Avoiding & Mitigating Conflicts of Interest
Chicago, IL | Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 1 Hour of MCLE | ISBA Mutual Insurance Company Office
Avoiding & Mitigating Conflicts of Interest Event Details
Date and Time: Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
In-Person: ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, 20 S Clark St #800, Chicago, IL 60603
Remote: Attend via Zoom
Conflicts of interest can be among the most challenging ethical dilemmas attorneys face. Many legal practitioners find the rules governing conflicts confusing, and applying them in real-life scenarios can be difficult. However, the consequences of failing to properly identify and manage conflicts can be severe, including legal malpractice claims, disciplinary actions, and even criminal charges. Lawyers may also face disqualification, and fees earned from conflicted engagements may need to be forfeited.
ISBA Mutual’s July CLE program, Avoiding & Mitigating Conflicts of Interest, is designed to help Illinois lawyers understand and navigate these complex issues. By attending, participants will learn to identify potential conflicts, implement effective conflict-check procedures, and use conflict waivers to minimize risk.
Download the Mitigating Conflicts Risk Management Guide & CLE Presentation
As part of the “Avoiding & Mitigating Conflicts of Interest” hybrid session, attendees will gain access to two valuable resources designed to reinforce best practices in conflict management.
First, participants can download the "Avoiding and Mitigating Conflicts of Interest" Practice Guide, which outlines practical strategies for identifying and managing conflicts of interest in legal practice. The guide includes sections on conflict waivers, client intake procedures, and common traps to avoid, along with sample letters and forms that promote compliance with Illinois ethical standards.
Attendees will also be able to download the MCLE event presentation, which features key discussion points, case examples, and checklists to help integrate conflict-avoidance strategies into their everyday firm operations. Together, these resources offer clear and actionable insights to help attorneys strengthen their conflict management framework and safeguard their professional practice.
Be sure to download both materials following the session to apply these lessons directly to your firm’s risk management efforts.
Attendees Will Learn About…
During this hybrid session, attendees will learn about:
Understanding Conflicts of Interest: Learn to recognize when a potential conflict of interest may arise and understand how Illinois conflict rules apply in different scenarios.
Conflict Check Procedures: Gain insights into best practices for establishing a thorough conflict-check system to prevent conflicts from going unnoticed.
Using Conflict Waivers: Explore how conflict waivers can help avoid the serious consequences of engaging in conflicted matters, including when and how to use them effectively.
Real-Life Application: Practical tips for applying conflict rules in real-world situations to mitigate the risk of disqualification or other penalties.
Featured Speaker
Carlos A. Vera
Shareholder at Johnson & Bell Trial Lawyers
Carlos A. Vera is a shareholder in Johnson & Bell's Business Litigation and Professional Liability practice groups, concentrating in general and complex commercial litigation. He has represented businesses of all sizes in matters involving business torts, UCC violations, breach of warranty, products liability, antitrust, commercial real estate disputes, and employment litigation across Illinois and Indiana state courts, federal court, and various regulatory bodies. He has served as lead trial counsel in jury trials to verdict — including successfully defending against claims for alleged business losses exceeding $20 million — and also defends professionals against malpractice claims and handles white-collar defense matters.
Prior to joining Johnson & Bell, Mr. Vera served as an Assistant State's Attorney in Cook County, where he prosecuted over 200 bench trials and seven jury trials to verdict and argued before the 1st District Court of Appeals. He graduated cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2012, where he earned CALI Awards in Constitutional Law and Civil Procedure and externed for Chief Judge (ret.) James Holderman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Mr. Vera was named one of the "Forty Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch" for 2020 by Law Bulletin Publishing Company, and is active in the Illinois State Bar Association, where he chairs the Civil Practice & Procedure Section Council, as well as ALFA International's Business Litigation, Professional Liability, and Future Leaders Practice Groups.
Register for the Avoiding & Mitigating Conflicts of Interest MCLE Event
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge of conflicts of interest and protect your practice from the risks of improper conflict management. Secure your spot today to stay ahead of potential pitfalls, ensure compliance with ethical standards, and earn 1 hour of MCLE credit.
Note that attendees who have previously attended this session as a webinar are not eligible to receive MCLE credit again.
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