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THE LOOKOUT
December 2025

IPA Holiday Social and Bake-Off Wraps Up the Year with Sweet Success

The Illinois Paralegal Association celebrated the season in festive style with its annual Holiday Social and Bake-Off, and the evening was truly a wonderful way to close out the year. With a great turnout, delicious desserts, festive cocktails and appetizers, beautiful rooftop views, and plenty of holiday cheer, the event was filled with fun, laughter, and meaningful connections.

January 5 Board of Directors Meeting

The Professional Edge

One of IPA's purposes is to advance the paralegal profession. In so doing, we will be featuring articles to aid you in career development in this section of The Lookout.

Taming Modern Data Challenges: Linked Documents, by JD Supra
2025 Billing Rate Increases: Why Detailed Bill Review is Essential, by LegalBillReview.com

Postmark Changes at the Post Office and Late Mail, by Victor Forberger
Illinois Supreme Court history: A One Year Waiting Period - The Evolution of Divorce Law in Illinois, by Samuel Wheeler, Ph.D., Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission
Data First: From Static Search to Intelligent Insight, by UnitedLex
Charles Beach Takes Oath as Cook County’s First New Chief Judge in 24 Years, by Madeline Buckly, Chicago Tribune
Complimentary eBook - LawyersWeekly Legal Tech Guide 2025
They Found Relatives on 23andMe—and Asked for a Cut of the Inheritance, by Ashlea Eberling, The Wall Street Journal

Do you have any articles that you would like to share with everyone? Send an email to IPA@ipaonline.org and we will add to our next issue of The Lookout.

Non-IPA CLE Opportunities

CLE opportunities listed are provided for informational purposes only. Contact the provider to determine if the seminar is suited to your skill level and for its applicability.

NALA CLE Opportunities
- ICWA in Practice: Navigating Child Custody, Foster Care, and Adoption, December 16
- 12 Hacks Every Paralegal Should Know, December 17

Sustaining and Educational Institution members of IPA can list their upcoming CLE opportunities in The Lookout by emailing the information to IPA@ipaonline.org.

Are You Looking For A New Paralegal Position?

Are you aware that the IPA's website lists Employment Opportunities? Employers throughout the state post job listings on our website. New listings are added almost daily. If you are looking for a job, this is the first place you should look!

Is Your Firm Looking To Hire A Paralegal?

If your employer is seeking to hire a paralegal, please remind your HR department that listings can be placed on the IPA's website. There is no fee to place a listing.