2026 Criminal Law Seminar Explores Ethics, AI, and the Bench
On Thursday, April 9, 2026, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP hosted the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s 2026 Criminal Law Seminar. Titled 2026 Hot Topics, Practice Tips & Current Developments in Federal Criminal Law, this annual event brought together federal judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys for an afternoon of practical analysis and timely discussion.
Northwestern Law Judges' Panel Offers Inside Look at Appellate Practice
On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter hosted a Northwestern Law Judges' Panel. Titled How to Reason Like an Appellate Judge, this program brought together three judges from the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit for a candid conversation on appellate practice. The CLE program took place in Lincoln Hall at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, 375 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago.
2026 Women's History Month Event Navigates the Legal Field
On Thursday, March 12th, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter hosted the 2026 Women's History Month event, A Seat at Counsel Table. This program brought together four distinguished women in federal law, and was co-hosted by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. It took place in the Ceremonial Courtroom of the historic Dirksen Federal Building in downtown Chicago.
Chicago Appellate Judges Share Appellate Advocacy Insights at FBA Event
On March 6, 2026, three Chicago appellate judges joined the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for a panel discussion at Winston & Strawn LLP. The judges, John Z. Lee, Thomas L. Kirsch II, and David F. Hamilton, all serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Sharon Desh, a trial lawyer and partner at Winston & Strawn, moderated the conversation.
Prosecution of Jack Johnson: FBA Chicago Chapter Examines Landmark Case in Black History
The prosecution of Jack Johnson, America's first Black world heavyweight boxing champion, took center stage on February 11, 2026, as the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter hosted a compelling in-person program at the Dirksen United States Courthouse's Ceremonial Courtroom.
Federal & Illinois State Court Procedure CLE Event Kicks Off 2026
Kicking off the new year with strong momentum, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter welcomed approximately 60 attorneys to its first program of 2026, Unfamiliar Waters: Navigating Procedural Differences Between Federal and Illinois State Court. Held on January 13th at Saul Ewing LLP, the program delivered a timely, highly practical discussion for litigators who regularly practice in one forum but may suddenly find themselves navigating the other. The strong turnout underscored the reality that many lawyers spend most of their careers in either federal court or Illinois state court, but rarely both. When cases cross jurisdictions, even experienced practitioners can feel uncertain about procedural traps, unwritten customs, and strategic differences that materially affect outcomes. This program was designed to address that challenge head-on. Featuring an engaged audience, a thoughtfully structured agenda, and two sitting judges who were generous with both preparation and perspective, the program set an energetic and substantive tone for the FBA Chicago Chapter’s year ahead.
Anti-Sex & Labor Trafficking Panel Examines Preventive Measures
On January 20, 2026, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois co-hosted a free CLE program at the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Federal Criminal Appeals in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Last week’s CLE event, hosted by the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter, educated attendees on criminal court appeals, particularly in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Organized in partnership with the Seventh Circuit Bar Association Criminal Law and Procedure Committee, attendees joined Zoom for You’ve Taken an Appeal in a Criminal Matter. Now What? This one-hour program walked federal practitioners through the life cycle of a federal criminal appeal, from the initial notice filed to the final client communication. The program’s featured presenters were Hannah V. Garst (Law Offices of Hannah Garst, P.C.) and Ruth F. Masters (MastersLaw LLC). Additionally, Saul Ewing LLP covered the program’s administrative costs.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Lessons From “Deal or No Deal”
The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter hosted an in-depth panel covering alternative dispute resolution techniques, including mediation, arbitration, and settlement conferences. Held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, its “Deal or No Deal? Strategies for Successful Resolution at Mediations, Arbitrations & Settlement Conferences” CLE event brought in 80 Chicagoland legal professionals. Hosted by Jenner & Block LLP (353 N. Clark Street, Chicago), the discussion centered on practical decision-making for attorneys in federal practice.
Class Actions Debate Held at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
On October 1, 2025, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter hosted an engaging lunchtime program at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law titled A Debate on the State and Future of Class Actions. The event brought together two of the nation’s leading scholars on complex litigation—Professor Martin H. Redish of Northwestern University and Professor Brian T. Fitzpatrick of Vanderbilt University—for a spirited, intellectual discussion about the past, present, and potential future of class action lawsuits in the United States.
Trial in the Delta: Reflections on the Injustice Surrounding Emmett Till
On September 23, 2025, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter hosted A Miscarriage of Justice: Insights for Today from the Acquittal of Emmett Till’s Murderers at K&L Gates LLP in downtown Chicago. Sponsored by K&L Gates and attended by judges, attorneys, law students, educators, and law enforcement officials, the program marked the 70th anniversary of the 1955 acquittal, which remains one of the most infamous miscarriages of justice in American history.
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.
Settlement Assistance Program: Promoting Equal Access to Justice
During the recent “Effective Settlement Advocacy: Pro Se Litigants’ Settlement Assistance Program”, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter discussed effective settlement advocacy and pro bono service in federal court. Held at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the event brought together three U.S. Magistrate Judges, experienced litigators, and communication specialists. Each of them shared strategies for guiding unrepresented litigants through the settlement process. Attendees received practical tools for case evaluation, client communication, ethical decision-making, and settlement advocacy that benefit both the litigant and the court system.
2025 FBA Ethics Program Draws Chicago Legal Community for Hybrid CLE
The 2025 FBA Ethics Program brought together 56 legal professionals on June 5, 2025, for a high-impact continuing legal education (CLE) event hosted by the Federal Bar Association (FBA) Chicago Chapter. Held at Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s riverfront office in downtown Chicago, the three-hour program addressed critical topics in lawyer well-being, ethical negotiations, and courtroom professionalism. Attendees had the option to participate in person or via Zoom.
Wen Ho Lee Case Revisited at 25th Anniversary Legal Program
On May 29, 2025, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter partnered with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago (AABA Chicago) to present United States v. Wen Ho Lee – 25 Years Later. Held on the 25th floor of the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, the program marked the culmination of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. It brought together judges, attorneys, and legal scholars for a thought-provoking exploration of a landmark federal case.
New NDIL Magistrate Judges Introduced at May 2025 FBA Event
The new Northern District of Illinois (NDIL) magistrate judges were formally introduced to the legal community on May 13, 2025, during a panel hosted by the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter. Held at the Chicago Bar Association’s Corboy Hall, the event featured a moderated discussion with four recently appointed United States Magistrate Judges for the Northern District of Illinois. The program covered topics relevant to federal practitioners, including settlement conference advocacy, management of discovery disputes, and expectations in civil and criminal proceedings. Edward W. Feldman of Miller Shakman Levine & Feldman LLP moderated the discussion. Attendees received CLE credit, and the event included a Q&A session to facilitate direct engagement between the judiciary and practitioners.
2025 Criminal Law Seminar: Enforcement Trends, Trial Strategy & Judicial Insights
The 2025 criminal law seminar, hosted by the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter on April 10, convened legal professionals and thought leaders to discuss recent developments in federal criminal practice. The event featured strong attendance and a series of substantive panels led by federal judges, former U.S. Attorneys, and experienced practitioners. Held at DLA Piper in Chicago, the seminar addressed evolving DOJ policies, trial strategies, and sentencing considerations relevant to the Northern District of Illinois.
Women's History Month Panel Showcases Endless Career Opportunities for Lawyers
The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter kicked off its Women’s History Month panel on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Greenberg Traurig’s Chicago office with a dynamic and inspiring afternoon of professional insight, career wisdom, and legal community building.
Hon. Robert Dow Shared Insights at Exclusive FBA Chicago Chapter Event
Hon. Robert Dow, former U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois and current Counselor to Chief Justice John Roberts, headlined an exclusive event hosted by the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter. The discussion, moderated by Sharon Desh, Partner at Winston & Strawn, provided attendees with a firsthand look at Judge Dow’s transition from the bench to the U.S. Supreme Court and the unique responsibilities of his role.
2025 Employment Law Seminar: Title VII, Arbitration & Post-Chevron Changes
On January 15, 2025, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter, in partnership with JAMS, hosted the 2025 Annual Employment Law Seminar, providing legal professionals with critical insights into the evolving landscape of employment law. This hybrid event featured esteemed panelists from the judiciary, government agencies, corporate counsel, and private practice, offering diverse perspectives on pressing legal issues.