2025-2026 Chapter Leadership

president honorable judge sunil r harjani 2025-2026 chapter leadership federal bar association chicago chapter fba

Hon. Sunil Harjani
Northern District of Illinois

President

Kristine Rinella Argentine
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
(312) 460-5332
kargentine@seyfarth.com

President-Elect

Elizabeth A. Ekl
Burns Noland LLP
(312) 878-1297
eekl@burnsnoland.com

Vice President

Francis A. Citera
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
(312) 456-8413
citeraf@gtlaw.com

Secretary

Elizabeth K. Barton
Board of Education, City of Chicago
ekbarton@gmail.com

Treasurer

Erin McAdams Franzblau
Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC
efranzblau@crokefairchild.com

Immediate Past President

Meet the 2025-2026 Board of Directors & Past Presidents

The 2025-2026 Board of Directors for the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter is committed to upholding the chapter's tradition of excellence and service to the legal community. Composed of distinguished attorneys, judges, and leaders from diverse practice areas, the Board brings a wealth of experience, insight, and dedication to advancing the chapter’s mission.

Through innovative programming, professional development opportunities, and community outreach, they aim to support the federal legal community and promote the principles of justice and integrity. Their leadership will guide the chapter in fostering connections, enhancing education, and strengthening the profession in the year ahead.

Board of Directors

  • Erica Achepohl

  • Hon. Georgia Alexakis

  • Hon. Jeannice Appenteng

  • Nieves Bolanos

  • Brandon Clark

  • Todd Church

  • Britt Cramer

  • Hon. Jacqueline P. Cox

  • Nancy DePodesta

  • Sharon Desh

  • Vikas Didwania

  • Nancy DePodesta

  • Edward Feldman

  • Philip Fluhr

  • Hon. Gabriel Fuentes

  • Tony Garcia

  • Kelly Greening

  • Deborah Hamilton

  • Kathleen Hennessy

  • Melissa Hirst

  • Hon. Candace Jackson-Akiwumi

  • Hon. Lindsay Jenkins

  • Lisa Kpor

  • Stephen Lee

  • Peter McNamara

  • Hon. Daniel McLaughlin

  • Jordan Matthews

  • Megan O’Malley

  • Nicole Mueller

  • Alejandro Ortega

  • Allan Pixton

  • Deepa Rajkarne

  • Pete Salib

  • Jessica Scheller

  • Edward Siskel

  • Diane Smason

  • Samantha Swartz

  • Hon. Frank Valderrama

  • Nick Wasdin

  • Anna Wermuth

  • Mary Eileen Cunniff Wells

  • Hon. David M. Weisman

  • Hon. Andrea Wood

  • Bryan Wood

Past Presidents

  • Hon. James Wascher

  • Maria Z. Vathis

  • Scott Mendeloff

  • Paul E. Freehling

  • Charles L. Nesbit

  • Joel Skinner

  • Mary-Lisa Sullivan

  • Jack J. Carriglio

  • Hon. Arlander Keys

  • Thomas K. McQueen

  • Fern C. Bomchill

  • Rita A. Fry

  • Kevin M. Flynn

  • Hon. William H. Hooks

  • Joseph M. Gagliardo

  • John J. Lowrey

  • Hon. Paul P. Biebel, Jr.

  • Hon. Jack B. Schmetterer

  • Hon. Elaine E. Bucklo

  • William R. Coulson

  • Louis R. Hegeman

  • Theodore A. Sinars

  • Hon. Jennifer Duncan-Brice

  • Michael E. Braude

  • Hon. Frank J. Dolan

  • Charles R. Purcell

  • Hon. Ilana D. Rovner

  • John H. Secaras

  • Hon. Alexander P. White

  • Hon. James T. Balog

  • Hon. Harvey M. Silets

  • Elmer Michael Walsh, Jr.

  • J. Paige Clousson

  • Jerome S. Lamet

  • Nicolas G. Manos

  • Lawrence Fisher

  • Hon. Frank J. McGarr

  • Hon. Marjan P. Staniec

  • Mitchell S. Rieger

  • George Jackson III

  • Margaret H. McCormick

  • Mark Furlane

  • Hon. Matthew F. Kennelly

  • Sheri H. Mecklenburg

  • Jordan P. Vick

  • Michael I. Rothstein

  • Barry E. Fields

  • Morgan R. Hirst

  • Hon. Kim Soo Nagle

  • Noelle Brennan

  • Timothy Hudson

  • Erin Franzblau-McAdams