MCLEAN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
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​​​​​MCBA NEWSLETTER 

​september 1, 2025



MCBA Events 2025
September
9/4 (Thurs.)
A Cigar Social @ Rob Dob's

9/5 (Fri.) 
Breakfast with the Bar


9/9 (Tues.)
BOG Meeting

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

condolences

George Richard Flynn
​

Visitiation Service to be held
Friday, September 5
from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home
1800 Eastland Drive
Bloomington

​
BLOOMINGTON - George Richard Flynn, J.D., C.P.A., aged 80, of Bloomington, IL passed away peacefully at 6:57 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Luther Oaks in Bloomington surrounded by his loved ones.

His funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Bloomington, with the Rev. Bo Schmitt and the Rev. Andru O'Brien concelebrating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington.

George was born October 16, 1944, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the son of John A. and Margaret Delmar Flynn... Read more by pressing the button below. 
Press Here for More Information

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PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL SERVICES

Pro bono attorney needed:
We have a client needing assistance with a McLean County divorce with no children and no property.  They were married in the 1990's and separated shortly after.  Client does not have their spouse's address but believes they know what city they are in.  
​If you are willing to take this case, please contact Stacy James at 
[email protected]

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]

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More Information and Reservation Form

MCBA SCHOLARSHIP

If you know of any L2 or L3 law students, please inform them about the 2025 MCBA Community Service Scholarship. The $2,500 scholarship is open to second or third year law students with strong ties to McLean County, Bloomington-Normal, or its surrounding communities. Prime candidates will express and demonstrate a commitment to legal aid work, pro bono activities, or community service. The application deadline is October 31, 2025. Please see the link to the scholarship application below.
​
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Click on the image above to submit an application.

the 3rd thursday [most months]
​monthly 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

​BOG Meeting - September 9 noon
GAL Certification Committee Meeting - September 12 12.15 pm
CLE Committee Meeting - September 23 12 noon
​Scholarship Committee Meeting - TBD
Quarterly Family Law Bench/Bar Listening Session - December 3
​DEIA Committee Meeting - December 10 12.15 pm

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

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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
​Ends February 16, 2026

​
​
CYBER RISK & CYBER LIABILITY INSURANCE

presented by
Scott Dunton & Adam Czerwinski


​[up to 1 hour general CLE - Approved] 
​

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.

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


prairie state legal services
​[psls]

Information
Posted Sept 1

various openings


attorney registration & disciplinary commission
​[ardc]

Information
Posted Sept 1

various openings
​paralegal, attorney, etc


woodford county

Information
Posted Sept 1

assistant state's attorney​


kanoski bresney​

Lit. Workers Comp
Litigation Attorney
Paralegal
Posted Aug 18

lit. counsel workers comp

​​litigation attorney

​personal inj. legal assistant
​


Mclean COUNTY state's attorney

Information

assistant state's attorney i, ii, iii


office space available


108 w. monroe, BLOOMINGTON

Information

Executive Committee 
President                            
​John L. Pratt

2nd VP
Michael Butts

Secretary

Calli Farrell
1st VP
Adrian Barr

Immediate Past President
​Judge Pablo Eves

Treasurer
Sara James
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
Dean Davis [Year 4]
​​Jaime Ganschow  [Year 3]
Laurel Bingaman  [Year 2]
Spencer Chikahisa [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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  • MCBA Home
  • Newsletters
  • Find a Lawyer
  • 2026 Member Ap
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  • Contact
  • MCBA Committees
    • 2025 MCBA Scholarship
  • MCBA Scholarship
  • MCBA Documents
  • Resources
    • Forms-McLean
  • LAP Eleventh Judicial Assistance Attorneys
  • Career Opportunities