2023 Law Day Meeting
The Illinois Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) hosted its annual Law Day Luncheon earlier this month at the Union League Club.
Suzanne Spaulding, senior adviser for homeland security and director of the Defending Democratic Institutions project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, served as Law Day speaker. ABOTA Illinois chapter members, Illinois Supreme Court and Illinois Appellate Court justices, as well as Cook County Circuit Court judges, attended the luncheon.
Ms. Spaulding discussed attempts by foreign interests to undermine public confidence in governmental institutions, including the judicial system, and her belief that it is a national security imperative to reinvigorate civics education to defend against such efforts.
In addition to Ms. Spaulding’s presentation, the chapter also recognized Judge Ronald F. Bartkowicz for his service to the Cook County Law Division. He was introduced by ABOTA Illinois Past President William J. Rogers of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP.
ABOTA Illinois President Jill M. Webb of the Law Offices of Jill M. Webb and Membership Chair Sammi L. Renken of Johnson & Bell also spoke to attendees.
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.
