What Seventh Circuit Judges Want Lawyers to Know
The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter invites members of the legal community to attend What Seventh Circuit Judges Want Lawyers to Know. 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.
The conversation will explore how lawyers can better protect the record at trial, write more effective briefs, approach oral argument with clarity and purpose, and maintain professionalism and collegiality in federal practice. Panelists will also reflect on how trial and appellate courts intersect, offering insight into how strategic decisions made early in a case can shape outcomes at later stages. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from judges about what they look for (and what they wish lawyers understood more clearly) when evaluating advocacy at every level.
The panel will feature Hon. John Z. Lee, Judge Thomas L. Kirsch II, and Judge David F. Hamilton, with the discussion moderated by Sharon Desh of Winston & Strawn. Together, they will share practical insights, lessons learned from the bench, and thoughtful reflections on effective advocacy in the federal courts.
The program will take place on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Winston & Strawn, located at 300 N. LaSalle, Chicago. Check-in begins at 3:30 p.m., followed by the panel discussion from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. A reception will follow from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., providing attendees the opportunity to continue the conversation in a collegial setting. Attendees may receive one hour of CLE credit (pending approval).
Hon. John Z. Lee, U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Seventh Circuit (Panelist)
Hon. John Z. Lee
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Panelist)
On April 25, 2022, President Joe Biden nominated Judge John Z. Lee to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to the seat being vacated by Judge Diane P. Wood, who took senior status. Judge Lee has been a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois since 2012.
He was the first Korean American ever to serve as an Article III federal judge in the Northern District and only the second Korean American to serve as a federal district court judge. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Lee was a trial attorney in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and worked for 18 years in private practice. When confirmed to the Seventh Circuit on September 7, 2022, Judge Lee became the first Asian American judge in the court’s history.
Hon. Thomas L. Kirsch II, U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Seventh Circuit (Panelist)
Hon. Thomas L. Kirsch II
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Panelist)
Thomas L. Kirsch II is a Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Prior to his judicial appointment in 2020, he served as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana since 2017. From 2008 until 2017, Judge Kirsch was a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP in Chicago, litigating commercial and criminal matters in trial and appellate courts across the United States and conducting corporate internal investigations.
Before joining Winston & Strawn, Judge Kirsch served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Indiana from 2001 to 2008, focusing on white collar investigations and prosecutions, including the prosecution of numerous elected and appointed public officials. In 2006 and 2007, Judge Kirsch served as Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General at the United States Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy in Washington, D.C. He is a former law clerk to the Honorable John D. Tinder in the Southern District of Indiana. Judge Kirsch is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He received a B.A. from Indiana University in 1996 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1999.
Hon. David F. Hamilton, U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Seventh Circuit (Panelist)
Hon. David F. Hamilton
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Panelist)
Judge David Hamilton currently serves on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He was appointed to the Seventh Circuit by President Obama in 2009. Previously, he was Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, and had been a District Judge on that court since 1994. Judge Hamilton was formerly a partner at Barnes & Thornburg, a private law firm in Indianapolis.
He served as Counsel to the Governor of Indiana from 1989 to 1991. Judge Hamilton served as law clerk to Judge Richard D. Cudahy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago and is a founding member of the Sagamore Inn of Court in the American Inns of Court. He served as a member of the Indiana State Recount Commission from 1986 to 1987 and as chairman of the Indiana State Ethics Commission from 1991 to 1994.
Sharon Desh, Winston & Strawn (Moderator)
Sharon Desh
Winston & Strawn LLP (Moderator)
Sharon Desh is a trial lawyer who specializes in the jurisdictional complexities of high-profile cases involving parallel proceedings in state and federal courts. Known for her ability to collaborate across the aisle, Sharon’s proactive viewpoint and unique ability to navigate the uncertain waters of mass torts have earned her the respect of judges, opposing counsel, and joint defense groups in some of the most contentious litigation of this decade, and enabled her to deliver record-setting results for her clients.
Sign up for below for What Seventh Circuit Judges Want Lawyers to Know
Sign up for the FBA Chicago Chapter’s What Seventh Circuit Judges Want Lawyers to Know event on March 6, 2026. Hosted by Winston & Strawn LLP, this complimentary CLE program runs from 3:30PM-5PM with a reception following from 5PM-6:30PM.
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