Paws & Presence: The Power of Connection for Lawyer Well-Being

This is an in-person program hosted at The Chicago Bar Association building (321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604).

Join the CBA’s Animal Law and Well-being and Mindfulness Committees for a unique program focused on therapy animals and how they can reduce stress and improve well-being. This program will educate lawyers about the legal frameworks surrounding therapy animals, their therapeutic potential, and how they can be used to reduce stress, particularly in high-pressure environments like legal workplaces. Lunch will be served, courtesy of Kaveny Sarmas.

Attendees are encouraged to stay after the presentation to interact with therapy animals from the SOUL Harbour Ranch, Chicagoland's most experienced comprehensive non-profit (501(c)3) animal therapy program. Therapy dogs and miniature horses will visit The Chicago Bar Association to interact with attendees at this unique event.

Speakers:
Jodie Diegel, RN, MBA, LNCC, Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, Kaveny Sarmas & Founder/President, Soul Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program 
Tracy McGonigle, McKenna Storer, Co-Chair, CBA Animal Law Committee
Karen Munoz, Founder & Wellness Advocate, Roaring Grace Mindful Wellness, Co-Chair, CBA Well-being and Mindfulness Committee 
Lisa Velez, Claim Consultant, MedPro Group, Co-Chair, CBA Animal Law Committee

Moderator: 
Gina Crumble, Assistant State’s Attorney, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office & Co-Chair of the CBA Well-being and Mindfulness Committee

About SOUL Harbour Ranch

SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program is proud to be Barrington and Chicago surrounding area's most experienced & comprehensive all-volunteer Animal Therapy Program (IRS nonprofit 501(c)3. SOUL Harbour Ranch offers visits with Therapy Miniature Horses, Therapy Dogs, Miniature Donkeys, Big Horses, Therapy Cats, Miniature Pigs, and our newest herd member, a Therapy Rabbit! Our Animal Therapy Program's Mission is to enrich lives by promoting the unconditional love and healing of the human animal bond while advocating for animal therapy standards of excellence. Smiles, joy, love, laughter & healing happen when our specially trained therapy animals visit hospitals, nursing homes, schools, veterans, & more. Our registered Pet Partners therapy animal teams offer therapy animals in hospitals including Animal-Assisted Crisis Response teams, trained to provide emotional comfort & support to those affected by crisis.

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. 

The Power of “Yes, And...” : Building Practical Lawyer Skills Through Improv

This is an in-person program hosted at The Chicago Bar Association building (321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604).

Join the CBA Well-Being and Mindfulness Committee and CBA Media and Entertainment Law Committee for an interactive session in partnership with members from Wolf Town Improv, focused on building practical lawyering skills through improv techniques. The program will emphasize active listening, communication skills aligned with Rule 1.4, and civility in practice. 

Moderators:
Karen Munoz, Founder, Roaring Grace; Co-Chair, CBA Wellbeing & Mindfulness Committee
Jonathan Safron, Esq., Vice Chair, CBA Media & Entertainment Law 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. 

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.

TIMED AGENDA:

8:30 – 9:00 AM - Registration / Coffee / Networking

9:00 – 9:05 AM - Welcome Remarks
Hon. Nichole Patton, Trial Section, Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division and current CBA President 

9:05 – 9:50 AM - Voir Dire: Selecting an Impartial and Favorable Jury
Speakers: 
Elizabeth Kaveny, Kaveny Sarmas 
Mark Smith, Smith Blake Hill LLC 

9:50 – 10:20 AM - Opening Statements: Setting Tone & Framework from the Outset
Speaker: Daniel Kotin, Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, CBA President 2016-2017

10:20 – 11:05 AM - In the Trenches: Direct & Cross-Examination
Speaker: Jon Loevy, Loevy + Loevy  

11:05 – 11:50 AM - Jury Consultant Insights: What Moves Jurors, What Doesn’t
Speaker: Patricia Kuehn, J.D., M.A., Kuehn Trial Consulting, LLC 

11:50 AM – 12:45 PM - Lunch Break  

12:45 – 1:30 PM - Winning Trial Strategies 
Speakers: 
Robert Clifford, Clifford Law Offices, CBA President, 2011-2012 
Dan Webb, Winston & Strawn LLP, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois 1981-1985
Moderator: Matthew Passen, Passen Powell Jenkins, CBA CLE Committee Co-Chair, 2025-2026

1:30 – 2:00 PM - Closing Arguments that Empower Jurors
Speaker: Patrick Salvi, II, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard

2:00 – 2:10 PM - Break

2:10 – 2:55 PM - Winning Strategies for Plaintiffs in High Stakes Commercial and Personal Injury Cases
Speakers:
Patricia Bobb, Patricia C. Bobb & Associates, CBA President 1997-1998 
Terri Mascherin, Jenner & Block, CBA President, 2010-2011 

2:50– 3:20 PM - Trial tips from an Appellate Lawyer
Speaker: Jonathan Amarilio, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, CBA Treasurer 2025-2026

3:15 – 4:05 PM - Connecting with the Judge & Jury: Tips from the Bench
Speakers:
Hon. Thomas V. Lyons, II, Presiding Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division
Hon. Nichole Patton, Trial Section, Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division and current CBA President 
Moderator: Matthew Passen, Passen Powell Jenkins, CBA CLE Committee Co-Chair, 2025-2026

4:05 – 4:35 PM - Perspective of Cook County State’s Attorney
Speaker: Hon. Eileen O’Neill Burke, Cook County State’s Attorney

4:35 – 6:30 PM - Networking Reception

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. 

Strength in Practice: Self-Defense & Mental Well-Being for Legal Professionals

This is an in-person program hosted at The Chicago Bar Association building (321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604).

Legal professionals often find themselves involved in matters which can lead to threats, intimidation, and even physical violence.  This two-hour course equips attorneys and judges with essential knowledge and skills to enhance their personal safety, both inside and outside of the office and courtroom. 

The first hour will discuss the potential for violence against attorneys and judges, by providing a sample of some real-life situations, discussing techniques for coping with trauma after a violent encounter, suggesting some simple strategies to help prepare your office to deal with active aggressors, and discuss the many health benefits of engaging in martial arts and self-defense training. 

The second hour is a low impact, stress free, hands-on class that will teach the fundamentals of situational awareness and de-escalation, with a focus on teaching attendees some basic defensive skills and concepts for addressing some of the most common unarmed attacks.  Attendees are encouraged to participate, but it is not required. Attendees will leave the class with a greater understanding of the type of violence legal professionals may encounter during their career, while learning a range of verbal and physical skills they can continue to hone on their own, which can contribute to personal and professional safety, as well as a healthier lifestyle. 

Speaker: 
Peter Honigmann, has been a practicing attorney for 27 years, focused on civil litigation in state and federal courts, and currently works as a supervising attorney for CARPLS legal aid in Chicago. Peter is also the founder and head instructor of Best Defense Concepts, LLC, a company that focuses on teaching adults and seniors simple and effective self-defense. Peter began his journey in Kenpo Karate in 1984, and since then he has also studied: Krav Maga, Hapkido, Aikido, Escrima, Boxing, and knife-focused combatives. Peter is also licensed as an armed security guard in the State of Illinois, and holds teaching certifications for: pepper spray, expandable baton and handcuffing. Peter has given numerous presentations on self-defense to various groups, including: high schools, private companies and organizations, senior centers, park districts, libraries, and martial arts schools. Learn more at: bestdefenseconcepts.com. 

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 a hybrid event with an in-person and a webinar option. Please select the appropriate button when registering if you plan to attend in-person. Event will take place at The Chicago Bar Association (321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604).

The seminar is geared towards candidates of the 2026 General Election and those individuals who will be running for office for the 2027 municipal election cycle, as well as the attorneys who will be representing them. We will cover the requirements for getting on the ballot, defending and prosecuting petition challenges, ethical and finance issues relating to campaigns, and an overview of campaign-related communications and avoiding defamation claims.

Topics and Speakers:
Getting on the Ballot & Basic Campaign Finance Compliance
Michael C. Dorf, The Law Offices of Michael C. Dorf, LLC

Navigating the Petition Objection Process
Thomas A. Jaconetty, Law Office of Thomas A. Jaconetty

Defamation Nation: Taking the Pain out of Campaigning
Ryan B. Jacobson, Amundsen Davis
Danessa P. Watkins, Amundsen Davis 

Moderators:
Ross D. Secler, Odelson, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath, Ltd.; Chair, CBA Election Law Committee
Priscilla E. Centeno, Odelson, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath, Ltd.; Vice Chair, CBA Election Law 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. 

From the Neutral’s Chair: How to Excel as a Mediator or Arbitrator

This seminar will be a discussion from a highly experienced mediator and arbitrator, visiting law school faculty, and former business litigation attorney, about how to excel as a neutral mediator or arbitrator.

Speaker:
Michael A. Zuckerman, Esq., JAMS, Mediator and Arbitrator

Moderator: 
John Levitske, Partner, HKA, Forensic Accounting & Commercial Damages, Chicago; Chair, CBA Alternative Dispute Resolution 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. 

Prevailing in the Courtroom: Discovery, Summary Judgment, Trial, and Dealing with Difficult Opposing Counsel

This is an in-person program hosted at The Chicago Bar Association building (321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604). Reception immediately following program.

Please join the CBA Commercial Litigation Committee for its annual in-person seminar on May 14, 2026. During the seminar, Cook County Circuit Clerk Mariyana Spyropoulos will discuss Cook County’s filing system and the responsibilities of the Cook County Clerk’s Office. After the presentation, the Committee will host U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood, U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama, U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura McNally, Cook County Circuit Judge Stephen Swedlow, and Cook County Circuit Judge Thomas Donnelly for a panel discussion on discovery, summary judgment, trial, and dealing with difficult opposing counsel. Committee members will also have the opportunity to ask their own questions at the end of the session. 

Moderators:
Garreth A. DeVoe, Buchalter
Joshua H. Burday, Goodman Law Group
Co-Chairs, CBA Commercial Litigation 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. 

This program is intended to serve as a guide for attorneys practicing in the trusts and estates area regarding the changing landscape of families and assets. 

The goals of the program are: To walk through early steps to take when a client dies, provide an overview of probate, assist attorneys in the determination of when a Federal and/or Illinois estate tax return is required to be filed, QTIP elections and other important information for these returns, and dealing with dueling beneficiaries, assets outside Illinois and closely held businesses. 

Topics and Speakers:
Modern Assets: Crypto currencies, Overview of the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) and Digital intellectual property and other modern assets 
Karin Prangley, Managing Director, Senior Wealth Planner, Brown Brothers Harriman

Modern Families (other than same-sex couples): Planning considerations, recommended documents for modern families, common pitfalls and unique planning challenges.
Carrie A. Harrington, Partner, Leader of Trusts & Estates Practice Group, Levenfeld Pearlstein

Planning For Same-Sex Couples and Non-Traditional Families: LGBTQ+ protections post Obergefell and vulnerabilities, private right to refuse recognition, effect of Illinois intestacy laws on non-traditional families and estate planning documents. 
Landon Wilson, Prather Ebner Wilson 

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.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM BOOKLET

SPEAKERS (confirmed as of April 8): 

Adam Aft, Partner, Baker McKenzie
Benjamin Altshul, Partner, Levenfeld Pearlstein
Olivia Anderson, Representative, Framework IT
Arnold Blair, Discovery Counsel, MoloLamken
Christopher Bojar, Director of eDiscovery and Litigation Support, Barack Ferrazzano
Michael R. Booden, Senior Technology Counsel, HUB International Ltd.
Jessi Brooks, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Ribbit
Joel Bruckman, Partner, Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP
Chris Campbell, Head of eDiscovery, Edelson
Chase Carpenter, Vice President, Strategy and Analytics, Chicago Cubs
Daniel Cotter, Member, Aronberg Goldgehn
Alexis Crawford Douglas, Partner, K&L Gates LLP
Shawn Davis, CIO / Chief Technologist, Investigations, Edelson P.C.
Jeff Dietz, Assistant General Counsel for Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Capital One
Charles Elliott, Head of Industry Architects, Google
Joseph “Joey” Gartner, Director and Counsel, American Bar Association Center for Innovation
Judge Jeffrey A. Goffinet, Circuit Court of Williamson County
Judge Megan Goldish, Circuit Court of Cook County
Susan Guthrie, Founder & CEO, Guthrie Consulting & Media, Creator & Host of The Practice Playbook Podcast and The Divorce & Beyond Podcast
Marcus Harris, Partner, Taft
Alicia Hawley, Of Counsel, K&L Gates LLP
Peter Hegel, Counsel, Perkins Coie
Kenneth A. Hoffman, Mitchell Hoffman & Wolf
Steve Inman, Vice President, Technology, Chicago Cubs
Chaityana Jayanti, Associate, Ropes & Gray
Sanjay Kamlani, Founder, FairPlay Law
Mathew Kerbis, Founder, The Subscription Attorney
Adam C. Kibort, Partner, Grund & Leavitt LLP 
Andrea Krebel, Ph.D., Magna Legal Services
Judge Kerrie Maloney Laytin, Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
Professor Daniel Linna Jr., Director of Law and Technology Initiatives & Senior Lecturer, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Michael Lufrano, Executive Vice President, Community, Government and Legal Affairs, Chicago Cubs
Sahil Malhotra, Founder, Drishti Law
Chad Main, Founder, Percipient
Steven Obiajulu, CEO, UseJunior
Michael O’Malley, Executive Director, Illinois Property Tax Appeals Board
Samuel Oh, Co-Founder & CEO, Concorda
Professor Hari Osofsky, Myra and James Bradwell Professor & Former Dean, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Founding Director, Energy Innovation Lab — AI + Data Centers + Quantum + Space, Founding Director, Rule of Law Global Academic Partnership
Eric Stadel, Litigation Support Manager, McAndrews
Judge Nichole C. Patton, Circuit Court of Cook County
Eric Posner, Professor, The University of Chicago Law School
Michael Quartararo, President, Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS) & Professional Development
Rutvik Rau, Founder, August
Michael Riesen, Partner, Smith Gambrell & Russell
Taylor Riskin, Associate General Counsel, Chicago Cubs
Erica Schwartzberg, Representative, Harvey
Steve Shuldman, GTM, Harvey
Daniel Shulman, Partner, Vedder Price
Eric Stadel, Litigation Support Manager, McAndrews
Jonathan Steele, Partner, Beermann LLP
Jesse Steinberg, Enterprise Sales Manager, Harvey
Hillard Sterling, Partner, Roetzel & Andress
Howard Suskin, Partner, Jenner & Block
Dev Thain, Program Manager, Spellbook
Kevin Thompson, Partner, Levin Ginsberg
Cristin Traylor, Senior Director, AI Transformation and Law Firm Strategy, Relativity
Justice Rena Van Tine, Justice, Illinois Appellate Court, First District
Nicholas Ustaski, Dykema
Justice Thaddeus Wilson, Illinois Appellate Court
Dan Wolfe, Ph.D., Magna Legal Services
Elizabeth Winkowski, Partner, Taft
Judge Michael Zink, Circuit Court of Cook County
William Zimmerman, Partner, Holland & Knight

AGENDA:

DAY 1 — Monday, May 11 (6.00 IL MCLE Credit)

8:00 – 8:45 AM Registration 

8:00 – 8:45 AM Continental Breakfast

8:45 – 9:00 AM Welcome Remarks

9:00 – 10:00 AM - Opening Plenary Session: AI Fluency for Lawyers: From Intimidation to Competence—A Practical Playbook for the Next Decade

10:00 – 10:30 AM Vendor Hall & Coffee Break 9th Floor

10:30 – 12:00 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1 (Litigation): AI & Litigation Risk: Causes of Actions, Defenses, and Liability in the Evolving Age of AI Reliance
Track 2 (Transactional): Drafting with AI: Quality Control, Confidentiality, and Contract Risk Allocation
Track 3 (Administrative/Operational): Building an AI‑Ready Law Department: Governance, Policies, and Change Management 

12:00 – 1:30 PM: Luncheon followed by Same Rules, New Tools: What the Illinois Supreme Court’s AI Policy Means for Judges and Lawyers—In Court, In Chambers, and In Filings

1:30 – 3:00 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1 (Litigation): AI in E‑Discovery: Managing Volume, Bias, and Validation Duties
Track 2 (Transactional): AI‑Driven Due Diligence: Speed, Accuracy, and Ethical Boundaries
Track 3 (Administrative/Operational): Vendor Selection and Risk Assessment for AI Tools 

3:00 – 3:30 PM Vendor Hall & Coffee Break 

3:30 – 5:00 PM Vendor Demonstrations / Interactive Product Labs

5:00 – 6:30 PM Welcome Reception & Vendor Showcase 

DAY 2 — Tuesday, May 12 (6.00 IL MCLE Credit)

8:00 – 9:00 AM Continental Breakfast & Networking with Vendors 

9:00 – 10:00 AM Plenary Panel: AI, Regulation, and the Law: What Lawyers Need to Know About Emerging Federal, State, and Global Frameworks 

10:00 – 10:30 AM Vendor Hall & Coffee Break 9th Floor

10:30 – 12:00 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1 (Litigation): Predictive Analytics in Case Strategy: What’s Real, What’s Hype?
Track 2 (Transactional): Negotiation Support Tools: How AI Is Changing Deal Dynamics
Track 3 (Administrative/Operational): AI for Knowledge Management and Workflow Automation 

12:00 – 1:30 PM Lunch followed by The In-House AI Equilibrium: An Intersection: Where Business Operations Meets Legal Governance

1:30 – 3:00 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1 (Litigation): AI & Legal Research
Track 2 (Transactional): Confidentiality in the Age of AI: When Client Data Becomes Training Data 
Track 3 (Administrative/Operational): The AI-Driven Collapse of the Billable Hour  

3:00 – 3:30 PM Vendor Hall & Coffee Break 9th Floor

3:30 – 5:00 PM Vendor Demonstrations / Interactive Product Labs

DAY 3 — Wednesday, May 13 (6.00 IL MCLE Credit)

8:00 – 9:00 AM Breakfast & Vendor Networking  

9:00 – 10:00 AM Plenary Panel: Human + Machine Collaboration: Redesigning Legal Workflows for the Next Decade 

10:00 – 11:30 AM Breakout Sessions
Track 1 (Litigation): Jury Consulting: From Mock Trial Avatars to Jury Profiles, Investigations, and Selection in the Age of AI
Track 2 (Transactional): AI & Intellectual Property Rights
Track 3 (Administrative/Operational): AI & Investigations 

11:30 – 12:00 PM Vendor Hall & Coffee Break 

12:00 – 1:30 PM Box Lunch + Speaker

1:30 – 3:00 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1 (Litigation): Judicial Perspectives on AI: Expectations, Concerns, and Courtroom Protocols
Track 2 (Transactional): AI in M&A: Automating Target Analysis and Post‑Closing Integration
Track 3 (Administrative/Operational): Budgeting and ROI for AI Investments in Legal Departments 

3:00 – 3:30 PM Vendor Hall & Coffee Break 

3:30 – 5:00 PM Vendor Demonstrations / Interactive Product Labs

To become a Symposium sponsor click here.

Early Bird Pricing (ends 4/15/2026)
Member 3-Day $450 
Member 1-Day $300 

Nonmember 3-Day $550 
Nonmember 1-Day 400 

Regular Pricing (after 4/15/2026)
Member 3-Day $550 
Member 1-Day $400 

Nonmember 3-Day $650
Nonmember 1-Day $500

Sponsors

Accelerator Sponsor

Innovator Sponsor

Integrator Sponsors

Coffee Break Sponsor

Supporters

Exhibitors

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.