Presented by the
ISBA Family Law Section
3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics
Original Program Date: Thursday, January 23, 2020
Accreditation Expiration Date: August 19, 2022 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)
Update the skills you need to handle your next family law case with this informative full-day seminar that covers everything from engagement to trial, as well as the ethical issues and hot topics you need to be aware of. Family law attorneys, child representatives, and general practitioners with basic practice experience—or anyone needing a family law refresher—who attends this seminar will better understand:
- Procedures for initial client meetings;
- Retainer issues to consider;
- How to draft engagement agreements;
- The mandatory requirements regarding family law pleadings and responses;
- The statutory references and case law requirements you need to be aware of for your next temporary relief case;
- How to obtain discovery and prepare for trial;
- How to conduct case management conferences and pretrial conferences;
- How to create strong opening and closing statements;
- How to preserve issues for appeal; and
- Much more!
Program Coordinator:
Pamela J. Kuzniar , Haid and Teich LLP, Chicago
Program Moderators:
Hon. Anna M. Benjamin, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Champaign County
Pamela J. Kuzniar , Haid and Teich LLP, Chicago
Practical and Ethical Considerations of Representation
This presentation explores the practical and ethical considerations of representing your client throughout their family law case, including: procedures for initial client meetings, engagement agreements, limited scope agreements, retainer issues, ARDC considerations regarding IOLTA and trust accounts, client management, incapacitated clients and consent, and pro bono representation and engagement agreements.
Howard W. Feldman, Feldman Wasser, Springfield
Richard W. Zuckerman, Law Offices of Richard Zuckerman, Peoria
Pleadings, Responses, and Appearances
This segment discusses the mandatory requirements regarding family law pleadings and responses. Topics include: petition for dissolution, responses and counter-petitions; paternity petitions and responses; pleadings for legal separation and response; petitions for allocation of parental responsibilities; and petitions to modify judgments.
Jessica Patchik, DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, Wheaton
L. Steven Rakowski, K&R Family Legal Services, LLP, Northbrook
Curtis B. Ross, The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross LLC, Chicago
Temporary Relief: Emergency, Ex parte, and Otherwise
Don’t miss this in-depth look at the statutory references and case law requirements you need to be aware of for your next temporary relief case. Topics include: the essential elements for injunctive relief, temporary restraining orders, orders of protection, motions for temporary support under the IMDMA and Parentage Act, and interim fees. Sample orders for temporary restraining orders, orders of protection, interim fees, child support, and maintenance are included.
Wes Cowell, Cowell Family Law P.C., Oak Park
Michael S. Strauss, Schlesinger & Strauss, LLC, Libertyville
Tamika R. Walker, DeRango & Cain, LLC, Rockford
