File Retention & Destruction for Lawyers
Chicago, IL | Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 1 Hour MCLE | Hybrid (In-Person + Zoom)
File Retention & Destruction for Lawyers Overview
Date and Time: Tuesday, March 10, 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
A clear file retention and destruction process is one of the simplest ways to strengthen risk management in an Illinois law practice. When closing a matter, lawyers need more than a “file closed” note—they need a defensible system for what gets retained, how long it’s kept, how confidentiality is protected, and how records are securely destroyed.
This one-hour MCLE webinar helps Illinois attorneys translate ethical duties and real-world firm operations into a practical policy. We’ll discuss what to keep (and why), how to document retention and destruction decisions, and how to handle common issues such as electronic records, client requests for files, storage costs, and cybersecurity concerns. The goal is to help your firm reduce confusion, improve consistency, and be better prepared if a question arises later.
Designed for solos through mid-sized firms, this program offers straightforward guidance you can implement immediately.
Meet Samuel J. Manella: Our Featured Presenter
Samuel Manella
Clinical Professor, DePaul University
Samuel Manella is a clinical professor who teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in business law, ethics, management, and leadership. He also manages his private law practice, Samuel J. Manella, P.C., focusing primarily on professional responsibility and attorney disciplinary law and procedure. His work includes legal research, letters of opinion on ethical issues, and expert testimony in attorney ethics matters.
Prior to entering private practice and teaching, Mr. Manella served as senior counsel to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) for the Supreme Court of Illinois. His responsibilities included staff supervision, training and development, and investigation and prosecution of professional misconduct before various boards. He earned a B.A. in finance from DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.
What Illinois Lawyers Will Learn in This File Retention & Destruction Training
During this webinar, attendees will review practical strategies for building a firm-wide file lifecycle—from intake through secure destruction—grounded in Illinois ethics, confidentiality obligations, and day-to-day operational realities.
Retention Requirements & Ethical Considerations
Clarify how Illinois’ confidentiality and professional responsibility duties impact what you keep, what you return, and what you should document before destroying records.
What Belongs in a “Defensible” Client File
Identify the records that matter most when questions arise after a matter ends—especially documents that help explain advice, decisions, scope, and key communications.
Retention Timelines That Work in Real Firms
Learn how to set retention periods that balance pro-client protection, risk management, storage burden, and consistency across practice areas.
Secure Destruction for Paper + Electronic Records
Explore best practices for secure disposal—shredding, secure deletion, vendor considerations, and how to avoid confidentiality missteps with digital files.
Client Communication, Consent, and Closing Documentation
Understand how clear closing letters, file return processes, and written retention/destroy policies reduce misunderstandings and improve consistency.
Building (and Enforcing) a Firm-Wide Policy
Walk away with an implementation-minded framework your firm can adopt, including roles, checklists, and process steps that support compliance and reduce malpractice exposure.
Register for the File Retention & Destruction for Lawyers MCLE Webinar
Start 2026 with stronger internal processes and clearer documentation. This Zoom webinar provides Illinois attorneys with practical guidance on implementing a file retention and destruction system that supports confidentiality, consistency, and risk reduction.
Register now to earn 1 hour of Illinois MCLE credit and leave with actionable steps you can apply immediately across your firm.
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