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

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:

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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.)

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.