Illinois State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division

10/19/2026

10/05/2026

Save the Date! 📅 The Joint Midyear Meeting is December 10 – 11, 2026, at the Renaissance Chicago.

Please join the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association for the 2026 Joint Midyear Meeting in Chicago! This two-day event features exceptional programming along with opportunities to network with fellow members in a fun, social environment. We can’t wait to see you there! ❄️❄️❄️

🔑 Make your lodging reservation today: https://book.passkey.com/event/51160022/owner/2497/home

📌 Reservation deadline: November 24

🔗 isba.org/jointmeeting

10/01/2026

ISBA campaign season is here! 📥 ‼️

Campaign season for the 2027 Illinois State Bar Association Election begins today, October 1, for open leadership seats of third vice president (outside Cook County) and the following Board of Governors seats: Area 1 (Circuit 18), Area 2 (Circuits 17, 19, and 22), Area 6 (Circuits 7, 8, and 9), and Area 8 (Circuits 3 and 20). There are also two Board of Governors seats in Cook County. There are 23 open seats for Cook County Assembly.

Nominating petitions are available and can be signed no later than 4:30 p.m. on January 8, 2027. At the close of the acceptance period, all ballot positions will be determined by lot amongst all the candidates for the same office.

For more information, including policies and procedures, visit isba.org/election/notice. ⬅ 📥

09/22/2026

“The heat of autumn is different from the heat of summer. One ripens apples, the other turns them to cider.”- Jane Hirshfield 🍁🍂

09/18/2026

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

09/17/2026

Applications for the 2027-28 Rural Practice Fellowship Program season close TOMORROW, September 18❗

The ISBA Rural Practice Fellowship Program connects rural and small town law firms looking to hire law clerks and associates with law students and recent graduates interested in practicing law in rural communities of Illinois. The Program has placed 44 associate fellows and 34 summer clerk fellows in rural firms all over Illinois since its creation in 2020. ⚖️

📌 Apply and learn more about how the Program benefits both rural firms and attorneys considering rural practice by visiting isba.org/ruralpractice.

09/17/2026

Today, we celebrate the birthday of our government, and we commemorate the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. 🇺🇸

"I consider the difference between a system founded on the legislatures only, and one founded on the people, to be the true difference between a league or treaty and a constitution." -James Madison (Constitutional Convention, 1787)

09/15/2026

"On August 27th, ISBA President Perry Browder, Ernest Barrens, and I welcomed 1L students (120+!) at Northern Illinois University College of Law. The students posed tough questions, and I am really excited to see their legal careers progress. Welcome to law school! Thank you to Dean Hill and the NIU College of Law SBA for hosting a wonderful post-panel picnic." -Emily Masalski, ISBA 3rd Vice President

❤️ 🤍 🖤

All Illinois law students receive a FREE ISBA membership during law school. Visit isba.org/lawstudents to make the most of your student membership.

⚖️

Illinois State Bar Association President's Page

09/14/2026

Applications for the 2027-28 Rural Practice Fellowship Program season close THIS FRIDAY, September 18❗

The ISBA Rural Practice Fellowship Program connects rural and small town law firms looking to hire law clerks and associates with law students and recent graduates interested in practicing law in rural communities of Illinois. The Program has placed 44 associate fellows and 34 summer clerk fellows in rural firms all over Illinois since its creation in 2020. ⚖️

📌 Apply and learn more about how the Program benefits both rural firms and attorneys considering rural practice by visiting isba.org/ruralpractice.

09/11/2026

📢 Applications for the 2027-28 Rural Practice Fellowship Program season will close on Friday, September 18❗

The ISBA Rural Practice Fellowship Program connects rural and small town law firms looking to hire law clerks and associates with law students and recent graduates interested in practicing law in rural communities of Illinois. The Program has placed 44 associate fellows and 34 summer clerk fellows in rural firms all over Illinois since its creation in 2020.

📌 Apply and learn more about how the Program benefits both rural firms and attorneys considering rural practice by visiting isba.org/ruralpractice.