Trial Superstars on Presenting Your Case: Trial Strategies and Innovations

This in person program will take place at The Metropolitan Club (233 S. Wacker Dr. 67th Floor Chicago, IL 60606) and includes a luncheon, and a networking reception following the program. Early registration prices are available! Price increase May 1, 2026.

Trial Superstars on Presenting Your Case will feature top trial lawyers, judicial voices, and jury experts sharing practical strategies for persuading jurors, presenting evidence effectively, and winning high-stakes cases. Through real-world insights from the courtroom, appellate perspective, and the Cook County State’s Attorney, this program will focus on how to frame a case, connect with judges and juries, and deliver powerful advocacy from start to finish.

Speakers:

Jonathan Amarilio, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, CBA Treasurer 2025-2026
Patricia Bobb, Patricia C. Bobb & Associates, CBA President 1997-1998
Robert Clifford, Clifford Law Offices, CBA President, 2011-2012
Elizabeth Kaveny, Kaveny Sarmas
Daniel Kotin, Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, CBA President 2016-2017
Patricia Kuehn, J.D., M.A., Kuehn Trial Consulting, LLC
Jon Loevy, Loevy + Loevy
Hon. Thomas V. Lyons, II, Presiding Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division
Hon. Eileen O’Neil Burke, Cook County State’s Attorney
Matthew Passen, Passen Powell Jenkins, CBA CLE Committee Co-Chair, 2025-2026
Hon. Nichole Patton, Trial Section, Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division and current CBA President
Patrick Salvi, II, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard
Mark Smith, Smith Blake Hill LLC
Dan Webb, Winston & Strawn LLP, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois 1981-1985

Topics: 
Voir Dire: Selecting an Impartial and Favorable Jury
Opening Statements: Setting Tone & Framework from the Outset
In the Trenches: Direct & Cross-Examination
Jury Consultant Insights: What Moves Jurors, What Doesn’t
Winning Trial Strategies
Closing Arguments that Empower Jurors
High Stakes Damages: Maximizing & Controlling Damages in Major Injury Litigation
Trial Tips from an Appellate Lawyer       
Connecting with the Judge & Jury: Tips from the Bench
Perspective of Cook County State’s Attorney Hon. Eileen O’Neil Burke, Cook County State’s Attorney

Thank you to our Premiere Sponsor:

Networking Reception Sponsor:

Event Sponsors:

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

Topic: Trauma Informed Lawyering - Holistic Practices To Cultivate Ease and Trust Within Yourself 

Speaker: Kirtana Kalavapudi, Attorney, Social Security Administration

(IL Mental Health/Substance Abuse PR-MCLE credit for live webcast only. No MCLE credit for on demand webcast.)

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

This is an in-person that will take place at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605.

The AI 2035 Symposium is a landmark three-day convening that will bring together 500+ legal professionals, technology innovators, judiciary members, and industry leaders to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and the law. Taking place May 11-13, 2026, at the prestigious Venue SIX10 in downtown Chicago, this immersive experience will feature keynote addresses from leading AI experts, interactive CLE sessions, live technology demonstrations, panel discussions on emerging ethical challenges, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration across practice areas. Attendees will gain practical insights into implementing AI tools in their practice, understand regulatory developments, and participate in shaping the future of the legal profession in an increasingly digital world.

More information coming soon!

To become a Symposium sponsor click here.

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

Topic: Meditation Practice for Lawyers

Speaker: Brendan Cournane, Lawyer/Professional Development Coach

(IL Mental Health/Substance Abuse PR-MCLE credit for live webcast only. No MCLE credit for on demand webcast.)

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

Topic: Confidentiality Risks Posed by Artificial Intelligence 

Speaker: Sari Montgomery, Partner at Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke LLC; Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Professional Regulation

(IL Professionalism PR-MCLE credit for live webcast only. No MCLE credit for on demand webcast.)

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

Topic: Perspectives on Leadership & Change

Speaker: Christopher Punongbayan, Executive Director, California ChangeLawyers

(IL Mental Health/Substance Abuse PR-MCLE credit for live webcast only. No MCLE credit for on demand webcast.)

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

Topic: Responsible, Effective, and Ethical Use of Gen AI

Speaker: Richard Robbins, Director of Applied AI, Reed Smith; Steve Pflaum, Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP

(IL PR-MCLE credit for live webcast only. No MCLE credit for on demand webcast.)

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

Topic: Sommerville v. Hobby Lobby

Speakers: 
Katherine (Eder) Christy, Administrative Judge, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 
Jacob J. Meister, Law Offices of Jacob J. Meister & Associates

Speaker bios:
Katherine (Eder) Christy is an Administrative Judge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Prior to joining the EEOC in 2017, Katherine spent over a decade in private practice in Chicago focusing on employment law, during which time she proudly litigated Sommerville v. Hobby Lobby.  Katherine has been a Board Member of EEOC Pride, a founding member of The Civil Rights Agenda and a long-time volunteer with the Center on Halsted Legal Clinic.

Jacob Meister has been practicing law in Chicago for 35 years. He is also the founder of The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA), a statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy 501(c)(3). Through his practice and TCRA, Meister has represented hundreds of individuals, often on a pro bono basis in matters ranging from discrimination in the workplace, public accommodations, and housing.  

(IL Diversity/Inclusion PR MCLE credit for live webcast only. No IL MCLE credit for archived committee meetings.)

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

Topic: Neurodivergence

Speaker: Rachel Orsolini, Chicago based Therapist

Description: Therapist Rachel Orsolini will guide us in exploring what neurodivergence means, how it shows up in the workplace, and the ways lawyers and legal organizations can foster understanding, inclusivity, and thriving for all.

(IL Mental Health/Substance Abuse PR-MCLE credit for live webcast only. No MCLE credit for on demand webcast.)

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

To Solo or Not to Solo: Who, When, Where, How and How Long?

Going it alone in the practice of law is not for everyone. Many try—by positive choice or as a reluctant default measure…but not all succeed.

Join us to learn about the pluses and perils of hanging the proverbial shingle—including the traits, timing, and tactics of successful solo practitioners—to assess whether you are likely to thrive working alone…or not.

A panel of solo attorneys will be moderated by the CBA Career Advancement Program’s Featured Career Counselor Kathy Morris of Under Advisement, Ltd. and Chuck Krugel, Co-Chair of the CBA Solo/Small Firm Practitioners Committee.

This program is co-sponsored by the Career Advancement Program and the CBA Solo/Small Firm Practitioners Committee.

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live.