An opportunity for practitioners and students to enjoy lunch in a close setting with Judge Kennelly.

Judge Matthew F. Kennelly was appointed to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 1999. Before his appointment, Judge Kennelly worked as an attorney in private practice, representing individuals and corporations in complex civil cases and in criminal cases in trial and appellate courts.

Among his high-profile criminal cases was the ultimately successful defense of Rolando Cruz, a man convicted and sentenced to death twice for the murder and rape of Jeanine Nicarico, a ten-year old girl who was living in Naperville at the time of her murder. Judge Kennelly and several other talented defense attorneys represented Cruz (pro bono) in his third trial, which resulted in a not-guilty finding.

Since his appointment to the court, Judge Kennelly has served on several committees relating to information technology and the courts. Judge Kennelly also serves as a member of the Seventh Circuit Criminal and Civil Jury Instruction Committees, as well as a committee addressing local rules for patent infringement cases in the Northern District of Illinois. Judge Kennelly received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and his law degree from Harvard Law School.

Registration fee: $15
Includes lunch catered by Inspiration Kitchen, a participant in the FBA’s Buying Change program.