The Illinois Bar Association announced on May 5 that it will host a live webcast titled “Family Law Series: A View From the Bench – Criminal and Civil Contempt” on May 27. The online seminar is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. and offers two hours of continuing legal education credit.
The event aims to help family law attorneys understand the complexities of contempt proceedings, which are important for enforcing court orders or defending clients in such cases. Attendees will learn about distinctions between criminal and civil contempt, as well as direct and indirect contempt, while reviewing key elements, defenses, and recent case law.
Participants will receive instruction on analyzing orders before filing motions, drafting enforceable conditions precedent, and preparing final orders that comply with judicial standards. The program also covers strategic litigation techniques from a judicial perspective—including filing verified petitions, establishing prima facie cases, navigating discovery procedures, handling ex parte hearings, service rules, purge status dates, and body attachments.
Ethical considerations unique to advising individuals accused of contempt will be addressed alongside guidance for maximizing recovery through attorney’s fee petitions under section 508(b). Presenters plan to review real-world examples of effective and ineffective court orders from across Illinois so attendees can develop practical skills immediately applicable in their practices.
The Illinois Bar Association supports more than 28,000 members by providing continuing legal education opportunities like this seminar according to the official website. It also promotes diversity and inclusion within the legal profession according to the official website, recognizes excellence through awards for pro bono service and diversity leadership according to the official website, utilizes its Illinois Bar Center for administrative operations according to the official website, provides practice management resources and networking opportunities according to the official website, and operates under an elected president along with a Board of Governors and Assembly according to the official website.
