​​​​​MCBA NEWSLETTER 

​updated - ​march 31, 2025
MCBA Events 2025
March
3/31 (Mon.)
Law Day Committee Meeting

April
4/4 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar
​
4/7 (Mon.)
Law Day Committee Meeting

4/8 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

4/11 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

4/15 (Tues.)
CLE

4/17 (Thurs.)
3rd Thursday Social

4/18 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

4/23 (Wed.)
Administrative Professionals' Day Social Hour

4/25 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

May
5/1 (Thurs.)
Law Day Social Hour

5/2 (Fri.) 
Breakfast with the Bar

5/7 (Wed.)
Law Day Luncheon

5/15 (Thurs.)
3rd Thursday Social

5/28 (Wed.)
​DEIA Committee Meeting

June
6/2 (Mon.)
Golf & Pickleball Event

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

6/19 (Thurs.)
3rd Thursday Social

6/26 (Thurs.)
Annual Meeting

July
​
August

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

9/26 (Fri.)
CIPA Annual Educational Seminar - CLE Event

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

November
11/6 (Thurs.)
Annual Behavioral Health Forum - CLE Event

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

12/17 (Wed.)
Holiday Luncheon

​Celebrate Administrative Professional's Day
​with the MCBA!

Administrative Professional
(noun)
1. A person who solves problems you can’t.
2. One who does precison guess work based on unreliable data 
​provided by those of questionable knowledge.
see also: wizard, magician
​
Join MCBA in recognizing the hard work and dedication of the administrative professionals that make us all look like we know what we’re doing! We're hosting a casual and fun gathering at Crawford’s Corner Pub on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

MCBA members are encouraged to bring their staff for an evening of appreciation, good company, and refreshments. Each attendee will receive two drink tickets, courtesy of MCBA, and we may have some food items available depending on the final budget (fingers crossed!).

Come raise a glass, unwind, and celebrate the amazing administrative professionals who keep everything running smoothly. Feel free to stay beyond 6:00 PM and keep the fun going!
We hope to see you there!

family law bar judicial changes
​beginning may 5

Effective May 5, 2025, there will be courtroom changes in the family and civil divisions as follows:
  • Judge Eves will be in courtroom 3C except for Thursday afternoons when he will be in courtroom 3E. 
  • Judge Kording will be in courtroom 3E except for Thursday afternoons when he will be in courtroom 3C for Drug Court.
  • Judge Duffy will no longer switch courtrooms with Judge Eves on Thursday mornings.
 
NOTE: The courtroom changes will result in a change to the Zoom courtrooms.  The McLean County Remote Hearings webpage will be updated effective May 5, 2025, so please make sure to update your Notice of Hearing forms.
 
The Zoom courtrooms will be as follows and will remain the same on Thursday afternoons:
 
You may contact Charlotte Cramer at 309-888-5215 to schedule hearings for both Judges Eves and Kording, effective May 5. 

condolences

John R. "Jack" Porter, Jr.

For those attorneys wishing to participate in the MCBA tradition of attending Jack's memorial service on Saturday, April 12th, at 2:00 pm, please meet in the narthex of the First Presbyterian Church in Normal, by 1:45 pm. The group will be ushered in together to the service shortly after that time. 

John R. “Jack” Porter, Jr. June 4, 1936 - March 4, 2025 Jack Porter, loving father and grandfather, died on the morning of Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, after five years of declining health, under the care of staff at the McLean County Nursing Home. He was 88 years old. Jack was born in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from New Trier High School in Winetka. He received a Bachelor's degree in history from Oberlin College, Ohio; a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago; a Master's of Ancient Indian History from Patna University, India; and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law, Urbana-Champaign. He was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions over the years, including the McLean County Bar Association Lincoln Award (2014) and McLean County Historical Society History Maker (2016). Jack grew up with a strong Christian faith, which was strengthened by his studies of history and comparative religion. Jack also heightened his awareness of social justice issues, often as a direct result of his life experiences. Born in the depression era, he began to understand his family's privileges in stark contrast to the communities where he later lived and worked... see more about Jack at this LINK. ​

mortgage foreclosure mediation administrative order
circuit rule 110

judicial assignment administrative orders

mcba softball
​summer 2025

Join in the fun! If you are interested in playing and / or cheering!
​Please watch the newsletter for more details to come! 

membership renewals 2025
​A Thank you!

Thank you to those who have renewed!

THE MCLEAN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION will be ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
​FOR THE
2025 LINCOLN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

DEADLINE - April 4th

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.

2025
​MCBA YOUNG LAWYER OF THE YEAR
AWARD APPLICATION

DEADLINE - April 11th
​
The MCBA is now accepting nominations for its 2021 Young Lawyer of the Year Award. In order to be considered for the award, one must be (1) under the age of 36 or less than 10 years in practice, and (2) a member in good standing with the McLean County Bar Association. Evaluation criteria include employment history, individual achievements in the practice of law, service to the MCBA, and community/pro bono service.​

the 3rd thursday [most months]
​monthly social

WEDNESDAY - April 23 - Administrative Professionals' Day - Crawfords
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

spring handgun firearm training
​saturday, april 12
registration limited to eight participants

​Introduction to Handgun Safety and Handling: A course for beginners
(Novices only please)
​
UPDATED - A FOID card may not be required to participate. Please register if you are interested and we can work with you if you do not have a FOID card. To learn more about how to obtain your FOID card, please see this LINK.

When: Saturday, April 12, 2025
   (date confirmed with location; pending approval of May 17 back up date)
Where: Secor Sportsman’s Club
Schedule: 8 am (morning clubhouse instruction) to 4 pm (afternoon on the range)
   Lunch: From Michael’s in Eureka, IL; will be ordered and delivered to Secor Sportsman’s Club
Cost: $100

Instructors: Nathan Haynes, Master Certified Range Instructor; Cory Wills, Certified Range Instructor

Dress accordingly. Eye and hearing protection are required – bring your own. 

Topics:
Firearm safety
Firearm nomenclature (parts, etc.)
Proper trigger control
Proper sight alignment
Proper finger placement
Loading and unloading of firearm
Magazine loading
Malfunctions – How to clear them
Differentiate between revolvers, semi-auto, and single action, double action firearms

Cost: $100.00; includes use of clubhouse and range for day; lunch; targets and related other equipment; insurance; and the top level instructors! 
 
Individuals are encouraged to bring their own firearm and 100 rounds of ammo.

If a participant does not have a firearm, there will be handguns to use; just bring 100 rounds of 9 mm “range” ammo. Loaner guns are 9 mm.
 
Each participating person must sign a waiver. The 1-day liability policy of at least $1 million is figured into the class price. 
​

​The Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One

mcba law day activities
thursday, may 1 - social hour
wednesday, may 7 - luncheon

save the dates
​2025

For all CLE dates and information, please see the CLE section below.

Wednesday, April 23 - Administrative Professionals' Day

Wednesday, May 7 - Law Day Luncheon
DoubleTree by Hilton
Featured Speaker is Keesha-Lu Mitra
​Senior Vice President & General Counsel at State Farm
​
Monday, June 2 - Golf & Pickleball Event

​Thursday, June 26 - Annual Meeting
​
Tuesday, July 15 - CLE A case review from the bench
Friday, September 26 - 35th Annual CIPA Educational Seminar
Wednesday, October 1 - Criminal Law Update
Wednesday & Thursday, October 22 & 23 - GAL Certification Seminar
Thursday, November 6 - 8th Annual Behavioral Health Forum - ISU
​Wednesday, December 17 - Holiday Luncheon - BCC

bar committee activities

​​GAL 2025 Planning Committee Meeting - April 4 12.15 pm
​Law Day Committee Meeting - April 7 12.15 pm
​BOG Meeting - April 8 noon
CLE Committee Meeting - April 22 noon
DEIA Committee Meeting - May 28 12.15 pm
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - June 4

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

Free!
If you are unable to attend on April 3rd, there will be a recording offered.
Registration is required.

thursday, april 24

2025 Future is now: legal services conference

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism's Future Is Now: Legal Services conference is one of the nation’s premier legal professionalism events. 

The 2025 event will focus on topics including: 
  • Identifying and coping with vicarious trauma as a lawyer
  • Practical use cases for leveraging generative AI throughout the client’s journey
  • Recognizing and responding to bullying behavior in legal workplaces
  • Strategies for understanding and embracing generational differences in the legal profession
  • How focusing on client-centered lawyering and soft skills benefits law firms 
​
Please visit our website to review our speakers. Questions? Reach out to us at [email protected]. 

Attendees are eligible for 4.0 hours of professional responsibility CLE credit in Illinois, including 1.0 hour of diversity and inclusion credit and 1.0 hour of mental health and substance abuse credit. 

mcba ​continuing legal EDUCATION
​2025

thursday, april 17

Bloomington Police Department's presentation on the
Community Engagement Unit

Presented by
Sergeant Kiel Nowers - BPD

[up to 1 hour Professional Responsibility D&I CLE Approved]
Location Law & Justice Center basement EOC Room & Zoom
​This is a hybrid presentation.

​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.

cle recording opportunities

CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
​Ends, March 1, 2027

Small Law Office Efficiency - AI

Presented by: Drew Vaughn

​[Up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved] 

Please join the McLean County Bar Association in welcoming Mr. Drew Vaughn. He will be teaching about how Artificial Intelligence works, the ethical implications of its use, and practical applications of Artificial Intelligence that you can implement today.  

Learning Objectives:
1. Foundations of Artificial Intelligence [A.I.]
2. Ethical Implications of the use of AI
3. Practical AI Application
​
CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
​Ends, August 1, 2026
​
​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

The cost is $20.00.
​
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 
&
law student opportunities

us dept. of justice​
Closes April 4

law student volunteer

state farm insurance
Closes May 11

in-house litigation counsel

Mclean COUNTY public defender

assistant public defender i, ii, iii

Mclean COUNTY state's attorney

assistant state's attorney i, ii, iii

livingston COUNTY public defender
​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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