approached the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI to work undercover as a prosecutor and later as a criminal defense attorney in Operation Greylord. Mr. Hake was undercover as an attorney for almost four years. Greylord is one of the FBI’s most successful undercover cases. Relating the facts of the corruption in the Circuit Court of Cook County is still a relevant lesson in ethics for law students and attorneys in 2015.
​
Hear about: 
  • 3.5 years of work as an attorney undercover, posing as a corrupt prosecutor by accepting bribes
  • Investigation Greylord resulted in bribery charges being filed against 103 judges, lawyers, and other court personnel
  • Professional Legal Ethics rocked to its core!​​
Registration
This event is open to the public. The cost of $20 is for an attorney who wants to obtain up to two hours of Professional Responsibility Ethics CLE credit. If you are not seeking PR Ethics CLE credit, please fill in the registration form and select the fee waived option.

CLE
tuesday - March 14
noon
​up to 1 hour general cle [approved]

abolishing irs back taxes,
​a family law attorney's guide

​Please join the McLean County Bar Association in welcoming Robert Schaller, JD. A family law attorney can become the client’s hero by eliminating IRS back taxes. Learn how to eliminate your client’s IRS tax debt instead of merely shifting the tax payment burden to an opposing spouse, who may or may not pay. Congress authorized relief to the “innocent” spouse who would otherwise be inequitably harmed by the non-requesting spouse. The presentation will focus on the statutory components of three types of relief from joint and several tax liability with relevant citations to the U.S. Tax Code, Treasury regulations, court opinions, and the Internal Revenue Manual. The focus on Innocent Spouse Relief, Separation of Liability Relief, and Equitable Relief. 26 U.S.C. § 6015; 26 C.F.R. § 1.6015-1 and § 1.6015-2 and § 1.6015-3.

​This Tuesday, March 14 program will be held both via zoom and in-person with the out of town guest speaker via ZOOM beginning at 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Check-in begins at 11:45 a.m. The cost is $20 for MCBA Members and $25 for non-members. This includes a light lunch for those who have registered before this event. Walk-in's are welcome, however, there may not be enough planned food for those who do not register. 
Registration
Registrationi closes March 13.

cle recording opportunities

CLE
ethics: rules every lawyer must know

[1 HOUR PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY - Ethics - CLE CREDIT APPROVED]

 20recording ends october 30, 2023

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

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 ENDS July 30, 2023

​Fully Updated Bond Reform CLE Now Available!
Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

4th District Illinois Appellate Court
​Oral Arguments 

Wednesday, April 19, check-in begins 10.30 am
4th District Illinois Appellate Court Oral Arguments at ISU

Every member of the audience will need to pass through a metal detector.
​
The Department of Politics and Government has formalized the venue for the Fourth District Illinois Appellate Court oral argument that the department is co-sponsoring with the McLean County Bar Association.  The event will take place on Wednesday, April 19 at 11:00 a.m. in the Prairie Room in the Bone Student Center. Everyone who enters the room must pass through a metal detector. Doors will open a half hour before the argument to allow people to get screened.

Carla Bender, the appellate clerk for the fourth district, has advised me that People v. Marzette is the case set for oral argument at ISU. The defendant was convicted of attempted first degree murder after a bench trial and sentenced to 43 years in prison. The issues raised by the defense are:
  1. The defendant’s convictions should be vacated where it was improper to convict him based on a theory of accountability. Alternatively, the firearm enhancement imposed should be vacated because there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that he discharged a firearm.
  2. The circuit court erred by committing a number of evidentiary errors that resulted in it relying on improper evidence when convicting the defendant.
  3. Trial counsel was ineffective for failing to call witnesses who would have supported the defense.
The rules for audience cell phones are stringent.
Phones need to be either silenced or powered off for the duration of the presentation.
If a phone makes sound during the presentation, the owner will be ushered out.

Save the Date
registration coming soon
Tuesday, April 18 - CLE Vicarious Trauma (Can it Affect Civility?) 
Wednesday, May 3 - Law Day Celebration
​​Friday, September 22 -Central Illinois Paralegal Association Legal Education Seminar
Wednesday & Thursday, October 25 & 26 -MCBA Biennial GAL Conference

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 Any Update!

friday breakfast with the bar
join us this friday

8:00 am-9:00 am

Coffee Hound Website
The Coffee Hound - Downtown Bloomington
​

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

2023 Schedule
Please contact​ Jennifer.julius@pnc.com if interested in attending.
If you have questions please call Jennifer at 309.655.5484

corporate law intership
summer 2023

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More Information

career opportunities


us district court norther district of il​​

More Information
Posted - March 13
Closes - March 28

us magistrate judge


ginzkey law office

More Information
Posted - March 6

LEGAL
​ASSISTANT


jay d. reece, pc​

More Information
Posted - February 20

LEGAL
​ASSISTANT


prairie state legal services

Illinois Openings
Updated Link- February 13

statewide
​openings


il legal aid online [ilao]​

More Information
Posted - February 6

legal content manager​


the immigration project

More Information
Posted - February 6

managing attorney


meyer capel, 
a professional corporation

More Information
Posted - January 16

LEGAL
​assistant positions
​



office space available


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.​
More Information
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. 

Call or text 309-531-0445
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
​​​BOG Meeting - March 15 noon [note change of date]
​Law Day Committee Meeting - March 21 12:15 pm
​GAL Committee Meeting - March 22 noon
​​​​​​CLE Committee Meeting - March 28 noon

Diversity & Inclusion Committee Meeting – April 12 noon
Criminal Law Committee Meeting - April 12 noon

Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee [ADR] Meeting - April 14 noon
​​Underwood Committee Meeting - April 18 noon

Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - May 3, 3.30 pm
​Criminal Law Committee Meeting - May 10 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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