Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association and Illinois Judges’ Association
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Roosevelt University, Wells Lounge, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Lunch Served: 12:00 – 12:30
CLE Program: 12:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Complimentary Reception: 5:45 – 7:00 p.m.
4.75 hour MCLE credit, including 4.75* hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Diversity & Inclusion credit
Don’t miss this program that empowers women to build a supportive professional network, while learning how to overcome career challenges more effectively through the collective support of their colleagues, communities, and families. Topics include:
- Why including women in the Supreme Court is so important;
- How to reclaim your confidence and reduce internal pressure;
- Methods for achieving a successful work-life balance;
- The pivotal role male leadership plays in creating substantial change for underrepresented groups;
- The steps leaders are taking to maximize inclusivity and foster belonging;
- The cultural and structural factors impacting women lawyers; and
- Much more.
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch (provided)
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Plenary Session: Women in the Supreme Court Bar: From Belva Lockwood to Lisa Blatt and Beyond
Over the last 40 years or so, arguments at the Supreme Court have been increasingly dominated by a relatively small group of lawyers, often known as the "Supreme Court bar." Although women now make up more than half of all law school graduates, they continue to be dramatically underrepresented before the country's highest court. This presentation discusses why the presence of women in the Supreme Court bar matters, why and how the numbers have improved somewhat in recent years, how they can continue to improve, and more.
Amy Howe, SCOTUSBlog, Maryland
1:30 – 1:35 p.m. Break
1:35 – 2:35 p.m. Thriving in the Law: Women Lawyers, Well-Being, and Resilience
Get the practical strategies you need to enhance your well-being and thrive in your legal career with this informative presentation. Topics include: understanding how values-based grounding can help you reclaim your confidence and reduce internal pressure; methods for achieving work-life harmony; how implementing effective boundaries can help you ensure career longevity; and what you need to know about substance abuse in the law, including awareness, prevention, and resources for lawyers seeking help.
Erin Clifford, Clifford Law Offices, Chicago
Maureen Gainer Reilly, GO Consulting & Coaching, Chicago
Dr. Diana Uchiyama, Lawyers’ Assistance Program, Chicago
2:35 – 2:40 p.m. Break
2:40 – 3:40 p.m. GOOD Guys (Generating Opportunities & Opening Dialogue) and Their Power to Make Change
Don’t miss this discussion on the current status of underrepresented groups in the legal field and the pivotal role male leadership plays in creating substantial change. Listen as our speakers share why male leaders are uniquely positioned to advance lawyers in underrepresented groups, and the practical steps leaders are taking to maximize inclusivity, foster belonging, and, in turn, drive significant law firm and business growth.
Teresa M. Beck, Klinedinst P.C., Nevada
Claire Carlson, Aronberg Goldgehn, Chicago
Daniel R. Saeedi, Blank Rome, Chicago
John C. Sciaccotta, Aronberg Goldgehn, Chicago
3:40 – 3:45 p.m. Break
3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Women in Law: Barriers, Breakthroughs, and the Path Forward
Join us for an in-depth discussion on the cultural and structural factors that have positive or negative impacts on women in law today. Featuring the panelists’ recent large-scale research on motherhood, bullying, and burnout, this session provides a rare deep dive into the hidden challenges that drain talent and revenue, while sharing strategies to ameliorate these hurdles and create a culture of well-being for women lawyers.
Moderator: Michele M. Jochner, Partner, Schiller, DuCanto & Fleck LLP, Chicago
Roberta D. Liebenberg, Fine, Kaplan & Black, Pennsylvania
Stephanie A. Scharf, Scharf Banks Marmor LLC, Chicago
4:45 – 4:50 p.m. Break
4:50 – 5:35 p.m. Taking It Back to Practice: Judicial Panel
Moderator: Hon. Bridget C. Duignan, ISBA President (2025-26), Cook County Judicial Circuit
Hon. Joy V. Cunningham, Illinois Supreme Court
Hon. Mary K. O’Brien, Illinois Supreme Court
Hon. Elizabeth M. Rochford, Illinois Supreme Court
5:45 – 7:00 p.m. Complimentary Reception – Fainman Lounge
*Professional Responsibility MCLE credit subject to approval
Program Information:
- Fees (lunch included):
- Please Note: MCLE credit is available to registrants only on the day of this live event. All registrants will receive access to a recording of the event a few days after the program, but credit is NOT available for the recording.
- I understand that at ISBA events, the ISBA may take photographs, video, film, and audio of registrants, participants, attendees, and their guests. By registering for, or attending, such events I consent to the ISBA’s editing, copying, publishing, distributing, and using my image, likeness, voice, and name for any ISBA purpose. Such purposes may include, but not be limited to, ISBA marketing and communications, posting on ISBA websites and social media platforms, and sharing with other members, registrants, or attendees. I further understand that any photographs, video, film, and audio taken at ISBA events by the ISBA are owned and copyrighted by the ISBA, and that I waive: (1) any compensation for the ISBA’s use of my image, likeness, voice, and name; and (2) any opportunity or right to inspect or approve the photographs, videos, film, or audio prior to ISBA use.
