Hon. John Z. Lee Hosts Chambers Luncheon with FBA Chicago Chapter
On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Hon. John Z. Lee hosted a private chambers luncheon with members of the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter at the Dirksen United States Courthouse in Chicago, Illinois.
The event took place from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in South Conference Room 2753 on the 27th floor at 219 S. Dearborn Street. The luncheon is part of the Chapter's ongoing Chambers Lunch series, which brings sitting federal judges together with member attorneys in an informal setting.
About the Chambers Luncheon with Hon. John Z. Lee
The luncheon sold out quickly, filling all 12 available spots. This reflects the high demand for this type of exclusive member experience.
Open only to FBA member attorneys in good standing, the event offered a small-group setting for direct engagement with Hon. John Z. Lee. The intimate format was designed to encourage candid dialogue between attendees and the judge. Attorneys with active matters before Judge Lee were ineligible to attend. Inspiration Kitchens provided lunch, and a $25 fee covered the meal and related event costs.
About Hon. John Z. Lee, the First Asian American Judge on the Seventh Circuit Court
Hon. John Z. Lee serves as a United States Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, to which he was confirmed on September 7, 2022, becoming the first Asian American judge in the court's history. He was nominated to the Seventh Circuit by President Joe Biden on April 25, 2022.
Prior to his elevation, Judge Lee served as a U.S. District Court judge for the Northern District of Illinois beginning in 2012, becoming the first Korean American to serve as an Article III federal judge on that court. Before joining the bench, he served as a trial attorney in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He spent 18 years in private practice, where his work encompassed complex civil and regulatory litigation.
Explore Upcoming Events Organized by the FBA Chicago Chapter
The chambers luncheon with Hon. John Z. Lee offered Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter members a distinctive opportunity to connect with a trailblazing member of the federal judiciary in an intimate setting. Events of this nature reflect the Chapter's ongoing commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue between the bench and the bar.
The FBA Chicago Chapter continues to develop programming that gives members direct access to the federal judiciary and the broader legal community. For networking and educational opportunities like this, please explore the FBA Chicago Chapter's upcoming events.
