Each of the following online seminars can be viewed at absolutely no charge. These seminars are intended for the use of CVLS volunteers who have agreed to provide pro bono services.
CVLS is an accredited provider of Illinois MCLE courses and all of the seminars listed here are approved for Illinois MCLE credit only. You may apply for CLE credit for viewing one of the following seminars in its entirety. This CLE credit can be applied to the minimum continuing legal education requirements for Illinois attorneys. All seminars are general credit unless otherwise stated. To receive CLE credit for viewing a seminar, submit the request form on the individual seminar's page.
- All
- Adoption
- Adult Guardianship & GAL
- Child Rep
- Children
- Decedent Estates
- Estate Planning & Powers of Attorney
- Family
- Housing
- Human Rights
- Immigration
- Minor Guardianship & GAL
- Probate
A Guardian’s Duty to Pursue Benefits: Medicaid Planning in Guardianship
Adult Guardianship & GAL, Probate
This presentation will discuss Medicaid benefits and eligibility requirements generally with a focus on various Medicaid planning tools available within the context of a guardianship.
Read More Administration of Small, Uncontested, Decedent Estates in Cook County, Illinois
Decedent Estates, Probate
This seminar provides an overview for attorneys as to how to open, close, and assist in the administration of small, uncontested Decedent Estates in Cook County, Illinois.
Read More Adult Guardianship 101 – Representing a Petitioner
Adult Guardianship & GAL
Join us to learn the steps involved in representing a petitioner in an adult guardianship case from start to finish. This training is for licensed attorneys interested in representing clients in adult guardianship matters through CVLS. No prior experience is necessary.
Read More Bond Hearings: Practical advice and Pointers
Immigration
Learn how to represent detained immigrants in bond hearings, a short-term, low-commitment pro bono opportunity suitable for all attorneys. Clients represented at bond hearings have a better chance of release.
Read More Child Custody & GAL Work: Recent and Upcoming Changes
Children, Family
Experienced family law and appellate attorney David Gotzh will share his extensive knowledge of current events in family law, including recent and upcoming changes to the law in these areas. He will also share a summary of many recent cases and their implications for family law practitioners.
Read More Child Representative Training
Child Rep, Children, Family
Often in contested child custody cases in divorce or parentage court, the court or parties will seek the appointment of a child representative to assist in the custody determination. Learn the court process when a child representative is appointed and the role and duties of the child rep from our distinguished panel of presenters.
Read More Common Mistakes, FAQ, and Red Flags in Adoptions
Adoption, Children, Family
What happens when your client’s background check comes back with an unexpected arrest? What should you do when your uncontested adoption case suddenly becomes contested? Tune in to hear the answers to these questions and more during a panel conversation with the five GALs from adoption court.
Read More Decedent’s Estates Overview
Decedent Estates, Probate
This presentation on decedent's estates is intended for attorneys interested in volunteering in CVLS' Probate Court Assistance Project (PCAP) in which pro bono practitioners represent low income petitioners in decedent’s estate cases.
Read More Estate Planning
Estate Planning & Powers of Attorney, Probate
This seminar is meant to provide a solid foundation in estate planning so that volunteers can properly advise clients and create an estate plan that best suits their needs. Explore topics to include the importance of a comprehensive intake and complete client information, wills, trusts, powers of attorney and other advanced directives, and more!
Read More GAL Training for Adult Guardianship Cases
Adult Guardianship & GAL, Probate
A Guardian ad Litem is appointed by the court in adult guardianship cases in order to represent the best interests of the allegedly disabled adult. Join us as we cover the skills required to be a successful GAL for adult guardianship cases and the issues that may arise during those cases.
Read More Guardianship Planning for Immigrant Families
Children, Immigration
This presentation will share information on the three forms of guardianship in Illinois, and then focus on how immigrant parents can utilize the Illinois statutory short term guardianship form to create an emergency care plan for their children in the event of the parents’ detention or deportation.
Read More Immigration Detention and Removal: and Update from the Pro-Bono Bond Project
Immigration
The Legal Services for Detainees Committee of the Chicago Chapter for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) gives an update on the ongoings in Immigration Court, the new tactics of the Trump Administration in detaining and deporting non-citizens, a brief overview of habeas, and ways for attorneys to get involved in a volunteer capacity.
Read More Inventories and Accounts for Minors & Disabled Persons
Adult Guardianship & GAL, Minor Guardianship & GAL
Join seasoned Probate Litigator Steve Raminiak as he teaches laws, procedures and best practices relating to Guardianship Inventories and Accounts in Cook County.
Read More Overview of Supplemental Needs Planning
Adult Guardianship & GAL, Probate
The presentation will cover supplemental needs trust planning, including public benefits eligibility, the use of ABLE Accounts, and the two main types of supplemental needs trusts. It will also explore their application in divorce cases and the probate court’s role in trusts for individuals under guardianship.
Read More Protecting Vulnerable Homeowners from Zombie Debt
Housing
Learn more about zombie second mortgages—old debts lenders once abandoned, now revived by debt buyers—which are putting more Chicago-area homeowners at risk of losing their homes, often over debts that are time-barred or inflated.
Read More Recent Developments in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
Children, Immigration
CVLS attorneys will share information about emerging issues and recent legal developments impacting Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases, including changes in local Cook County practices, troubleshooting in atypical situations, and how to advise clients in light of the recent cancellation of deferred action for SIJS recipients.
Read More Restorative Justice Community Courts
Human Rights
Restorative Justice is a crucial tool in criminal courts, and Margaret Kulujian and Mark Dobrzycki from the Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court present a CLE to explain its purpose and advantages, highlighting its success with a recidivism rate of less than 13%.
Read More Serving as a Guardian Ad Litem in Calendar 20 Cases—The Basics
Adult Guardianship & GAL
Cal 20, with a central case management system and a single court call of judges from the Probate and Mental Health courts, offers a holistic approach for cases that involve respondents with guardianship and mental health legal issues. This program, the first of two panels, provides an overview of the new call. Learn about the types of cases it hears, how they get there and the role of the GAL.
Read More SIJS Step 1: Predicate Orders in State Court
Children, Immigration, Probate
Learn how to assist undocumented children and young adults in gaining U.S. citizenship through Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases, which involves first obtaining a predicate order in state court. This seminar will primarily focus on the predicate order process through guardianship proceedings in probate court.
Read More Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Predicate Orders in Domestic Relations
Children, Family, Immigration
Learn how to assist undocumented children and young adults in gaining U.S. citizenship through Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases, which involves first obtaining a predicate order in state court. This seminar will primarily focus on the predicate order process through parental allocation proceedings in domestic relations.
Read More Transfer on Death Instruments
Estate Planning & Powers of Attorney, Probate
In this seminar experienced probate attorneys Marcie Hefler and Shunte Goss will teach us the ins and outs of Transfer on Death Instruments (TODIs). Learn tips for preparing and recording TODIs, pitfalls to avoid, and more!
Read More U Visa Overview Training
Immigration
This 4-part on-demand training series is designed for pro bono attorneys handling U Visa cases post-law enforcement certification. From understanding the basics to drafting declarations, gathering evidence, and preparing forms, each session breaks down the process with practical guidance and real case examples.
Read More Uncontested Adoptions from Start to Finish
Adoption, Children, Family
Whether you’re new to adoption or an experienced volunteer, you’re sure to benefit from hearing what’s new in Cook County Adoption Court. Hear from the five GALs who are appointed by the County Division to represent the best interests of children in adoption cases. They will cover everything from initial intake and drafting the petition to appearing in court and finalizing your case.
Read More