Avoiding Potholes: Claims Trends in the Legal Community
Chicago, IL | Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 1 Hour MCLE | Hybrid (In-Person + Zoom)
File Retention & Destruction for Lawyers Overview
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 24, 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
Understanding today’s claims trends is one of the most practical ways for Illinois lawyers to protect their firms. This program breaks down common claims filed against attorneys, the practice areas and scenarios where risk shows up most often, and the habits that help prevent small issues from turning into professional liability exposure.
Attendees will explore how claims arise, what patterns recur in real-world matters, and how to spot early warning signs before a client concern becomes a grievance or malpractice allegation. The session also focuses on day-to-day risk controls that are easy to implement, especially for solos and small to midsize practices balancing heavy caseloads, staffing constraints, and tight timelines.
From documentation and file management to expectation-setting and communication, this course provides actionable guidance you can apply immediately to strengthen your processes, reduce avoidable risk, and protect client relationships.
Meet Our Featured Presenters: Garrett Kern & Adam Czerwinski
Garrett Kern
Chief Claims & Risk Management Officer
ISBA Mutual Insurance Company
Garrett Kern is the Chief Claims and Risk Management Officer at ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, where he leads initiatives in professional liability and risk management for legal professionals. With over two decades of experience in the insurance industry, Garrett has held senior roles at Skyward Specialty Insurance, RLI Insurance Company, and Argo Group, specializing in claims management and risk mitigation.
He began his career as a partner at Foran Glennon Palandech Ponzi & Rudloff, focusing on construction litigation, product liability, and commercial property coverage. Garrett holds a JD from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a BA in Government from the University of Notre Dame.
Adam Czerwinski
Owner & Principal Agent
Sidebar Insurance Solutions
Adam Czerwinski is the founder of Sidebar Insurance Solutions and a seasoned insurance professional with over a decade of experience litigating claims on behalf of individuals, carriers, and corporations. His work revealed a widespread need among legal professionals for clearer guidance on insurance coverage, especially regarding cyber liability.
Adam now focuses on helping law firms understand risk management, cyber insurance, and liability protection. He is a graduate of DePauw University and Chicago-Kent College of Law, and previously served as an attorney at Allstate Insurance, Polansky and Cichon, and Uber Technologies.
What Illinois Lawyers Will Learn About Claims Trends and Risk Prevention
During this hybrid session, attendees will learn practical strategies for reducing professional liability exposure by understanding how claims develop and how to prevent them.
Common Claims and Frequent Risk Areas
Identify the most common types of claims made against attorneys and the practice situations where issues most often arise.
Emerging Legal Malpractice Trends
Understand shifting patterns in professional liability and the evolving risk areas impacting Illinois lawyers.
Early Warning Signs of Potential Claims
Learn how to recognize red flags—before they escalate into grievances, conflicts, or malpractice allegations.
Prevention Strategies That Fit Real Workflows
Explore practical steps to reduce risk through stronger processes, better supervision, and consistent quality control.
Client Communication and Documentation Best Practices
Improve expectation-setting, documentation habits, and file management to support better outcomes and defensible files.
Building a Culture of Risk Management
Develop simple, repeatable habits that help your team proactively prevent issues—not react after the fact.
Register for the Claims Trends MCLE Training
Do not miss this opportunity to learn how professional liability claims develop and how to prevent them. This hybrid MCLE session gives Illinois attorneys practical, real-world guidance to strengthen firm processes, reduce risk, and protect client relationships.
Register now to attend in person or via Zoom and earn 1 hour of Illinois MCLE credit.
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