2025 Law Day Meeting
The Illinois Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) hosted its annual Law Day Luncheon last month at the Union League Club.
Clete Blakeman, NFL Referee, Trial Lawyer at Carlson & Blakeman, and ABOTA Member, served as Law Day speaker. In 17 NFL seasons, Blakeman has officiated over 270 NFL games, including 15 playoff games. He has officiated five NFL Championship Games, including the Buffalo Bills versus the Kansas City Chiefs game in January 2025. He also refereed Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers. In his presentation, Blakeman discussed the importance of the Rule of Law and the judicial branch’s independence.
ABOTA Illinois chapter members, Illinois Supreme Court justices, Illinois Appellate Court justices, Cook County Circuit Court judges, and local bar association presidents attended the luncheon.
Additionally, ABOTA Illinois proudly welcomed ABOTA National President Jennifer Doan of Haltom & Doan.
ABOTA Illinois President Kevin J. Golden of Dudley & Lake recognized Immediate Past President Jill M. Webb of Law Offices of Jill M. Webb for her years of service to the chapter. Membership Chair Scott C. Bentivenga of Lewis Brisbois also welcomed two new ABOTA members – Craig Sandberg of Sandberg Law and Michael Mead of Faklis, Tallis & Mead.
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.
ABOTA Illinois Past President Jill M. Webb of Law Offices of Jill M. Webb, ABOTA National President Jennifer Doan of Haltom & Doan, Law Day Speaker Clete Blakeman of Carlson & Blakeman, ABOTA Illinois President Kevin J. Golden of Dudley & Lake at ABOTA Illinois’ Law Day Luncheon.
ABOTA National President Jennifer Doan of Haltom & Doan is joined by new ABOTA members Craig Sandberg of Sandberg Law (left) and Michael Mead of Faklis, Tallis & Mead (right).
ABOTA Illinois President Kevin J. Golden of Dudley & Lake (right) presents Law Day Speaker Clete Blakeman (left) with a plaque from ABOTA Illinois.