@theBar
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Welcome to The Chicago Bar Association’s @theBar, a podcast where young and young-ish lawyers have interesting and unscripted conversations with their guests about legal news, events, topics, stories and whatever else strikes our fancy.
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In this special joint episode presented by the Chicago Bar Association and the National Conference of Bar Presidents, host Amanda Arriaga speaks with Trisha Rich, Jon Amarilio, and Dan Cotter about their experiences in bar association leadership. Participation in state or local bar associations can offer valuable opportunities for connection, community, and professional development. Trisha, Jon, and Dan each share their journeys from bar membership to leadership, highlighting the rewarding experiences and growth that come with active involvement in the bar.
Trisha Rich is First Vice President of the Chicago Bar Association and co-host of the @theBar Podcast.
Jonathan Amarilio is Treasurer of the Chicago Bar Association and co-founder of the @theBar Podcast.
Dan Cotter is President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents and a Past President of the Chicago Bar Association.
For over a century, The Dozier School for Boys held dark secrets behind its gates. Allegations of abuse, forced labor, and unexplained deaths had often come up throughout its history, but the full reality of what happened during its time in operation was largely unknown. Maggie Mendenhall-Casey talks with forensic anthropologist Erin Kimmerle about her mission to bring justice to the forgotten children of Dozier. Erin shares the story of her investigation, including her processes for locating unmarked graves, the community backlash and political resistance she faced, and the continuing efforts for justice and reunification with victims’ families.
Read the full account in Erin’s book: We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys
Erin H. Kimmerle, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Florida Institute for Forensic Anthropology and Applied Science at the University of South Florida
Ironically, there is no end in sight for the drama between “It Ends With Us” co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The feud stemming from their fractured working relationship during the film’s production and release continues to offer up splashy headlines almost daily. Allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation led to smear campaigns and then further lawsuits claiming defamation, extortion, libel, and more. Can we make sense of their tangle of legal actions? Tracy Brammeier and Kellie Snyder welcome a panel of legal experts including Jeff Becker, James Hemphill, and Kyla Miller to discuss the details of this case, the intensity of public perception and social media reactions, and what we might expect as the case moves forward.
Kyla Miller is an attorney in Mayer Brown's employment, litigation, and counseling practice where she counsels employers in highly sensitive personnel matters.
James Hemphill is a trial and appellate lawyer with Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody where he has practiced First Amendment and media law for more than 30 years.
Jeffrey Becker is founder of Swanson, Martin & Bell's entertainment and media law practice group where he helps clients resolve contractual and business disputes.
Modern law practice needs a modern billing approach. Learn tactics for the successful transition from hourly billing to flat and alternative fees with Scott Leigh of AltFee, the 2024 ABA Techshow Startup Alley winner. Mathew Kerbis talked with Scott at Techshow 2025 about the evolution of fee structures alongside technology advances and what lawyers should be thinking about to align their services with competitive pricing. They discuss how modernized fees can increase efficiency and profitability while offering transparent pricing for your clients.
Scott Leigh is co-founder and CEO at AltFee.
The legal profession upholds expectations for civility, inclusion, and wellbeing, but a new study by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism found that bullying is still a systemic issue in legal practice. Trisha Rich and Mathew Kerbis welcome Erika Harold to the podcast to discuss the study: Bullying in the Legal Profession: A Study of Illinois Lawyers’ Experiences and Recommendations for Change. Erika explains how their research was conducted and which groups within the profession were found to be most at risk. They also discuss how lawyers can take action to increase awareness and prevent future harm.
Erika N. L. Harold is the Executive Director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism.
A surefire place to learn the ins and outs of being a trial attorney is at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The CCSAO prosecutes tens of thousands of cases each year and is deeply committed to the pursuit of justice to provide greater safety and well-being to Cook County residents. Tracy Brammeier and Maggie Mendenhall-Casey welcome new Cook County State’s Attorney Justice Eileen O'Neill Burke to learn about her plans for the CCSAO. In their wide-ranging discussion, they dig into plans for strengthening the office through new training and hiring initiatives; talk through major crime issues including gun crimes, theft, and domestic violence; discuss the need for more connected systems and communications in the county’s justice system; and much, much more.
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is a pillar of Chicago’s cultural institutions, showcasing art and history while fostering connection to the vital story of Black history in America and the world. In honor of Black History Month, Maggie Mendenhall-Casey and Mathew Kerbis welcome Perri Irmer to learn about the museum’s continuing efforts to cultivate community and deepen understanding for all people. Perri offers insights into many notable people and events found in the museum’s exhibits and extensive archives. Later, they also discuss DuSable’s offerings during Black History Month, including school-age programming, films, lectures, online courses, arts and crafts, and much more!
To learn more, visit dusablemuseum.org.
Perri Irmer is President and CEO of the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, the iconic institution founded in 1961 by Dr. Margaret Burroughs.
Throughout the history of our justice system, transgender prisoners’ issues have largely been ignored. Is that intentional indifference still predominant in the current landscape of our prisons? Nikki Marcotte and Trisha Rich talk with Alan Mills of the Uptown People’s Law Center about his career in prisoner rights litigation, including his work in the Monroe case and his opinions on the recent decision made by the 7th Circuit US Court of Appeals in Monroe v. Bowman. They discuss the issues surrounding gender affirming care in Illinois prisons, the impacts of politics and media, and how attorneys can get involved in prisoner rights issues.
Alan Mills is Executive Director at Uptown People’s Law Center in Chicago, Illinois.
After a yuletide dinner in days of yore, a group of Chicago Bar Association members spiced up the evening with some delightful songs and sketches. Now, over a hundred years later, this tradition has grown into a full-fledged musical revue, featuring an array of comedic and musical performances peppered with parodies of notable pop-culture moments. Mathew Kerbis and Kellie Snyder welcome cast members Carissa Meyer, Christopher Johnson, and Skip Harsch to learn about their experiences in theater, their involvement in the Bar Show community, and what this year’s performance has in store!
The Chicago Bar Show will be performed on January 8, 10, and 11. To learn more, visit The Bar Show on the CBA website. And, tickets are selling fast! Purchase yours at barshow.org.
You may have seen Tom Girardi’s name in multiple places—once, as a famous and respected plaintiff’s attorney; notably, as a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills husband; and, notoriously, as a swindler who spent decades embezzling millions from his clients. How did he finally get caught? Maggie Mendenhall Casey and Tracy Brammeier talk with attorney Jay Edelson about how his firm’s work with the Girardi & Keese law firm led them to discover the ongoing exploitation of personal injury clients. Jay shares insights into the details of his firm’s detection and investigation of Girardi’s actions and the eventual court case against him. They also discuss broader instances of fraud in the plaintiff’s bar and Jay’s efforts to create more protections for clients.
Jay Edelson is the founder of Edelson PC.
Disbarred Personal Injury Lawyer Tom Girardi Found Guilty of Defrauding Clients Out of Tens of Millions of Dollars | United States Department of Justice
In August, the city of Chicago welcomed the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and delegates formally selected Kamala Harris as the nominee for President following President Biden’s departure from the race. But, let’s back up a second. Where exactly did those nominating delegates come from? Chicago attorney Aurora Austriaco joins Maggie Mendenhall Casey and Tracy Brammeier to discuss her experience serving as an elected delegate at the 2024 DNC. Aurora outlines the process and responsibilities involved in becoming a delegate and shares highlights and impactful moments from the convention.
Aurora Austriaco is a Shareholder with Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel P.C., an all women owned law firm concentrating in the areas of commercial litigation, business litigation and real estate.
Long-time host Jon Amarilio reflects on his six-year tenure and introduces the new hosts: Tracy Brammeier, a partner at Clifford Law Offices; Nikki Marcotte, a litigation associate at Kirkland Ellis; Mathew Kerbis, founder of Subscription Attorney LLC; and Kellie Snyder, an associate attorney at The Law Offices of Lane & Lane. (Don't worry, Trisha Rich and Maggie Mendenhall Casey are sticking around to show them the ropes!)
Each new voice brings unique backgrounds and expertise, from personal injury law to innovative legal practices. Stick around this season for entertaining interviews and unique conversations.
The Chicago Bar Association is celebrating 150 years of championing justice, building connections and making an impact in Chicago and beyond. In this episode, Trisha Rich and Maggie Mendenhall Casey talk with the CBA's former Executive Director Terry Murphy about the history of The Chicago Bar Association, memorable moments from his five decades of leadership of the CBA, and the future of the legal profession as we conclude the CBA's 150th anniversary celebration.
The Chicago Bar Association is celebrating 150 years of championing justice, building connections and making an impact in Chicago and beyond. In this episode, Trisha Rich talks with CBA's current President Ray Koenig III about the state of the organized bar today, the benefits of bar association involvement, and the CBA's 150th anniversary celebration.
In this episode, Jonathan Amarilio interviews Cary Donham about his experience as the United States Military Academy at West Point’s first and only conscientious objector, as chronicled in his recent memoir, “A Wrinkle in the Long Gray Line: When Conscience and Convention Collided.” After three successful years at the military academy in the late 1960’s, Donham requested discharge as a conscientious objector from the Army, citing his religious and moral beliefs. When his request was denied, he filed suit in federal court and eventually prevailed, receiving an honorable discharge. This episode delves into Donham’s personal journey and his court battle to be recognized by the U.S. Army as a conscientious objector.
Michael Scodro, former clerk to the Honorable Sandra Day O'Connor and current partner with the law firm of Mayer Brown, joins Jon Amarilio and Maggie Mendenhall Casey to discuss Justice O'Connor's career, impact and legacy.
The @theBar podcast is taking a holiday break in November and will return in December with new content. This episode, previously released in July 2021, discusses the conservatorship of Britney Spears, providing insights that complement her new memoir, "The Woman in Me," released after the conservatorship ended in November 2021.
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In this edition, Jonathan Amarilio and co-host Jennifer Byrne are joined by California probate attorney Justin Gold to discuss a topic that is sensational, delicate, concerning, and much in the news: the conservatorship of Britney Spears. Justin explains how the conservatorship system is supposed to work, its pros, its cons, and how it – at least according to press accounts – seems to have failed Britney Spears.
Jon Amarilio and Maggie Mendenhall Casey are joined by attorney Patrick Salvi II to discuss the Northwestern University hazing scandal that has made national headlines in recent months. Salvi represents several former Northwestern athletes who have filed suit against the university alleging extreme instances of hazing and abuse, and negligence on the part of athletic administrators and coaches who failed to put a stop to the conduct. He discusses the cases, as well as the toxic culture within Northwestern's athletic department that enabled hazing to occur in such broad scope for so long.
With the success of Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster movie, we are once again living in a doll’s world. Toymaker Mattel has long had a reputation for aggressively defending its Barbie-related intellectual property. Hosts Trisha Rich and Maggie Mendenhall Casey are joined by K&L Gates partner, Alexis Crawford Douglas, to discuss the intellectual property aspects of the movie, the origin story of the Barbie doll and the most interesting and impactful IP cases that have been part of the ongoing quest to protect the iconic doll brand.
Nearly every person has had the frustrating experience of being told that an appliance or piece of electronic equipment cannot be repaired. Why are we told that a laptop cannot be repaired when the battery dies or that our dishwasher needs to be replaced when the electronic control panel malfunctions? In this episode, hosts Trisha Rich and Jennifer Byrne chat with Gay Gordon-Byrne, founder of the Digital Right to Repair Coalition (repair.org), about the far-reaching economic and environmental benefits of empowering consumers by protecting their right to repair their own stuff.
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best legal podcast I've heard. great host and interesting subject matter. a must listen!