CBA Record March-April 2026

CBA March/April 2026

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!

March/April 2026 • Volume 40, Number 2 CONTENTS

CBA RECORD

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Editor’s Briefcase Condemned to Repeat History? Lessons in Fundamental Rights by Nikki Marcotte

THE YLS ISSUE: FUNDAMENTALS

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An Evolving Young Lawyers Section By Gavin Phelps

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President’s Page The Unconventional Path: When Your Career Timeline Doesn’t Follow the Script by Judge Nichole C. Patton

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The Four Freedoms and the Economic Bill of Rights By Katherine Hanson

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Access to Justice as a Natural Right By Andrew Sharp

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CBA News

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No Access to Justice Without Access to a Lawyer in Child Custody Disputes By Judge James A. Shapiro and James J. Herdegen

16 Chicago Bar

Foundation Report

18 The Pulse

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“Of the People”—But Which People? Courts Weigh Immigration Status in Second Amendment and Other Constitutional Claims By Jason T. Long

40 LPMT Bits & Bytes

Lawyers of All Ages: Six Tips to Protect Your Legal Office from Cyberthreats by Kevin Thompson

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Let the Jury Decide: Why Sexual Harassment Cases Belong in the Hands of the People By Whitney L. Barr

41 Chicago Lore

Maybelline Chicago by Richard Lee Stavins

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Employee Rights in the Illinois Workplace: Privacy, Speech, and Concerted Activity By Abhishek Ramaswami

42 Practical Ethics

Discriminatory Jury Selection as an Ethical Violation: ABA Opinion 517 by Trisha Rich

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The Right to Quit? Refusal to Work, the Constitution, and Illinois Public Sector Labor Law By AK Alilonu Unequal Tools, Unequal Outcomes: Chicago as a Case Study in Wealth Transfer and Economic Justice By Jordan Whisenton

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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.

HAVE YOU RECENTLY CHANGED YOUR MAIL OR EMAIL ADDRESS? Please update your membership account at www.chicagobar.org

or send a note to membership@chicagobar.org with your new contact information. Thank you!

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nikki Marcotte Kirkland & Ellis LLP ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anne Ellis 2E Services, LLC SUMMARY JUDGMENTS EDITOR Daniel A. Cotter Aronberg Goldgehn YLS JOURNAL EDITORS J. Kopczyk Attorney at Law CBA RECORD

EDITOR’S BRIEFCASE

BY NIKKI MARCOTTE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Condemned to Repeat History? Lessons in Fundamental Rights

G rowing up, I was fortunate to have several incredible teachers despite attending a very small public school in rural Kansas. I learned much of what I know about the foundations of our legal system, our constitution, and our government in 7th grade, thanks to one such amazing educator with a passion for history and civics.

Katherine Hanson First District Appellate Court

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 Clifford Gately Quarles & Brady 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 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

Mr. Schlothauer had an infectious person ality and an uncanny ability to make even the most boring of history lessons seem fresh and exciting. He had a knack for telling an engaging story, weaving in quirky historical facts, and challenging his students to dig for the deeper meaning. While I still recall several random tidbits from his lectures (many of which have come in clutch for trivia nights), I remember one lesson as clear as day: Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. —George Santayana Mr. Schlothauer emblazoned these words in big bold black letters and laminated them onto a green construction paper banner, which he purposefully hung under the clock in his classroom, just to the right of the door. So, every day, when we walked into his class, this famous quote was always the first thing we’d see before taking our seats. It’s one he often pointed to and repeated throughout our civics lessons, particularly when discussing major current events and how those related to other similar historical events. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp what was so important about the quote or why Mr. Schlothauer felt the need to constantly reiterate it. I had some idea, of course, but I didn’t have the necessary lived experience to appreciate its impact. As I’ve gotten older and have witnessed more “unprecedented” or “once-in-a-life time” events, I understand his most important lesson with such clarity now: Those who ignore history’s critical teachings or who remain passive in the face of pivotal historical moments do so to their detriment and, quite possibly, to society’s detriment. In other words, we can’t just sit back and turn a blind eye to what’s happening. We (particularly legal professionals) are history’s living stewards, and we have an obligation to face it head on and collectively steer it toward a greater good. These days, as I see what’s unfolding here in Chicago or in Minneapolis or Portland, Mr. Schlothauer’s stern reminder is almost deafening. I often ask myself what we as a nation will do. Will we stand by and watch history happen, or will we help actively write it and mold it into something better? Will we ignore the plight of others or will we be at the forefront fiercely protecting and advocating for our rights and our communities?

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 Buchalter Kevin A. Thompson Levin Ginsburg Rosemary Simota Thompson

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

THE CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION Sharon Nolan Director of Marketing

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I hope you keep Mr. Schlothauer’s lesson in mind as you peruse this year’s YLS edition of the Record , which focuses almost exclu sively on fundamental rights. In it, you will read about the case for why self-represented litigants should have a basic right to counsel in contested domestic relations cases. You may be surprised to discover

how certain public sector workers might not have a right to quit their jobs. You will also learn about litigation currently challeng ing the interpretation of the phrase “of the people” in the Second Amendment and the potential consequences in reading that clause too narrowly. All this and much more—happy reading.

A Special Notice to all Lawyers Who Reside in or Practice in Cook County 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 5

PRESIDENT’S PAGE BY JUDGE NICHOLE C. PATTON The Unconventional Path: When Your Career Timeline Doesn’t Follow the Script

The Chicago Bar Association www.chicagobar.org President Judge Nichole C. Patton First Vice President Trisha M. Rich Second Vice President Kathryn C. Liss Secretary Andrew W. Vail Treasurer Jonathan B. Amarilio Immediate Past President John C. Sciaccotta Executive Director Beth McMeen BOARD OF MANAGERS John C. Ellis Kevin Gerow Noah Graf Martin D. Gould Judge Kenya A. Jenkins-Wright Michael S. Kozlowski Francine D. Lynch Sari W. Montgomery Judge Thomas A. Morrissey Ryan M. Nolan Brandon E. Peck Gavin Phelps Justice Rena Marie Van Tine Judge Andrea R. Wood Daniel J. Berkowitz James V. Campell Elizabeth Carpenter Gina Crumble Steven R. Decker Nishá N. Dotson

to pivot to the private sector, first doing transportation defense at Liberty Mutual, then moving to a law firm for medical malpractice defense, then launching my own private practice. I later went back to the Cook County SAO, this time working in the Mental Health Unit. That return raised eyebrows. But I had three children during my time in private practice, and when my youngest turned 2, I knew what I needed to do. Going back to the SAO wasn’t a step backward, it was a deliberate choice to align my work, and my workload, with where I was in life. Each transition felt like starting over. I watched colleagues follow straighter lines—the ones who made partner on a “typical” schedule, or who rose through the prosecutor ranks, or who seemed to have mapped their entire careers by their third year of law school. Meanwhile, I was explaining to interviewers why I left the SAO, why I left Liberty Mutual, and why I wanted to go back to prosecution after building a civil practice. Here’s what I wish someone had told me earlier: There is no “should be.” The pressure young lawyers face around career timelines is immense. The legal pro fession loves its benchmarks, its prescribed sequences, its unspoken rules about the “right” time to make moves. But some of the most important devel opments in my career happened precisely because I wasn’t where I was “supposed” to be. My work in the Mental Health Unit became the cornerstone of my judi cial campaign. When I was appointed to the bench in 2018, my mental health background led to my assignment in the

I must confess that I’ve never been good at following timelines. When I became President of the CBA, I did so after spending just six months as Second Vice President before moving into the First Vice President role for another six months. The traditional path takes four years, moving through each leadership position annually. But life doesn't always follow the traditional path. I was unexpectedly asked to step into the role of First Vice President. Sometimes the most important moments in your career aren’t the ones you planned, they’re the ones where you say “yes” when circum stances call for it. And truthfully, my entire legal career has been a study in unconventional timing. Straight out of law school, I spent five years with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, convinced I’d found my calling in prosecution. Then I decided

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County Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, where I presided over mental health matters, election law, adoptions, civil asset forfeiture, real estate law, and more. That foundation served me well when I was later assigned to the Law Division – Trial Section, where I am today. My time at Liberty Mutual practic ing transportation defense and later at a law firm doing medical malpractice gave me insights into how insurance companies and corporate defendants think, perspective I’d never have gained on a traditional path. My experience in private practice taught me what it means to run your own operation. And my decision to return to the SAO after having three children taught me that honoring your season of life isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.What looked like detours were essential preparation for work I didn’t even know I’d be doing. I think about this often as I watch my son Myles navigate the college application process. He’s interested in computer science and runs track. The temptation is to believe there’s one “right” pro gram, one optimal choice that will set everything else in motion perfectly. But life, like law practice, rarely works that way. The skills he develops, the perspectives he gains, the character he builds, matter more than whether he follows a predetermined timeline. The same is true for young lawyers trying to find their path. Maybe you’re in Big Law but wondering about government work. Maybe you’re a public defender questioning whether you should try private practice. Maybe you left somewhere and now you’re wondering if you can go back. Maybe you’re several years out and watching peers get appointed to positions you thought you wanted, feeling behind. You’re not behind. You’re exactly where you need to be to learn what you need to learn. Here’s my practical advice for navigating an unconventional timeline: Build relationships, not just resume lines. My progression in CBA leadership happened because I spent years building genu ine relationships across our legal community. When opportunity came, people knew my work and trusted my judgment. Young lawyers often focus so intently on credentials that they underin vest in connections. Remember that someone is watching your unconventional path and finding hope in it. Every time I’ve shared my nonlinear

journey, younger lawyers have told me it gave them permission to trust their own instincts, to make the move that didn’t “make sense” on paper but felt right in their gut. Stay curious about the detours. When I moved from prosecu tion to insurance defense, I could have spent that time resenting that I wasn’t advancing as a prosecutor. Instead, I learned every thing I could about a different side of practice. Every pivot is intelligence gathering for a future you can’t yet see. Don’t be afraid to go back. There’s an unspoken rule that you can’t return to a place you left, that it signals failure or lack of direction. That’s nonsense. Some of my most meaningful work came after I returned to the SAO with the depth and perspective I gained from civil practice. If something calls you back, trust that instinct. Honor your season of life. I made career decisions around raising three children that didn’t always make sense from a pure career advancement perspective. But trying to force a career time line that doesn’t fit your life is a recipe for burnout and resent ment. Your career is long. There’s time. Let your values guide you, not your timeline. My faith has always been central to how I make decisions. When I’m facing a fork in the road, I ask whether a path aligns with my core values and allows me to serve in the way I’m called to serve. That’s a much better compass than “Is this what I'm supposed to do at year five?” or “Will this look good in 10 years?” As I write this, I’m leading an organization of attorneys through our exploration of AI 2035: The Legal Profession and the Judiciary in the Age of Artificial Intelligence . None of us knows exactly what the practice of law will look like in 10 years. That uncertainty isn’t a bug in your career development. It’s a feature. It’s what creates space for the unexpected opportunities, the sur prising connections, the roles you never knew existed until sud denly you’re in them. If you’re a young lawyer reading this and feeling behind, con fused, or wondering if you made the wrong choice three years ago, take a breath. You’re not lost. You’re exploring. And that uncon ventional path you’re worried about? It might just be preparing you for something extraordinary that hasn’t revealed itself yet. Trust your timing. It’s better than you think.

The Chicago Bar Association mourns the passing of Joseph L. Stone, a mediator, arbitrator, and expert in corporate and real estate law. He was Of Counsel at Seyfarth Shaw and the founding director of the Business Law Clinic at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. Stone was a leader in the legal community and a career-long member of The Chicago Bar Association, serving as CBA President from 1986 to 1987. He served on numerous CBA com mittees and performed in the Bar Show from 1962 to 2024. The CBA is forever grateful for Stone’s contributions to our Association and the legal profession.

CBA RECORD 7

CBA NEWS

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

F or over 20 years, the Liberty Bell Award has recognized nonlawyers who render service that strengthens the American justice system. This award has also become a hallmark of the Young Lawyers Section’s Law Week celebra tion, with programming consistent with the ABA’s Law Day theme. ABA Law Day is celebrated each year on May 1. This year’s Law Week theme, “The Rule of Law and the American Dream,” emphasizes that no person is above the law. The theme focuses on the connection between adherence to the rule of law and how it has contributed to fulfillment of the “American dream.” It also highlights the belief that through a strong founda tion, our nation can continue to progress and promote freedom for all. Recent Honoree The 2025 Liberty Bell Award was bestowed on Alexandra Sossa, chief execu tive officer of the Farmworkers and Landscapers Advocacy Project (FLAP), who advocates for low-wage and immigrant workers in Illinois. During the pandemic, FLAP secured over $2 million in financial assistance for more than 26,000 low wage workers. Sossa began her career supporting coffee plantation workers in her home country of Colombia and eventually moved to Spain to assist Mexican citizens with navigating the Spanish legal system. She became a FLAP volunteer in 2001 after moving to Chicago and has continued in her mission of service and community outreach for over two decades. Application Details and Logistics Applications for the 2026 Liberty Bell Award are now open and are due by April 10. The winner will be selected by an awards committee and announced in late April. The winner will be presented with a commemorative plaque at the YLS’s Annual Law Day Celebration on May 6 at noon at Richard J. Daley Plaza. The Law Day Celebration is open to the public, and all members of the legal com munity are encouraged to attend. The application form can be found at www.chicagobar.org/LawWeek, along with details for 2026 Law Week events. If you have any questions about the appli cation process, please email yls@chicagobar.org or call 312-554-2070.

Alexandra Sossa and 2024-2025 YLS Chair Kenneth Matuszewski at the 2025 Law Day Celebration.

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It's Time to Renew Your 2026-2027 CBA Membership Renew by May 31, 2026 and Get 2 Free CeriFi LegalEdge CLE Coupons

Greetings Valued CBA Members! THANK YOU! Everything we've accomplished this year, every breakthrough, every innovation, every moment of connection, exists because of you. Your membership, your participation, and your commitment to excellence are the foundation of the CBA’s success. We simply could not do this work without you. As I reflect on my first year as your CBA President, I'm humbled by what we've built together. Your engagement has enabled us to lead boldly during a transformative period for our profession. You've shown up for monthly CLEs, contributed your expertise to ten new AI committees, and helped us earn national recognition from the American Bar Association for creating the first comprehensive approach to artificial intelligence in legal practice through our AI 2035 initiative. You've strengthened our Chicagoland legal community through the new Coalition of Chicagoland Bar Associations and participated in innovative programming that's redefining what a bar association can be. Your 2026 CBA membership continues to provide: Exclusive access to the AI 2035 Symposium and year-round AI programming. Leadership development opportunities and critical connections that build relationships at every career stage. A powerful voice advocating for our profession's future. We need you with us. Your membership isn't just a transaction; it's a partnership in shaping the future of law in Chicago and beyond. Please renew your membership today at www.chicagobar.org/renew or contact billing@chicagobar.org. Our renewal deadline is May 31, 2026. Thank you for everything you bring to our legal community. I'm honored to serve alongside you. With deep appreciation and respect,

Renew your membership: www.chicagobar.org/Renew 312-554-2020 billing@chicagobar.org

Judge Nichole C. Patton President, The Chicago Bar Association 2025-2026

THE CBA IS YOUR ULTIMATE LEGAL NETWORK BE A PART OF US!

CBA RECORD 9

The Chicago Bar Association

Join the CBA for an immersive experience that will feature keynote addresses from leading AI experts, interactive CLE sessions, live technology demonstrations, panel discussions on emerging ethical challenges, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration across practice areas. Attendees will gain practical insights into implementing AI tools in their practice, understand regulatory developments, and participate in shaping the future of the legal profession in an increasingly digital world. Each day will explore a distinct dimension of AI’s impact on the law—foundational knowledge, applied ethics and innovation, and forward-looking mastery. Attendees will be invited to attend breakout sessions across three tracks— Litigation, Transactional, and Administrative/Operational— designed to unpack AI’s impact across practice areas.

See agenda and fees at Learn.ChicagoBar.org/AI2035CLE

Confirmed Speakers as of February 13: Adam Aft , Baker McKenzie Benjamin Altshul , Levenfeld Pearlstein Olivia Anderson , Framework IT Christopher Bojar , Barack Ferrazzano Jessi Brooks , Ribbit Capital Charles Elliott , Google Judge Jeffrey A. Goffinet , Circuit Court of Williamson County Marcus Harris , Taft Alicia Hawley , K&L Gates LLP Andrea Krebel, Ph.D., Magna Legal Services Professor Daniel Linna Jr. , Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Chad Main , Percipient Samuel Oh , Concorda Michael O’Malley , Illinois Property Tax Appeals Board Professor Hari Osofsky , Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law Professor Eric Posner , The University of Chicago Law School Michael Quartararo , AACEDS & Professional Development Michael Riesen , Smith Gambrell & Russell

Choose from 3 Breakout Tracks: Litigation, Transactional, or Administrative/ Operational

Feature Presentations Include:

AI and the Integrity of the Legal System: Competence, Accountability, and Leadership in the Era of Intelligent Tools AI, Regulation, and the Law: What Lawyers Need to Know About Emerging Federal, State, and Global Frameworks Human + Machine Collaboration: Redesigning Legal Workflows for the Next Decade

Daniel Shulman , Vedder Eric Stadel , McAndrews

Hillard Sterling , Roetzel & Andress Kevin Thompson , Levin Ginsburg Elizabeth Winkowski , Taft Dan Wolfe , Ph.D., Magna Legal Services William Zimmerman , Holland & Knight More to Come!

Plus! Vendor Demonstrations and Interactive Product Labs

Speakers and schedule subject to change.

Thank you to:

By Sharon Nolan, CBA Marketing Director C BA President Judge Nichole C. Patton’s 2025-2026 ini tiative, AI 2035: The Legal Profession and the Judiciary in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, is off and running. This series features expert-led sessions that critically examine AI and offer practical guidance for it. Past sessions are available on The AI & Legal Practice and Litigation Committee welcomed Kathleen Brown, Associate Dean for Information Resources at the Charleston School of Law, and Michael Quartararo, presi dent of the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists, to examine how AI is changing e-discovery. Quartararo kicked off the presentation with a review of the Electronic Discovery Reference Model, a framework for what happens during e-discovery in terms of workflow and output. Brown followed with an overview of metadata—information that is attached to e-discovery content (such as sender data, date, embedded comments)—and why it matters in relation to chain of custody, case strategy, compliance, and other matters. Conversation then moved to how AI is being used in e-dis covery to organize, categorize, and store data. Speakers pointed out that in discovery, genAI is extremely helpful in document review because it excels at summarization, pattern recognition, and establishing trends in data sets. In addition to including a guide to creating genAI prompts, the session also covered e-discovery risks and best practices. Key takeaways included: l Verify AI tool compliance with firm policies and client require ments. l M ake sure that staff is trained in how to use AI tools; remove sensitive data before using external tools; and record which tools you are using and for what purpose (usage documentation). l Use legal-specific tools and avoid public sites; mandate human review and output verification; and document metadata pres ervation (verify that the e-discovery platform maintains all metadata chains through processing). l Make sure you know how to avoid the risk of losing critical chain-of-custody data during processing. Committee leadership includes Judge Michael J. Zink, Circuit Court of Cook County; Judge Loveleen Ahuja, Circuit Court of Cook County; Roman Solowski, Attorney at Law; and Peter demand at Learn.ChicagoBar.org. AI, E-Discovery, and Metadata

McNamara, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 399. Designing for Inclusion: How AI Interfaces Help or Hinder Self-Representation The AI and Access to Justice Committee convened to look at how AI can best help self-represented litigants (SRLs). Teri Ross, Exec utive Director, and Gwen Daniels, Deputy Director, of Illinois Legal Aid Online, spoke and provided examples of how SRLs are using general AI (e.g., ChatGPT) and purpose-built legal aid tools (e.g., chatbots, virtual legal assistants, trial tools) for legal explanations and instruction. They noted that the biggest challenge facing courts and legal aid organizations is catching up with how litigants are using these tools while reducing the chance of harm. Several risks noted included the ability to write good prompts, unverified results, lack of confidentiality and personalized results, and design and ethical challenges. Key takeaways included: l When building an AI tool, organizations need to be concerned about inaccurate or misleading output (such as hallucinations and factual errors); bias and discrimination; transparency and clarity about what the tool can and cannot do; and the need for secure hosting and meaningful user consent. l Be wary of jurisdictional errors. A system built for one location may misapply laws that only apply elsewhere. Use location specific information and disclaimers. l AI tools backed by courts and legal aid organizations must build trust through human verified content that is regularly reviewed as well as transparency about who owns the content and information sources. l The tools must safeguard user privacy and provide the oppor tunity for user feedback. Examples of AI tools in the legal aid ecosystem include: l A sk ILAO by Legal Aid Online (https://www.illinoislegalaid. org) l L ia by Legal Aid of North Carolina (https://legalaidnc.org/lia) l B eagle by the People’s Law School of British Columbia (https:// beagle.peopleslawschool.ca). Committee leadership includes Circuit Court of Cook County Judge Corinne Heggie and Alexis Crawford Douglas, K&L Gates.

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CBA RECORD 13

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CBA’S CAREER ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM By Kathy Morris S ince the CBA launched its Career Advancement Program in 2013, this member benefit has offered hundreds of hours of complimentary one-on-one career coun seling sessions as well as educational programming. Online career counseling makes it easy for members to fit career development into their busy lives. Members can ask focused questions about their legal job search or broader professional development issues, such as how to improve time management and speaking skills. Counseling can also assist with curating an online professional persona. Learn how to make the most of your session by watching this video at www.chicagobar. org/onlinecounselingexplained. The Career Advancement Program recently joined with Susan Feibus, owner of WriteRight – Legal Writing Coaching, to host a counseling day devoted to legal writing. CBA members received assistance with a broad range of issues spanning how to avoid drafting mistakes ( see sidebar ), writing for nonlawyers, emails, cover letters, and use of AI tools. Members also received guidance on writing books, essays, or articles. Career counseling days will continue to be offered throughout the year. Upcoming dates include March 26, May 7, and May 14. Sign-up information can be found at www.chicagobar.org/CAP. Appointments fill fast, but check back frequently for cancel lations or send an email to cle@chicagobar.org for assistance.

by Susan G. Feibus While effective legal writing is a craft that takes time to master, implementing these tips will improve your writing immediately: 1. Edit your first drafts ruthlessly. Reduce introductory material and make it pithier. Cut every unnecessary word. Combine paragraphs that make similar points; omit your weakest point entirely. 2. Be concise. Eliminate throat clearing (“It is important to note that...”). Cut adverbs and qualifiers that weaken your points. Use active voice. 3. Be clear. If a sentence requires re-reading, rewrite it. One idea per sentence, one theme per paragraph. 4. Use the Oxford comma. It prevents ambiguity. “I’d like to thank my parents, Mother Teresa and the Pope” suggests disturbing parentage. “I’d like to thank my parents, Mother Teresa, and the Pope” is clear. 5. Use a professional, readable tone. Avoid legalese (“hereinafter,” Five Tips for More Effective Legal Writing “aforementioned”). Write like you’re explaining the issue to an intelligent colleague, not showcasing a learned vocabulary. Contractions are generally fine but avoid them in court filings or more formal client communications.

An experienced trial lawyer, Kathy Morris is the CBA’s featured career counselor, owner of Under Advisement Ltd., a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, and former Director of Career Counseling at Northwestern University Prizker School of Law.

Susan Feibus is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer, a former legal writing instructor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, and owner of WrightRight, providing one-on-one legal writing coaching.

The CBA Judicial Evaluation Committee is Looking for Members to Serve in its Investigation Division The Judicial Evaluation Committee plays a vital role in maintaining a fair, competent, and ethical judiciary. Our investigators interview judges and judicial candidates, review professional histories, and help prepare evaluations that voters rely on to make informed decisions. All CBA members with 2+ years of legal experience are encouraged to apply to join the JEC. You will learn a great deal about the legal profession and expand your professional network while assisting in the JEC’s mission to improve the Cook County judiciary. All investigative work can be done over the phone. Applications are available for download at www.chicagobar.org. Please direct your questions to Phyllis Lubinski at plubinski@chicagobar.org.

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CBA RECORD 15

From Practice to Purpose: The CBF’s Young Professionals Board F or young lawyers looking to make a meaningful impact beyond their day-to-day practice, The Chicago the CBF’s grants process, offering a first hand look at how CBF-funded organiza tions deliver critical legal services across the community. Chicago Bar Foundation Report

By Emme Veenbaas, CBF Senior Manager of Communications & Events

A Platform for Emerging Leaders Service on the YPB offers more than vol unteer opportunities; it provides mean ingful leadership development. Members serve as ambassadors for the CBF’s mis sion within their firms, companies, and professional networks, helping to pro mote a culture of pro bono service and philanthropy throughout the Chicago legal community. Many YPB members go on to assume additional leadership roles with the CBF and other organizations. For young lawyers, the YPB offers a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of how people most in need experience the justice system while build ing lasting relationships with peers who share a commitment to public service. A limited number of spots on the YPB are open each year. To learn more, contact CBF Senior Manager of Communications & Events, Emme Veenbaas, at eveenbaas@ chicagobarfoundation.org.

Bar Foundation’s Young Profession als Board (YPB) offers a way to engage with the broader legal community while advancing access to justice. The YPB is an active, diverse group of young attorneys and other legal profes sionals with strong ties to Chicago’s legal community. United by a shared commit ment to justice and fairness, YPB mem bers play an important role in advancing the CBF’s mission of improving access to justice for people in need and making the legal system fairer and more effective for everyone. Just as the YLS offers newer lawyers leadership opportunities within the CBA, the YPB plays a similar role within the CBF for younger lawyers and legal profes sionals. Below are a few examples of the many ways the YPB impacts the larger CBF mission.

In addition, YPB members participate in pro bono and volunteer service, often alongside CBF grantee partners. Mem bers also support the CBF’s development efforts by participating in CBF special events, the CBF Justice Society, and the annual Investing in Justice Campaign. These events help to ensure that critical legal services remain available to individu als and families in need. The YPB’s signature event, Passport to Chicago, is a food-focused gathering held each spring that brings together young professionals from across the legal com munity. The event is designed to increase awareness of the CBF’s work, raise criti cal funds to support access to justice, and foster a strong sense of community among emerging leaders in the profession. YPB members also play an active role in the CBF’s annual Fall Benefit, including leadership and participation in the event’s silent auction. Signature Events and Community Building

Leadership, Service, and Collaboration

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

YPB Members support the CBF’s partner ship work by collaborating with the YLS and participating in site visits as part of

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Tom Panoff CBF Board President

M any YPB members advance to become members of the CBF Board of Direc tors, including our current Board President, Tom Panoff, a partner at Shep pard. Panoff shared a bit about his background and gave some advice for young lawyers. How did you first become involved with the CBF? My first exposure was through the CBF’s annual Investing in Justice Campaign. The campaign was in its early years when I first participated in 2008 as a young lawyer. I was incredibly impressed not just by the Chicago legal community coming together to support this great cause, but also by the tremendous work of the CBF’s many grantee organizations. A few years later, I was asked to serve on the Young Professionals Board and served there for several years before being asked to serve on the CBF’s Board of Directors in 2017. What has been most rewarding about your service on the CBF board? Three things stand out. First, I am always amazed at the impressive work by our more than 30 grantee organizations. I see firsthand the life-changing services they provide for those in our community who need help. Second, I am proud of how the Chicago legal community comes together time and again to support the CBF and our grantees. Although many of us might compete for clients or against one another in litigation, we all unite behind providing pro bono service for our community. This year, our Investing in Justice Campaign raised a record $1.57 million in individual contributions, which will go directly to grantees. Third, it is always a pleasure to work with the CBF executive team and staff. Executive Director Bob Glaves and the CBF team are not only highly regarded in our legal community and sought after for their advice by judges, legislators, and poli cymakers, but they are also some of the most thoughtful, compassionate individuals you will ever meet. How has your work with the CBF shaped your practice? It serves as a reminder of qualities that, at times, can be lost in the world of fast-paced, high-stakes litigation: compassion, working together, and humility. Working with the CBF and its grantee organizations always reinforces the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect. You never know what someone might be going through person ally, so it is important not to judge or make premature assumptions. Rather, get to know

them and how we can work together to achieve beneficial outcomes. What advice would you give to young lawyers looking to get more involved in their communities? I recommend following your passion. Find an issue you care about. It might be in an area you have always wanted to explore, or perhaps one that impacted you, a family member, or a friend. If you find an area in which you have a personal connection, you are likely to stay with your volunteer commitment longer and are also more likely to find your service more meaning ful, fulfilling, and impactful.

Interesting Arbitration Decisions from Illinois and Other Places

March 24, 2026 | 2:00-3:00 p.m. | 1 IL MCLE Credit | Live Webcast $0 CLE-Advantage Plan | $35 Member | $65 Nonmember Regster at Learn.ChicagoBar.org This seminar will consist of updates and highlights of several interesting arbitration decisions from Illinois and other places. Panelists: Daniel A. Cotter, Member, Aronberg Goldgehn, and John Levitske, HKA Global, LLC (moderator).

CBA RECORD 17

THE CBA PULSE

BY BETH McMEEN, CBA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The CBA brought local bar associations together to honor the storied legal career of Retiring Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis. Pictured from left: Natanya Pope-Sohel, Vice President of Black Women Lawyers’ Association; Judge Bridget C. Duignan, President of Illinois State Bar Association; Jocely Pacheco, President-Elect of Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois; Judge Joanne Rosado, President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association; Judge Nichole C. Patton, President of The Chicago Bar Association; Justice Mary Jane Theis (ret.); Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Tailor; Katie Twardak, President of Women’s Bar Association of Illinois; Judge Tom Donnelly, Board Member of Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago; Seth Horvath, President of the Appellate Lawyers Association of Illinois; Judge Lori Rosen, Vice President of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers; Antonio Lee, President of Cook County Bar Association; and Adam Zebelian, Past President of LAGBAC Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association.

Barristers Big Band Benefit Ball Featuring music, dancing, a silent auction, and libations, the Barristers Big Band Benefit Ball will take place Friday evening, April 25, at the Union League Club. The Barristers Big Band 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 commu nity—big firm partners, solo practitioners, government lawyers, law students, and the judiciary. Reserve your tickets to the Ball at www.chicagobar.org/barristerball. Women’s History Month The CBA is pleased to celebrate 2026 Women’s History Month, which commemorates and encourages the study and celebration of the role of women in American history. Programming will include a special CLE program focused on how pageant partici pation can help lead to a successful career. Stay tuned for details at Learn.ChicagoBar.org. Ground-breaking AI Symposium Registration is now open for the CBA’s AI 2035 Symposium, a landmark three-day CLE program that will bring together 500+ legal professionals, technology innovators, judiciary members, and industry leaders to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on the law. Taking place May 11-13, 2026, at Venue SIX10 in

downtown Chicago, this immersive experience will feature key note addresses from leading AI experts, interactive CLE sessions, live technology demonstrations, panel discussions on emerg ing ethical challenges, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration across practice areas. Attendees will gain practical insight into implementing AI tools in their practice, guidance in understanding regulatory developments, and will participate in shaping the future of the legal profession in an increasingly digital world. Early registration ends March 31 at Learn.ChicagoBar.org. Trial Superstars on Presenting Your Case Experienced trial lawyers, judicial voices, and jury experts are coming together on June 10 to provide practical strategies for persuading jurors, presenting evidence effectively, and winning high-stakes cases. Through real-world insights from the court room, appellate perspectives, and the Cook County State’s Attor ney, this program will focus on how to frame a case, connect with judges and juries, and deliver powerful advocacy from start to finish. The full-day program will take place at The Metropolitan Club. Early registration is now open at Learn.ChicagoBar.org. Vanguard Awards The CBA and 18 local bar associations will gather this spring to present the 2026 Vanguard Awards. This special award honors

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individuals and institutions who have made the law and the legal profession more accessible to and reflective of the community at large. Stay tuned for details at www.chicagobar.org/vanguard. Solo/Small Firm The Solo/Small Firm Practitioners Committee provides informa tion that addresses the needs and concerns of solo and small firm practitioners. Committee presentations focus on mentoring, net working, client development, marketing, personnel issues, office leases, and other law practice management issues. Charles Krugel, Attorney at Law, and Mathew Kerbis, The Subscription Attorney, co-chair the committee. To get involved with the committee or receive notice of future meetings, sign up at www.chicagobar.org or send an email to committees@chicagobar.org. Pet Insurance Protect your furry family members with exclusive CBA member discounts on pet insurance offered through the CBA Insurance Agency’s partnership with MetLife. Find details at www.cbainsur ance.org/pets. Congratulations Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis retired from the Illinois Supreme Court on January 29, 2026. Justice Theis served on the Supreme Court since 2010 and served as the Chief Justice from 2022 to 2025. The Court appointed First District Appellate Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor to fill Justice Theis’s seat effective January 30, 2026, through December 4, 2028. Justice Tailor will be the first Asian American to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court. Daniel A. Cotter . Aronberg Goldgehn, was appointed to serve as At Large Director for the Federation of Regulatory Counsel. Cotter, Immediate Past President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, received the 2026 NCBP-LexisNexis Rule of Law Award. Sandra Yamate, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Inclusion in the Profession, was installed as President of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL). Yamate is the first Asian American President in NAWL’s history. The Center for

Disability & Elder Law’s 2026 Winter Awards Benefit Award ees were Tom Broderick , Volunteer of the Year Award; Milberg , Partner of the Year Award; and Judge Timothy C. Evans , the Impact Award. The following people were honored with awards at the Diversity Scholarship Foundation’s annual Unity Gala: Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford , Unity Award; and Cook County Judge Megan E. Goldish, Laura Liu Access to Justice Award. The Advocate for Diversity Award was presented to Instituto del Progreso Latino President and CEO Karina Ayala Bermejo , Cook County Judge Jack J. Hagerty , Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Executive Director Erika Harold , Cook County Judge Mary C. Marubio , Filipino Ameri can Lawyers Association of Chicago President Ian Sharping , and Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Mariyana T. Spyropoulos. Elrod Friedman has been appointed Corporation Counsel for the Village of Skokie and welcomed attorney Jeffrey A. Butcher to the firm…Jenner & Block promoted Hope H. Tone-O’Keefe to partner and promoted Andrew P. Csoros to Special Counsel… Loftus & Eisenberg Ltd. partner Gail Schnitzer Eisenberg was elected president of the National Employment Lawyers Asso ciation of Illinois for a two-year term… Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that Louis Apostol will continue to serve another term as Public Administrator of Cook County… Saul Ewing LLP elected Michael J. Pollock to partner… Barack Ferrazzano promoted Alexander F. Berk to partner… Amundsen Davis welcomed Gregory “Greg” Frezados to the firm as a partner its Trusts, Estates & Succession Planning Service Group… Jack son Lewis, P.C. promoted Anderson C. Franklin to principal… ArentFox Schiff added Ilana Bley as a partner in the firm’s Private Clients, Trusts & Estate Practice. Condolences To the family and friends of CBA Past President Joseph L. Stone , Professor Philip N. Hablutzel, Leonard Rubin and Warren Lupel .

CBA Past President Daniel Cotter’s book, The Chief Justices: The Seventeen Men at the Center Seat, Their Courts, and Their Times , is now available at the Supreme Court Gift Shop, located on the ground floor of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., and online at https://supremecourtgifts.org.

CBA RECORD 19

THE YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

CBA YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION Chair Gavin Phelps Circuit Court of Cook County First Vice Chair Aleksandra Petrovi c Damisch & Damisch, Ltd. Second Vice Chair Bianca Ciarroni Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP Armstrong Teasdale LLP Philanthropy Officer Pam Sran Fox Rothschild Secretary/Treasurer Andre Hunter, Jr. Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani Program Officers Deepa Singh U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Cha’yra Eddie Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC Inclusion & Engagement Officer Joseph Nelson DiCello Levitt Co-Editors of the YLS Journal J. Kopczyk Attorney at Law Katherine Hanson First District Appellate Court Co-Editors of the CBA Blog Recruitment Officer Stephanie Moon

An Evolving Young Lawyers Section Gavin Phelps, CIPP/US, YLS Chair

affairs and determining programs that support its agenda for the bar year. The First Vice Chair continues to assist the YLS Chair and serves as an ambas sador to other lawyer associations. The bylaws now allow the First Vice Chair to create additional officer roles, not other wise named in the bylaws, for the next YLS election cycle. These additional roles will then serve during the bar year when the First Vice Chair becomes YLS Chair. This change allows the First Vice Chair to carry out their agenda more effectively once they assume the Chair role. In years past, the Second Vice Chair worked with the former Member Services Manager position to oversee all directors and YLS committees. In conjunction with the changes made to the Member Services Manager position, the Second Vice Chair now primarily serves to supervise and pro vide guidance to YLS committees, ensur ing that each committee has adequate support to host their regularly scheduled meetings and seminars. This oversight remains substantial given the wide range of YLS Committees, and as a result the Executive Council provides additional support as needed. Previously, the Member Services Man ager role lacked clarity, often overlapping with Chair and Program Officer func tions. The role has been rebranded to that of Recruitment Officer, with a focus on member recruitment and increasing reten tion through a variety of social, network ing, and practice-area specific programs

I n recent years, the Young Lawyers Section has evolved to better serve its members. To support this effort, the YLS formed a Bylaws Committee to exam ine existing operations and recommend improvements. As a result of the Com mittee’s work, several changes were made to modernize YLS procedures and better define leadership roles and responsibilities. Section Membership YLS membership remains open to anyone in their first 10 years of practice. How ever, the newly amended bylaws provide clarity on the exact start and end date of Section membership to assist in determin ing officer and director eligibility. Officers and Directors The YLS Chair's role remains the same: supervising the Section's business and

Sara Shiffman Attorney at Law

Hannah Werner MacDonald, Lee & Senechalle, Ltd Immediate Past Chai r Kenneth A. Matuszewski Rozier Hardt McDonough PLLC

Want to get involved in the Young Lawyers Section? Send an email to yls@chicagobar.org and ask to get connected with future leadership and volunteer opportunities.

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