Domestic Violence Summit 2024 (10/29/24)

The program will take place in person at Union League Club (65 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604) on October 29, 2024 from 8:55am-4:30pm. Lunch will be served, and the program will be followed by a networking reception.

Join The Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the DuPage County Bar Association, and WINGS Program for a Summit Against Domestic Violence, Denise Brown, Activist Against Domestic Violence & Sister of Nicole Brown Simpson as keynote speaker.

About Denise Brown
Denise Brown is an activist who ardently speaks out against domestic violence; Ms. Brown has worked tirelessly to help pass a variety of legislative solutions for domestic violence, and she has traveled across the U.S. to speak on the issue.

After her sister Nicole was tragically murdered, and Nicole’s ex-husband O.J. Simpson was famously charged with her murder along with the murder of Ron Goldman, Denise is determined to do all she can to raise awareness about domestic violence.

About the Summit
Domestic Violence is a critical issue that affects not only the individuals directly involved but also their families, communities, and our society at large. Domestic violence does not discriminate. It touches people across race, age, gender and religious lines and it can occur regardless of someone’s level of education or socioeconomic status. Domestic violence also perpetuates more violence. 

The legal community plays an integral role in shaping the systems that impact survivors of domestic violence and is in a unique position to advocate for change. Join The Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, The DuPage County Bar Association, and the WINGS Program for a summit that will bring together stakeholders from law enforcement, from the legal system, and from social services agencies to discuss how the legal community can make a difference and support survivors of domestic violence. Registration includes a luncheon and networking reception following the event.

A portion of the proceeds of this program will support WINGS. The mission of WINGS Program, Inc. is to provide housing, integrated services, education, and advocacy to end domestic violence.

Sponsorship opportunities are available to support this event. Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities or email Rebecca Darr at rdarr@wingsprogram.com to inquire. 

SPEAKERS AND AGENDA:

8:55am: Welcome Remarks 
John Sciaccotta, CBA President (2024-2025), Member, Aronberg Goldgehn Davis & Garmisa

9:00am: Understanding the Human Toll: The Personal Side of Domestic Violence 
Mark Wynn, Former Lieutenant to the Domestic Violence Division of Nashville Metropolitan Police Department and Activist Against Domestic Violence

Mark will speak about his personal experiences as a childhood survivor of domestic violence and his work as a police officer, detective, and educator. Clips from his documentary, This is Where I Learned Not to Sleep, will be shown. Registrants will be given an advance link to screen the film. Learn more here: https://www.thisiswherefilm.com. 

9:30am: Understanding the Problem: The Issues, the Statistics, the Data 
Rebecca Darr, CEO & President, Wings

9:35am-10:35am: Engaging Men as Allies in Domestic Violence Prevention 
Moderator: John Sciaccotta, CBA President (2024-2025), Member, Aronberg Goldgehn Davis & Garmisa

Panelists:
Rashied Davis, Founder of Saturday Place and former NFL Wide Receiver for the Chicago Bears
Justice Jesse Reyes, Illinois Appellate Court 
Mark Wynn, Former Lieutenant to the Domestic Violence Division of Nashville Metropolitan Police Department and Activist Against Domestic Violence

10:35am-10:45am: Break 

10:45am-11:45am: Understanding the Systems: Law Enforcement, Legal System, and Social Services 
Moderator: Judge Judith C. Rice, Presiding Judge, Domestic Violence Division, Circuit Court of Cook County

Panelists:
Robert Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney 
Tom Dart, Cook County Sheriff 
Amanda Pyron, CEO, Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence
Judge Regina Scannicchio, Presiding Judge, Domestic Relations Division, Circuit Court of Cook County 

11:45am-12:00pm: Break 

12:00pm-1:30pm: Luncheon Keynote Speaker 
Introduction by Rebecca Darr, CEO & President, Wings
Speaker: Denise Brown, Activist Against Domestic Violence & Sister of Nicole Brown Simpson  

1:30pm-2:30pm: Healthcare Perspectives and Response to Domestic Violence 
Panelists:
Demetrios Kyriacou, MD, PhD, Northwestern Memorial Hospital 
Patricia O’Sullivan, MSN, RN, ACS-BC, NE-BC, Director, Emergency Department, Patient Care, Northwestern Memorial Hospital 
April Brayton, WINGS 

2:30pm-3:00pm: Existing Legal Remedies 
Moderator: Judge Paul Pavlus, Circuit Court of Cook County, Second Municipal District - Skokie

Panelists:
Andrea Belard, Supervising Attorney, Metropolitan Family Services
Judge Megan Goldish, Circuit Judge, Domestic Violence Division, Circuit Court of Cook County 
Additional panelist TBA

3:00-3:15pm: Break

3:15pm-4:15pm: The Path Forward: Legislation, Needed Interventions, and How Legal Professionals Can Get Involved to Make a Change 
Moderator: John Sciaccotta, CBA President (2024-2025), Member, Aronberg Goldgehn Davis & Garmisa

Speakers:
Illinois Senator Cristina Castro 
Professor Debra Pogrund Stark, University of Illinois Chicago Law School
Additional panelists TBA

4:15pm-4:20pm: Closing Remarks
Karen Mills, DCBA President (2024-2025), Member, Aronberg Goldgehn Davis & Garmisa

4:20pm-5:30pm: Closing Reception

Hosts and Co-Sponsors:

Endorsing organizations: Black Men Lawyer’s Association, Force of Lawyers Against Sexual Harassment (FLASH), Domestic Relations Lady Lawyers Who Lunch

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.