CBA to hold Running for Office CLE on May 7

I suppose that, in recent weeks, I have posted more about CLE opportunities here than is perhaps usual. Various groups have asked me to plug one event or another, and I try to accommodate when I can. Admittedly, this may also have something to do with my MCLE compliance deadline fast approaching... and with my still needing a whole boatload of hours.

But, even without prompting or pending deadlines, I almost certainly would have plugged this seminar, entitled "Running for Office," set for Tuesday, May 7, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Ct. (Interested persons can opt to attend via webinar.)

Seminars like this do fit the format here.

Organizers say the seminar is geared towards those individuals who will be running for office in 2026 or the subsequent, odd-year consolidated election, and at the attorneys who will be representing them. Topics to be covered include the requirements for getting on the ballot, defending and prosecuting petition challenges, ethical and finance issues relating to campaigns, and an overview of campaign-related communications and avoiding defamation claims.

Here is a list of the topics and speakers:

• Getting on the Ballot
  Michael C. Dorf, The Law Offices of Michael C. Dorf, LLC,


• Navigating the Petition Objection Process
  Thomas A. Jaconetty, Law Office of Thomas A. Jaconetty,


• Campaign Finance Compliance Considerations
  Jordan Andrew, Deputy General Counsel, Illinois State Board of Elections, and


• Defamation Nation: Taking the Pain Out of Campaigning
  Ryan Jacobson, Amundsen Davis, LLC
  Danessa Watkins, Amundsen Davis, LLC.

Ross D. Secler, of Odelson, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath, Ltd. (and the current Chair of the CBA Election Law Committee) will serve as moderator.

The program will offer 2.75 hours of CLE credit. The cost of the seminar is $95 for CBA members, $185 for nonmembers. There is no charge for persons enrolled in the CBA Advantage Plan. To register, click on this page of the CBA website. Persons registering can select whether to attend IRL or online.

In case you were wondering, the illustration accompanying this post is called "Canvassing for Votes," one of a series of four paintings, collectively entitled "Humors of an Election," by the English painter William Hogarth.