Join the Chicago Council of Lawyers for a timely forum and important conversations examining the growing concern that prosecutorial power may be used to punish political expression, protest, and opposition.
How can the justice system distinguish legitimate law enforcement from politically motivated prosecution? What happens to constitutional rights when speaking out carries the threat of criminal charges? This discussion will explore the consequences for civil liberties, public trust, and the rule of law, ensuring that justice remains independent of political pressure.
We’re pleased to offer this program both in person and online at no cost to attendees, with complimentary lunch provided for in-person guests.
Advance registration is required. Registration is now closed.
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CCL is an independent, public-interest bar association dedicated to promoting excellence and integrity in the administration of justice. As a 501(c)(6) organization, contributions to CCL are generally not tax-deductible as charitable contributions.
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Moderator
Sharon Fairley – Professor from Practice, University of Chicago Law School
Sharon Fairley is a Professor from Practice at the University of Chicago Law School, where she teaches criminal procedure, policing, and federal criminal law. Before entering academia, she spent eight years as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. She later served as First Deputy Inspector General and General Counsel for the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General. Fairley also led the Independent Police Review Authority and helped establish Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability. Her scholarship focuses on criminal justice reform, constitutional policing, police accountability, and civilian oversight.
Panelists
John Koski – Board Member, Lawyers Defending American Democracy
John Koski is a lawyer, legal ethicist, law professor, and board member of Lawyers Defending American Democracy. His practice has focused on representing law firms, attorneys, and business organizations in matters involving legal ethics, professional responsibility, litigation, risk management, compliance, governance, investigations, and regulation. During a legal career spanning more than 30 years, he spent nearly two decades as U.S. General Counsel and Global Chief Legal Officer for one of the world’s largest law firms. Since 2019, Koski has also taught professional responsibility as a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School.
Ronald Safer – Partner, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila
Ronald Safer is a partner at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila, where he handles complex, high-stakes civil litigation, white-collar matters, and internal investigations. He previously served for 10 years as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, ultimately becoming Chief of the Criminal Division. During his tenure, he prosecuted more than 100 defendants in cases involving financial fraud, public corruption, and continuing criminal enterprises. Safer has extensive federal and state trial experience and has represented corporations and individuals before courts, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other government agencies.
Chris Gair – Partner, Gair Gallo Eberhard LLP
Chris Gair is a partner at Gair Gallo Eberhard LLP and a highly regarded trial lawyer whose practice encompasses complex commercial litigation and white-collar criminal defense. He previously served for seven years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago, ultimately becoming Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime Division and leading major prosecutions involving public corruption and organized crime. Gair has tried dozens of cases in federal and state courts and arbitrations and has briefed and argued numerous appeals. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has been recognized by Chambers for commercial litigation, white-collar crime, and government investigations.
Nancy DePodesta – Partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Nancy DePodesta is a partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister and a former federal prosecutor with extensive experience as a white-collar defense attorney and trial lawyer. She represents individuals and organizations in investigations conducted by the Department of Justice and other federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Her practice encompasses matters involving securities, tax and health care fraud, corporate misconduct, bribery, public corruption, antitrust, and the False Claims Act. DePodesta also conducts internal investigations for corporations and universities. Most recently, she helped secure the dismissal of all charges against a defendant in the federal prosecution of the Broadview Six protesters.
Gary Shapiro – Former U.S. Attorney and Department of Justice Prosecutor
Gary Shapiro is a former U.S. Attorney and longtime Department of Justice prosecutor who devoted more than four decades to federal public service. He served as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois from 2012 to 2013 and spent nearly 17 years as the office’s First Assistant U.S. Attorney. In that role, he helped oversee investigations and prosecutions involving public corruption, organized crime, corporate fraud, terrorism, narcotics, and violent crime. Shapiro played a significant role in major organized-crime matters, including Operation Family Secrets, and received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award and a Department of Justice Director’s Award.
Click here to access the program materials. The list of legal authorities and attachments will be distributed to attendees electronically and will be available in printed form at the program.
