The Prudent Investor Rule in a Guardianship Context: Balancing Safety, Income, and Court Restrictions

Tuesday, June 9, 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Benjamin F. Malsch, MSSC, Senior Trust Officer, Midland Trust

Tentative for 1 general CLE credit

Explore how the Prudent Investor Rule applies within a guardianship framework, where financial decisions must balance safety, income generation, and strict court oversight. This webinar will break down fiduciary responsibilities, investment constraints, and practical strategies to help guardians and advisors manage assets prudently while remaining compliant with legal requirements.

Ben Malsch, MSSC, administers guardianships, special needs trusts, and estate settlements, collaborating closely with attorneys and families to provide prompt, empathetic service. Ben serves as Senior Trust Officer at Midland Trust Company and has more than 30 years of experience administering guardianships and trusts for his clients with empathy and respect. He specializes in administering guardianships for minors and adults with disabilities, special needs trusts, and estate settlement. Ben assists attorneys and families in designing meaningful long-term financial management strategies unique to each client’s circumstances.

How to be an Ethical Attorney

A Practical Guide to Ethical Decision-Making in Elder Law Practice

Anisa L. Jordan

ARDC Counsel, Ethics Education

tentative for 1.0 Ethics CLE credit

This session explores the real-world ethical challenges attorneys face in elder law, estate planning, guardianship, Medicaid planning, and fiduciary representation. Using practical scenarios and current professional responsibility standards, attendees will examine how to navigate issues involving client capacity, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, undue influence, fiduciary duties, and attorney-client relationships involving family members and caregivers. The program will also address ethical considerations in remote practice, technology use, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Participants will leave with practical strategies for identifying ethical risks, maintaining professional integrity, and complying with the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct while effectively serving older adults and vulnerable clients.

Anisa L. Jordan is Counsel, Ethics Education for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), where she develops and implements continuing legal education (CLE) programs for Illinois lawyers focused on the Illinois Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct and general professionalism. She is also an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association, serving as Vice Chair of the Criminal Justice Section and on the Center for Professional Responsibility committee on CLE for the American Bar Association.

With over 15 years of legal experience, Anisa is a seasoned attorney dedicated to justice and ethical practice. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a specialization in International Affairs and a minor in Spanish from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law, where she was admitted to practice in Illinois in 2009.

How to Get Certified to be a VA Attorney

VA Benefits Explained

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 from 1:00 - 2:00 PM CT

Tentative for 1 general CLE credit

Maryam Abidi is an Illinois-licensed attorney with extensive experience in civil rights, employment law, and policy advocacy. She is based in Chicago, Illinois, and is active in the legal community. Abidi serves as a Staff Attorney at the Veterans Legal Clinic within the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Law. Her role involves providing legal representation and advocacy for veterans, often focusing on civil rights and employment-related legal issues. She is affiliated with UIC Law, which is Chicago’s only public law school. Her work is also connected to the Clinical Legal Education Association, where she is also a member. Abidi has participated in public legal and advocacy discussions, including media appearances on topics such as #MeToo in our Movements, alongside other legal advocates. Maryam Abidi is a civil rights and employment law attorney with a strong foundation in public legal education and veteran advocacy. Her career blends clinical legal work, policy engagement, and public service, making her a notable figure in Chicago’s legal community.

Facility Contracts and Related Implications

Tuesday, January 12, 2027, 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Amy Delaney, Managing Partner, DDV Law LTD

Tentative for 1 general CLE credit

This webinar explores the critical components of facility contracts and the broader implications. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of contract structures, key terms, risk allocation, compliance considerations, and financial impacts. The session will also highlight common pitfalls, negotiation strategies, and best practices to ensure effective contract management. 

Amy Delaney is the Founder and Managing Partner of DDV Law, Ltd., where she leads a practice focused on elder law, including nursing home residents’ rights, Medicaid and special needs planning, guardianship and probate litigation, and estate and trust administration. She is a Board-Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), certified by the National Elder Law Foundation and the American Bar Association.

With over 25 years of experience, Amy has earned consistent recognition as a Leading Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and one of the Top 50 Female Attorneys in Illinois. She holds the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and maintains a perfect Avvo rating. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, CNN, WGN, and PBS.

Amy is a past president of the Illinois Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and currently serves on its legislative committee. She helped shape emergency rules for remote notarization during the COVID-19 pandemic and was appointed to the Secretary of State’s Remote Notarization Taskforce. She has also contributed to key elder law reforms, including updates to the Illinois Trust Code, Probate Act, and Nursing Home Care Act.