2026-2027 Chapter Leadership
Kristine R. Argentine
Partner, Consumer Class Actions
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
President
Elizabeth A. Ekl
Partner
Burns Noland LLP
President-Elect
Francis A. Citera
Shareholder
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Vice President
Elizabeth K. Barton
General Counsel
Board of Education, City of Chicago
Secretary
Lisa M. Kpor
Managing Counsel, Litigation
United Airlines
Treasurer
Hon. Sunil R. Harjani
U.S. District Judge
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Immediate Past President
Meet the 2026-2027 Board of Directors & Past Presidents
The 2026-2027 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
Lauren Caisman
Brandon Clark
Hon. Jacqueline P. Cox
Britt Cramer
Nancy DePodesta
Sharon Desh
Vikas Didwania
Hon. Gabriel Fuentes
Tony Garcia
Kelly Greening
Deborah Hamilton
Kathleen Hennessy
Melissa Hirst
Hon. Candace Jackson-Akiwumi
Hon. Lindsay Jenkins
Hon. Virginia Kendall
Stephen Lee
Jordan Matthews
Hon. Daniel McLaughlin
Peter McNamara
John Moynihan
Robert Neiman
Megan O’Malley
Christine O’Neill
Alejandro Ortega
Allan Pixton
Deepa Rajkarne
Pete Salib
Jessica Scheller
Edward Siskel
Diane Smason
Sydney Snower
Samantha Swartz
Hon. Frank Valderrama
Grayson Walker
Nick Wasdin
Rachel Weisberg
Hon. M. David Weisman
Mary Eileen Cunniff Wells
Anna Wermuth
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
Hon. Sunil R. Harjani