​​​​​MCBA NEWSLETTER 

​august 25, 2025

---

---

MCBA Events 2025
August
8/26 (Tues.)
CLE Committee Meeting

8/27 (Wed.)
Scholarship Committee Meeting

8/28 (Thurs.)
CLE Committee Meeting

8/29 (Fri.) 
Breakfast with the Bar
GAL Committee Meeting
​
September
9/3 (Wed.)
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session

9/4 (Thurs.)
A Cigar Social

9/5 (Fri.) 
Breakfast with the Bar

9/12 (Fri.) 
Breakfast with the Bar

9/16 (Tues.)
CLE-Law & Justice Center & Zoom 

9/18 (Thurs.)
Social @ Fiala Brothers

9/19 (Fri.) 
Breakfast with the Bar

9/26 (Fri.)
Breakfast with the Bar
​CIPA Annual Educational Seminar - CLE Event

October
10/1 (Wed.)
CLE - Criminal Law Update

10/16 (Thurs.)
Social @ ElRoy's

10/22 (Wed.)
GAL Certification Seminar-day 1
Social @ The HolidayInn-Normal

10/23 (Thurs.)
GAL Certification Seminar-day 2

November
11/5 (Wed.)
An Afternoon of PR CLE & Attorney Self-Care

December
12/3 (Wed.)
CLE - Problem Solving Courts
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session

12/17 (Wed.)
Holiday Luncheon

MCBA Events 2026
6/25 (Thurs.)
Annual Meeting

---

​Complete 2025 List of Court Holidays & Closures

​Complete 2026 List of Court Holidays & Closures

2025 Jury Calendar

2026 Jury Calendar

---

---

PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL SERVICES

Pro bono attorney needed:
We have a client needing assistance with a McLean County divorce with children and no property. Support and maintenance were already ordered in F case and client does not know where spouse is but thinks is not in Illinois.
If you are willing to take this case, please contact Stacy James at [email protected]

---

the 3rd thursday [most months]
​monthly social

September 3 - Added Event! Cigar Evening Social
September 18 - Fiala Brothers
October 16 - Elroy's [Recently changed from Reality Bites]
November 20 - The Station Saloon
December - No Social Planned

Coming in 2026 - trivia and local hockey!

---

save the dates
​2025

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

Wednesday, October 1 - Criminal Law Update CLE
Wednesday & Thursday, October 22 & 23 - GAL Certification Seminar
Wednesday, November 5 - An Afternoon of PR CLE & Self-Care
Wednesday, December 3 - Problem-Solving Courts as Alternatives to Prison CLE
​Wednesday, December 17 - Holiday Luncheon - BCC

---

bar committee activities

CLE Committee Meeting - August 26 12 noon
​Scholarship Committee Meeting - August 27 noon
​DEIA Committee Meeting - August 28 12.15 pm
​​​GAL 2025 Planning Committee Meeting - August 29 12.15 pm
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - September 3
​BOG Meeting - September 9 noon

---

lawyers on the move

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!

---

mcba
​continuing legal EDUCATION
​2025

---

Inclusion in Practice:  A different look at diversity, equity, and inclusion

Tuesday, September 16
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
​​
CLE Hour of PR - Diversity & Inclusion CLE Credit Pending Approval
​

What do we mean when we say DEI, and how do we reconcile diversity of thought, identity, ability, and circumstance with the idea of justice as blind? This session will present an overview of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the framework of the core principles underlying the pursuit of justice, including procedural fairness, dignity, and the legitimacy granted the legal profession and judicial outcomes through the public’s trust. We will consider inclusion and its implications for practice, firm management, and beyond.

Registration

---

central illinois paralegal association
in conjunction with MCBA​

Proudly Presents The 35th Annual Legal Educational Seminar - It's About Time

​Friday, September 26
​​​
CLE 5.5 Hours of General CLE Credit Pending Approval
CLE 1 hour PR Civility Credit Pending Approval
​

Detailed Brochure

Registration

---

Wednesday & Thursday, October 22 & 23
​​
10.5 CLE Hours of CLE Credit  [pending approval]

Including 1 hour of: Ethics, D&I, and Mental Health [pending approval]
​

Please join the McLean County Bar Association for the 9th Biennial Guardian Ad Litem Certification Seminar! 

Registration & More Information

---

more continuing legal EDUCATION

---

---

cle recording opportunities

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

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 12, 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

---

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

---

kanoski bresney​

Lit. Workers Comp

Litigation Attorney

Paralegal

Posted Aug 18

lit. counsel workers comp

​​litigation attorney

​personal inj. legal assistant​

---

iaals - institute advancement of american legal system

Information

Posted Aug 4

law student internship- paid, remote fall position​

---

Mclean COUNTY state's attorney

Information

assistant state's attorney i, ii, iii

---

office space available

---

108 w. monroe, BLOOMINGTON

Information

---