2026 Hot Topics, Practice Tips & Current Developments in Federal Criminal Law
Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for the 2026 Hot Topics, Practice Tips & Current Developments in Federal Criminal Law. This half-day program brings together an exceptional roster of federal judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys to examine the issues and developments impacting federal criminal practice. Whether you are a seasoned federal practitioner or newer to the field, this program offers practical insights and timely analysis.
This year’s presentation will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 300 North La Salle Drive, 51st Floor, Chicago, IL 60654. The program runs from 1:00 to 4:30 PM. Immediately following the program, attendees are invited to continue the conversation at our reception from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, which includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. CLE credit is available, pending approval.
The Pursuit of Justice: Finding the Line Between Aggressive Advocacy and System Disruption
Where does zealous advocacy end and system disruption begin? This panel examines how prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges can, intentionally or not, undermine the fairness they are sworn to uphold.
Part 1: The Advocate's Duty and the Judiciary's Role: Laurie Levenson provides an overview of the adversarial system's competing imperatives: a victim's right to justice, a defendant's right to liberty, and society's right to safety. How do the key players balance aggressive advocacy with their obligation to a fair process?
Part 2: Prosecution and the Executive Branch: Sergio Acosta takes a critical look at prosecutorial overreach, including selective prosecution, the reliability of cooperating witnesses, discovery violations, and the distinction between prosecutorial mistake and misconduct.
Part 3: Defense Attorneys: Patrick Blegen examines when vigorous defense attorneys tread into misconduct or obstruction. This portion includes obligations around cooperating witnesses, the risks of joint defense agreements, attorney proffers (Menendez), and the line between zealous advocacy and suborning perjury.
Artificial Intelligence and Its Applications in the Criminal Law Arena
Artificial intelligence is reshaping federal criminal practice at every level, from investigations to courtrooms to judicial policy. This CLE panel brings together practitioners, technologists, and jurists to examine AI's expanding role across the federal criminal arena, including its usage in law enforcement investigations, cybercrime and national security matters, and technology-assisted review in criminal discovery.
Panelists include a sitting federal district judge and Chair of the Judicial Conference's Criminal Law Subcommittee, who will address the Conference's AI Task Force and the implication of artificial inteligence; the former Chief Product Officer of Harvey AI, who will discuss how cutting-edge legal AI tools are being adapted for criminal practice; and prominent white collar defense attorneys, an e-discovery expert, and former AUSAs with hands-on experience deploying these tools.
A View from the Bench
Few opportunities are more valuable to a federal practitioner than candid discussions amongst the judges before whom we appear. This panel will provide valuable insights and perspectives from federal judges overseeing criminal cases. Panelists will offer their views from the bench as to what constitutes effective advocacy and other best practice tips for the attorneys who appear before them.
Panelists will reflect on trends they are observing in federal criminal cases, offer guidance on effective advocacy, and engage in a frank discussion about the evolving demands of the federal bench. The Judicial Panel and reception (hosted by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP) are complimentary. The cost includes admission to the other two panels, marketing, and administrative fees.
Register for the 2026 Federal Criminal Law Seminar
Sign up for the 2026 edition of Hot Topics, Practice Tips & Current Developments in Federal Criminal Law. Please note: The Judicial Panel and reception (hosted by Wilkie Farr & Gallagher LLP) are complimentary. The cost includes admission to the two other panels, marketing, and related administrative fees.
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