About the Institute 

The Leadership Institute is designed to enhance the leadership skills and foster the professional growth of emerging leaders within Chicago’s legal community. Get the practical knowledge and business development strategies necessary to attain and be successful in significant leadership roles. Sessions feature dynamic faculty, interactive skill building exercises and networking opportunities. Applicants must be licensed Illinois attorneys in good standing with the Illinois bar who have practiced between 3-10 years.


How to Apply

Click here to download the full program agenda and 2025 application. The application deadline is March 26, 2025. Questions about the program and completed applications can be submitted to Jennifer Byrne at jbyrne@chicagobar.org.


2025 Leadership Institute Agenda

Session I: What Kind of Leader Are You?
April 16, 2025, 2:00pm - 6:30pm

Session II: The Foundations of Effective Leadership
April 30, 2025, 2:00pm - 6:30pm

Session III: Effective Networking for Business Development
May 14, 2025, 2:00pm - 6:30pm

Session IV: Advanced Business Development Strategies
May 28, 2025, 2:00pm - 6:30pm

Leadership Institute Graduation Reception
June 4, 2025, 5:00pm - 6:30pm


Faculty Members

Holly Barocio, Managing Director, GrowthPlay
Ross Fishman, CEO, Fishman Marketing
Tasneem Khokha, Managing Director, GrowthPlay 
John Mitchell, Lawyer, Leader and Owner of KM Advisors 
Judge Thomas Mulroy (Ret.), Resolute Systems
David Susler, National Material, L.P.

"The CBA Leadership Institute was a fantastic experience that brought me out of my comfort zone while teaching practical skills that I was able to use in my practice and with my colleagues the next day. The hard-skill development paired with the connections developed with my cohort made the entire experience invaluable and extremely beneficial."

-- Max Novak, McGuire Woods LLP, 2023 Leadership Institute Class 



"The Leadership Institute allowed me an opportunity to step back and reevaluate myself and various aspects of managing teamwork, conflict, and leadership.  Participating in the course at this stage in my career was invaluable because I had the relevant context to apply the tools that we are being provided and to network with peers at similar stages in their careers." 

--Tanvi Patel, Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP, 2018 Leadership Institute Class

 

Past Participant Firms

Avison Young
Baker & McKenzie LLP
Brian Wright & Associates
Bryan Cave
Center for Disability and Elder Law
Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc. 
Chuhak Tecson
Clark Hill PLC
DLA Piper
Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth LLC
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Eimer Stahl LLP
Elrod Friedman
Fraczek Radelet P.C.
Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP
Gordon & Rees
Holland & Knight
Honigman LLP
Horwood Marcus & Berk Chartered
Ice Miller
Jenner & Block LLP
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Kelley Drye & Warren
Kirkland & Ellis
Law Offices of Monica K. Gamble
Locke Lord LLP
Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
McGuire Woods
Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association
MuchShelist
Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
Peter Latz & Associates, LLC
Pilgrim Christakis LLP
Polsinelli
ReedSmith LLP
Schiff Hardin
Sedgwick Law LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
SmithAmundsen LLC
Taft
Thompson Colburn LLP
Vedder Price
Winston & Strawn LLP