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THE LOOKOUT
August 2026


Cruise with the IPA at the 2026 Summer Spectacular!

The Illinois Paralegal Association’s Summer Spectacular returns to the water in 2026! On September 16, we’ll cruise Chicago’s lakefront aboard City Cruises’ Spirit of Navy Pier. Join us for drinks and appetizers on the private Horizon deck and network with your fellow paralegals, your Board of Directors, and our sponsors, litigation support vendors whose services can make your life as a paralegal a little bit easier.

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Fall Education Conference & Paralegal Day Celebration


Mark your calendar for Thursday, November 5—Paralegal Day in Illinois!

We’ll begin the afternoon with informative CLE sessions at Roosevelt University, followed by a celebratory dinner at 90th Meridian. Attend one event or make a day of it and join us for both! Registration and additional details are coming soon.

We are currently seeking in-person presenters for the Fall Education Conference on the following topics:

  • Estates: Digital Assets in Estate Planning
  • Family Law: Hidden Assets and Financial Discovery
  • Real Estate: Illinois Property Tax Appeals
  • Litigation: Digital Evidence Challenges, Illinois Jury Trial Trends, or Technology in the Courtroom
  • Corporate Law: Cybersecurity or Governance Best Practices
  • Legal Technology: Microsoft Office, Excel, or Google Tips and Tricks

If you know someone who would be an excellent presenter on any of these topics, or any other timely topic, please email Yvonne Kriss.

2026 Summer Spectacular Boat Cruise - click to register


Join us on Wednesday, September 16, for one of the highlights of the summer—a memorable evening aboard City Cruises' Spirit of Navy Pier.

This beautiful vessel features an open-air upper deck and three spacious enclosed salons. Our group will enjoy exclusive access to the private Horizon Deck as we cruise Chicago's stunning lakefront.

Boarding begins at 5:00 p.m., with departure at 5:30 p.m. During our 1½-hour cruise, enjoy appetizers and unlimited beer, wine, soda, and juice.

Reconnect with colleagues, expand your professional network, and take in breathtaking views of Chicago's iconic skyline and architecture while enjoying a relaxing evening on the water.

At just $35 for IPA members and $45 for nonmembers, this is an exceptional value.

Reserve your space early! This event sells out fast and prices increase September 1st!

September 14 Board of Directors Meeting


Click to Register

Sustaining Member Spotlight

Planet Depos is the world's leading independently-owned provider of court reporting and litigation technology solutions. Led by court reporters and industry experts, we combine decades of experience with continuous innovation to help legal professionals navigate an increasingly complex litigation landscape. From local depositions to complex international proceedings, our global reach, technology-first approach, and unwavering commitment to best-in-class service make Planet Depos the trusted partner for law firms, corporations, and government agencies.

The Professional Edge

One of IPA's purposes is to advance the paralegal profession. In so doing, we will be featuring articles to aid you in career development in this section of The Lookout.

Do you have any articles that you would like to share with everyone? Send an email to IPA@ipaonline.org and we will add to our next issue of The Lookout.
Professional Edge

FREE 30-Day Trial of LawEngine (no credit card required)

Disclaimer: The Illinois Paralegal Association (IPA) is not sponsoring, endorsing, or recommending LawEngine and makes no representations or warranties regarding its suitability, accuracy, security, functionality, or compliance with applicable laws or regulations. Participation in the trial is entirely voluntary. Users are solely responsible for independently evaluating LawEngine and ensuring that any use complies with their employer's or organization's policies and procedures, confidentiality requirements, and all applicable laws, ethical obligations, and professional standards.

LawEngine is offering IPA Members a free 30-day trial.  Members should use a work email if possible. There is no automatic charge and no cancellation process needed to avoid being charged.

Check out this one-page Illinois brief for your reference, but the shortest way to evaluate LawEngine is to test it on real Illinois questions where source-linked support, accuracy, and thoroughness matter.

LawEngine is built to help Illinois legal professionals get to the right source-backed answer faster, with citations, source text, and limits they can inspect.

 

Sign up for your FREE 30-day trial here ▶ https://www.lawengine.ai/pricing?ref=IPA-30
Code: IPA-30
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Non-IPA CLE Opportunities

CLE opportunities listed are provided for informational purposes only.  Contact the provider to determine if the seminar is suited to your skill level and for its applicability.
Sustaining and Educational Institution members of IPA can list their upcoming CLE opportunities in The Lookout by emailing the information to IPA@ipaonline.org.
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Are You Looking For A New Paralegal Position?

Are you aware that the IPA's website lists Employment Opportunities? Employers throughout the state post job listings on our website. New listings are added almost daily. If you are looking for a job, this is the first place you should look!

Is Your Firm Looking To Hire A Paralegal?

If your employer is seeking to hire a paralegal, please remind your HR department that listings can be placed on the IPA's website.  There is no fee to place a listing.

Find Your Next Job Here

How To Post A Paralegal Position