Wednesday, August 5 Schedule & Resources

Location

8:30 to 11 a.m.

Virtual via secured Webex link or in person at the Everett McKinley Dirksen Courthouse (James Parsons Ceremonial Courtroom, 25th floor, 219 South Dearborn St., Chicago, IL).

Please note before arriving to Everett McKinley Dirksen Courthouse:

  • Arrive at 8:30 a.m. to go through security.
  • Bring a government-issued photo ID to enter the building.
  • No food or liquids are permitted. You may bring an empty water bottle to fill after security.
  • No photography is permitted in the building.
  • Dress in business casual (a manner that is respectful and appropriate to the court).
  • The courtrooms get cold, so you may want to bring long sleeves.
  • The program will take place in the James Benton Parsons Ceremonial Courtroom on the 25th floor.

1 to 5 p.m.

Virtual via Zoom link or in person at Jones Day (110 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 4800, Chicago, IL).

Schedule

8:30 a.m.Arrive at Courthouse to go through security.
9 – 9:15 a.m.Chief Justice Kendall’s Remarks
Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Introduction: Janna Shell, Career Law Clerk to the Honorable Jeffrey I. Cummings, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
9:15 – 10:15 a.m.Federal Judges Panel
Moderator: The Honorable LaShonda A. Hunt, U.S District Judge, Northern District of Illinois

Panelists:
The Honorable Albert Berry III, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Northern District of Illinois
The Honorable Beth W. Jantz, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Northern District of Illinois
The Honorable John Z. Lee, U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.Break
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.Federal Law Clerk Panel
Moderator: Ryan Chapin, Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable LaShonda A. Hunt, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Panelists:
Haley Harris, Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable LaShonda A. Hunt, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Bradford McGann, Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Emilia Porubcin, Judicial law Clerk for the Honorable Jeffrey I. Cummings, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Commute to Jones Day & Lunch
Jones Day
110 N. Wacker Dr.
Suite 4800
Chicago, IL
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.Write Like a Lawyer: Part I (Please read 2025 Jumpstart Class Assignment – Write Like a Lawyer)
Dr. Karen Shaw, Assistant Dean for Accreditation and Strategic Initiatives, Adjunct Professor of Legal Writing, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
1:30 – 1:45 p.m.Break
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.Write Like a Lawyer: Part II & Breakout Sessions
Dr. Karen Shaw
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.Practical Skills for Navigating Law School & Workshop
Moderator: Dean Hannah Brenner Johnson, SIU Simmons Law School

Panelists:
Jolynn Caroline, University of Illinois College of Law
Megan Kreminski, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Joe Scally, Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP)
4:15 – 4:45 p.m.Takeaways
Cristina Figueroa (virtual), Program Director, Just the Beginning
Casey Parker (in person), Director of Career Services, SIU Simmons Law School

Resources