2023 James Otis Lecture
The Illinois Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) hosted its second annual James Otis Lecture Series last month.
ABOTA Illinois welcomed 180 Chicago public high school students and teachers to Chicago-Kent College of Law to provide civics education and knowledge of the Constitution through lectures by scholars, judges, and ABOTA members. Supported by the ABOTA Foundation, the James Otis Lecture Series encourages students to interact with speakers, ask questions, and seek solutions for constitutional issues that exist today.
The Illinois Chapter’s series was organized by President Jill M. Webb, Past President Cathy Reiter, and Secretary Christopher M. Norem.
Speakers included:
- Welcome and Remarks: Jill M. Webb, President, ABOTA Illinois and Principal, Law Offices of Jill M. Webb.
- Lawyers, Constitution, and Jurors – Perspective from a Former Social Studies Teacher, Lawyer, and Judge: The Honorable Lorna Propes (ret.), Retired Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County and Senior Mediator & Arbitrator, ADR Systems.
- Importance of the Judicial Branch of Government: Justice P. Scott Neville, Justice, Illinois Supreme Court. Introduction by Bruce R. Pfaff, Past President, ABOTA Illinois and Founder, Pfaff, Gill & Ports, Ltd.
- Our Constitutional Democracy: Professor Carolyn Shapiro, Chicago-Kent College of Law. Introduction by Christopher M. Norem, Secretary, ABOTA Illinois and Partner, The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C.
ABOTA dedicates itself to the preservation and promotion of the Seventh Amendment, which guarantees the right to civil jury trials. ABOTA also promotes the independence of the judiciary and professionalism among trial lawyers. Membership in this group of plaintiff and defense lawyers is by invitation only. Approximately 7,500 lawyers and judges are involved in ABOTA chapters in all 50 states.
