Practice resources

These resources are written for legal professionals doing legal aid or pro bono work. If you do not have legal training, they may be difficult to understand. Visit resources from the main menu for legal information written and designed for the public. Note: IICLE resources are only available to legal aid employees.

Court & Hearings Resources
Starting a new case
(4 resources)
Illinois civil practice
Advanced content for lawyers. Information on Illinois Civil Procedure, from filing a complaint to post-trial motions to enforcement of judgments.
Text article
Class actions
A lawyer resource on Rule 23 and class actions, covering investigation, discovery, notice, pleadings, motions, settlements, derivative suits, and attorneys’ fees.
IICLE
Federal civil practice
A lawyer resource on federal civil practice, covering jurisdiction, pleadings, motions, discovery, pretrial, magistrate judges, trial, appeals, and more.
IICLE
Causes of action: Common considerations
A lawyer resource on starting a cause of action, including petitions to perpetuate testimony, discovery to identify parties, adding respondents in discovery, class actions, and more.
IICLE
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During a case
(4 resources)
Illinois civil practice
Advanced content for lawyers. Information on Illinois Civil Procedure, from filing a complaint to post-trial motions to enforcement of judgments.
Text article
Perils of voluntarily dismissing without prejudice
A video for attorneys by the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services about the issues you might have to overcome if you voluntarily dismiss a case.
Video
Contempt of court
A video by Chicago Volunteer Legal Services about the power of the court to punish someone for interfering with the court process.
Video
Planning the substance of your case
The American College of Trial Lawyers give advice to attorneys on how to build your argument in a case so that it is most persuasive.
Video
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Responding to an existing case
(2 resources)
Civil Practice: Preparing for Trial
A lawyer resource on civil litigation, covering discovery, litigation rights, tax aspects, injunctions, declaratory relief, dismissals, summary judgment, pretrial conferences, and trial preparation.
IICLE
Civil practice: Opening the case
A lawyer resource on attorney-client relationships, including case development, settlement, jurisdiction, venue, pleadings, affidavits, and related procedures.
IICLE
After a case closes
(4 resources)
Post-trial relief
A lawyer manual about post trial relief. It covers certain aspects of motions to vacate default judgement, motions for relief from judgement, and other post trial relief for both jury and non-jury cases.
Lawyer Manuals
Contempt of court
A video by Chicago Volunteer Legal Services about the power of the court to punish someone for interfering with the court process.
Video
Civil Practice: Preparing for Trial
A lawyer resource on civil litigation, covering discovery, litigation rights, tax aspects, injunctions, declaratory relief, dismissals, summary judgment, pretrial conferences, and trial preparation.
IICLE
Civil appeals Illinois: State and federal
A handbook for lawyers on appellate practice in state and federal courts, covering post-judgment motions, standards of review, cross-appeals, interlocutory appeals, oral arguments, and more.
IICLE
Appeals
(2 resources)
SSI and SSDI overpayments and appeals
This article for lawyers explains overpayments, Notices of Overpayment, SSA's appeals process, and SSA's options for collecting overpayment.
Text article
Civil appeals Illinois: State and federal
A handbook for lawyers on appellate practice in state and federal courts, covering post-judgment motions, standards of review, cross-appeals, interlocutory appeals, oral arguments, and more.
IICLE
Administrative hearings
(4 resources)
Reinstatement and issuance of restricted driving permits
Overview of relevant Illinois laws and regulations pertaining to the reinstatement and issuance of restricted driving permits. Does not include applicable case law.
Lawyer Manuals
The formal hearing process
Overview of the formal hearing process for reinstating a revoked or suspended driver’s license in Illinois. Includes how to request a formal hearing and all parts of the hearing itself.
Lawyer Manuals
Responding to a DCFS investigation
The Family Defense Center (FDC) offers a manual for responding to a DCFS investigation and is written with the "wrongly accused" person in mind.
Link
Administrative review
Explains the civil procedure and administrative review process for formal hearings related to the reinstatement of driving permits. Includes applicable case law.
Lawyer Manuals
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