Neglect leads 2024 ARDC Complaints, remains the headline risk for lawyers in Illinois. As the lead malpractice complaint category in the ARDC’s 2024 Annual Report, neglect allegations accounted for 25% of all complaints, with criminal, family, tort, real estate, and probate matters most frequently implicated. At the same time, 4,706 investigations were docketed in 2024, continuing a multi-year trend of high volume. Over half of disciplinary matters began with clients or former clients, underscoring how relationship breakdowns and communication gaps often trigger grievances. Rather than add more theory to your plate, this piece translates those stats into four small, daily habits your team can implement immediately. Each habit is designed to chip away at the root causes of “neglect” findings, such as missed communications, drifting deadlines, and loose money workflows.

Those who’ve embarked on the Illinois law firm startup process know it’s equal parts excitement and uncertainty. On one hand, attorneys have the experience, a book of ideas (maybe a few clients ready to follow), and a strong sense of how they want to practice. At the same time, a dozen big questions compete for attention: Which business structure makes the most sense? How do you protect client funds and confidential data from day one? What should your first-year budget look like? How do you keep cash flowing while you build a pipeline? And (perhaps loudest of all), how do you set up simple systems that let you practice law without drowning in admin? ISBA Mutual takes a calm, practical view of launch.