CBA Record March-April 2025

CBA March/April 2025

Young Lawyers Section Issue:

Pathways in the Profession

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Books to Read During Black History Month and Beyond Practitioners share their career transitions within (or even away from) the legal field. Quality Job Searching in Any Market Open and Shut: Simple Routines to Bookend Your Day and Boost Your Mindset

CBA RECORD CONTENTS

March/April 2025 • Volume 39, Number 2

4

Letter to the Editor

6

Editor’s Briefcase Finding Happiness with a Law Degree By Justice Michael B. Hyman President’s Page It’s Never Too Early to Begin Building Your Legacy By John C. Sciaccotta

YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION ISSUE

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New Beginnings Kenneth Matuszewski, YLS Chair Pathways in the Profession 24

8

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In-House Counsel by Azar Alexander

10 CBA News

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Communications Coach by Ashleigh A. Stochel

18 Chicago Bar

26

Sports Agent by Dominique Price

Foundation Report

27

Federal Prosecutor by Jonathan Kim

20 The Pulse

28

Compliance and Privacy Officer by John Tao

36 LPMT Bits & Bytes

Duty of Technological Competence by Kevin Thomspon

29

Law Professor by James F. Tierney

30

Private Mediator by Katie Konlon

38 History Will Judge That’s What She Said By Nina Fain 39 Summary Judgement Submerged by Hillel Levin

31

Legal Recruiter by Khurram Naik

32

Government Meditator by Lorna Steuer

33

Public Interest Lawyer by Linda Rio

Reviewed by Daniel A. Cotter

34

Legislative Counsel by Mark Mazzone

42 Practical Ethics

New ABA Ethics Opinion on Avoiding Misunderstandings while Representing Organizations by Trisha Rich

35

Clinical Law Professor by William Reynolds

40

Books to Read During Women’s History Month and Beyond Curated by the CBA Record Editorial Board

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 2025 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.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A Trial, a Loss, and a Lasting Lesson

Thank you for a timely article in the January/February 2025 CBA Record on bul lying. It was an excellent read, and a timely comment on the state of the practice. As Chairman of the IWCC, I have heard many complaints regarding the conduct of attorneys, as they have become increasingly combative in their attitude. This is an ongoing effort to bulldoze opponents. Your article reminded me of my younger days in the practice and my interaction with some of the greats of the Criminal Defense Bar. Each was a gentleman, and each took an interest in young lawyers. One interaction with Pat Tuite still rings in my mind, as he taught me a lesson that I have not forgotten. He and I put on a bench trial, which I thought was a winner for the State. At the conclusion of the testimony, the judge stated that he had a reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant, announced a verdict of not guilty and walked off the bench. I was flabbergasted. Later that afternoon, Pat called my office and I hesitated to take his call, as I was certain that he was calling to rub in my loss. When I answered the phone, he greeted me in a manner that I have never forgotten. He said: “Michael, thank you for taking my call. I just wanted to congratulate you on putting on an excellent case. I know that you are disappointed, but I also want you to continue to be a friend as we are colleagues in the same profession.” He then spoke of a similar experience that he had as a young lawyer, where he had a crushing loss and an older attorney called to congratulate him on his effort. He also told me that the older lawyer reminded him that we are all colleagues in the same profession and there is no reason why we cannot be friends. With this lesson in mind, Mr. Tuite asked that I do the same in the fuure. Since that time, I have attempted to impart the same lesson to younger attorneys. Since my appointment to the IWCC, I have spoken of my experience, to remind all attorneys that we are colleagues in the same profession, not always opponents. My hope is that with a little prodding most attorneys, but probably not all, will remem ber to be civil to one another, as we are all members of the same profession.

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EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CBA RECORD

EDITOR’S BRIEFCASE BY JUSTICE MICHAEL B. HYMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Justice Michael B. Hyman Illinois Appellate Court ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anne Ellis Council of State Governments Justice Center SUMMARY JUDGMENTS EDITOR Daniel A. Cotter

Finding Happiness with a Law Degree

Dickinson Wright PLLC YLS JOURNAL EDITORS

Joanna Kopczyk Attorney at Law Nikki Marcotte Kirkland & Ellis LLP

O ur profession promises intellectual challenge, societal impact, and personal growth. Often, the promises come with unrelenting demands—long hours, deadlines, and intense pressure, which can be emotionally and mentally drain ing and lead to discontent. Adjusting to these demands and landing a job that is a good fit can be tough, espe cially for young lawyers. That’s why experts recommend regularly taking stock of career objectives, ambitions, and personal values. Work should bring enjoyment and purpose to your life. To guide your self-awareness, ask yourself these four questions: Am I finding joy in my work? Am I using my talents and knowledge to their fullest potential? Am I surrounded with supportive and inspiring colleagues? Am I creating the difference I set out to make? If you answer “no” to even one of these questions, your current position may not suit your goals, interests, or motiva tions, and you should evaluate your situation and options. Change is difficult, particularly for lawyers trained to seek certainty and minimize risk. Embracing the possibility of change calls for courage and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. But change is how we grow, adapt, and ultimately find our way. Change does not imply failure. Nor does it signal weakness. It means you have evolved. Mobility is the norm. Legions of young lawyers switch jobs during their first eight years, some two or three times. Experienced lawyers also routinely make career moves to acquire better client and practice support, career advancement, and work-life balance. The era when a lawyer stayed put for most of their career is gone. As lawyers, we are taught to question, analyze, and solve. Those same principles apply to our own lives. In redirecting your career, start with a thorough self-assessment, includ ing skills, passions, and strengths. Seek insight and advice from people you trust. Net work actively, leveraging connections to gain referrals. Above all, believe in yourself. The practice of law is a profound privilege, but it is not the only path if you have a law degree. If your aspirations no longer reside in litigation or deal-making, the versatil ity of a law degree allows you to pivot to academia, public service, finance and business, politics, journalism, and countless other fields. Legal education cultivates critical reasoning, persuasive communication, attention to detail, and thinking through problems. These are not just legal skills but transferable life skills. (For this annual YLS issue of the CBA Record , our dedicated YLS co-editors feature articles on alternative careers for lawyers.) True Success True success involves liking what you do, measured by internal happiness, not by acco lades, titles, or monetary gain. Mark Twain expressed this point when he said, “The secret to success is making your vocation your vacation.” Similarly, Dale Carnegie, the author of How to Win Friends & Influence People , taught, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun with what they are doing.” In this context, “fun” refers to the satisfaction of engaging

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Judge E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. Circuit Court of Cook County

THE CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION Sharon Nolan Director of Marketing

6 March/April 2025

in a meaningful, rewarding job that conforms to one’s passions and priorities. Work should leave you (mainly) feeling good at the end of the day. Keep in mind that over one-third of your life will be spent working. Might as well make the most of it. As Dale Carnegie advised, “Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man or woman

who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” So, dare to transition if that is where your heart leads you. Dare to pursue a career that fulfills and uplifts you. Dare to find happiness in your vocation. Few things in life are as consequential.

In Memory of Judge Shelia Murphy (ret.) By Justice Michael B. Hyman, Editor-in-Chief A dynamo of limitless energy, Sheila Murphy fought relentlessly to transform society. Her wisdom gave us perspective; her unwavering conviction for mercy and human dignity gave us courage; her empathy, which knew no bounds, gave us love. Like a Biblical prophet, Murphy was a forceful and illu minating advocate for the forgotten, the oppressed, and the broken. To her, serving the voiceless was sacred, and what ever she did, whatever she said, and whatever she wrote encouraged dialogue. She refused to accept complacency, considering it a betrayal of justice. Instead, throughout her life, she worked toward a society committed to healing and restoration, seeking mercy where others sought discipline and retribution.

Shelia Murphy’s life exemplifies the power our choices have in shaping ourselves and the world around us. During Judge E. Kenneth Wright’s year as CBA president, Murphy invited Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, to speak to the Association. In her introduction, Murphy quoted the Archbishop, “A time of crisis is not just a time of anxiety and worry. It gives a chance, an opportu nity, to choose well or choose badly.” Murphy consistently chose to confront the status quo when it was unjust or discriminatory, no matter who stood against her or how much resistance she faced. May the memory of this revered judge, teacher, public defender, wife, mother, sister, daughter, and benevolent humanitarian be a blessing to us all.

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CBA RECORD 7

PRESIDENT’S PAGE BY JOHN C. SCIACCOTTA It’s Never Too Early to Begin Building Your Legacy

The Chicago Bar Association www.chicagobar.org President John C. Sciaccotta Vice President Judge Nichole C. Patton Treasurer Jonathan B. Amarilio Secretary Trisha Rich Immediate Past President Ray J. Koenig III Executive Director Beth McMeen BOARD OF MANAGERS Daniel J. Berkowitz Tracy Brammeier Maggie Mendenhall Casey Erin Clifford Nishá N. Dotson John C. Ellis Josie M. Gough Brian Haussmann Judge Kenya A. Jenkins-Wright Michael Kozlowski Francine D. Lynch Justice Margaret Stanton McBride Kenneth A. Matuszewski Peter McNamara John Mitchell Sari Montgomery

foundation of your legal career.” What he never expressed, but what now has become obvious to me after prac ticing law for approaching 40 years, is that you begin to build your legacy as a young lawyer by learning your trade and by estab lishing relationships and making friends in the profession. This is the foundation that eventually will allow you to make a substantial impact upon others and to and for the legal profession throughout your career. It wasn’t until about 12 years ago (when my son Michael began law school) that this viewpoint came into much clearer focus for me. When my son began law school, we would often talk about his classes, and I would answer his questions and assist him with his moot court and trial advocacy presentations. It was during this time that Michael helped to reinvigorate my legal career. I had been practicing for about 26 years by then, and at that point Culver— my dear friend and mentor—had sud denly passed away a few months earlier. I was grieving. I had lost a father figure and mentor who inspired me to become the best lawyer I could be and to become active in the CBA. My son’s beginning of law school brought me back to my own beginnings; I began to reflect upon why I had become a lawyer and recalled why I had wanted to be a lawyer since I was five years old. It was also then that I first became aware of building a legacy that would honor my mentors and my family. Recognizing this, I shared with my son that his legal career and his ultimate legacy begins during law school. So, here are my recommendations to all young lawyers (and to all lawyers) to help build your legacy:

B eing involved in the Young Lawyers Section was very gratifying and rewarding during my early years as a lawyer. During my YLS years I made many of my dearest friends and met many fine lawyers, judges, and titans of our pro fession. The YLS was where one of my mentors, Richard W. Culver, encouraged me to become active in the CBA’s Judi cial Evaluation Committee. Culver would very often advise me to “make friends in the practice of law and develop relation ships.” This could not have been better advice, and I’ve followed it for my entire legal career. It has always served me well. Culver also expressed to me that your legal career begins during law school. It’s where you begin to develop relationships and to make friends. These friends can someday become clients, referral sources, references, and close confidants. He always suggested to keep building your reputa tion, your résumé, and your experience. This, he would often say, “will become the

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8 March/April 2025

1. Stay active in the CBA (and other bar associations), partici pate in YLS committees, and have fun. 2. Work hard, determine what you excel at, and pursue it and learn to be a fine legal professional. 3. Make friends and establish relationships and connections. 4. Commit to pro bono work; always fight for justice and do the right thing for our profession. 5. Join a charitable or philanthropic board. 6. Get active within your community, alumni networks, and places of influence. 7. Strive to learn more and to become better in all of your endeavors—be bold, and be impactful.

8. Never get down on yourself; always keep fighting (and being positive) despite setbacks and unfortunate circumstances. 9. Savor and enjoy all of the experiences throughout your jour ney; learn from them, whether they are positive or negative. 10. Believe in yourself and in your abilities and never give up! When you are a young lawyer, thinking about the “Back 9” of your legal career and any legacy may seem far away and beyond your wildest imagination. But, it will creep upon you faster than you think. That’s why it’s important to start building your legacy at an early stage of your legal career. The good things that you do and will continue to do throughout your career and in your life will honor your mentors, your family, and yourself.

In Memoriam The Chicago Bar Association mourns the passing of William J. Linklater (Joe), a leading white collar criminal defense attorney who defended large complex international criminal and antitrust matters. A career-long member of the CBA, Linklater served as CBA President from 2000 to 2001. During his presidency, he focused on improving the public image of lawyers through mentoring, pro bono work, and public service. The CBA is forever grateful for Linklater’s contributions to our Association and the legal profession.

The CBA, in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago and the Lincoln Forum, hosted a program featuring Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke. Burke shared her mission to restore public trust and uphold the rule of law in the nation’s second-largest prosecutor’s office. CBS 2 Chicago's Joe Donlon moderated the discussion. Pictured left to right: CBA President John Sciaccotta, CBA Public Affairs Committee Chair Robert Kreisman, Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke, and CBA members William Nissen and Brian Boyle. CBA RECORD 9

CBA NEWS Liberty Bell Award Honors Community Members During Law Week By Emily Anderson, Director of the Young Lawyers Section

F or over 20 years, the Liberty Bell Award has rec ognized nonlawyers in the profession who render service that strengthens the effective ness of the American justice system. This award has also become a hallmark of the Young Lawyers Section’s Law Week celebration, with program ming consistent with the ABA’s Law Day theme. ABA Law Day is held each year on May 1. The ABA’s theme for Law Week this year is “Out of Many, One,” which honors the differences that make our legal community stronger. This theme serves as an important reminder that the legal community comprises others besides attorneys. The theme reminds us that paralegals, legal assis tants, pro bono coordinators, intake specialists, and every other professional who touches the law in their day-to-day work has a responsibility to promote the ideals of civility and the Rule of Law. Their professional experiences, client- and non-client-facing inter actions, and educational backgrounds are critical to shaping the legal profession. Recent Honorees The 2024 Liberty Bell Award was issued to Carolyn Faller, a para legal with Legal Aid Chicago working in Client Support Services and the Housing Practice Group. Faller’s selection was based on her history of public service and community engagement, and her current role helping low-income individuals navigate

complex legal issues in housing and real estate. The 2023 Liberty Bell Award went to Costa Nikolaides, who was nominated for his work with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) and Able Community. He often volunteered pro bono paralegal hours to assist CVLS in interview ing prospective clients and was vital in moving legal services online in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. As Treasurer of Able Community, he monitors operations, including overseeing tax filings and serving as the liaison to maintain the organization’s Application Details and Logistics Applications for the 2025 Liberty Bell Award are now open and due by April 11. The winner will be selected by a special awards committee and announced in late April. A commemorative plaque will be presented to the winner at the YLS’ Annual Law Day Celebration, which will be held on May 7 from noon to 1 p.m. at Daley Plaza. The Law Day Celebration is open to the public, and all members of the legal community are encouraged to attend. The application form can be found at www.chicagobar.org/ LawWeek, along with details for 2025 Law Week events. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email yls@chicagobar.org or call 312-554-2070. 501(c)(3) status.

Join the CBA Law & Literature Committee for a discussion of The Monkey Trial: John Scopes and the Battle over Teaching Evolution by Anita Sanchez March 28, 2025 | 12:15 p.m. Speakers: Royal Berg & Professor Ann Lousin IL MCLE Credit | Live Webcast or In-person at the CBA, 321 S. Plymouth Ct., Chicago Register at Learn.ChicagoBar.org.

10 March/April 2025

It's Time to Renew Your 2025-2026 CBA Membership Renew by May 31, 2025 and Get 2 Free CeriFi LegalEdge CLE Coupons

Dear Valued CBA Members & Colleagues, As we approach our renewal period at The Chicago Bar Association, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your participation, dedication and contributions to our Association. It has been an exciting year at the CBA with many new programs and opportunities to connect in-person and virtually. As I have shared previously, Ipassionately believethat being an active member of the CBA enhances your career, enriches yourlife,and provides opportunities to contribute to the betterment of our profession. I invite and thank you for renewing your membership for another year and continuing to be part of our Chicagoland legal community. With your support, we can continue providing premier legal education, robust committee work, and substantive programs throughout Chicagoland. Renewing is simple, just visit www.chicagobar.org/renew or contact billing@chicagobar.org before May 31, 2025. I encourage you to renew your membership and stay connected to the CBA. We are committed to providing you with the resources, support, and opportunities you need to benefit your legal career. Together, we can achieve great things and create a brighter and impactful future for our legal community with your continued involvement and participation. Sincerely,

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CBA RECORD 11

Participants in the CBA Media and Entertainment Committee discussion on advocacy in Sports Law.

Media & Entertainment Law Committee Rings in New Year with Noteworthy Collaborations By Jonathan Safron, CBA Media & Entertainment Law Committee

T he CBA Media & Entertainment Law Committee fosters connections throughout Chicago and worldwide. The Committee kicked off the bar year with a robust program line-up. Georgia Fights for Freedom Denmark-based attorney Mariam Mgeladze joined members to talk about the outcome of the country of Georgia’s October 2024 elections. The Committee previously hosted attorneys and students from Georgia’s legal community for a discussion on media rights and the parliamentary election earlier in the bar year. Mgeladze led a discussion exploring the election results and the media’s role in covering the protests in the South Caucasus nation for the past several months. Amundsen Davis’s attorney, Tina Ramishvili, helped coordinate the presentation. “The Call on the Field Stands” The Committee hosted a conversation about how alumni affili ated with the “Law and Society” undergraduate course at Mon mouth University earned an audience with Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. WGN-9 sportscaster Josh Fryd man moderated the discussion. It featured the course’s professor, retired New Jersey Superior Court Judge Lawrence R. Jones, and three students. Professor Jones and his students were part of the storytelling on ESPN’s 2024 E:60 episode “28 Outs: An Imper fect Story,” on Detroit Tiger’s Armando Galarraga’s near-perfect game and its controversial call on what should have been the final out (the umpire ruled the runner safe despite what appeared to be a sure out at first base, spoiling Galarraga’s bid at perfection).

The students presented a study to Major League Baseball to get Galarraga recognized for a perfect game. Although the outcome did not change, the students shone as rising stars in advocacy and learned about precedent in sports law. Frydman steered the conversation to topics pertinent to future lawyers and leaders in sports and media law. How Consumer Issues Make News Consumer Law Committee Chair Mia Segal and Vice-Chair Daniel Schneider collaborated with the Media & Entertainment Law Committee to go behind the scenes of Chicago news media to learn more about the investigation and broadcasting/publication of consumer issues. Featured presenters Stephanie Zimmermann, Consumer Investigations Reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, and Jason Knowles, Consumer Investigator (I-Team), WLS-TV, provided tips and insights on gathering these types of stories and shared their perspectives on whether anything is truly “off the record.” And since they were definitely on the record with us, we can share: as veteran, professional reporters, the two present ers follow industry standards and take everything down unless there is an explicit request to go off the record. The presenters graciously answered this audience question and others running the gamut from AI to the CTA, and left attendees impressed with their dedication to craft and to improving our city. Jonathan Safron of Amundsen Davis LLC and Chris Diaguila of McCarthy Duffy LLP co-chair the Media & Entertainment Law Committee. To join the Committee, sign up at www.chica gobar.org (and access archived on-demand video of past meetings at Learn.ChicagoBar.org).

12 March/April 2025

Career Breaks: How to Cut Yourself Some Slack When Life Happens By J. Kopczyk

K athy Morris of Under Advisement Ltd., led a moderated discussion at a recent seminar, “Taking a Career Break: Considerations and Ramifications.” The panel included alumni of large law firms, current law firm partners returning from in-house roles, and individuals who forged their own path. Parental leave was a key area of focus; in fact, panelists con firmed that it is the most common reason behind career breaks, and they acknowledged the anxiety it can cause. Panelists shared the importance of seeking advice from in-firm mentors when looking at how to manage parental leave or any other type of transition, especially if mentors are willing to be advocates for leave within the firm. Panelists also shared solutions to transition challenges, including “ramp-up” periods and different ways to structure them. For example, panelists stressed that billable work did not come back immediately when they returned from leave, which, although typical, was a source of anxiety. Ultimately, the panelists stressed that attorneys taking leave should be cognizant that they are providers in a service profession. Unplanned breaks resulting from unexpected medical issues were another area of concern. One panelist shared her experi ences navigating FMLA leave and reduced time at a large law firm after she experienced a car accident. A conversation with a mentor about her medical issues led to a graceful exit to work with a solo practitioner. Eventually, the panelist’s mentor reached out with a position at the large law firm again. Another panelist discussed how her second child’s unexpected medical issues led to her stepping away from her career while she advocated for their health. That experience led the panelist to seek a position within another firm after her transition out. Another panelist also stepped away from practice temporarily after giving birth to her second child. Yet another type of transition involved moving from firm partner to in-house practice and then back again. The panelist stressed that maintaining relationships with key people within

the firm helped her transition back into firm practice and to avoid the stigma of being a “u-turn” employee. Voluntary leaves were discussed as well. One panelist took a year off to walk from New Jersey to California when he discov ered that the legal profession was just not for him after several years of practice at a prestigious law firm during the Great Reces sion. Overall, panelists did not believe that résumé gaps hurt their chances in pursuing their future career paths. They affirmed that a linear, lockstep approach expected by some members of the legal community has shifted among firms looking to recruit and retain talent. Panelists included Ellen Chapelle, a partner with Gould & Ratner LLP; Rebecca Finkel, with Manatt, Phelps, & Phillips LLP; Siddesh Bale, a global practice group head with Reed Smith LLP; and Tyler Coulson, with Law School Toolbox. The seminar is available on demand in the seminar archive at Learn.ChicagoBar.org (1 IL MCLE Credit).

J. Kopczyk is an attorney with experience in commercial and con struction litigation and is a CBA Editorial Board Member.

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CBA RECORD 15

Enjoy An Evening of Chicago’s Best at Lawyers in the Classroom Benefit By Tiffani M. Watson, M.Ed., Managing Director, Edward J. Lewis II Lawyers in the Classroom Program

T he Young Lawyers Section will host its signature celebra tion and fundraiser on Thursday, May 8, 2025, to benefit the Edward J. Lewis II Lawyers in the Classroom program. The event, “A Four-Star Night,” references the four stars on the City of Chicago flag and will celebrate the best Chicago has to offer. Most importantly, the evening will highlight the program’s impact while raising crucial funds to expand its reach. For more than 40 years, the program has provided invaluable civic and constitutional education to students in 60 elementary and middle schools across Chicagoland. Through interactive les sons led by attorney volunteers, students gain a deeper under standing of their rights, responsibilities, and the legal system, equipping them to become informed and engaged citizens. With more than 600 attorney volunteers and nearly 100 teachers reaching over 5,000 students annually, the program fos ters critical thinking, collaborative decision-making, and prob lem-solving skills through engaging discussions and real-life legal scenarios. By evaluating multiple perspectives and understanding the real-world implications of laws, students also build the foun dation for future civic leadership. The fundraiser will celebrate the vital role the program plays

in civic education and raise funds to help it reach even more students across Chicago. In recognition of the program’s impact locally, the event will showcase the best Chicago has to offer across all neighborhoods, with music, food, and silent auction prizes from local Chicago favorites. “All proceeds raised from this celebration will help Lawyers in the Classroom continue its vital mission of helping Chica goland students understand our Constitution and our nation’s legal system, empower them to know their rights and responsi bilities as citizens, raise awareness of racial injustice, and inspire them to become active leaders in their schools and communities. This education is more important than ever as attacks on civil liberties become more pronounced,” said YLS Chair Kenneth Matuszewski. Any support, big or small, matters when it comes to support ing this mission. Since transitioning to the CBA’s 501(c)(3) arm in 2019, LIC raises a significant percentage of its operating budget from this fundraiser, which has enabled the organization to grow and spread to so many schools in such a short period of time. Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating this incredible initiative and its lasting impact on Chicago’s future leaders.

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16 March/April 2025

CLE & MEMBER NEWS It’s membership renewal time at the CBA! Don’t miss out on the many resources that CBA membership and its community provide: free CLE on demand 24/7, business development programs, exclu sive member content, and more. The CBA is committed to delivering excellence to our members, with a unique local focus to meet the needs of Chicago’s legal community. Over the past year, the CBA has worked tirelessly to provide valuable benefits, foster community engagement, and enhance the overall membership experience. We introduced new committees, provided additional discounts on job posts for legal aid organizations, and made it easier than ever to stay engaged with both in-person and virtual events. Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to another year of growth and success together! Keep an eye out for your renewal statement. In April, all members will be mailed an annual dues renewal statement for the member ship period June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026. Renewing ensures that you continue to enjoy all the benefits of your membership without interruption. As a special incentive to renew early, if we receive your dues payment by May 31, you will receive two bonus CLE coupons from the CeriFi LegalEdge in addition to the free CLE programming included with your membership. The CBA is your ultimate legal community, with resources that can help you: • Meet your IL MCLE requirement for free. Renew Your Membership and Receive FREE CLE Coupons

• Start and grow your practice through business development programs. • Elevate your opportunities by building connections with local attorneys and judges. • Access practical legal, management, business, and technology skills. • Keep pace with legal developments and trending topics. • Strengthen your resume with speaking, writing, and leadership opportunities. • Prepare for career changes and enhance your readiness for career transitions. • Give back to the community. • And make an impact! In addition to free CLE on demand 24/7, membership benefits include the trial skills institute, practice basics series, mediation train ing, referral service, law firm marketing and business development programs, judicial meet and greets, legal news feeds, personalized career counseling, member magazine, blog, podcast, seminars on legal and business software, and much more. Most of these benefits are free or very low cost. Visit www.chicagobar.org for a full list. We appreciate your past membership support and look forward to serving you in the coming bar year. Please refer questions regarding dues statements to the CBA’s Membership Accounting Department at 312-554-2020 or billing@chicagobar.org.

Take Advantage of Payment Options

We appreciate your membership and want to make renewal easy. • Installment payments are available for your convenience. Spread your payments throughout the year by signing up for the Dues Installment/Auto Pay Plan, which allows you to pay your dues automatically on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis at no extra cost with automatic credit/debit card charges.

Email billing@chicagobar.org to enroll in this plan. • Unemployed members and those with financial hardships may request our reduced annual dues rate of $50. Email your request to membership@chicagobar.org. • Retired members may request a $75 retired rate. Email your request to membership@chicagobar.org.

N-Z Lawyers: Complete Your Upcoming MCLE Requirement

If your last name begins with the letters N-Z, you need to complete your 30 hours of Illinois MCLE credit by June 30, 2025, including one hour of mental health/substance abuse PR MCLE and one hour of diversity/inclusion PR MCLE. Don’t wait until the last minute! Take advantage of the CBA’s free, on demand seminars and free lunchtime committee meetings. Members can also access unlimited CBA and

YLS seminars of their choice through our CLE Advantage Plan for only $160 (new seminars every month plus over 200 archived on demand programs). Visit learn.chicagobar.org for complete selec tions. For more information regarding MCLE reporting requirements, visit www.mcleboard.org.

Member Benefit Spotlight: Rocket Matter

Rocket Matter is excited to offer CBA members a 10% lifetime dis count on our powerful, tech-forward practice management solution. Experience advanced tools for time tracking, billing, and matter

management while reducing reliance on third-party integrations. Learn more at go.rocketmatter.com/chicago-bar-association.

CBA RECORD 17

Chicago Bar Foundation Report

Redefining Legal Careers: The Many Roads to The Chicago Bar Foundation By Emme Veenbaas, CBF Senior Manager of Communications & Events

A law degree is more than just a path to the courtroom—it’s a foundation for a wide range of careers dedicated to service, advo cacy, and innovation. At the CBF, staff members bring diverse backgrounds and experiences that have shaped their journeys in the legal profession. Some started in traditional legal practice before shifting to nonprofit leadership, while others found their passion in policy, philanthropy, legal aid, and public interest law. Their career transitions showcase the many ways a JD can be leveraged to drive meaningful change and expand access to justice. Below, we highlight the unique paths of several CBF staff members, exploring how their experiences led them to the organization and the impact they make today.

Sarah Blair, Director of Pro Bono & Training Blair’s commitment to access to justice began before law school. Her first post-college role at the Mas sachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation involved mobilizing the legal community to advocate for state funding for civil legal aid. During law school, she focused on prisoners’ rights, spending her summers advancing the rights of incarcerated people at Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts and the South ern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta. After earning her law degree, Blair spent nearly four years litigating prisoners’ rights cases at Uptown People’s Law Center in Chicago. Working alongside private bar attorneys who dedicated firm resources and expertise to provide high-quality pro bono representation to marginalized people deepened her interest in pro bono service. This led her back to Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts as Pro Bono Counsel, where she developed and managed the organization’s growing pro bono program. And, at the start of 2025, she returned to Chicago to serve as the CBF Director of Pro Bono & Training, continu ing her work at the intersection of legal advocacy and access to justice. Bob Glaves, Executive Director Glaves came to the CBF after nine years in private practice focusing on commercial and tort litiga tion. He enjoyed practicing law (though not always the traditional law firm business model). During private practice he also volunteered with the CBA and CBF and other bar and pro bono organizations to address larger systemic issues affecting the legal profession and justice system. It was the opportunity to focus on tackling those systemic issues full-time that led Glaves to con sider moving to the CBF when the Executive Director position opened up. He accepted an offer in October 1999, and more than 25 years after what he initially thought would be a two or three-year stint in this role, Glaves is even more dedicated to the CBF mission of bringing the legal community together to build a fairer and better justice system for all.

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Melanie MacBride, Chief Grants & Operations Officer MacBride went to law school to become a legal aid attorney, dedicating her summers and much of her third year to interning at the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services (LAS). She expected this experience to position her well for a legal aid career in Chicago, but the 2008 economic downturn altered her path. With limited job opportunities in the Chicago market, she joined DuPage Legal Aid, commuting daily from Logan Square to Wheaton for two and a half years. She later returned to Chicago, first with Ascend Justice and then back to LAS, where she progressed from staff attorney to supervising attorney and eventually managing attorney. In her later roles at LAS, MacBride took on significant responsibilities in grant management, over seeing federal, state, city, and private funding. Her experience in grant writing, budgeting, and report ing sparked an interest in philanthropy, leading her to consider a transition to grantmaking. To make this shift, she sought a foundation where her legal aid experience and her legal expertise would be assets. When she discovered the CBF job posting in early 2021, it seemed like the ideal opportunity. Despite being five months pregnant and navigating the uncertainties of a global pandemic, she applied—and in March, she will mark four years at the CBF. Roya Samarghandi, Chief Advocacy & Innovation Officer Like many who pursue a career in law, Samarghandi entered the profession with a commitment to helping others. After earning an LLM in international human rights, she returned home to a profes sion still recovering from the Great Recession, with limited job opportunities in the traditional legal market. She began her legal career in Chicago as a Contract Specialist at CDW LLC, where she gained a deep appreciation for aligning legal strategy with clients’ broader objectives. However, her goal was to find a role that would allow her to serve people who needed legal assistance but struggled to afford it. In 2015, Samarghandi joined the sixth cohort of the CBF Justice Entrepreneurs Project (JEP), an incubator that equips lawyers to build socially conscious and innovative law practices that provide quality, affordable legal services for everyday people. She launched her own firm through the JEP—Carmel Law, LLC—and built a successful family law practice. During this time, she also became increasingly involved in Chicago’s legal aid community, serving on the Junior Board of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services— eventually as chair—and actively supporting the CBF advocacy initiatives. This engagement reinforced her commitment to expanding access to justice, ultimately leading her to join the CBF as its Chief Advocacy and Innovation Officer in early 2023. Brandon Williams, Director of Programs Williams’s commitment to public interest law took shape in the wake of the Great Recession, which left countless homeowners facing foreclosure. Recognizing the urgent need for legal support, he joined the Chicago Legal Clinic (now Greater Chicago Legal Clinic) in 2010 as Supervisor of the Chancery Advice Desk. In this role, he was instrumental in developing and implementing the Circuit Court of Cook County Foreclosure Mediation Program, working directly with homeowners navigating foreclo sure. It was during this time that he first connected with the CBF, which managed the program with the Circuit Court, and the CBF mission and impact deeply resonated with him. In 2019, Williams joined Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) as Supervising Attorney of the Criminal Records Program, where he helped people seeking to expunge and seal their records. This reinforced his dedication to expanding access to justice. He remained engaged with CBF throughout his career, fre quently collaborating with CBF leaders through events and site visits. In January 2025, he started as the CBF Director of Programs, a role that aligns perfectly with his passion and experience. In this capacity, he leads initiatives to make the legal system more equitable and accessible, continuing his lifelong commitment to public interest law and its power to transform lives and communities.

Emme Veenbaas is The Chicago Bar Foundation’s Senior Manager of Communications & Events.

CBA RECORD 19

over the phone. Applications are available for download at www.chicagobar.org/jec. Please direct your questions to Phyllis Lubinski at plubinski@chicagobar.org. Family Office The new Family Office Committee led by Anthony Licata, Taft Law; Ray Koenig, Clark Hill; Jennifer Kuzminski, Aronberg Goldgehn; and T. Nicholas Tyszka, Han dler Law, is off to a strong start. If you counsel clients using family office struc tures to manage significant wealth and complex assets, this is the committee for you. The group examines interdisciplinary issues such as estate planning, trusts, tax, business transactions, and corporate gov ernance at bimonthly meetings. Join the committee at www.chicagobar.org. Pet Insurance Protect your furry family members with exclusive CBA member discounts on pet insurance, offered through CBA Insurance Agency’s partnership with MetLife. Find details at www.cbainsurance.org/pets. Congratulations The Diversity Scholarship Foundation honored four legal leaders at their annual Unity Gala with Advocate for Diversity Awards: Chicago Bar Association Presi dent John C. Sciaccotta ; Women’s Bar Association of Illinois President Sarah F. King ; Chicago Bar Foundation imme diate Past President and Cook County Circuit Court Judge Kenya A. Jenkins Wright ; and Illinois State Bar Association President Sonni Choi Williams . The DSF Unity Award was presented to Nixon Pea body partner Floyd D. Perkins … Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall of the North ern District of Illinois appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge M. David Weisman as Chief Magistrate Judge to a two-year term… Justice P. Scott Neville and the Illinois Supreme Court announced the appointment of Linda Sackey as an At Large Judge of the Circuit Court of County… The Center for Disability and Elder Law honored the following at their “Light Up the Loop Winter Awards Ben efit”: Volunteer of the Year Award: Valerie Chu ,Connection;PartneroftheYearAward:

THE CBA PULSE

BY BETH McMEEN, CBA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Congratulations to the cast and crew of the 2025 Bar Show, “Bar to the Future,” which delighted audiences in early January at the Studebaker Theatre in down town Chicago. This year’s show once again skewered local and national celebrities and politicians, much to the delight of the audience.

Barristers Big Band Benefit Ball The Barristers Big Band Benefit Ball will take place on Friday, April 25, at 6:00 p.m. at the Union League Club, featur ing music, dancing, a silent auction, and libations. The BBB was founded in 2000 by CBA members who share a love of big band jazz and want to keep the music of the big band era alive. Members come from every walk of the Chicago legal community — big firm partners, solo practitioners, government lawyers, law students, and the judiciary. Reserve your tickets to the Ball at www.chicagobar.org/ barristerball. Vanguard Awards The CBA and 18 local bar associations come together this spring to present the 2025 Vanguard Awards. This special award honors individuals and institutions who have made the law and the legal pro fession more accessible to and reflective of the community at large. Stay tuned for details at www.chicagobar.org/vanguard.

Women’s History Month The CBA is pleased to celebrate 2025 Wom en’s History Month, which commemorates and encourages the study and celebration of the role of women in American history. A half-day CLE program on March 13 will cover various points when a woman’s life may intersect with the law, including issues related to bodily autonomy, access to reproductive healthcare, workplace rights, and estate planning considerations (the program will also be archived on demand at learn.chicagobar.org). The CBA Judicial Evaluation Commit tee is looking for members to serve in its Investigation Division. The Committee evaluates candidates for the bench and sitting judges seeking retention. You will learn a great deal about the legal profes sion while assisting in the JEC’s mission to ensure a qualified Cook County judi ciary. All investigative work can be done Investigate, Inform, and Make an Impact

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