Posted by The 2025-2026 Bar year was a wonderful year of events, initiatives, and accomplishments. We thank our members for their continued support, active participation, and steadfast membership, which are vital to the CBA’s continued success. Some of the highlights of the year include:
Impact
The Chicago Bar Association, in partnership with The Cummins Family Justice Foundation, the Berkeley Judicial Institute hosted Under Siege: The American Judiciary and the Rule of Law, convening the legal community to discuss the broader implications of rising criticism, political pressures and physical threats confronting judges and courts, The event included a full day of programming featuring high profile speakers from Chicago and across the country including Hon. Stephen Breyer (ret.), United States Supreme Court, Hon. Diane P. Wood (ret.), U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) to explore ethical boundaries, systemic responses, and the role of the legal profession in safeguarding and advocating for the rule of law.
The CBA’s Lawyer Referral Service has more than 150 pre-screened, qualified lawyers experienced in more than 30 areas of law that offer their services to the public. The LRS matches those in need of help with an attorney in the specific legal area in which they seek guidance. On average, the LRS receives about 2,100 inquiries per month, resulting in 100 to 150 actual retained cases. On the third Saturday of each month, the LRS hosts the “Call A Lawyer” program, which makes CBA attorneys available to take calls from the public at no charge.
Our Young Lawyers Section is known as one of the best YLS organizations in the country, with a record of recognition. This past year, the ABA awarded the YLS with Awards of Achievement for both Service to the Public and Diversity. Chaired by Gavin Phelps, the YLS sponsored many events, CLE programs and social events this year, such as a brand-new Open House and a holiday party held at the CBA. The YLS continued its successful Diversity Week with the assistance of several affinity bar associations. The programming aimed to unpack some of the most important diversity topics in the legal field. In the spring, the YLS hosted a Law Day celebration at Daley Plaza, featuring keynote remarks from Judge Patrick Stanton and music from the CBA’s Orchestra. The Liberty Bell Award was given to Raul Raymundo, CEO of The Resurrection Project. The YLS also hosted a successful fundraiser event to support the CBA Edward J. Lewis II Lawyers in the Classroom Program. This year’s event, held at Jenner & Block, featured a wine pull, a silent auction, and keynote remarks from Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy V. Cunningham, a former volunteer with the program. The event raised over $30,000 for Lawyers in the Classroom.
The Chicago Bar Association and 26 other bar associations from across the country signed on to an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in support of the law firms Perkins Coie LLP, Jenner & Block LLP, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP, and Susman Godfrey LLP in the government’s appeal of federal courts’ findings that Executive Orders targeting the law firms were unconstitutional.
The Chicago Bar Association (CBA) joined the Black Women Lawyers’ Association (BWLA) of Greater Chicago, Inc. in issuing a statement to address a matter of institutional concern: the increasing use of the United States Supreme Court’s emergency docket to resolve major questions of law without full briefing, complete factual records, or the benefit of appellate court opinions that would sharpen the legal questions presented.
Collaborations
The Coalition of Chicagoland Bar Associations was launched this year under the leadership of Judge Patton and brings together voluntary bar associations from across the Chicagoland area with a shared mission to defend the rule of law, support judicial independence, and strengthen our legal institutions.
The Coalition shared statements that:
- Condemned escalating pattern of threats, harassment, and inappropriate impeachment efforts targeting federal and state judges
- Sought accountability, transparency, and justice following the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti
Participating associations include: Arab American Bar Association of Illinois, Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago, Black Men Lawyers’ Association, Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc., Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago, Chicago Bar Association, Chicago Council of Lawyers, Decalogue Society of Lawyers, Filipino American Bar Association of Illinois, Haitian American Lawyers Association of Illinois, HLAI – Serving the Hispanic Lawyers of Illinois, LAGBAC – Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association, North Suburban Bar Association, Puerto Rican Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association of Chicago and Women’s Bar Association of Illinois.
For the second time, The Chicago Bar Association and WINGS, Inc. hosted a Domestic Violence Summit, bringing together influential voices and frontline advocates to address the urgent issue of domestic violence through dialogue and education. Co-founders Rahm Emanuel and Past President John Sciaccotta announced the newly formed Men’s Alliance to mobilize men as allies, advocates, and leaders in the effort to end domestic violence and create safer, more equitable communities.
In recognition of Black History Month, the CBA’s DICE Committee and YLS Civil Rights Committee partnered with the Black Men Lawyers’ Association to present Two Supreme Court Victories Against Housing Discrimination: Shelley v. Kraemer (1948) and Jones v. Alfred H. Mayer (1968): How Chicago Maintained Segregation Without the Covenants. The program explored the impact of these landmark Supreme Court decisions and examined why legal victories did not immediately result in meaningful social change.
For Women’s History Month, the CBA’s Alliance for Women and the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism presented Pageants, Professionalism, and Power: Unexpected Lessons for Lawyers from Pageantry. Featuring accomplished attorneys, judges, and former pageant competitors, the panel explored how skills developed through pageantry—including public speaking, resilience, professionalism, and overcoming bias—translate to success in the legal profession. The program highlighted practical strategies for building confidence and leadership in high-stakes legal settings and concluded with a networking reception.
In partnership with the Chicago and Evanston Public Library systems, the CBA Law at the Library series featured monthly presentations from CBA members on a variety of legal topics. Hundreds of Chicago residents participated in the free, virtual series that covered topics like power of attorney and guardianship, environmental updates affecting the community, tenant and landlord rights and other legal areas of interest to consumers.
The CBA Law Museum Exploratory Committee is proceeding with plans for the creation of the Chicago Law Museum. Since receiving approval, the Committee has undertaken significant foundational work, including researching and visiting established museums and legal history institutions to identify best practices for exhibits, programming, and community engagement. The Committee also developed a distinctive logo and brand identity for the Chicago Law Museum and began preserving the stories of the legal profession through recorded interviews with prominent Chicago attorneys, documenting their contributions to the law and the city’s legal community. These efforts have helped shape the Museum’s vision as a dynamic institution dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and educating the public about Chicago’s rich legal history and the vital role of the legal profession.
Awards
The annual Justice John Paul Stevens Awards honor lawyers and judges who exemplify Justice Stevens’s integrity and professionalism, a proud alumnus of the Chicago Bar Association Board of Managers. This year’s recipients were Aurora Austriaco, Shareholder, Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel P.C., John Bouman, Executive Director, Legal Action Chicago, Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall, United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Michael R. Lufrano, Executive Vice President, Community, Government and Legal Affairs, Chicago Cubs, and Professor Michael P. Seng, University of Illinois Chicago Law School.
The Edward J. Lewis II Lawyers in the Classroom (LIC) program, a civic education initiative of CBA Media and Civic Education, Inc., the Chicago Bar Association’s 501(c)(3) charitable organization, presented its 4th Annual Civic Education Appreciation Awards in November 2025. The awards recognize schools, educators, attorneys, and organizations whose commitment strengthens civic learning for young people. For nearly four decades, LIC has partnered legal professionals with teachers and students to bring civic and social justice education into Chicago-area classrooms. Through these partnerships, the program provides elementary and middle school students with meaningful opportunities to explore the Constitution, the legal system, and the responsibilities of citizenship. The 2025 honorees included Salmon P. Chase Elementary School and BatesCarey LLP for their outstanding commitment to civic education. The event also featured a special video presentation highlighting LIC alumna Alyssa Matias, who is currently attending Harvard Law School, demonstrating the lasting impact of early exposure to civic education and mentorship.
The Earl B. Dickerson Awards recognize individuals who have fought for justice and equality in the legal profession throughout their careers. They were established in honor of the late Earl B. Dickerson, an outstanding lawyer and one of the first African American members of the CBA. This year’s honorees were Andrea Bonds, Bronzeville Law Group, LLC, Judge Arnette R. Hubbard (Ret.), Cannon Lambert, Sr., Karchmar & Lambert, P.C., and Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., Illinois Supreme Court.
The Vanguard Awards, presented by the CBA and 18 other bar associations, spotlight the outstanding work of lawyers and judges who are leaders in promoting professionalism and diversity across the legal community. Distinguished award recipients include: Advocates Society, Judge Diann K. Marsalek, Arab American Bar Association of Illinois, Anthony (“Tony”) Michael Abou Ezzi, Asian American Bar Association, Ajay K. Mehrotra, Justice Goodwin H. Liu, and the American Bar Foundation for work on “Portrait Project 2.0: Asian Americans in the Legal Profession,” Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc., Judge Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago, Daniel R. Murray, Chicago Bar Association, Judge Fredrick H. Bates, Cook County Bar Association, Cannon Lambert, Sr., Decalogue Society of Lawyers, Judge Abbey Fishman Romanek, Filipino American Lawyers Association, Mark J. Calaguas, Haitian American Lawyers Association, Judie Lyn Smith, Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois, Judge Koula A. Fournier, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, Nancy Andrade, Justinian Society of Lawyers, Judge Jill Cerone-Marisie, Korean American Bar Association, Caroline K. Kwon, LAGBAC -Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association, Judge Mary M. Rowland, Muslim Bar Association of Chicago, Naheda Zayyad-Hussien, Puerto Rican Bar Association, Judge Lucy Vazquez-Gonzalez, South Asian Bar Association of Chicago, Avani Patel, and Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, Judge Patrice M. Ball-Reed (ret.).
The second annual “CBAY” Awards were held to honor the outstanding and extraordinary dedication, leadership, contributions, and service of members who helped make the CBA a vibrant and impactful organization throughout this bar year. The 2025 CBAY Winners were: Presidential Excellence in AI Leadership Award, Justice Rena Van Tine, Judge Megan Goldish, and Joel Bruckman; Presidential Distinguished Committee Chair Award, AI and Access to Justice, Judge Corinne Cantwell Heggie, AI and Courtroom Operations, Judge Kerrie Maloney Laytin, AI and Criminal Justice, Judge Beatriz Santiago and Judge Ankur Srivastava, AI, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity, Judge Michael T. Mullen, AI and Ethics in Advocacy, Judge Debjani Dasgupta, AI and Fairness, Transparency and Inclusion, Judge Tracie R. Porter, AI and Future of Legal Education, Judge Lloyd J. Brooks, Judge Sarah Rodak Johnson, AI and Legal Practice and Litigation, Judge Michael J. Zink and Judge Loveleen Ahuja, and AI and Legal Research and Writing, Judge Allen P. Walker; Presidential Distinguished Committee Vice-Chair Award, AI and Access to Justice, Alexis Crawford Douglas, AI and Courtroom Operations, Margaret Mendenhall Casey, AI and Criminal Justice, Ashonta Cherron Rice, AI, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity, Ronak Y. Shah, AI and Ethics in Advocacy, Madhavi Seth, AI and Fairness, Transparency and Inclusion, Angela C. Spears, Jonathan Scott Safron, and Taylor Tyler, AI and Future of Legal Education, Andre Alan Hunter, Jr., AI and Law Firm Economics, Daniel Jacob Berkowitz, AI and Legal Practice and Litigation, Roman Edward Solowski and Peter Conrad McNamara and AI and Legal Research and Writing, Anthony M. Sam; The President’s Special Citation, Joel Bruckman; The John C. Sciaccotta Legacy Award, John C. Sciaccotta; CBA Lawyer of the Year, Howard Suskin; The Richard W. Culver, Donald J. Hubert & Ald. William J.P. Banks CBA Outstanding Mentor Award, John C. Sciaccotta, Kevin Durkin and Dan Kotin;CBA President’s Circle Award, Kilpatrick Townsend, Levenfeld Pearlstein, Corboy Demetrio, Clifford Law Offices and Taft; Outstanding Committee Award, Family Office Committee, led by Co-Chairs Jennifer Kuzminski, Anthony Licata, and Ray Koenig; Outstanding Meeting Award, The Probate Practice Committee, led by Chair Nicholas William and Vice-Chair Amy Nicole Gjesdahl; Outstanding Seminar Award, CBA Immigration Law Committee, led by Chair John Heiderscheidt and Vice-Chair Hyunkyung Park; Committee of the Year Award, Judicial Evaluation Committee, led by Jeff Finke; Outstanding Committee Leader Award, Gail Eisenberg, Joe Cook and Judge Michael Hood; CBA Media Award, Nikki Marcotte; The Maestro Award, Jennifer Huang; Outstanding Chorister Award, Allyn Rawlings; Outstanding Instrumentalist Award, Neil Posner; Best Leading Performance Award, Kellie Snyder; Outstanding CBA Officers Award, Trisha M. Rich, Kathryn Carso Liss, Andrew W. Vail, Jonathan B. Amarilio. and John C. Sciaccotta; Outstanding Board of Managers Award, Daniel J. Berkowitz, Gina Crumble, Judge Nisha N. Dotson, John C. Ellis, Judge Kenya A. Jenkins-Wright, Michael Kozlowski, Francine D. Lynch, Sari Montgomery, Justice Rena Van Tine, Judge Andrea R. Wood and Gavin Phelps; and the CBA Staff Excellence Award, Jennifer Byrne.
Committees
Our practice, service, and special committees meet regularly throughout the year providing education and networking opportunities to all members. The CBA has more than 80 substantive law, service, and special committees.
The Legislative Committee, chaired by Barbara Sereda, reviewed more than 20 proposed bills scheduled for consideration by the Illinois State Legislature this year. Collaborating with our legislative counsel, Tom Suffredin, the CBA is one of the most effective local and statewide voices representing the highest and best interests of our legal profession.
The Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC), chaired by Jeffrey W. Finke, completed evaluations of 122 candidates, including associate judges as well as candidates vying to fill vacancies on the Appellate and Circuit Courts in the March 2026 primary election in Cook County. The Committee’s vital work continues this summer as it evaluates more than 75 sitting judges running for retention in the general election in November 2026. To help citizens cast informed votes for judicial candidates, the JEC will provide the Judge Smart Pocket Guide for the November 2026 general election for voters in English, Spanish, and Polish. The JEC is always seeking dedicated investigators to join the effort and support its mission of ensuring an informed electorate and a qualified judiciary.
Continuing Legal Education
Throughout the 2025–2026 bar year, the Chicago Bar Association delivered more than 300 CLE programs, committee meetings, and unique events designed to help attorneys navigate a rapidly evolving profession. The highlights below represent just a sampling of the innovative and timely educational programming designed to help attorneys navigate a rapidly evolving profession. From the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to leadership, trial advocacy, professional responsibility, attorney well-being, and issues of equity and inclusion, the Association’s programs addressed the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of legal practice. Through substantive CLE programs, special events, and thought leadership initiatives, the CBA continued its commitment to equipping lawyers with the knowledge, skills, and professional connections needed to serve their clients, communities, and the justice system.
The Chicago Bar Association’s AI 2035: The Legal Profession & the Law Symposium served as the capstone event of CBA President Judge Nichole C. Patton’s year-long AI 2035 initiative, a groundbreaking effort to prepare lawyers for the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the profession. Throughout the 2025–2026 bar year, the CBA launched ten AI-focused substantive law committees that met monthly to examine emerging developments, practical applications, ethical considerations, and legal issues arising from AI across a wide range of practice areas.
The three-day symposium brought together judges, law firm leaders, in-house counsel, academics, technologists, and legal innovators from across the country to build on those discussions and explore how AI is reshaping legal practice, the judiciary, legal education, and the business of law. Through plenary sessions, breakout programs, and hands-on demonstrations, attendees gained practical insights into topics, including AI governance, litigation, transactional practice, intellectual property, cybersecurity, investigations, legal operations, judicial expectations, and emerging business models. The symposium also featured an extensive vendor showcase and interactive product labs, providing attendees with direct exposure to leading AI-powered legal technology platforms.
Together, the AI 2035 initiative and symposium positioned the CBA at the forefront of the profession’s efforts to understand, adapt to, and lead through one of the most significant technological shifts in the history of legal practice.
The CLE Committee’s Lawyers as Leaders series highlighted the vital role attorneys play in public service and civic leadership through conversations with some of Illinois’ most influential elected officials. The series featured Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, former U.S. Senator and Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and a distinguished panel of women attorney-legislators serving in the Illinois House of Representatives. Through these engaging discussions, participants gained valuable insights into leadership, governance, public policy, and the impact lawyers can have in shaping their communities and institutions.
The CBA continued its monthly Law Practice Management and Technology series, equipping attorneys with practical tools and strategies to enhance productivity, improve client service, and adapt to rapidly evolving technologies. Topics included workflow automation, project and task management, email organization, Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft 365 applications, and other emerging technology solutions. Designed for attorneys at all levels of experience, the series emphasized practical, immediately applicable skills that help lawyers work more efficiently and effectively.
The Association continued to prioritize attorney well-being through a diverse range of programs focused on resilience, stress management, sleep, burnout prevention, personal safety, and professional development. Interactive offerings included improv-based skill building, wellness programming for new attorneys, and practical workshops led by attorney well-being experts. These programs reinforced the importance of maintaining personal well-being as a foundation for professional success.
The Chicago Bar Association’s Trial Superstars: Presenting Your Case—Trial Strategies and Innovations brought together some of Chicago’s most accomplished trial lawyers, judges, jury consultants, and public-sector leaders for a full day of practical trial advocacy programming. Through sessions on voir dire, opening statements, witness examinations, jury persuasion, appellate strategy, and high-stakes litigation, attendees gained valuable insights into effectively presenting cases and connecting with judges and juries. The program concluded with a networking reception, providing attendees with the opportunity to connect with leading members of Chicago’s trial bar.
The Chicago Bar Association hosted its fifth annual Professional Responsibility Overview, a comprehensive one-day virtual program designed to help attorneys satisfy all six hours of Illinois Professional Responsibility MCLE requirements in a single program. The program featured timely sessions on cybersecurity, trust accounting, attorney well-being, diversity and inclusion, emerging legal business models, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Attendees received practical guidance from experienced practitioners and subject matter experts on navigating evolving professional, ethical, and regulatory challenges facing the legal profession.
Our 2026 CLE Abroad program to Greece was an extraordinary experience, bringing together approximately 70 judges, attorneys, and guests for a week of education, cultural exploration, and professional camaraderie. CLE programs were held at the Civil and Criminal Supreme Court of Greece and the Athens Bar Association, featuring distinguished judges and attorneys from both Greece and the United States. The seven-day journey through Athens and Santorini combined legal education with unique opportunities to explore Greece’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and renowned hospitality, creating an unforgettable experience for all who attended.
Celebrations
We gathered the Chicago legal community at the CBA to celebrate Justice Mary Jane Theis’s retirement. Colleagues and friends honored Justice Theis with kind words and warm tributes for her loyal and dedicated service to the people of Illinois and for her lasting impact on the Illinois judiciary and our legal community.
The CBA celebrated Chief Judge Timothy Evans as he concluded his remarkable tenure as Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. He was honored for his quiet steadiness and a deep commitment to justice, access, and institutional integrity.
The annual 50-Year Member Luncheon honored 52 lawyers and judges for their steadfast commitment to the legal profession and the CBA as they marked 50 years of association membership. Honorable Lewis Nixon and Honorable Mary Theis provided insightful remarks.
The CBA’s musical comedy revue returns to the stage for its 102nd Annual Bar Show. This year’s show, “Moo Court,” featured wackiness, music, and more cowbell but less politics. More than 50 CBA attorneys performed in the annual rousing production that tackled the age-old question, “Did Mrs. O’Leary’s cow really start the Great Chicago fire?”
The CBA’s Barristers Big Band hosted its 23rd Annual benefit, celebrating some of the most memorable jazz big band music from the Swing Era and beyond. The “Battle of the Bands: Benny Goodman versus Duke Ellington” offered tasty food, good music, good company, and dancing with proceeds benefitting the CBA musical ensembles, including the CBA Symphony and the CBA Chorus, which provide classical musical programs for members of the Bar and the broader Chicago community.
As we close this extraordinary year for the CBA, we thank all of our members for your dedication and support. We look forward to continuing our mission of championing justice, building connections, and making an impact with you in the 2026-2027 bar year.