​MCBA NEWSLETTER 

april 13, 2026

---

---

​MCBA Events 2026
April
4/14 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

4/17 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

4/22 (Wed.)
Administrative Day Celebration after work

4/24 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

4/28 (Tues.)
CLE Committee Meeting

4/30 (Thurs.)
PR Virtual CLE 

May
5/1 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar
Fulk Family Law - Legal Ease

5/6 (Wed.)
Law Day Luncheon

5/8 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

5/12 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

5/15 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

5/19 (Tues.)
An Underwood Event after work

5/22 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

5/22 (Fri.)
GAL Certification Committee Meeting

5/29 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar

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

6/25 (Thurs.)
Annual Meeting

July
7/14 (Tues.)
CLE 

August
8/18 (Tues.)
CLE 

September
9/15 (Tues.)
CLE 

October
8/18 (Tues.)
CLE 

December
12/10 (Thurs.)
Holiday Luncheon

---

​Complete 2026 List of Court Holidays & Closures

2026 Jury Calendar

​Celebrate Administrative Professionals 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 Epiphany Farms Restaurant, Bloomington on Wednesday, April 22, from 4:30 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 and food courtesy of MCBA. There will also be gift card drawings for the adminstrative professionals. 

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!
​
Be sure to come early and stay late!! 

​We hope to see you there!

Thank you to our Sponsors!
​Brendan Bukalski-Johnson Law Group and John Pratt-Meyer Capel

---

---

normal west mock trial team
illinois state champs!

Front row: Kylie Pollett, Katherine Masters, Anna Davitt, Raya Radoslavova, Olive Blick
Back row: Hayden Kuchefski, Jordan Stovall, Jacob McKinney, Jackson Wiegner, Coach Bob White, Joey Smyder, Coach Bierbaum 

CONGRATULATIONS! 

The Normal West Mock Trial team competed against a pool of 56 schools from across Illinois in the state tournament and come home STATE CHAMPIONS! While the Normal West program earned 2nd in state three years ago and 3rd in state last year, this is only the second time that a 'downstate' team has EVER won the state competition. This is the first in Normal West history!

The Normal West Mock Trial team will now compete in the National competition as the sole high school team from the State of Illinois! The team will be traveling to Nationals in May. While this is an exciting opportunity for budding attorneys, there are several expenses ahead of them associated with the upcoming National competition. They need support from the community.

If you are intersted in supporting, please see the information below. 

Donate quickly online at: NormalWestMockTrialGoFundMe 
Or donate by check payable to Normal West Mock Trial, and send it to:
Normal West High School
Attn: John Bierbaum
501 N Parkside Rd
Normal, IL 61761

---

the underwood committee 
presents

a Night at the Movies

[Professional Responsibility CLE - Approval Pending]
​

Please join the Underwood Committee for a fun and informative presentation on ethics. We will watch several legal-themed movie clips, and discuss the ethical issues raised, led by a panel. Panel members include Justice James Knecht, Katy Kraft, and Rachel Brandt, moderated by Judge J. Casey Costigan.
 
May 19, 2026 at Epiphany Farms (upstairs)
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for social (half) hour with a cash bar and snacks
Presentation begins at 5:30 p.m., ending at 6:45 p.m.
 
In the spirit of the Underwood Inn of Court, remaining for dinner with others is encouraged. 

Registration & More Information to Come

---

legal ease
​an invitation!

All bar members, family and friends are invited to "Legal Ease," a casual Spring social on May 1 from 2:30-5pm at Fulk Family Law [FFL]. Kick off the season and your weekend early and uptown with light snacks, drinks, entertainment and good company as FFL also celebrates 1 year in business!

When? Friday, May 1st beginning at 2:30 pm
Where? Fulk Family Law - 104 S. Linden, Ste B, Normal
What? Help bring in the weekend by celebrating the FFL 1 year in business anniversary!

---

THE MCLEAN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION is ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
​FOR THE
2026 YOUNG LAWYER OF THE YEAR

DEADLINE - April 30th
​

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.​
​

Nomination Form and Information

This award will be presented at the June 26th MCBA Annual Meeting. ​

---

mcba law day
wednesday, may 6 - luncheon

The Rule of Law and the American Dream

​Most Americans have their own ideas about the American Dream, but whether their focus is on aspirations such as political liberty, social equality, personal security, or economic opportunity, they all rely on the rule of law. The rule of law—the idea that no person is above the law—is what ensures the rights of the people to live their lives as freely as possible and to pursue their dreams.

The rule of law ensures that people will not be imprisoned or punished without due process, will be free to pursue their economic interests, and will be secure in their homes and property. In short, the rule of law is essential to the freedom and prosperity that Americans have aspired to throughout the nation’s history. The ABA encourages all Americans to recognize Law Day on May 1, 2026, and to reflect on how the rule of law ensures all Americans have the ability to fulfill their dreams.

​Learn more about this years theme by clicking on the above ABA logo. 

Please plan to join the McLean County Bar Association's Law Day Luncheon on Wednesday, May 6th at noon. 

Wednesday, May 6 Luncheon Registration

---

bar committee activities

BOG Meeting - April 14 noon
Law Day Planning Committee - April 24 12.15 pm​
​CLE Committee Meeting - April 28 noon
​​DEIA Committee Meeting - April 29 12.15 pm
​​​GAL Certification Planning Committee Meeting - May 22 12.15 pm
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - June 3

---

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!

---

free cle opportunity

PSLS Spring into Pro Bono CLEs
​

Spring into Pro Bono: Bankruptcy Basics
Date: April 16th, 12-1:15pm
Location: Virtual / Zoom
Description: This training provides an overview of the fundamentals of bankruptcy, with a focus on common issues encountered by low-income clients. Participants will learn the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, eligibility considerations, the basic filing process, and key practice tips for spotting bankruptcy issues.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g4ExM9vjS5K2Ttg1SJo-HQ
 
Spring into Pro Bono: Language Access in Legal Practice
Date: May 7th, 12-1:15pm
Location: Virtual / Zoom
Description: This training explores practical strategies for providing meaningful language access in legal services. Participants will learn best practices for working effectively with interpreters, communicating with clients who have limited English proficiency, and navigating common challenges that arise beyond simply identifying available language access resources. 
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ocNZbR9YSc6a3uao4ETOsQ
​

cle opportunity

2026 Future is Now: Legal Services Conference
April 30, 2026
Virtual

4.0 hours of professional responsibility CLE credit
including 1 hour of diversity and inclusion 
1 hour of mental healther & substance abuse credit
​

The Future Is Now is one of the nation’s premier legal professionalism conferences. Attendees are eligible to receive 4 hours of professional responsibility CLE credit in Illinois, including 1 hour of diversity and inclusion credit and 1 hour of mental health and substance abuse credit.

Through speaker talks and interactive town hall discussions, the conference will explore topics like:

• Skillfully navigating conflict by employing stoic empathy
• Using technology to boost efficiency and innovate ethically in your practice
• Strategies for governing the AI tools you and your clients use 
• How to use traits common to the “lawyer brain” to improve professional success and personal health
• Using mentoring to build inclusive workplaces
• And more!

​Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism presents The Future is Now. 

More Information & Registration

free cle opportunity

cle for gal's

To register: https://www.pathlms.com/aoic and follow the instructions below. 

mcba cle recorded opportunities

cle​

Originally Recorded
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
​Ends, March 1, 2028
​​

Sentencing Credit in Illinois Criminal Cases
​
[Up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved]
​

Please join the McLean County Bar Association in welcoming Jackie Mathias-Jail R.E.S.E.T. (Recovery, Education, Support and reEntry Team) Director McLean County Jail and Hon. David Butler [Ret.]-Special Assistant Public Defender for McLean County.
 
This program will provide a guide of the credits that may be applied to reduce a criminal sentence.  The amount of time served on a criminal sentence may be significantly reduced by various forms of sentence credit available under Illinois law.  Attorneys should be familiar with the credits that may be applied to a sentence when negotiating a plea agreement or deciding on whether to go to trial.  Both defense attorneys and prosecutors will gain an awareness of the sentence credits that are possible for particular sentences.
 
Specific Topics Include:
Statutory Good Time Credit
Illinois Truth in Sentencing Act
Minimum Sentences
Periodic Imprisonment
County Jail Programs Credit
DOC Earned Discretionary Sentence
DOC Programs Credit
Sentencing Credit on Concurrent & Consecutive Sentences
Misdemeanor Good Time Act
Time Served in Custody Prior to Sentencing
Strangulation & Great Bodily Harm Cases
Revocation of Good Time Credit

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

cle

Originally Recorded
Tuesday, December 3, 2025
​Ends, December 1, 2027
​

​A Guide To Problem Solving Courts: 
​Drug Court, Recovery Court, and Veteran’s Court

​[Up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved] 
​

Presenters:
Hon. Dave Butler [Ret.]-Moderator
Ron Lewis
Hon. Scott Drazewski [Ret.]
Emilio Fischer
Craig Queen

This program will provide an overview of the sentencing alternatives known as Problem Solving Courts. These sentencing alternatives include Drug Court, Recovery Court and Veteran’s Court. Each of these specialized sentences are remedial and are alternatives to a prison sentence. Both defense attorneys and prosecutors will gain an understanding of these specialized sentences including eligibility requirements, terms and conditions, the process of evaluating referrals and the sentencing process.
 
Specific Topics Include:
 
What Are Problem Solving Courts?
Drug Court, Recovery Court, and Veteran’s Court Distinguished
PSC Referrals
PSC Court Process
PSC Teams
Steps In Processing PSC Referrals
Adult Risk Assessments & Drug Evaluations
State’s Attorney’s Screening of PSC Referrals
Attorney’s Role When Client is Sentenced To a PSC
PSC Violations

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

CLE
Originally Recorded
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
​Ends, July 1, 2027

A Case Review from the Bench
​

Presented by: Hon. Donald Bernardi [Ret.] & Hon. Charles Feeney [Ret.]
​
​[Up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved] 

​

Retired Judges Donald Bernardi and Charles Feeney have each selected two cases from their time on the bench that present interesting legal issues. These cases are both civil and criminal and include a variety of issues, including legal malpractice and the use of the involuntary intoxication defense in criminal cases.

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

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
​

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

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.
​

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

CLE
Originally Recorded
​Tuesday, July 16, 2024
ENDS June 25, 2026
​
Traffic Stops & Motor Vehicles Searches

Presented by: Hon. David Butler (Ret.) & Matthew Butler

​[up to 1.5 hours general CLE - Approved] 

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.
​

Registration for Recording & CLE Credit Instructions

---

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

---

peoria county public defender office

Information

posted 3-23

staff attorney

---

guardian law office​

Information

posted 3-16

part-time administrative assistant

---

office space available

---

802 N. Clinton, bloomington

Information

---

108 w. monroe, BLOOMINGTON

Information

---