In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter hosts A Seat at Counsel Table: A Panel Discussion with Women Lawyers & Judges in Federal Court on March 12, 2026. This timely program offers attendees 1 hour of CLE (pending approval) and takes place in the Ceremonial Courtroom of Chicago’s Dirksen Federal Building. While the main program runs from 3:30-4:30PM, there will be a reception to follow.

The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter invites members of the legal community to attend How to Think Like an Appellate Judge: Advice for Attorneys at Every Level. This in-person program offers rare, candid insight directly from the bench. Designed for both trial and appellate practitioners, the program brings together Seventh Circuit judges for an intimate discussion on what truly matters when presenting a case, including the earliest moments of a trial, briefings, oral arguments, and appeals. Attendees will gain practical guidance that applies across practice areas and experience levels, with lessons drawn from years on the bench and distinguished legal careers.

On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter invites its members to a private lunch with Hon. Nancy L. Maldonado. This in-person gathering will take place in the South Conference Room 2753 on the 27th Floor of the Dirksen United States Courthouse, located at 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604.

In honor of Black History Month, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter hosts a timely in-person program examining A Critical Review of the 1913 Federal Mann Act Prosecution of Jack Johnson. This event features Chicago Journalist Dorothy Tucker conversing with Biographer David Maraniss.

The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois invite members of the legal community to attend Hiding in Plain Sight: The Institutional Struggle to Combat Human Sex and Labor Trafficking. In recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, this event explores the unique harms suffered by victims of sex and labor trafficking, the societal conditions that allow exploitation to persist, and the challenges faced by institutions tasked with responding. Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall will moderate the program, featuring panelists Katherine Kaufka Walts, Christopher Parente, Carrie Landau, and Elizabeth Payne.

Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for its first event of 2026: Unfamiliar Waters: Navigating Procedural Differences Between Federal & Illinois State Court. Over the years, we’ve noticed that many lawyers practice regularly in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois OR in the Illinois state courts…but rarely in both. When duty requires a venture into the unfamiliar territory, attorneys might feel their anxiety spike.

Join the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association for our 2025 Annual Holiday Party and Toy Drive! This year’s celebration will be held at Greenberg Traurig’s new office in Fulton Market, offering members and guests the perfect setting to gather, reflect on the year’s achievements, and celebrate the spirit of the season.

The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter, in collaboration with the Seventh Circuit Bar Association Criminal Law and Procedure Committee, invites members of the legal community to attend a one-hour continuing legal education (CLE) program: You’ve Taken an Appeal in a Criminal Matter, Now What? The event will take place via Zoom on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST.

Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for an informative discussion regarding strategies for successfully resolving lawsuits at mediations, settlement conferences, and arbitrations. Drawing on the perspectives of federal judges, seasoned advocates, in-house counsel, and a leading ADR professional, this program will help attendees translate strategy into action as the panelists cover topics such as mediator selection, persuasive written submissions, and efficient arbitration hearing practices.

Join the FBA Chicago Chapter on November 5, 2025, to celebrate the launch of the Raising the Bar Mentorship Program. This brand-new program is designed to connect law students and new attorneys (those in their first three years of practice) with experienced practitioners across Chicagoland.

Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for a lively debate on the state, role, and future of class action lawsuits. Professors Martin Redish of Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and Brian Fitzpatrick of Vanderbilt University Law School will share their perspectives in a discussion moderated by The Honorable Robert M. Dow Jr., District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Please join the Federal Bar Association’s Chicago Chapter for the election and installation of its 2025-2026 officers and directors. This popular annual event hosts federal judges and hundreds of practitioners from Chicago and surrounding communities. Elizabeth Prelogar, former Solicitor General of the United States under the Biden Administration, will present the annual keynote address.

On the 70th anniversary of one of the most unjust verdicts in American legal history, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter, generously supported by sponsor K&L Gates, invites you to A Miscarriage of Justice: Insights for Today from the Acquittal of Emmett Till’s Murderers, a timely and thought-provoking program.

Join the FBA Chicago Chapter for an engaging lunchtime program featuring the newest judges of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. This special event is hosted at the Chicago Bar Association (321 S Plymouth Ct, Chicago, IL 60604). During the session, the new district judges offer an inside look at how they approach critical topics such as summary judgment and the Daubert standard. Attendees will receive valuable insights into judicial perspectives that can inform effective advocacy in federal court.

The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter invites law students, interns, summer associates, and new attorneys to attend the 2025 Northern District Practice for New Lawyers & Lawyers-To-Be, a free, in-person CLE seminar focused on advocacy in federal court.

The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter invites its members to a private lunch with Hon. John F. Kness on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. This in-person gathering will take place in Judge Kness’s Jury Room on the 21st Floor of the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, located at 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604.

Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for a practical, skills-based seminar tailored to attorneys interested in effective settlement advocacy and pro bono service in federal court. This free, in-person program features experienced litigators, communication experts, and three U.S. Magistrate Judges who will share strategies, ethical guidance, and real-world insights for representing pro se litigants through the Settlement Assistance Program (SAP). Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or considering your first court appointment, you’ll gain tools for case evaluation, client communication, and successful settlement approaches.

Join us for the 2025 Annual State of the Court Address on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 12PM - 1PM CDT. This event features Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. During her address, she will provide key updates and insights into the operations and initiatives of the court.

The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s 2025 Annual Ethics Program will take place on Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, located at 333 W Wolf Point Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654. Designed for legal professionals seeking to strengthen their understanding of ethical practice, this in-person event offers a comprehensive agenda covering core areas of professional responsibility. Remote attendance via Zoom will also be available.

Twenty-five years ago, Wen Ho Lee, a Taiwanese-American scientist, became the focus of one of the most high-profile espionage investigations in American history. Suspected of sharing critical nuclear secrets with China, Dr. Lee faced public condemnation, criminal charges, and solitary confinement. However, as the case unraveled, it revealed profound flaws in the investigation, culminating in a rare judicial apology and a public acknowledgment by President Bill Clinton that "the whole thing was quite troubling".

Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for an exclusive opportunity to hear from Chicago’s newest Magistrate Judges as they share insights into settlement conference advocacy, discovery disputes, and essential litigation strategies. This interactive panel discussion will provide practical guidance on navigating federal court proceedings and best practices for attorneys appearing before Magistrate Judges.

The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter invites you to an exclusive lunch with Hon. Beth W. Jantz on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. This in-person event will be open for FBA member attorneys only. It will be held in Judge Jantz’s Jury Room, 18th Floor, Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604.

Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter and the Federal Problem-Solving Courts on April 22, 2025, for Restoring Lives: A Reception for the Federal Problem-Solving Courts Foundation. This in-person event will take place from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Union League Club, Crystal Room, located at 65 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois.

Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for an insightful afternoon featuring expert analysis from top Federal criminal law practitioners, U.S. District Court Judges, and former U.S. Attorneys for the Northern District of Illinois.

Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for Endless Career Opportunities for Lawyers: An FBA Women’s History Month Panel Discussion on March 19, 2025, at Greenberg Traurig in Chicago. This engaging event features accomplished female lawyers from various sectors, including law firms, government, academia, and corporate counsel. Panelists will share fundamental insights on how to excel as a lawyer, make smooth career transitions, navigate workplace dynamics, and balance personal and professional responsibilities. The discussion will be moderated by Lisa Kpor, Litigation Counsel at United Airlines, and will offer attendees valuable perspectives on advancing their legal careers.

Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for an exclusive event featuring Hon. Robert Dow, former judge of the Northern District of Illinois and current Counselor to Chief Justice John Roberts of the United States Supreme Court. Judge Dow will share insights from his unique role, discuss his transition from the bench, and offer valuable advice to judges and legal practitioners.

The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter invites you to an exclusive lunch with Hon. Manish S. Shah on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. This in-person event will be open for FBA member attorneys only who are under 40 or have less than ten years of legal experience. It will be held in Judge Shah’s Jury Room, 19th Floor, Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604.

Join us for the highly anticipated Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s 2025 Annual Employment Law Seminar, sponsored by JAMS, on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. This dynamic program features four expert-led panels covering key developments in employment law, including Title VII's 60th anniversary, arbitration best practices, changes to the Chevron Doctrine, and updates on Seventh Circuit jury instructions.

Join the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association for our 2024 Annual Holiday Party and Toy Drive at 2Twenty2 Tavern. This festive gathering promises an evening of celebration, delicious food and beverages, and connections within our legal community.

The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter invites you to a timely and impactful webinar exploring one of the most significant recent decisions in federal administrative law. On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., in the cases of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless Inc. v. Department of Commerce.