Effective Settlement Advocacy: Pro Se Litigants’ Settlement Assistance Program
Join us 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.
Effective Settlement Advocacy Opening Remarks
Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois will deliver the opening remarks, welcoming attendees and underscoring the importance of pro bono service in federal court. Her comments will highlight the critical role the Settlement Assistance Program (SAP) plays in expanding access to justice for pro se litigants, as well as the court’s appreciation for the dedication of volunteer attorneys. Judge Kendall will also speak to the broader impact of effective settlement advocacy in promoting fairness, efficiency, and meaningful resolution of civil matters.
SAP Matters: Overview and the Volunteer Experience
Presented by J. Cunyon Gordon, Director of the Settlement Assistance Program at the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, and Rami Fakhouri, Partner at Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP, this session offers a foundational overview of the Pro Se Litigants Settlement Assistance Program (SAP).
Topics include evaluating and selecting cases, meeting the responsibilities of a court-appointed advocate, and navigating the ethical obligations associated with limited-scope representation. Speakers will also address how to assess a litigant’s options through risk analysis and highlight key resources available to pro bono attorneys participating in the program.
Listening Differently: Client Communication Strategies
Led by Elizabeth Shaver, Mediator and Board Member of the Center for Conflict Resolution, this session will equip attendees with communication techniques essential for working with unrepresented litigants. Attendees will explore how to identify a client’s needs and interests, ask effective and empathetic questions, actively listen, manage emotional responses, and use reality testing to guide litigants through decision-making. The session emphasizes tools that foster trust, clarity, and productive dialogue during settlement discussions.
Strategies and Pitfalls: Lessons from the Bench
This judicial panel features Hon. Gabriel A. Fuentes, Hon. Jeffrey T. Gilbert, and Hon. Heather K. McShain, Magistrate Judges of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Kathleen Hennessy of Hamilton & Hennessy LLC moderates it.
Judges will share practical insight into facilitative, evaluative, and hybrid settlement approaches, highlighting expectations of pro bono attorneys, common missteps, and best practices for effective advocacy. Additional discussion will cover ethical considerations in accepting limited-scope appointments and drafting enforceable settlement agreements. The session will close with an audience Q&A.
Register for the Effective Settlement Advocacy Event
This seminar offers 3 hours of General CLE credit and qualifies you to participate in the Statewide Advanced Practice (SAP) program. Under N.D. Ill. Local Rule 83.11 states that attorneys who handle one settlement conference through the program earn one Trial Bar training unit. A government-issued photo ID is required to enter the courthouse.
To sign up for July’s Effective Settlement Advocacy event, please register below!