Joshua Galyon
Codilis is a long-established, real estate–focused law firm with roots in Illinois and a multistate presence that includes Michigan, Indiana, Texas, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Founded in 1977, Codilis and its affiliated firms have spent decades working across foreclosure, bankruptcy, loss mitigation, title curative services, and real estate transactions, building experience within complex creditor and property matters. Headquartered in Burr Ridge, Illinois, the organization has expanded its services to support mortgage servicers, developers, and other real estate stakeholders while adapting to changes in technology, procedure, and regulation.
Through its work and professional affiliations, Codilis operates within the evolving legal framework shaped by organizations such as the Illinois State Bar Association. The firm’s engagement with bar associations, continuing education, and legal reform initiatives reflects how real estate and creditor law practices in Illinois are influenced by structured guidance, legislative monitoring, and ethical standards. Understanding the role of ISBA provides useful context for how firms like Codilis navigate regulatory change while maintaining consistent client service in a shifting legal environment.
How ISBA Shapes Real Estate and Creditor Law in Illinois
The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) influences nearly every corner of legal practice in Illinois. Its impact is most visible in real estate law (the body of law governing property ownership, transactions, and disputes) and in creditor law, which regulates the rights of creditors and debtors in collections and bankruptcy. These areas carry broad implications for attorneys, clients, and communities, making ISBA’s leadership particularly significant.
Real estate and creditor law hold unusual weight in the state. Property sales, landlord–tenant disputes, and foreclosure cases affect families and businesses alike, while creditor litigation determines access to credit and recovery of debts. Because these issues shape local housing and credit markets, ISBA directs attention and resources toward helping attorneys manage them effectively. The association reinforces this commitment by publishing plain-language public guides that extend professional knowledge to citizens.
Two ISBA sections lead this work. The Real Estate Law Section covers property transactions, disclosure rules, and title issues. The Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy Section concentrates on creditor–debtor disputes, commercial finance, and bankruptcy practice. Both sections also produce newsletters and activity summaries that give members concrete updates on legislative reviews and program output.
ISBA supports these efforts through Continuing Legal Education (CLE). Programs such as real estate law updates and foreclosure-focused courses cover contracts, condominium law, and procedural changes. By offering both live sessions and on-demand modules, ISBA allows attorneys to keep pace without sacrificing client service.
Legislative and judicial monitoring form another cornerstone. ISBA reviews bills in Springfield and submits feedback on behalf of the profession. It also tracks Illinois Supreme Court rule changes, giving attorneys early notice of updates such as local bankruptcy rule revisions and service-of-process adjustments. Alongside this external work, ISBA issues guidance to help lawyers meet professional obligations under new rules.
Ethics oversight strengthens the framework. ISBA publishes advisory opinions or formal guidance documents that address unauthorized practice, conflict management, and supervision of nonlawyer staff. These opinions give attorneys concrete direction on balancing client demands with compliance under the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct. Because ISBA posts these opinions publicly, attorneys can rely on them as accessible, authoritative references in their daily practice.
Research and practice tools broaden the association’s support. Members receive access to online legal research libraries with statutes, case law, and court rules, along with other practice resources the bar maintains. These tools let practitioners draft pleadings, prepare contracts, and check statutory authority more efficiently. They also contribute to more consistent outcomes for clients without guaranteeing specific societal results.
The downstream effects reach the public. Clearer foreclosure procedures help reduce disputes, clarified landlord–tenant law supports housing stability, and standardized creditor processes promote fairness. By equipping attorneys with accurate information and reliable tools, ISBA helps deliver representation that benefits both clients and communities.
ISBA continues to broaden its platform for modern practice. Recent programs address electronic filing, cybersecurity, and remote hearings, embedding digital topics into its training system. This evolution ensures that attorneys handling property and credit cases stay prepared for technological and procedural shifts.
By uniting section expertise, structured training, legislative advocacy, ethics opinions, and research tools, ISBA provides a comprehensive framework that few organizations in Illinois can match. Its integrated approach equips attorneys to manage complex real estate and creditor matters and helps reinforce the stability of housing and credit systems statewide.
About Codilis
Codilis is a real estate–focused law firm founded in 1977 and headquartered in Burr Ridge, Illinois, with offices and affiliated firms across six states. The organization provides services in foreclosure, bankruptcy, loss mitigation, title curative work, and real estate transactions, supported by investments in technology and professional development. In addition to its legal practice, Codilis maintains active involvement with bar associations and supports charitable organizations addressing housing, food insecurity, and community stability.
