2026 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.

The Hon. Charles S. Beach II, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, served as Law Day speaker. Elected Chief Judge in October 2025, Chief Judge Beach has served on the Circuit Court of Cook County since the Illinois Supreme Court appointed him to the bench in 2017.

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.

ABOTA Illinois President Kevin Golden of Dudley & Lake welcomed attendees. Membership Chair Scott Bentivenga of Lewis Brisbois introduced two new ABOTA members – Jennifer Moriarty of Law Offices of Ronald R. Aeschliman and Sara Davis of Power Rogers. Additionally, ABOTA Foundation Trustee Timothy Tomasik of Tomasik Kotin Kasserman reported on national and foundation activities.

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.

From left to right: The Hon. Charles S. Beach II, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County and Law Day Speaker, receives a plaque from ABOTA Illinois President Kevin J. Golden of Dudley & Lake at ABOTA Illinois’ Law Day Luncheon.