Illinois State Bar Association

Seeing huge health insurance cost increases again this year❓ The ISBA is working on a solution, but we need YOUR help❗

The ISBA is exploring the development of a group health insurance offering for members’ law firms. While the project is progressing, we remain in the early stages with much work yet to be done, and we need YOUR help. 🩺

📌 We need as many members as possible to fill out the ISBA Group Health Insurance Quote Form and securely submit it to KeyRisk Underwriters (the firm the ISBA has contracted with to assist with this project). The form collects basic information about your firm’s employees and their dependents that are covered by the firm’s current health insurance offering. You will likely need to forward this form to the staff member at your firm who is responsible for health insurance and/or human resources. Once we have collected as many forms as possible, KeyRisk Underwriters and the ISBA will use the aggregate data to begin discussions with health insurance carriers about coverage plans for ISBA members’ firms.

🔗 Visit isba.org/group-health-ins to download our ISBA Group Health Insurance Quote Form.

"Every person we deal with matters. Engage everyone." That message from Hon. Vincent F. Cornelius resonated with attendees at the Illinois State Bar Association's Solo & Small Firm Conference 2026.

Our founder, Rachel Nicole Hernandez, and Genevieve Miller, Vice Chair of this year's conference, had the chance to connect with Perry Browder, current President of the Illinois State Bar Association, and Judge Cornelius, who served as ISBA President from 2016 to 2017.

Judge Cornelius's opening session, "Foundation to Future: Had I Known Then What I Know Now," shared lessons from his own experience hanging his shingle and opening his own law firm.

🍃 Join us in Lombard on November 12 as we honor the 2026 class of Distinguished Counselors at our Fall Member Appreciation Reception! 🍃

Celebrate this year’s class of Distinguished Counselors, connect with your ISBA friends and colleagues, and enjoy an evening of networking at The Westin Chicago Lombard. The reception will feature hors d’oeuvres, b**r, and w**e.

📅 November 12, 2026
🕰️ 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
📍 The Westin Chicago Lombard | Lombard, IL

Visit isba.org/events/fall-member-reception to register and learn more. We hope to see you there!

📢 The Illinois State Bar Association's COOK COUNTY judicial ratings for the November 3, 2026, election are available online. 🗳️

In Cook County, an ISBA Judicial Evaluations committee used the results of a questionnaire, background investigations, and in-person interviews to rate candidates for all judicial offices. Candidates for the Appellate Court outside of Cook County were also evaluated using this method.

Cook County Judicial Evaluations:
🔗 isba.org/judicial-elections/counties/cook

In counties outside of Cook, the ISBA conducted an advisory poll. Those are available to view by county. The advisory poll is conducted by mail and is sent to all ISBA members in the circuit or district from which a candidate seeks election. Licensed attorneys who are not members of ISBA, or any attorney outside the circuit or district, may request a ballot.

Judicial Evaluations and Advisory Polls by County:
🔗 isba.org/judicial-elections/counties

[Opinions expressed in the poll are of those attorneys who chose to respond and do not reflect the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association or the opinion of all Illinois attorneys.]

For more info, visit the Judicial Elections & Appointments webpage ➡️ isba.org/judicial-elections

New release! 📓 While no two trials are identical, there are certain steps that should be taken prior to and during a jury trial. This book provides a succinct guide to trial practice, including trial preparation and filing motions in limine, jury selection and opening statements, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, preparing and utilizing jury instructions, and closing statements.

Written by two experienced trial attorneys, C. Barry Montgomery and Bradley C. Nahrstadt, this book is designed for emerging attorneys to receive an inside look at working up a case for trial, including real-life opening and closing statements that have been used in past trials. This book also includes an Introduction written by Robert A. Clifford.

📓Order your copy! https://ow.ly/K7p950ZLCbY

📢 The ISBA Standing Committee on Women and the Law (WATL) is excited to announce its annual charity drive! This year, the focus is on supporting families of critically ill children through Ronald McDonald House Charities.

WATL is graciously accepting monetary donations via Venmo and Zelle that will aid Ronald McDonald House Charities in purchasing ingredients that they will use to prepare meals for families affected by critical childhood illnesses.

💰 All donations will support Ronald McDonald House Charities.

📌 Donations will be accepted by WATL now through October 9, 2026.

Visit The Bar News for details on how to donate ➡️ https://ow.ly/63Wt50ZO0it