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.

EVENT INFORMATION:

This in person program will take place at The Metropolitan Club in the Willis Tower (233 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606) and includes a luncheon, and a networking reception following the program.  

Building Security: The event will take place on the 66th floor of The Metropolitan Club. The Franklin Street entrance is the expedited entrance to the 66th floor. A valid, government issued photo ID is required for entrance into The Willis Tower. A security Visitor Badge will be provided; please carry this with you if you leave the building at any time. 

Dress Code: The Metropolitan Club's dress code is business to business casual. Jeans are allowed with no rips or tears; hats of any kind are not. 

Parking: 211 W. Adams, entrance on Franklin (Tower Parking) or 329 S. Franklin, (Traders Parking). Spot Hero is recommended for both lots.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PROGRAM BROCHURE

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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: Matthew Williams, 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's Office
Yvette Loizon, Chief Assistant State's Attorney for Policy and External Affairs 

4:35 – 6:30 PM - Networking Reception

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.