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.

During a case Resources
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
Civil discovery practice
A lawyer resource on discovery, including rules, limitations, interrogatories, document requests, depositions, exams, and remedies for noncompliance in special cases.
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
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: Trying the Case
A lawyer resource on handling trials, covering jury selection, opening and closing statements, testimony, record preservation, motions, verdicts, judgments, and post-trial motions.
IICLE
Civil Trial Evidence (Illinois)
A lawyer resource on evidence at trial, including sufficiency of proof, objections, hearsay, privileges, physical and demonstrative evidence, motions, and misconduct.
IICLE
Class actions
A lawyer resource on Rule 23 and class actions, covering investigation, discovery, notice, pleadings, motions, settlements, derivative suits, and attorneys’ fees.
IICLE
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
Employment Termination: Procedures, Grounds, and Challenges
A lawyer resource about the procedures, grounds, and challenges with employment termination, including severance pay, employment discrimination, retaliatory discharge, and reductions in force.
IICLE
Federal civil practice
A lawyer resource on federal civil practice, covering jurisdiction, pleadings, motions, discovery, pretrial, magistrate judges, trial, appeals, and more.
IICLE
Federal Criminal Practice
A handbook for lawyers on federal criminal practice, covering jurisdiction, grand juries, bail and detention, plea bargaining, motions, jury selection, sentencing, habeas corpus, and appeals.
IICLE
How to request change of judge in your case
Your case may move to a new judge for reasons beyond your control, but you can also request that you have a new judge appointed using a Motion for Substitution.
How-To
Inside and outside the jury box: Effective trial strategies
A manual for lawyers on trial strategy, covering trial psychology, community attitude surveys, change of venue studies, jury selection, witness preparation, demonstrative evidence, trial consultants, and post-verdict interviews.
IICLE
Law basics: filing an appearance and answer
A video explaining what papers you need to file and what you need to do if you're being sued.
Video
Laying Foundations for Introducing Evidence
A lawyer resource on introducing trial evidence, including how to lay proper foundations, handle objections, preserve the record, and best practices from judges and litigators.
IICLE
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