2025 NDIL Judges Share Insights with New & Pending Lawyers

On August 6, 2025, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter hosted its annual Northern District Practice for New Lawyers & Lawyers-To-Be at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. The event offered law students, interns, summer associates, and new attorneys an opportunity to observe and learn from distinguished members of the Northern District of Illinois (NDIL) bench. Attendees witnessed live oral arguments on real motions, followed by a judicial panel discussion centered on effective written and oral advocacy in federal court.

The 2025 program featured four NDIL judges, consisting of Hon. Matthew F. Kennelly, Hon. Sunil R. Harjani, Hon. LaShonda A. Hunt, and Hon. Judge Keri L. Holleb Hotaling. Each brought decades of legal experience and insight into the evolving practice of law in one of the nation’s most active federal districts.

Judge Matthew F. Kennelly: Decades on the Federal Bench

Senior U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly has been a cornerstone of the Northern District of Illinois since his appointment by President Bill Clinton in 1999. Having assumed senior status in 2021, Judge Kennelly continues to oversee a significant caseload and remains a respected voice in federal practice.

A native of Marion, Indiana, Judge Kennelly earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1978 and his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1981, where he served as Executive Director of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. Before joining the federal bench, he clerked for Judge Prentice Marshall of the Northern District of Illinois and practiced law privately in Chicago for over a decade.

Judge Kennelly gained national attention for his handling of ACLU v. AT&T, a 2006 case concerning alleged violations of constitutional rights through the federal government’s intelligence-gathering activities. His reasoning in that case reflected his careful balance between individual liberties and national security interests—qualities that have defined his judicial philosophy.

During the 2025 NDIL Judges event, Judge Kennelly’s participation emphasized his commitment to mentorship and education. His career trajectory exemplifies both deep respect for the rule of law and a practical understanding of the demands placed on advocates in federal courtrooms.

Judge Sunil R. Harjani: From Prosecutor to District Judge

Judge Sunil R. Harjani took the oath of office as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois on April 2, 2024, following nomination by President Joseph R. Biden and Senate confirmation in March 2024. Before his appointment, he served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the same district from 2019 to 2024.

Judge Harjani’s career includes over a decade as an Assistant United States Attorney and Deputy Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago. In that role, he prosecuted complex white-collar crimes, including securities and commodities fraud, and argued appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. His extensive experience in high-stakes litigation brings a prosecutorial perspective to his judicial duties.

Earlier in his career, Judge Harjani served as Senior Counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and as an associate at Jenner & Block LLP, one of Chicago’s premier law firms. A double graduate of Northwestern University, where he earned both his B.A. and J.D., Judge Harjani now teaches courses on White Collar Criminal Practice, Federal Civil Discovery, and Depositions at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

At the 2025 program, Judge Harjani’s insights underscored the value of preparation, integrity, and precision in advocacy. His remarks reflected the same analytical rigor and commitment to public service that have marked his progression from prosecutor to district judge within the NDIL.

Judge LaShonda A. Hunt: Leadership Across Law and Service

Judge LaShonda A. Hunt was appointed a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois on May 26, 2023, following years of distinguished service as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge. Her diverse professional background bridges federal service, state government leadership, and community engagement.

Judge Hunt earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Before joining the federal judiciary, she served as General Counsel of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services and Chief Legal Counsel of the Illinois Department of Corrections, in addition to her tenure as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois.

Her early career included positions as a litigation associate, Seventh Circuit staff attorney, and law clerk to the late Hon. William J. Hibbler of the Northern District of Illinois. Judge Hunt has also been deeply involved in professional and civic organizations, including leadership in the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, the Chicago Bar Foundation, and Just the Beginning—a nonprofit dedicated to diversifying the legal profession.

At the 2025 NDIL Judges seminar, Judge Hunt’s presence represented the intersection of professional excellence and mentorship. Her remarks often highlight the importance of access, representation, and ethics in both public service and private practice.

Judge Keri L. Holleb Hotaling: A Path Through Public and Private Practice

Magistrate Judge Keri L. Holleb Hotaling, who took her oath of office on August 10, 2023, brought a blend of public service and private practice experience to the event. She received her B.A. in Political Science and Environmental Studies from Allegheny College, graduating magna cum laude and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, before earning her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where she served as an editor for the Virginia Environmental Law Journal.

Judge Holleb Hotaling began her legal career at Jenner & Block LLP, where she worked as an associate and later partner, representing clients in complex commercial litigation while maintaining an active pro bono practice. She also clerked for Judge Philip P. Simon of the Northern District of Indiana and later served as Assistant Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation under Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

Outside the courtroom, she contributes to civic and nonprofit initiatives, serving on the Board of Directors for YWCA Evanston/North Shore and as a fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago. Her varied background has equipped her with a balanced perspective on advocacy, ethics, and community responsibility—principles she conveyed throughout the 2025 session.

2025 NDIL Judges Event Showcases Experience, Integrity, and Mentorship

The 2025 NDIL Judges panel once again exemplified the Northern District of Illinois’s commitment to education, professional development, and public service. Through the candid insights of Judges Kennelly, Harjani, Hunt, and Holleb Hotaling, attendees gained a multifaceted understanding of federal practice—rooted not only in legal procedure but in professionalism, preparation, and purpose.

As participants engaged with these distinguished members of the judiciary, the event reinforced one of the Federal Bar Association’s central missions: fostering connections between the bench and bar to strengthen the administration of justice. For many of the new and aspiring attorneys in attendance, the session offered not only a view into the courtroom but also an introduction to the values that define the Northern District of Illinois. For further legal networking and CLE opportunities, explore the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s upcoming events!