Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Co-Presented by the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission
ISBA Regional Office, 20 S. Clark St., Suite 820, Chicago
Thursday, September 10, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 4:40 p.m.
6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment credit
Don’t miss ISBA’s 8th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar as we explore Lincoln’s legal mind and the way it shaped his leadership of the nation. Topics include:
- Lincoln’s early law practice and the importance of his influential 1838 Lyceum Address;
- How Lincoln’s speeches and letters reveal his profound respect of the Declaration of Independence;
- The constitutional challenges that faced Lincoln as president;
- How Lincoln’s career as an attorney equipped him to navigate the unprecedented legal issues during the Civil War;
- How Lincoln’s professionalism shaped both his legal career and his approach to national leadership;
- The pivotal role Chicago played in Lincoln’s life and career; and
- Much more!
Program Coordinator/Moderator:
John A. Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Lincoln’s Practice and the 1838 Lyceum Address
Don’t miss this opening segment as we discuss Lincoln’s law practice and why his 1838 address to the Young Men’s Lyceum in Springfield, Illinois was so important.
John A. Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. The Declaration of Independence: Lincoln’s Words and Speeches
Join us for an in-depth look at what Lincoln’s speeches, letters, and public arguments reveal about his reverence toward the Declaration of Independence, his regard for the nation’s founding ideals, and his admiration for the people who created them.
Guy Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington
11:00 – 11:10 a.m. Break
11:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Lincoln’s Constitutional Problems and Preparing for Civil War Legal Issues
This segment traces the constitutional dilemmas Lincoln faced as president and shows how the habits, skills, and reasoning he developed as a practicing attorney equipped him to navigate the legal complexities of the Civil War.
Prof. Mark E. Steiner, Author, Professor of Law Emeritus, South Texas College of Law, Texas
12:10 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Lincoln’s Professionalism and Its Impact on his Career*
This session examines how Lincoln’s professionalism shaped his legal career and how he led the nation, as well as what we can draw from his example today.
Erika Harold, Executive Director, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, Chicago
2:30 – 2:35 p.m. Break
2:35 – 3:35 p.m. p.m. From Courthouse to Capitol
A 20‑minute video produced by the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition sets the stage for this panel presentation by exploring how Lincoln’s legal career informed his presidency and the major issues he confronted in both roles. Following the screening, our speakers join in a roundtable conversation to expand on the themes raised in the film and offer additional insights into Lincoln’s development as a lawyer and national leader.
Guy Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington
John A. Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield
Samuel Wheeler, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation, Springfield
3:35 – 4:35 p.m. Lincoln and Chicago
The program closes with a comprehensive look at Chicago’s significance in Lincoln’s life and career, tracing the city’s influence on his political rise, legal work, and national leadership, while also highlighting notable Chicago artwork connected to Lincoln.
Prof. Mark Pohlad, DePaul University, Chicago
*Professional Responsibility MCLE credit subject to approval
Program Information
- Fees:
- ISBA Member - $150
- Non-Member - $310
- New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
- Law Students - $0
- Please Note: MCLE credit is available to registrants only on the day of this live event. All registrants will receive access to a recording of the event a few days after the program, but credit is NOT available for the recording.
- I understand that at ISBA events, the ISBA may take photographs, video, film, and audio of registrants, participants, attendees, and their guests. By registering for, or attending, such events I consent to the ISBA’s editing, copying, publishing, distributing, and using my image, likeness, voice, and name for any ISBA purpose. Such purposes may include, but not be limited to, ISBA marketing and communications, posting on ISBA websites and social media platforms, and sharing with other members, registrants, or attendees. I further understand that any photographs, video, film, and audio taken at ISBA events by the ISBA are owned and copyrighted by the ISBA, and that I waive: (1) any compensation for the ISBA’s use of my image, likeness, voice, and name; and (2) any opportunity or right to inspect or approve the photographs, videos, film, or audio prior to ISBA use.
