Would you like to support the IPA’s Patricia Murphy Coleman Scholarship Fund?

This pin is the Standard IPA Scholarship Pin, and 100% of your purchase goes directly toward the scholarship.

Pins will also be available for purchase on-site at the Education Conference.

At this time, I am looking for volunteers to serve as proctors. We cannot run this conference without volunteers and we need your help. Proctors are responsible for introducing the speaker, reading some brief announcements, passing out handouts and evaluation forms, overseeing the sign-in/sign-out process, distributing CLE certificates, and thanking the speaker. It is very simple to do, but so very important. If you would like to proctor any of the seminars that you are attending, please indicate here.

When investigations and litigation arise, the need to review electronic data is inevitable. There are considerations when choosing a software program to review the data, workflows that follow best practice and conversations that should be discussed with case teams. We will discuss the EDRM (electronic discovery reference model) and focus on how paralegals can be invaluable throughout this process.

Abigail Mast, Senior Project Manager, most recently with Perkins Coie and Adjunct Instructor for Roosevelt University’s Paralegal Studies Program

This session provides an overview of corporate compliance essentials with guidance on ethical and compliant business practices. The topics include conflicts of interest, laws regarding fair markets, nondiscrimination laws, as well as guidance related to financial controls and records.

Brittany Pape, Esq., Corporate Compliance Leader

Immigration law and practice have undergone many changes in recent years. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the “Securing the Border” and “Circumvention of Lawful Pathways” regulations, and the “Keeping Families Together” parole-in-place program have both opened and closed potential immigration benefits for many individuals. Join us for a robust discussion of these programs, how they are working in light of ongoing litigation and what impact a change in presidential administrations may have on each.

John F. Hurlbut, Partner at Hurlbut & Hurlbut, P.C.

Paralegals are vital members of legal teams, but what ethics issues could they encounter? In this session, we will discuss ethics issues that paralegals might face, including the unauthorized practice of law and handling client funds. We will also talk about how paralegals can help attorneys avoid professional misconduct and how the ARDC can help.

Kay Boychuk, Litigation Counsel, Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission

Alternative Dispute Resolution continues to be an important aspect of the legal profession. ADR not only saves time and money, but parties who resolve their disputes through ADR are generally more satisfied because they are more directly involved in the outcome of their dispute.

Just as in traditional litigation, the paralegal’s role in ADR involves helping clients and attorneys prepare for and participate in all aspects of the process. Experienced paralegals may take on more advanced roles such as conducting negotiations and mediations. This session will discuss the various types of ADR and will explore opportunities for paralegals in this collaborative method of resolving disputes.

Todd A. Heller, Attorney at Heller Trakhtman & Associates and Adjunct Professor for Roosevelt University’s Paralegal Studies Program

The green card for most foreign national workers is normally slow and expensive because it involves a labor market test that takes 2-3 years to complete. The EB-1 and national interest waiver options offer a short cut that can cut the processing time to less than a year. Join us as we explore this option and how it works.

Timothy Payne, Partner at Sidley Austin LLP

Take a journey through the AI landscape for legal professionals, with insights into the options available to Illinois Paralegal Association members. We'll also highlight best practices to maximize your time and investment in this rapidly advancing technology.

Cary Hansing, Paralegal, BP Products North America Inc.

In this session, you will learn about some of the basics of special needs planning. Mallory will discuss the importance of powers of attorney and how these tools can be used for multiple planning purposes. She will also discuss guardianships, special needs trusts, means-tested benefits, such as Medicaid and SSI, and explore ABLE Accounts. The presentation will offer some of the planning tools and resources available for individuals with disabilities, including what family members or loved ones may want to consider and what individuals with disabilities themselves might be able to explore.

Mallory Moreno, Principal at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.

Chances are, if you have been employed during your lifetime, you have heard a thing of two about Workers’ Comp. However, if you have been lucky enough to never have been injured at work, you likely don’t know much about how the system works. This session will discuss the Workers’ Compensation system and laws in Illinois and explain all the benefits involved in the system for injured workers. Everyone with a job can benefit from learning about this topic.

Dan DeBias, Partner at Horwitz, Horwitz and Associates