Trial Superstars on Presenting Your Case (06/11/26)

Trial Superstars on Presenting Your Case: Trial Strategies and Innovations

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.

AM Session

Opening Remarks
Hon. Nichole Patton, Trial Section, Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division and current CBA President 

Voir Dire: Selecting an Impartial and Favorable Jury
Speakers: 
Elizabeth Kaveny, Kaveny Sarmas 
Mark Smith, Smith Blake Hill LLC 

Opening Statements: Setting Tone & Framework from the Outset
Speaker: Daniel Kotin, Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, CBA President 2016-2017

In the Trenches: Direct & Cross-Examination
Speaker: Jon Loevy, Loevy + Loevy  

Jury Consultant Insights: What Moves Jurors, What Doesn’t
Speaker: Patricia Kuehn, J.D., M.A., Kuehn Trial Consulting, LLC 

PM Session  

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

Closing Arguments that Empower Jurors
Speaker: Matthew Williams, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard

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 

Trial tips from an Appellate Lawyer
Speaker: Jonathan Amarilio, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, CBA Treasurer 2025-2026

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

Perspective of Cook County State’s Attorney's Office
Yvette Loizon, Chief Assistant State's Attorney for Policy and External Affairs 

Thank you to our Premiere Sponsor:

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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.)

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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.