
2024 Annual Ethics Program Recap
The 2024 Annual Ethics Program, held on June 5, 2024, at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, located at 333 Wolf Point Plaza, Chicago, Illinois, was a notable event for legal professionals focusing on ethical standards in the legal field.y.

2024 Federal Criminal Law Seminar: Key Insights from the FBA
On May 16, 2024, DLA Piper’s Chicago office hosted the 2024 federal criminal law seminar with the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter, titled “Hot Topics and Current Trends in Federal Criminal Law.”

Justice Douglas' Environmental Legacy, featuring Judge McKeown
On April 18, 2024, the legal and environmental communities gathered in the Ceremonial Courtroom of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to discuss Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas’s enduring legacy.

24th Annual Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono & Public Interest Service
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, together with the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (FBA), is delighted to invite you to the 24th Annual Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service.

Attorney-Client Privilege During Internal Investigations
On April 17, 2024, a distinguished panel convened for the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) accredited discussion titled “Protecting the Privilege During an Internal Investigation,” focused on maintaining attorney-client privilege. This pivotal event targeted legal professionals, compliance officers, and corporate leaders.

2024 Frank J. McGarr & Milton Gordon Award Nominations
The Federal Bar Association’s Chicago Chapter is once again at the forefront of celebrating exceptional legal talents who have dedicated their careers to exemplary federal government service. This year, we have the honor of inviting nominations for two prestigious awards: the Frank J. McGarr Award and the Milton Gordon Award.

Looking Back and Moving Forward: A Reflection on Women in Law
On March 19th, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter organized a special Continuing Legal Education (CLE) session titled “Looking Back & Moving Forward: Where We Are, Where We’ve Been, and What’s Next,” in honor of Women’s History Month.

Trial Bar Pro Bono Program: Exploring the Nuts and Bolts
The Federal Bar Association’s Chicago Chapter recently organized a webinar on March 8, 2024, titled “The Nuts and Bolts of The Trial Bar Pro Bono Program”. This webinar provided an in-depth analysis of the pro bono efforts within the federal bar as it relates to assigned cases.

2024 Employment Law: DEI, AI, Title VII & Settlement Conferences
The Federal Bar Association’s Chicago Chapter organized its Annual Employment Law Seminar on January 24, 2024, hosted at Jones Day’s Chicago office. This event ran from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM and was followed by a reception until 6:30 PM.

King: A Life — Jonathan Eig in Conversation with Scoop Jackson
On January 9, 2024, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter presented a distinguished event titled “MLK Biographer Jonathan Eig: In Conversation with Scoop Jackson”. This event occurred in collaboration with the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Primarily focused on Jonathan Eig’s esteemed biography, King: A Life, the Hon. Gabriel Fuentes, U.S. Magistrate Judge, organized the event.

2023 Annual Meeting and Installation Luncheon Recap
On October 25, 2023, the Federal Bar Association’s Chicago Chapter convened its 2023 annual meeting at the Union League Club, drawing more than 260 judges and other legal professionals. The event was emblematic of the Chicago Chapter growth, resilience, and unwavering commitment of its members. Integral to the event was the election and installation of the officers and directors for the 2023-2024 year.

Book Bans in U.S. Public Schools: A First Amendment Perspective
Francis A. Citera, a notable shareholder at Greenberg Traurig and an influential board member of the Federal Bar Association’s Chicago chapter, spearheaded the session. The rising trend of book bans in U.S. schools became the central theme. Highlighting its active role, the Chicago chapter, with over 600 members, steadfastly supports federal practitioners and judges, all while casting a spotlight on the pressing book bans issue.

Bankruptcy Law Basics for Litigators
In a world where financial dynamics are continuously evolving, understanding bankruptcy law basics becomes imperative for legal practitioners, even those who don’t specialize in the area. Recognizing this gap in knowledge, the Hon. A. Benjamin Goldgar stepped forward to offer a seminar designed exclusively to acquaint non-bankruptcy attorneys with the subject.

Final Slate of 2023-2024 Directors & Officers
Pursuant to Article VIII of the Chapter’s bylaws, on September 6, 2023, the Nominating Committee presented to the Board the following slate of nominees for Elected Officer Positions, open Member-Elected Director Positions, and Board-Elected Director Positions.

Northern District Practice: Four Distinguished Judges Nurturing New Legal Talent
The distinguished “Northern District Practice for New Lawyers and Lawyers-to-Be” symposium is critical to effective legal practice in Illinois. This seminar hosted hundreds of recent law school graduates, summer associates, interns, and current law students.

When Citizenship Depended on Race: Unveiling the Hidden History
In a recent webinar titled "When Citizenship Depended on Race," participants delved into the historical era when Asian Americans faced racial restrictions on U.S. citizenship. Esteemed speakers shared insights on the impact of legal exclusion. Additionally, they drew attention to the intersection of race, empire, and migration, and Asian American legal history.

2023 State of the Court Address Emphasizes Major Developments
Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer delivered the 2023 State of the Court Address on June 14th. Hosted by the Federal Bar Association, this annual event emphasizes major developments throughout the Northern District of Illinois.