Domestic Violence Summit 2026 (11/17/2026)

This is a hybrid event with an in-person and a webinar option. Please select the appropriate button to register. Event will be held at The Chicago Bar Association (321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL).

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 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 us for the 2026 Domestic Violence Summit, co-sponsored by The Chicago Bar Association and Wings, which will bring together leading voices and advocates to address the urgent issue of domestic violence through dialogue and education. 

The in-person program includes a luncheon and a networking reception immediately following the CLE.

ABOUT KEYNOTE SPEAKER CHRISTY MARTIN

Christy Martin is a pioneering American former professional boxer widely regarded as the woman who legitimized female participation in combat sports. Nicknamed "The Coal Miner's Daughter," she rose from small-town West Virginia to become the most successful female fighter of the 1990s. After surviving a brutal, near-fatal domestic violence attack by her former husband and trainer in 2010, she transitioned into a prominent advocate and founded Christy's Champs, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting domestic abuse survivors.

FULL PROGRAM AGENDA

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Registration

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Welcome Remarks
John Sciaccotta, Co-Chair, CBA Domestic Violence Committee & Member, Aronberg Goldgehn
Judge Judith C. Rice, Presiding Judge, Domestic Violence Division, Circuit Court of Cook County 

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | People Who Cause Harm: Legislative Changes & Input from Survivors 
Speakers: 
Karen Holtzberg, LCSW, First Responders Wellness Center
Leslie Landis, Domestic Violence Court Administrator, Office of the Chief Judge of Cook County
Kristin Mueller, Chief Financial Officer, Center for Prevention of Abuse
Jennifer Rosenkranz, Senior Program Director, Domestic Violence, Michael Reese Health Trust

12:30 PM – 12:45 PM | Luncheon Served and Introduction of Christy Martin
Speaker: Rebecca Darr, President/CEO, Wings 

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM | Keynote Remarks by Christy Martin
Speaker: Christy Martin, Former Professional Boxer, Activist and Founder of Christy’s Champs

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Inside the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA) Technology Upgrade 
Speaker: Judge Megan E. Goldish, Domestic Violence Division, Circuit Court of Cook County 

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Criminalized Survivors
Speakers:
Professor Beth E. Ritchie, Ph.D., Presidential Humanities and Social Sciences Chair, Criminology, Law, and Justice and Black Studies, University of Illinois Chicago
Lauren Schroeder, Senior Attorney, Ascend Justice 
Rachel White-Domain, Director, Women & Survivors Project at the Illinois Prison Project at Illinois Prison Project 

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM BREAK

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM | Vicarious Trauma 
Panelists: 
Karen Munoz, Lawyer and Founder of Roaring Grace Mindful Wellness
Additional speakers to be announced.
Moderator: Alexandra Greenberg, Partner, Davis Friedman

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Karina’s Law
Panelists: 
Madeleine Behr, Deputy Director for Policy & Systems Advocacy of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence
Emma McMullen, Supervisory Attorney, Legal Aid Chicago
Lindsay Miller, Staff Attorney, Legal Action Chicago
Moderator: Gail Schnitzer Eisenberg, Chair, CBA Alliance for Women & Partner, Loftus & Eisenberg

5:00 PM – 5:15PM | Closing Remarks

5:15 PM – 6:00PM | Reception

Click here to learn about sponsorship opportunities available to support this event. Email Rebecca Darr at [email protected] to inquire. 

Continuing Education Accreditation:
The Chicago Bar Association will process Illinois MCLE Credit for IL attorneys. Questions can be directed to [email protected].
WINGS will sponsor CEUs for social workers (LSW/LCSW), counselors (LPC/LCPC), and domestic violence professionals (ICDVP, CPAIP).

Cost:
In-Person: $125 - includes luncheon + reception
Webcast: $75

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.