Chicago Council of Lawyers

Under Siege: The American Judiciary and the Rule of Law
2026-05-05 09:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | IL
On May 5th, the Cummins Family Justice Foundation, the Berkeley Judicial Institute, and the CBA are hosting a program entitled “Under Siege: The American Judiciary and the Rule of Law.”
This full-day program will include a luncheon discussion with retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and The Honorable Diane P. Wood, as well as sessions featuring judges and attorneys from across the United States. Together, they will explore the role of the judiciary, the importance of maintaining public confidence in legal institutions, and the challenges facing the rule of law today.
This program will be offered in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend either in-person or via Zoom. More details, including registration information, are at https://learn.chicagobar.org/p/UnderSiege.
CCL members can get free CLE credit by participating virtually.
Not a member? Click here to join!

Civil Liberties Committee Meeting
2026-05-08 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-06-12 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-07-10 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-08-14 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-09-11 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-10-09 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-11-13 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-12-11 12:00 - 13:15 | IL
The Civil Liberties Committee meets monthly on the second Friday of every month from 12 pm – 1:15 pm CT to address current civil liberties issues ranging from police accountability in Chicago to the Administration’s anti-immigration efforts, to trans rights, and everything in between. The committee researches, prepares, and issues statements advocating for reform.
Email ccl@chicagocouncil.org about your interest in joining this committee so you can be informed about meeting links, agendas, updates, and opportunities.
We welcome your active engagement!

The More Perfect Union Fund
2026-06-23 11:30 - 13:30 | University Club of Chicago, 76 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL, 60603, United States
Join the Chicago Council of Lawyers for an afternoon dedicated to advancing the principles of justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
This special gathering brings together members of the legal community, civic leaders, and supporters committed to strengthening our democratic institutions. Proceeds from the luncheon support CCL’s ongoing work to promote judicial integrity, transparency, and access to justice.
Ticket Levels
Support the mission of the Chicago Council of Lawyers by joining us at a level that reflects your commitment to advancing justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
Architect of Justice
$5000
Includes one exclusive table with 8 tickets, premium recognition in event materials and online, and prime seating.
Beacon of Justice
$1500
Includes 6 tickets, premium recognition in event materials, and priority seating.​
Guardian of Justice
$500
Includes 2 tickets, recognition in event materials, and priority seating.
Defender of Justice
$250
Includes 1 ticket and recognition in event materials.
Advocate for Justice
$150
Includes 1 ticket.
Click Here To Reserve Your Seat In Support Of Justice
Your support at every level strengthens the work of the Chicago Council of Lawyers. We invite you to join us for what promises to be an engaging and meaningful afternoon.
Or, if you are unable to attend but would like to donate to support instead, please click the button below.
Click Here To Make A DonationIf you have any questions, please contact us at ccl@chicagocouncil.org or by giving us a call at 224-301-5808.
Program
The program will feature a fireside chat with Cara Hendrickson, Illinois Executive Deputy Attorney General, in conversation with Sharon Fairley, a University of Chicago Law School graduate and current Professor from Practice.
Cara Hendrickson
Cara Hendrickson serves as the Executive Deputy Attorney General in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. In that role, she is responsible for advancing the strategic legal priorities of the office, including overseeing the Attorney General’s work promoting federal accountability and the rule of law. Earlier, Cara served as the Chief of the Office’s Public Interest Division, where she supervised the attorneys and staff who enforce the civil rights, disability rights, workplace rights, and antitrust laws, in addition to conducting investigations and cases involving the False Claims Act, consumer fraud, and energy issues.
Cara previously served as the Executive Director at Impact for Equity, one of Chicago’s most formidable law and policy centers, guiding its work for racial, economic, and social justice. An experienced litigator, Cara’s law practice focused on constitutional and civil rights litigation at Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd. She has also practiced at Massey & Gail, LLP and Kirkland & Ellis, LLP.
Cara has served as a Commissioner on the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission, which promotes ethics in Illinois public service, on the board of the Public Interest Law Initiative, and on the advisory board of the American Constitution Society, Chicago Chapter. She was a Fellow in the 2014 class of Leadership Greater Chicago.
Cara served as a law clerk to the Honorable Ann Claire Williams, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Ret). She graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School and received her B.A. from Northwestern University. She has a Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management certificate from Harvard Business School.
Sharon R. Fairley
Ms. Fairley is a University of Chicago Law School graduate and current Professor from Practice. Before joining the Law School, Professor Fairley was a federal prosecutor, the First Deputy Inspector General & General Counsel for the City of Chicago Office of the Inspector General, and Chief Administrator for the Independent Police Review Authority, the agency responsible for police misconduct investigations. She also created and stood up the Chicago Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA).
Help Us Spread The Word
Know someone who should attend? Help us broaden the reach of this work by sharing this event with your network. We welcome you to invite colleagues, peers, and others who are committed to advancing justice and accountability.
Your support, both in attending and spreading the word, makes a meaningful difference.
Click here to download the flyer.
