Presented by ISBA’s Real Estate Law Section
ISBA Regional Office, 20 S. Clark St., Suite 820, Chicago
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
8:55 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
6.0 hours MCLE credit
Join us for a full-day seminar examining the critical legal and legislative updates reshaping real estate. Designed for new attorneys, seasoned practitioners, and non-real estate professionals alike, this session delivers the best practices you need to stay competitive. Our expert speakers offer practical insights into handling renewable energy leases, data centers, and mechanic's liens, as well as how to effortlessly navigate real estate in probate, weigh the pros and cons of using AI in legal practice, and master essential chancery remedies.
Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Cheryl A. Morrison, Law Office of Cheryl A. Morrison, Mokena
8:55 – 9:00 a.m. Welcome
Cheryl A. Morrison, Law Office of Cheryl A. Morrison, Mokena
9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Case Law Update
Get the updates you need to advise your clients with this informative segment that reviews the latest in real estate case law.
Joseph R. Fortunato, Jr., Mainstreet Realtors, Downers Grove
9:45 – 10:15 a.m. Legislative Update
This presentation offers a comprehensive overview of the real estate-related legislation that passed during the 2025-26 session.
Bruno W. Tabis, Jr., Huck Bouma, P.C., Wheaton
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Renewable Energy Leases
Learn more about solar and wind leases as they relate to both small-scale residential setups and large-scale agricultural operations.
Courtney E. Kennedy, Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger & Considine, LLC, Dixon
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Artificial Intelligence: Tips and Tricks for the Real Estate Practitioner
AI is transforming the legal landscape, making it essential to adapt and stay ahead. Don’t miss this presentation, which delivers the practical technology tips you need to better serve your clients.
Bryan Sims, Sims Law Firm, Ltd., Naperville
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch (provided)
1:00 – 1:45 p.m. Mechanic’s Liens 101
Learn how to handle your first mechanic’s lien case, including essential compliance steps and common pitfalls to avoid.
Samuel H. Levine, Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus, Chicago
Mark B. Grzymala, Grzymala Law Offices P.C., Skokie
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. Chancery Remedies in Real Estate
Join us for an in-depth look at the key chancery remedies available to real estate clients, including partition and quiet title actions.
Hon. Joel Chupack, Circuit Court of Cook County
2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 – 3:45 p.m. Real Estate After Death
This segment examines types of title ownership and how an owner's passing impacts them, as well as transfer-on-death instruments, common hurdles with inherited property (such as tenant and insurance issues), and when probate court becomes necessary to handle the real estate.
John E. Brennock, Diaz | Anselmo, Naperville
Brandon Cue, Landtrust National Title Services Corporation, Chicago
Rebecca Chamberlin Little, Huck Bouma, P.C., Wheaton
3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Data Centers
The program closes with a timely discussion on data centers, exploring their uses, impacts, and operational development.
William J. Anaya, UB Greensfelder, Chicago
Lacy M. Fields, UB Greensfelder, St. Louis
Program Information
Fees(Lunch provided):
- ISBA Member - $170
- ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
- Non-Member - $330
- New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $45
- Law Student Members - $20
- 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.
