CBA Record July-August 2026

MJ ualy //JAuungeu2s0t 2 60 2 6 CBA

Trisha M. Rich 2026-2027 CBA President

LEADERSHIP PROFILES Meet CBA President Trisha M. Rich

Conversations with Justice Sanjay T. Tailor, Justice Thaddeus Wilson, and Chief Judge Charles Beach II

July/August 2026 • Volume 40, Number 4 CONTENTS

CBA RECORD

LEADERSHIP PROFILES

4 Letter to the Editor

Chicago Lore: Maybellene, Chuck Berry, and Chess Records By Eldon Ham

26 Meet CBA President Trisha M. Rich By Meredith Geller 32 The Steady Hand of Illinois’ Newest Supreme Court Justice, Sanjay T. Tailor By Judge Jasmine Villaflor Hernandez 36 New Cook County Judicial Leadership: Get to Know Chief Judge Charles Beach II By Clare McMahon 40 Justice Thaddeus Wilson: Insights on the Path to Judicial Leadership By Katherine Hanson

6 Editor’s Briefcase

Bridging the Generational Divide with Mentorship and Leadership by Nikki Marcotte

8 President’s Page

One Bar: Stronger Together by Trisha M. Rich

10 CBA News

LEADERSHIP IN PRACTICE

20 The Pulse

34 Leading from the Gray Zone: Lessons for Lawyers from the Corporate World By Anne Ellis 38 Common Threads in Leadership at the U.S. Supreme Court By Daniel A. Cotter 39 A Coaching Approach to Leadership: Motivation Through Communication By Jake Berger 42 Leading with Authenticity and Integrity By Tae Kim 43 Responsive and Ready: What Public Sector Leadership Requires By Judge Nishá N. Dotson

22 Chicago Bar

Foundation Report

48 LPMT Bits & Bytes

AI 2035 Takeaways: Optimizing AI for Your Legal Practice by Kevin Thompson

50 Practical Ethics

Is Failing to Update Your Law Firm Headshot False or Misleading? By Leonard C. Brahin

THE YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

The CBA Record (ISSN 0892-1822) is published six times annually (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/ August, September/October, November/December) for $10 per year by The Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, Illinois 60604-3997, 312/554-2000, Subscriptions for non-members are $25 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, Illinois. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CBA Record , c/o Membership, Chicago Bar Association, 321 South Plymouth Court, Chicago, Illinois 60604. Copyright 2026 by The Chicago Bar Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The opinions and positions stated in signed material are those of the authors and not by the fact of publication necessarily those of the Association or its members. All manuscripts are carefully considered by the Editorial Board. All letters to the editors are subject to editing. Publication of advertisements is not to be deemed an endorsement of any product or service advertised unless otherwise stated.

44 One Profession, One Community By Aleksandra Petrovic 45 Meet Your New YLS Chair, Aleksandra Petrovic By Katherine Hanson 46 YLS Welcomes New Leadership at Annual Meeting By Ann Glynn

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T he “Chicago Lore” essay by Richard Stavins in the March/April 2026 edition of the CBA Record is delightful and engaging, even though it buries its own lede a bit. After all, not only was the song “Maybellene” recorded in Chicago at the iconic Chess Records, but it was also Hall of Famer Chuck Berry’s first major hit, released three years before his signature “Johnny B. Goode” (1958). And that doesn’t even count where the song’s name came from. The song itself evolved from an old country music tune called “Ida Red.” Those who are familiar with Berry’s snappy “Maybellene” will recall his colorful story about a lovesick narrator driving a 1934 Ford V-8 while his elusive girlfriend cavorts in a flashy Cadillac Coupe DeVille. Berry contributed the trendy teen lyrics about sexy cars and women, then changed the song’s name to “Ida Mae” during a live recording session at Chess. Still, the revised name did not quite fit the song’s rol licking vibe. Urban legends differ, but the best and most likely version is that the final inspira tion came from a Maybelline mascara container in the studio. The frivolous name “Maybellene” is essentially made up, just like the Maybelline cosmetics brand was in the first place, although the latter was spelled with an “i.” Leonard Chess and Berry dropped the new name in, the fit was perfect, and Chicago history was made on the 36th take of Maybellene “doin’ the things [she] used to do.” Here are some helpful links if you’re interested in going down the rabbit hole: O https://www.songfacts.com/facts/chuck-berry/maybellene O https://www.vintagerockmag.com/2025/05/story-behind-the-song-chuck-ber rys-maybellene/ O https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/chuck-berry/maybellene CHICAGO LORE: Maybellene, Chuck Berry, and Chess Records LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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Eldon Ham Sports and Entertainment Lawyer Adjunct Professor, IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law

CBA March/April 2026

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Fundamentals Young Lawyers Issue

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: No Access to Justice Without Access to a Lawyer in Child Custody Disputes Employee Rights in the Illinois Workplace: Privacy, Speech, and Concerted Activity

Unequal Tools, Unequal Outcomes: Chicago as a Case Study in Wealth Transfer and Economic Justice And More!

Send your Letters to the Editor to CBARecord@chicagobar.org.

4 July/August 2026

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CBA RECORD 5

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nikki Marcotte Laurie & Brennan, LLP ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anne Ellis 2E Services, LLC SUMMARY JUDGMENTS EDITOR Daniel A. Cotter Aronberg Goldgehn YLS JOURNAL EDITORS Katherine Hanson First District Appellate Court George Schaller Duane Morris LLP CBA RECORD

EDITOR’S BRIEFCASE

BY NIKKI MARCOTTE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Bridging the Generational Divide with Mentorship and Leadership

T he legal profession has always been built on the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next. Not so long ago, young lawyers learned by observ ing experienced attorneys in action—sitting through lengthy cattle calls and watching courtroom advocacy, listening on calls with clients and opposing counsel, attending depo sitions, and asking questions along the way. These experiences taught young lawyers how to engage with the profession, build relation ships, and develop practical skills that cannot be learned from a textbook. It was also a time when initiative was often rewarded with responsibility, guidance, and mentorship.

Daniel J. Berkowitz Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet LLP Jacob B. Berger Tabet DiVito & Rothstein LLC Amy Cook Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Anthony F. Fata Kirby McInerney LLP Meredith A. Geller Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Judge Jasmine Villaflor Hernandez Circuit Court of Cook County Kaitlin King Hart David Carson LLP Theodore Kontopoulos Internal Revenue Service J. Kopczyk Attorney at Law Kathryn C. Liss DePaul University College of Law Marissa Longoria Circuit Court of Cook County’s Clerk’s Office Clare McMahon Reed, Centracchio & Associates, LLC Pamela Sakowicz Menaker

After a global pandemic and amid rapid technological change, that foundational learn-by-observing model risks becoming obsolete—and with it, the ability for new generations of lawyers to evolve, make core connections, and eventually thrive in prac tice. Virtual hearings, remote work, and increasingly demanding caseloads have cre ated efficiencies, but they have also reduced opportunities for younger lawyers to learn through proximity and observation. As those opportunities disappear, so do important pathways for professional growth and connection. The consequences are becoming increasingly apparent. Many law students and young lawyers I talk to describe feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, unsupported, and unsure of themselves. They are often expected to perform at a high level without receiving the same kinds of exposure to the profession that previous generations enjoyed. As they struggle to find their footing, some are seen as uninterested, unreliable, or unteachable. Those perceptions then reinforce generational stereotypes and may discourage experi enced attorneys from investing in the next generation. At the same time, many seasoned professionals I talk to express a familiar frustration: “The kids these days just don’t get it.” There is often some truth behind the concern, but an important question follows: Why is the gap growing, and what can we do about it? Here’s the short answer: As our profession evolves, so too must our approach to mentoring. Gone are the days when young lawyers could learn everything through in-person observation alone. Technology has diminished many of those opportunities, creating a gap between what younger attorneys are expected to know and what they have had the chance to experience firsthand. Despite this, they are still expected to develop court room skills, professional judgment, and business acumen, but often with fewer oppor tunities to see those skills modeled in real time. That is where intentional mentorship becomes essential.

Clifford Law Offices Kathleen Dillon Narko Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Alexander Passo Latimer LeVay Fyock LLC Trisha M. Rich Holland & Knight LLP Adam J. Sheppard Sheppard Law Firm, PC

Richard Lee Stavins Kevin A. Thompson Levin Ginsburg Rosemary Simota Thompson

THE CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION Sharon Nolan Director of Marketing

6 July/August 2026

Experienced legal professionals carry a special responsibility in this effort. We collectively possess decades of institutional knowledge, practical insight, and professional judgment that cannot be learned in law school and cannot be taught through observational osmosis in the way it once was. Younger profes sionals benefit enormously when seasoned practitioners take the time to explain not only how legal work is done, but why certain decisions are made, how professional relationships are cultivated, and how ethical and strategic challenges are navigated. Too often, mentorship is treated as something that happens organically. While informal relationships remain valuable, rely ing on chance leaves many talented young professionals without guidance. A conversation after a bar association event, an invita tion to attend a hearing or client meeting, a thoughtful debrief, or a regular coffee check-in can make a lasting difference in a young lawyer’s development. These moments should be viewed not as obligations, but as investments in the future of the profession. At the same time, mentorship is not solely the responsibility of experienced attorneys. Young lawyers and law students must also approach mentoring

relationships with intention and initiative. Many senior attorneys are willing to help but may not know who is seeking guidance or how to begin the conversation. Reaching out thoughtfully, asking specific questions, following up, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to growth can transform a brief interaction into a meaningful professional relationship. Indeed, the strongest mentoring relationships are built on mutual curiosity and respect. Experienced attorneys can learn from younger colleagues’ perspectives on technology and evolv ing workplace norms. Younger professionals can gain invaluable insight from the wisdom that only experience can provide. The future of the profession will not be shaped by one genera tion alone. It will be shaped by the willingness of lawyers at every stage of their careers to listen, teach, learn, and invest in one another. Mentorship is not merely a professional courtesy—it is a shared responsibility and one of the most enduring legacies we can leave for those who follow. Nikki Marcotte is a senior litigation associate at Laurie & Bren nan, LLP, where they focus on complex commercial and construction litigation.

The Moses, Bertha & Albert H. Wolf Fund

T he Chicago Bar Association manages the Moses, Bertha and Albert H. Wolf Fund to aid attorneys who reside in or practice law in Cook County and are ill, incapacitated or superannuated. Through the Fund, the CBA provides financial assistance in the form of grants and loans. Eligible recipients also include lawyers in Cook County who receive assistance from the Lawyers Assistance Program and are in need of medical assistance. For more information, contact Beth McMeen, CBA Executive Director, at 312-554-2004 or bmcmeen@chicagobar.org.

CBA RECORD 7

PRESIDENT’S PAGE BY TRISHA M. RICH One Bar: Stronger Together

The Chicago Bar Association www.chicagobar.org President Trisha M. Rich First Vice President Kathryn C. Liss Second Vice President Jonathan B. Amarilio Immediate Past President Judge Nichole C. Patton Executive Director Beth McMeen BOARD OF MANAGERS Judge Jorge L. Alonso James V. Campell Elizabeth Carpenter Dora Cornelio Steven R. Decker Octavio Duran Kevin Gerow Secretary Andrew W. Vail Treasurer Adam M. Zebelian

As I begin my year as President, I carry these lessons with me, but I am filled first and foremost with gratitude. No one arrives at a moment like this alone. What ever success I have enjoyed professionally or within the bar has been made possible by people who invested their time, trust, and energy in me along the way. I am grateful to Steve Elrod, an early colleague and mentor who encouraged bar involvement and leadership at every step of my career. His leadership, wisdom, and friendship have influenced generations of Chicago lawyers. He has long exemplified the very best of our profession: excellence, integrity, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed. His example has shaped my own under standing of leadership and service. I am grateful to Judge Nichole Patton, whose leadership over the past year has been extraordinary. Judge Patton has led the CBA with thoughtfulness, grace, and unwavering dedication, and I am honored to follow her. More importantly, I am proud to call her a friend. I am grateful to Katie Liss and Jon Amarilio, two of my closest friends and fellow travelers on this CBA journey. We came up through the Young Lawyers Section together, supported one another through countless volunteer roles and leadership positions, and somehow found ourselves moving through the leadership ranks together. The fact that the three of us will serve as consecutive CBA Presidents is something I never could have imagined years ago, and it remains one of my favorite examples of what can happen when people invest in one another and grow together. I am grateful to my colleagues at Hol land & Knight, who have supported both

W hen I first became involved with the CBA, I was a young lawyer looking for something that many lawyers seek early in their careers: community. I had moved to Chicago, was building a practice, and was trying to find my place in a profession that I loved but was still learning to navigate. Like many young lawyers, I knew how to work hard. What I did not yet know was how important rela tionships, mentorship, and service would become to my career and my life. The CBA changed that, and with it, my career. Over the years, the CBA has given me far more than I could ever repay. It has provided friendships, mentors, oppor tunities, leadership experiences, and a sense of belonging within a profession that I care deeply about. It introduced me to people who challenged me to think bigger, encouraged me to take risks, and demonstrated what it means to lead with integrity and purpose.

William T. Gibbs Martin D. Gould Noah J. Graf Elizabeth A. Kaveny Sarah F. King

Jennifer F. Kuzminski Kenneth Matuszewski Judge Thomas A. Morrissey Judge Michael T. Mullen Ryan M. Nolan Brandon E. Peck

8 July/August 2026

my legal career and my commitment to service. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside remarkable law yers and leaders who understand that giving back to the legal profession matters. And most importantly, I am grateful to my husband, Chris Nolan. He is my biggest supporter, my most trusted advisor, and the person who encourages me to pursue opportunities that sometimes seem bigger than I believe I can handle. Public ser vice requires support not only from those who volunteer, but also from the families who share that commitment. I could not do this without him, and I would not want to. As I look ahead to the coming year, I do so with a deep appre ciation for the responsibility of this office and for the moment in which we find ourselves. The legal profession faces real challenges. Public confidence in institutions is under strain. The judiciary faces increasing crit icism and scrutiny. Technology is reshaping the delivery of legal services. Economic pressures continue to affect lawyers, clients, and courts. At times, it can feel as though the forces dividing us are stronger than those bringing us together. But, like many of you, I believe the organized bar has a critical role to play in this environment. Bar associations remain one of the few places where lawyers from different backgrounds, prac tice areas, firms, organizations, and perspectives come together not as adversaries, but as colleagues. They provide opportunities to learn, to serve, to mentor, and to engage with difficult issues thoughtfully and respectfully. They remind us that despite our differences, we share a common commitment to the rule of law, the administration of justice, and service to our communities. Executing on that belief is at the heart of what I hope to accomplish this year. You will hear me speak frequently about a concept I call “One Bar.” At its core, One Bar is a simple idea: We are stronger together than we are apart. The challenges facing our profession do not fit neatly into committees, practice groups,

generations, or organizations. They require collaboration. They require relationships. They require us to recognize that we have more in common than we sometimes remember. This will be a recurring theme for my year. It’s a theme I share with this year’s Chair of the Young Lawyers Section, Aleksandra Petrovic—for the first time that I’m aware, the CBA President and YLS Chair will share and work together on a common theme which, not coincidentally, centers on unity and working together. My goal this year is to continue strengthening connections across our legal community. I hope to create opportunities for lawyers to learn from one another, build relationships across tra ditional boundaries, and engage constructively with the issues shaping the future of our profession. I want the CBA to remain a place where young lawyers find mentors, where experienced lawyers find renewed purpose, and where all lawyers feel that they have a place within our community. I also hope to continue highlighting the extraordinary work being done by lawyers, judges, legal aid organizations, bar lead ers, and public servants throughout our city. Every day, mem bers of Chicago’s legal community are improving lives, solving problems, strengthening institutions, and expanding access to justice. Those stories deserve to be celebrated. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to witness what happens when lawyers come together around a shared purpose. I have seen friendships become partnerships, mentors become lifelong advisors, and volunteer opportunities become meaning ful avenues for change. The Chicago Bar Association has been at the center of many of those experiences for me. My hope for the coming year is simple: that we continue building a profession and a bar association that brings people together, creates opportunities for service and leadership, and leaves the next generation of lawyers better than we found it. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me. I look forward to serving alongside all of you during the year ahead.

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CBA RECORD 9

CBA NEWS

The event featured opening remarks from Judge Patton, recognition for outgo ing officers and board members, reports from the CBA Treasurer and Election Committee, and introductions of new officers and board members. Judge Patton announced that Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy V. Cunning ham is the recipient of the prestigious Robert A. Clifford Champion of Justice Award for 2026. The annual award cel ebrates an outstanding member who champions justice in the Illinois legal community, just as Bob Clifford has done throughout his distinguished career. In her remarks, Rich shared that her presidential theme will be “One Bar.” She noted that although our profession faces significant challenges, “Our great est strength lies in our unity.” She con tinued, “We must remember that what binds us together is far greater than what divides us. We are one bar, united by a shared commitment to the rule of law, the administration of justice, and service to our communities.” Members of the 2026–2027 Board of Managers were also introduced. They include newly appointed members Judge Jorge L. Alonso, Dora Corne lio, Octavio Duran, William T. Gibbs, Elizabeth A. Kaveny, Sarah F. King, Jen nifer F. Kuzminski, and Judge Michael T. Mullen. Existing board members who will finish their two-year terms this bar year are James V. Campbell, Elizabeth Carpenter, Steven R. Decker, Kevin Gerow, Martin D. Gould, Noah J. Graf, Judge Thomas A. Morrissey, Ryan M. Nolan, and Brandon E. Peck.

©äěÚĩġäʼn ̨̪̪̮ Ϳ̨̪̪̯ Bar Year at Annual Meeting By Ann Glynn, CBA Public Affairs Director

O utgoing 2025–2026 President Judge Nichole C. Patton passed the leadership gavel to the CBA’s new President, Trisha M. Rich, at the 153rd annual meet ing in June at the Union League Club of Chicago. The meeting celebrated the past year’s accomplishments, welcomed a new group of officers, and looked ahead to the new bar year. A new slate of officers joined Rich, including First Vice President Kathryn C. Liss, Executive Director, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center, DePaul University College of Law; Second Vice President Jonathan Amarilio, Partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister; Secretary Andrew W. Vail, Partner, Jenner & Block; and Treasurer Adam M. Zebelian, Partner, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP. Incoming President Trisha M. Rich receives the Lincoln Gavel of Leadership from Outgoing CBA President Judge Nichole C. Patton.

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10 July/August 2026

AI Symposium

The CBA’s AI 2035 Symposium was the capstone event of CBA President Judge Nichole C. Patton’s bar year, which focused on the intersec tion of the law and artificial intelligence. The Symposium welcomed over 300 lawyers to discover how AI will affect their legal practice now and in the coming years. Pictured at the opening session, from left: Justice Rena Van Tine, Illinois Appellate Court; Judge Nichole C. Patton, Circuit Court of Cook County; Joel Pingel, Google; Charles Elliott, Google; Judge Megan Goldish, Cook County Circuit Court; and Joel Bruckman, Smith Gambrell & Russell LLP.

CBA RECORD 11

in Greece

CBA Members Make Memories and Enjoy History

By Beth McMeen, CBA Executive Director

A lmost 70 judges, attorneys, and guests came together for a remarkable week of education, cultural exploration, and collegiality during the CBA’s 2026 CLE Abroad program to Greece. The seven-day journey through Athens and Santorini blended high-quality continuing legal education with extraordinary opportunities to experience the history, beauty, and hospitality of Greece. The CLE programming was both intellectually stimulating and culturally enriching. It was hosted at the Civil and Criminal Supreme Court of Greece and the Athens Bar Association and featured prominent judges and attorneys from both Greece and the United States. Topics included comparative civil and crimi nal law, artificial intelligence and the law, alternative dispute resolution, legal ethics, aviation liability, and rule of law issues. Participants especially appreciated the opportunity to engage directly with members of the Greek judiciary and bar in discus sions that provided comparative perspectives on legal systems.

Beyond the classroom, attendees experienced some of Greece’s most iconic landmarks and cultural treasures. High lights included the opportunity to stand among the ancient monuments of Athens and reflect on the origins of democracy and the rule of law. The second half of the trip took the group to the breathtaking island of Santorini, where attendees enjoyed organized excur sions and free time. The island’s stunning scenery, whitewashed villages, and famous sunsets provided an unforgettable backdrop for relaxation and exploration. The combination of world-class CLE programming, excep tional hospitality, cultural immersion, and shared experiences made the 2026 Greece trip one of the most memorable and rewarding programs hosted by the CBA.

The next CBA CLE Trip Abroad will be held in Spring 2027.

12 July/August 2026

CLE & MEMBER NEWS Over the past year, we hope the CBA has provided meaningful opportunities to learn, connect with peers, and support your pro fessional growth. CBA membership provides direct access to the people, programs, and resources helping you adapt to a rapidly changing profes sion. Through AI-focused committees, timely and substantive CLE programs, in-person learning, and networking, the CBA helps you stay ahead of emerging issues. Whether you are looking to expand your knowledge using new tools, grow your network, or better understand how technology is reshaping the practice of law, we are All members are asked to review or change their committee selec tions for the new bar year via the online committee sign-up form at www.chicagobar.org. Members will retain their current assignments unless they make changes to their committee record. We invite members who are not currently serving on committees to get active this year. A complete description of all CBA and YLS committees, along with their meeting dates and new leadership information, is available at www.chicagobar.org. Most committee meetings qualify for free Illinois MCLE credit. The amount of credit depends on the length of the presentation (average credit is 0.75 hours); information is available online. Plus, CBA members can attend committee meetings for free—a great way to earn MCLE Have You Updated Your CBA and YLS Practice Area Committees Lately? Membership Renewal Reminder: Don’t Let Your Membership Expire on August 31

committed to delivering practical value that supports your success. Your membership will officially expire on August 31, 2026. We encourage you to renew by this date. You can renew online at www. chicagobar.org/renew, by calling 312-554-2020, or by mailing your renewal check to the CBA. We also offer a dues installment plan and $75 retiree dues to help our members keep their connections, benefits, and savings (email membership@chicagobar.org with your request). We appreciate your past membership and look forward to serving you in the coming bar year.

credits at no cost! Confirmation of committee assignments and 2026–2027 meeting date schedules will be emailed to all committee members in mid August. Most committees will begin meeting again in September. Email committees@chicagobar.org with any questions. (Note: Mem bers listed on committee rosters will receive direct emails regarding committee meetings, speakers, handout materials, legislation, etc. However, you do not have to be listed on the committee roster to attend its meetings. Any member may attend any committee meeting.) Check the weekly CBA e-Bulletin, which is emailed to all members every Thursday, or visit learn.chicagobar.org for a current list of meetings.

Wanted: CBA Member Email Addresses

If you are not receiving regular emails from the CBA, please take a moment to update your member profile online or send an email to chicagobar@chicagobar.org including your name, phone, email address, and CBA member number. Email is our primary way to com municate with you, and we don’t want you to miss out on important announcements, including: • The CBA e-Bulletin every Thursday, with highlights of the following week’s committee meetings and speakers, plus upcoming seminars, networking events, and important news about the Association and new member benefits and savings.

• Timely notices of seminars, committee meetings, and events related to your practice area. • Practice-specific developments through Lexology emails. • Networking, mentoring, and professional development events. •Career resources, leadership opportunities, and other ways to enhance your resume. • Tips on what to read, watch, and listen to regarding the latest trends in the legal profession.

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CBA RECORD 13

2026 Vanguard Awards Recognize Changemakers in the Legal Community By Ann Glynn, CBA Public Affairs Director

Justice Goodwin H. Liu, for work on “Portrait Project 2.0: Asian Americans in the Legal Profession,” Asian Ameri can Bar Association; Nancy Andrade, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illi nois; Judge Fredrick H. Bates, Chicago Bar Association; Judge Patrice M. Ball Reed (ret.), Women’s Bar Association of Illinois; Mark J. Calaguas, Filipino American Lawyers Association; Judge Jill Cerone-Marisie, Justinian Society of Lawyers; Anthony (Tony) Michael Abou Ezzi, Arab American Bar Associa tion of Illinois; Judge Abbey Fishman Romanek, Decalogue Society of Law yers; Judge Koula A. Fournier, Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois; Judge Can dace Jackson-Akiwumi, Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc.; Caroline K. Kwon, Korean Ameri can Bar Association; Cannon Lambert, Sr., Cook County Bar Association; Judge Diann K. Marsalek, Advocates Society; Daniel R. Murray, Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago; Judge Mary M. Row land, LAGBAC – Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association; Avani Patel, South Asian Bar Association of Chicago; Judie Lyn Smith, Haitian American Lawyers Association; Judge Lucy Vazquez-Gon zalez, Puerto Rican Bar Association; and Naheda Zayyad-Hussien, Muslim Bar Association of Chicago. The CBA’s honoree, Judge Bates, serves on the bench in the Circuit Court of Cook County. He is also a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow with an exten sive record of service to the community, having served on over 20 not-for-profit boards. Judge Bates was the President of the first minority-owned corporate law firm in the country and served in the Administrative Law Judiciary for over 15 years. He has served the legal profes sion as President of the Cook County Bar Association and as Co-Chair of the Chi cago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms, which he co-founded as the brain trust of the organization in 1987, well before diversity awareness and inclu sion initiatives were generally accepted in the workplace.

Pictured from left: Judge Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc.; Jawad Shalabi, President of the Arab American Bar Associa tion of Illinois; Cory Cassis on behalf of Arab American Bar Association of Illinois for Anthony (Tony) Michael Abou Ezzi; Cannon Lambert, Sr., Cook County Bar Association; Caroline K. Kwon, Korean American Bar Association; Naheda Zayyad-Hussien, Muslim Bar Association of Chicago; Judge Mary M. Rowland, LAGBAC – Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association; Judie Lyn Smith, Haitian American Lawyers Association; Judge Koula A. Fournier, Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois; Judge Patrice M. Ball-Reed (ret.), Women’s Bar Association of Illinois; Judge Diann K. Marsalek, Advocates Society; Daniel R. Marry, Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago; Judge Lucy Vasquez-Gonzalez, Puerto Rican Bar Association; CBA President Judge Nichole C. Patton, Circuit Court of Cook County; Nancy Andrade, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois; Avani Patel, South Asian Bar Association of Chicago; and Mark J. Calaguas, Filipino American Lawyers Association.

T he CBA, along with 18 other local affinity bar associations, presents the Vanguard Awards annually to recognize these trailblazers who make the law and legal profession more acces sible to and reflective of the community at large. This year’s ceremony was held at the Union League Club of Chicago. “The CBA is incredibly proud to

recognize our honoree, Judge Fredrick H. Bates, a leading national expert on diver sity initiatives in law firms, along with all our distinguished honorees for their con tributions to access, equity, and excellence in the law throughout their careers,” said CBA President Judge Nichole C. Patton. Other recipients included: American Bar Foundation, Ajay K. Mehrotra, and

14 July/August 2026

“ The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members or workers better.” - NFL Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy

ABOUT THE PROGRAM LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE The Chicago Bar Association The Leadership Institute is designed to enhance the leadership skills and foster the professional growth of emerging leaders within Chicago’s legal community. Get the practical knowledge and business development strategies necessary to attain and be successful in significant leadership roles. Sessions feature dynamic faculty, interactive skill building exercises and networking opportunities.

Our 2026 cohort begins September 9, 2026. Applicants must be an Illinois attorney with at least 3 years of experience, but not more than 10 years. Session locations vary, with most held at the CBA, 321 S. Plymouth Ct. Chicago, IL 60604.

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See application, full schedule and fees at www.chicagobar.org/Leadership. Email questions to jbyrne@chicagobar.org.

CBA RECORD 15

The CBA’s Judicial Evaluation Committee Focuses on Innovation and Growth

By Ann Glynn, CBA Public Affairs Director T he Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC), the CBA’s semi-autonomous committee that evaluates candidates for judicial offices and sitting judges seeking retention in Cook County, has been making improvements to work more effectively. Improvements include a comprehensive update of the JEC’s Investigator Instruction Manual as well as the Judicial Evaluation questionnaires, to enhance consistency, efficiency, and transparency throughout the evaluation process. The JEC also launched a new Teams Initiative, pairing inves tigators with Executive Committee mentors to foster professional development, strengthen engagement, encourage collaboration, and build a greater sense of community among the attorneys who volunteer their time in service to the public. With these new processes in place, the JEC completed 122 investigations and 95 hearings more than a month ahead of schedule for the March 2026 primary election. This helped ensure that voters had timely access to comprehensive judicial evaluations before casting their ballots, while also improving JEC operations and member engagement. The JEC was honored with the Committee of the Year Award, the CBA’s highest committee honor, at the 2026 CBAY mem bership awards ceremony. “This recognition reflects the dedica tion of more than 100 volunteer investigators and Committee members, highlighting the JEC’s and the CBA’s commitment to public service, professional excellence, and civic engagement,” said Jeffrey W. Finke, 2025–2026 JEC Chair. Evaluations are currently underway for approximately 75 judges seeking retention ahead of the November election in Cook County. The Committee is developing enhanced inves tigator training programs to further strengthen the evaluation process ahead of this election. The JEC’s work is an important part of the CBA’s legacy of improving the effectiveness of the administration of justice in Chicago and strengthening public confidence in the judiciary

CBA President Judge Nichole C. Patton presented the CBAY Award for Committee of the Year to JEC Chair Jeffrey W. Finke.

through an independent evaluation process. As demand for fair, thorough, and independent judicial evaluations continues to grow, the Committee actively seeks dedicated attorneys inter ested in promoting public confidence in the courts. Attorneys interested in serving are encouraged to contact JEC Administrator Phyllis Lubinski at plubinski@chicagobar.org.

Complimentary Mid-Year Financial Review for CBA Members

Through our partnership with True Wealth Strategies, we’re pleased to offer every CBA member a complimentary 30-minute mid-year financial review — at no cost, with no obligation. These sessions are designed specifically around the financial reali ties attorneys face at every stage of their career. Schedule review at www.cbainsurance.org or contact Michael Taff directly at michael.taff@twealth.us.

16 July/August 2026

CBA RECORD 17

T he YLS presented the CBA’s Liberty Bell Award to Raul Raymundo at the Law Day Celebration. Raymundo is the CEO of the Resurrection Project, a leading pro vider of affordable housing, financial education, and immigration services on Chicago’s Southwest side. He is a prominent community leader and advocate for social justice who has dedicated his career to empowering low-income families and promoting civic engagement. The Liberty Bell Award recognizes a nonlawyer who works within the legal system to advocate for and help increase access to the justice system for people who need it most. Interested in nominating a nonlawyer for the 2027 award cycle? Reach out to YLS Director Emily Anderson at eanderson@chi cagobar.org. Young Lawyers Section Honors Nonlawyer for Service to the Community By Ann Glynn, CBA Public Affairs Director

2025–2026 YLS Chair Gavin Phelps (left) with Liberty Bell Award Winner Raul Raymundo at the 2026 Law Day Celebration in Daley Plaza.

Military and Veterans Affair Reception May 2026

The CBA Military & Veterans Affairs Committee hosted a networking reception to foster connections and build relationships among our local military community. Pictured from left: Circuit Court Judge Michael Hood (Committee Co-Chair); Greg Sanchez, Assistant Director, Office for Military-Affiliated Communities at the University of Chicago; Dr. Terrell Odom, Director, Office for Military-Affiliated Communities at the University of Chicago; and Major Joe Cook, Partner at Gallagher & Kosner Law (Committee Co-Chair). 18 July/August 2026

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CBA RECORD 19

THE CBA PULSE

BY BETH McMEEN, CBA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Left: The CBA hosted “Under Siege: The American Judiciary and the Rule of Law” in collaboration with the Cummins Family Jus tice Foundation and the Berkley Judicial Institute, convening a day-long discussion on rising criticism, political pressures, and physical threats confronting judges and courts and the broader implications of these developments for judicial independence and constitutional order. CBA President Judge Nichole C. Patton, Circuit Court of Cook County; Justice Stephen Breyer (ret.), United States Supreme Court; and CBA Secretary Andrew W. Vail, Jenner & Block. Right: Senator Dick Durbin and Bob Cummins.

2026 CBA Leadership and Board of Managers Trisha M. Rich succeeds Judge Nichole C. Patton as the CBA’s new President. Kathryn C. Liss will serve as First Vice Presi dent, and Jonathan B. Amarilio will serve as Second Vice Presi dent. Andrew W. Vail will serve another year as Secretary, and Adam M. Zebelian joins as the Association’s Treasurer. Out going President Judge Nichole C. Patton will remain on the Executive Committee. Members of the Board of Managers for 2026–2027 include Judge Jorge L. Alonso, James V. Campbell, Elizabeth Carpen ter, Dora Cornelio, Steven R. Decker, Octavio Duran, Kevin Gerow, William T. Gibbs, Martin D. Gould, Noah J. Graf, Eliz abeth A. Kaveny, Sarah F. King, Jennifer F. Kuzminski, Ken neth Matuszewski, Judge Thomas A. Morrissey, Judge Michael T. Mullen, Ryan M. Nolan, and Brandon E. Peck. 2026 Young Lawyers Section Leadership Aleksandra Petrovic will helm the Young Lawyers Section for the 2026–2027 bar year. She will be joined by First Vice Chair Stephanie Moon; Second Vice-Chair Andre A. Hunter, Jr.; Recruitment Officer Joseph Nelson; Philanthropy Officer

Deepa Singh; Program Officer Cha’yra Eddie; Program Officer Stephanie Reed; Secretary/Treasurer Ayo Jide-Omole; Co-Edi tors in Chief of the YLS Journal Katherine Hanson and George Schaller; Co-Editors in Chief of the @theBar Blog Sara Shiffman and John Gilmore; Inclusion and Engagement Officer Kushtrim Ashiku; and Immediate Past Chair Gavin Phelps. YLS Direc tors include Leonard Brahin, Alexis Carter, John Clucas, Kaplan Grady, Jimmy Herdegen, Aswini Madugula, Jessica Shifman, Adam Smith, and Easton Thorn. Justice John Paul Stevens Award Nominations for the Association’s 2026 Justice John Paul Ste vens Award are due August 10. The CBA established the award in 2000 to honor lawyers and judges whose careers emulate the integrity and commitment to public service of Justice Stevens, who was a longtime CBA member. Email nominations to Beth McMeen at bmcmeen@chicagobar.org. Golf Outing Hold the date! The CBA’s annual golf outing will be held on Sep tember 15 at the Glen Club in Glenview, IL. The Golf Committee

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is hard at work securing sponsorships and planning a terrific after noon on the links. See details and register at www.chicagobar.org/ golf. If your firm or company is interested in sponsoring the event, send an email to Michele Spodarek at mspodarek@chicagobar. org or call 312-554-2124. Improve Your Leadership Skills Chicago attorneys looking to enhance their leadership and man agement skills are invited to apply for the CBA’s 2026 Lead ership Institute. Designed for attorneys in their third through tenth years of practice at mid-sized and large law firms, the program features interactive sessions on foundational leader ship principles, strategic communication, and advanced business development, along with curated networking opportunities that foster meaningful professional connections. Created by the CBA to help develop the next generation of legal leaders, the Leader ship Institute provides practical skills and valuable connections essential to success in today’s legal profession. More information is at www.chicagobar.org/leadership. Congratulations CBF Executive Director Bob Glaves received a National Associa tion of Women Lawyers 2026 Impact Award… Cozen O’Connor attorney Brian Shaw was named Chair of the American College of Bankruptcy Board of Regents. Shaw also received a Pro Bono Award from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Associa tion… Corboy & Demetrio partners selected to the 2026 edition

of Lawdragon 500 Global Plaintiff Lawyers include Thomas A. Demetrio, Philip Corboy, Jr., Kenneth T. Lumb, William T. Gibbs, Francis Patrick Murphy, and Edward G. Miller … Mary Smith will be an honoree of the American Bar Association’s 2026 Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award at the ABA’s Annual Conference in Chicago… Robert A. Clifford , founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, has been named to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators guide for his work in aviation litigation... and Sarah F. King , Partner at Clifford Law Offices, has been named to the 2026 National Law Journal’s Elite Women of the Plaintiffs Bar. Recently installed new bar presidents include: Kimberly Glasford, Appellate Lawyers Association of Illinois; Natanya Pope-Sohel, Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chi cago Inc.; Michael Nicholas Ripani, Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago; Trisha M. Rich, The Chicago Bar Association; LeDe idre S. Turner, Cook County Bar Association; Maria G. Anto niolli, DuPage Association of Women Lawyers; Harold Conick, DuPage County Bar Association; Judge Megan Goldish, Illinois Jewish Judges Association; Judge Patrice M. Ball-Reed, Illinois Judges Association; Michael T. Mertz, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association; Perry Browder, Illinois State Bar Association; Michael R. Bertucci, Justinian Society of Lawyers; and Carole ann Gallagher, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois.

Condolences To the family and friends of Julian J. Frazin.

THE CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

Networking i ALL BAR Social AUGUST 26, 2026

5:00-7:00 PM AT HUBBARD INN

TICKETS: $50 - OPEN BAR AND APPETIZERS Available at chicagobar.org/AllBarSocial

CBA RECORD 21

Chicago Bar Foundation Report

Twenty Years of Investing in Justice T hink back to the year 2007. The first iPhone is about to change how we communi cate. Streaming is still in its infancy. And in Chicago, legal aid organizations are facing a challenge that feels all too familiar today: More than half of low-income Chicagoans seeking legal assistance are turned away because legal aid organizations lack sufficient capacity to serve them while financial barriers make it difficult for newer lawyers to pursue legal aid careers. In response to this challenge, The Chicago Bar Foundation worked with prominent leaders in the legal community to launch the CBF Investing in Justice Campaign. Rooted in the belief that lawyers and legal professionals have a special leadership responsi bility to help ensure everyone has access to justice, the campaign brings the entire legal community together to help pro bono and legal aid organizations serve more people in need. Under the leadership of Chair Anton R. Valukas, Jenner & Block LLP, the first campaign in 2007 mobilized 27 law firms and corporations to contribute to this common cause, with 100% of funds raised going to grants for pro bono and legal aid organizations and their dedicated lawyers serving the Chicago area. In its first year, the Investing in Justice Campaign raised $900,000 to support legal aid and heightened awareness of the need to do more. Twenty years later, more than 130 firms and companies now participate in the campaign each year. The campaign has raised more than $25 million to support legal aid since its inception while also helping to leverage more than $10 million in additional funding over that time. These investments have provided critical legal assistance to thousands of people each year and helped build a stronger and more connected pro bono and legal aid system to serve our community. Much has changed over the past 20 years, but one constant has remained and deepened: the Chicago legal community’s com mitment to access to justice. Through economic downturns, a By Emme Veenbaas, CBF Director of Communications and Events

CBF Board President Tom Panoff and CBF Executive Director Bob Glaves with 2026 IIJ Co-Chairs Randy Mehrberg of Jenner & Block LLP and Laura Stein of Mondelēz International, Inc. at the 2026 Campaign kickoff.

global pandemic, and profound changes in the legal profession, law firms, corporations, and individual attorneys remain dedi cated to fulfilling the promise of equal justice for all. The Invest ing in Justice Campaign stands as a testament to that enduring commitment as the 2026 Campaign is in full swing. You can learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved on the CBF website, chicagobarfoundation.org/invest ing-in-justice-campaign/ . Theresa Jaffe, one of the architects and leaders of the cam paign from the start, with David Snyder, then Publisher and Editor of Crain’s Chicago Business, at a campaign kickoff event.

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