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The Estate Planning Short Course (EPSC) is Illinois' leading annual continuing legal education (CLE) program designed for attorneys practicing in estate planning, probate, and trust administration. For decades, this comprehensive program has provided professionals with in-depth education on the latest legal developments, best practices, and advanced strategies in estate planning.
Hosted by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE®), the EPSC offers a dynamic curriculum featuring insights from leading estate planning attorneys, trust officers, tax professionals, and financial advisors. The program delivers practical knowledge on complex legal issues, empowering attorneys to provide informed counsel to their clients.
The Estate Planning Short Course covers a wide range of topics, including:
Offered in multiple formats, the EPSC allows attorneys to choose how they attend—whether in person at Champaign or Chicago, or via live webcast from anywhere. Attendees receive access to comprehensive course materials and resources, ensuring they can reference key takeaways long after the event.
Whether you are an experienced estate planning attorney or just beginning to expand your practice in this field, the Estate Planning Short Course provides the education, networking, and resources you need to stay at the forefront of the profession.
See what legal professionals have to say about the Estate Planning Short Course.
"The updates on changes in the law were incredibly useful. The program was well done, and the sessions were eye-opening."
"The format of the program was excellent, with panelists interacting well and keeping the audience engaged.”
“A unique opportunity to go in-depth on current issues and to ask questions from presenters who are really in the know.”
📍 Champaign Event: May 5-6, 2025
iHotel and Conference Center, Champaign, IL (Live Webcast Available)
📍 Chicago Event: May 19-20, 2025
Convene, 311 West Monroe, Chicago, IL
🏛️ CLE Credits: 12.25 General CLE Credits, including:
1 General PR Credit (pending approval)
1 Mental Health/Substance Abuse PR Credit (pending approval)
🏛️ Post-Event Online On-Demand CLE Credits: 8.0 General CLE Credits, including:
1 General PR Credit (pending approval)
📈 Post-Event Access to the Online On-Demand Recording Is Included With Live Event Tuition!
💰 Pricing: $715
💰 Discount Pricing:
50% Discount for IICLE® Online All-Access Subscribers
15% Discount for Groups of 3 or More from Same Firm
$175 Tuition for IICLE® New Lawyer Starter Kit Subscribers
Champaign Event: iHotel - View Event Accommodation Options
Chicago Event: Discounted hotel rates available at Hilton Garden Inn Central Loop until April 27, 2025 - View Event Accommodation Options
Stay informed with the latest developments, insights, and updates about the Estate Planning Short Course.
We are excited to welcome Alison K. Pfeifle, Partner at ArentFox Schiff LLP in Chicago, a strategic tax and estate planning attorney who draws on her diverse professional background, which includes experience in both the legal and financial services industries, to help clients understand and navigate complex planning issues.
Her presentation, Help Me Get My Fee Back on the Ground: Understanding and Calculating the Illinois Estate Tax, will emphasize practical strategies for navigating Illinois estate tax issues and highlight recent developments, as well as offer techniques to help clients minimize tax liability while also preserving wealth.
In addition, Ms. Pfeifle will cover calculation of the tax, impacts on estates of residents and non-residents that include Illinois property, and a brief discussion of the “Nowhere Man” phenomenon of the Illinois generation-skipping transfer tax.
A special episode of the IICLE® Cornered: Out of Court podcast featuring esteemed Illinois attorneys and co-chairs of the 2025 Estate Planning Short Course Planning Committee, Lorraine Cavataio of Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. and Stacy Singer of The Northern Trust, is now live and available for listening.
Cavataio and Singer delve into the latest developments in estate planning and offer valuable insights and practical advice.
Don't miss this opportunity to take a sneak peek into what will be featured at this year’s program and how it will help you address what’s ahead in the dynamic field of estate planning and administration.
Listen NowExplore past Estate Planning Short Courses and on-demand sessions. Enhance your knowledge with key estate planning strategies, Illinois legal updates, and insights from previous events.
Gain access to attorney-led sessions covering key estate planning strategies and Illinois-specific legal updates.
Watch the 2024 Short Course Sessions On-DemandExplore bestselling IICLE® handbooks and forms on estate planning—trusted resources for Illinois attorneys.
This resource helps estate-planning attorneys structure and draft irrevocable life insurance trusts and includes 16 forms that can be tailored to clients’ needs.
View Product InfoThis handbook provides detailed guidance, including provisions to cover varying client matters, for drafting revocable grantor trusts as a key element of client estate plans.
View Product InfoGain instant access to over 100+ ready-to-use automated Estate Planning and Trust forms when you subscribe to Formulaw™ -- built to save you time.
View Product InfoThe Estate Planning Short Course celebrates legal professionals who make a significant impact in estate planning law through two prestigious awards: the IICLE® Rising Star Award and the IICLE® Outstanding Achievement in Estate Planning Award: Honoring Excellence in Estate Planning.
IICLE® Rising Star Award
Hallie Ritzu
2024 Rising Star Award Recipient
IICLE® Outstanding Achievement in Estate Planning Award: Honoring Excellence in Estate Planning
Patrick Mathis
2024 IICLE® Outstanding Achievement in Estate Planning Award Recipient
Firm: Harrison LLP, Chicago
Firm: Yudell and Lonoff LLC, Northfield
Firm: Sandberg Phoenix, Chicago
Firm: Brown, Hay + Stephens, Springfield
Firm: ArentFox Schiff LLP, Chicago
Firm: Mathis, Marifian & Richter LTD., Edwardsville
Firm: Harrison LLP, Chicago
Firm: Harrison LLP, Chicago
Firm: Buchalter Law Firm, Park Ridge
Firm: Olive Avenue LLC, Chicago
Firm: Northern Trust, Chicago
Firm: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, St. Louis
Firm: ArentFox Schiff LLP, Chicago
Yes, attending this event will fulfill Illinois CLE requirements.
All registered attendees of the live programs will receive full online access to course materials in advance of the program and will receive access to the full online on-demand recording after the event.
Cancellations received more than 10 business days before the event will be fully refunded. Contact us directly for cancellation requests.
Yes! The event provides multiple networking sessions, including networking lunches both days for in-person attendees, an easy-to-use chat feature for asking questions and interacting with fellow participants on the webcast, and a networking reception in Champaign.
Each year, an early bird rate is offered well in advance of the program dates. That rate has expired for the 2025 event, but there are several other ways to save
Early registration is recommended to secure your spot. You can register directly through the IICLE® website. Our friendly Customer Service Team is also available to assist you by phone (217-787-2080) or website chat, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your estate planning expertise, network with industry leaders, and earn Illinois CLE credits. Join us in Champaign, Chicago, or virtually for a comprehensive learning experience.