Diversity Initiatives in Illinois Courts

Understand practical skills that attorneys utilize every day, including effective legal writing in pleadings, presentation of motions, effective oral arguments, and the use of electronic court orders. Judge Chapman and Judge Skarin discuss organization and style in legal writing, key items to focus on when drafting for motion practice, and everyone’s favorite – motions to compel. They also discuss presentment of motions, and effective advocacy skills during oral argument.

Learn cyber hygiene and cyber threats lawyers face, both personally and professionally, and the ways to reduce the risks associated with these threats. The relationship between the legal practice and its technology usage will be reviewed, and practical steps provided to reduce the risks of breach, data loss, and system compromise. By attending the presentation, lawyers will be more informed of the relationship between the legal practice, its technology usage, associated cyber threats and risks of compromise, and the basic best practices to protect both their own and their clients’ information. Participants will learn the questions to ask their teams: (1) Do we have the right tools? (2) Do they work? and (3) Do we know for sure they work?

Learn the basics of law firm management, including the use of bank accounts, IOLTA accounts, malpractice coverage, client selection, retainers, billing, cash flow, marketing a law business, and requirements for law practice operation.