Property tax professionals are continually trying to fulfill their continuing education hours, and the Third Annual IPAI Legal Symposium on September 30, 2025, provides the ideal setting to do so. This event offers participants the opportunity to earn a substantial portion of their required CLE and CE credits while gaining insights from leading experts in property valuation and taxation on issues encountered in daily practice. 

Since its launch in 2023, the IPAI Legal Symposium has established itself as a premier forum for continuing education tailored to attorneys in the property tax field. The first two years drew approximately 150 participants annually, solidifying its reputation as the foremost in-person property tax legal symposium in Illinois. The 2025 program builds upon that success, introducing new topics and presentations from some of the most recognized professionals in the field. 

The day will open with a keynote presentation by Erin Clifford, Managing Director at Clifford Law Offices, titled Best Practices for Professionals to Build Resilience, Community, and Enhance Their Overall Well-Being. Drawing on her extensive professional experience, Ms. Clifford will address the pressures that accompany demanding careers and provide strategies to mitigate their negative effects. 

The luncheon program will feature Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board Supervising Administrative Law Judge Jennifer Vesely, who will be joined by leading lawyers Ellen Berkshire and Ares Dalianis. Together, they will present an updated version of their highly regarded Methods and Myths session, this year offering a practical review of recent PTAB decisions. Their combined expertise will provide participants with valuable insight into how the PTAB is evaluating evidence and issuing rulings. 

The symposium will conclude with a presentation by the legendary Mark Armstrong and Nora Devine entitled “Unlicensed Practice in Assessment Complaints and Appeals: Do I Need a License for That?” Their extensive research and analysis on this subject will offer attendees an unparalleled understanding of the boundaries between authorized and unauthorized practice in property tax matters. 

Throughout the day, attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions on topics ranging from the valuation of sports facilities such as Wrigley Field, to negotiation strategies, to the complex considerations involved in valuing data centers. These sessions ensure that the symposium continues its tradition of addressing the most current and relevant issues in property tax law. 

Following a full day of learning and discussion, the Women’s Property Tax Association will host an after-hours networking event, offering participants the chance to get to know the person behind the name, strengthen professional relationships, and engage in a more informal setting. 

The Third Annual IPAI Legal Symposium promises to be an essential event for property tax professionals in 2025, combining high-quality education with unparalleled opportunities for professional growth. 

Mary Kate Fitzgerald is a partner at Fitzgerald Law Group, PC, and has focused her practice on property taxation since being admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2011. She limits her representation to the owners or lessees of commercial, industrial, and investment-grade real estate in Cook County and throughout Illinois.