On the Bar with the Kane County Bar Association

Kane County Bar Association
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On the Bar with the Kane County Bar Association is a behind the scenes look into the legal community. New episodes drop on the 1st & the 15th of every month. Stay tuned!

  1. 4D AGO

    Adventures Beyond the Bar, Antarctica Edition: On the Bar with Len Solfa

    In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by Len Solfa as he shares about his recent trip to Antarctica. Len begins by discussing his legal background before diving into his long-standing passion for travel and what inspired him to journey to one of the most remote places on earth. He walks us through the planning process, what it takes to reach Antarctica, and what the experience was like once he arrived. From what he saw and did while there to just how cold it really was (even though the week he was there, it was colder in Chicago), Len reflects on the rarity and privilege of visiting Antarctica. This episode offers a fascinating look at adventure beyond the courtroom and the unforgettable experience of traveling to Antarctica.

    30 min

  2. FEB 15

    Being Admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States: On the Bar with Nydia Molina and Deborah Lang

    In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by KCBA members Nydia Molina and Deborah Lang, along with host Lori Schmidt, as they reflect on their experience being admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States during the KCBA’s 2019 admissions trip to Washington, D.C. They reflect on the trip and being admitted to the Supreme Court, what the process entails, and why it was such an amazing experience. With another KCBA Supreme Court admissions trip on the horizon, Nydia and Deb offer practical advice for members preparing to attend and insight on how to make the most of the opportunity. They also discuss their ongoing journey visiting supreme courts across the country—how the idea began, what they have learned along the way, and where their next stop may be. They also shared their experiences in the January/February edition of Bar Briefs, kicking off a series that will continue in upcoming issues. This conversation offers inspiration and guidance for attorneys interested in admission to the nation’s highest court and beyond. Nydia Molina is Assistant Corporation Counsel and Community-Based Prosecutor for the City of Aurora, where she oversees legal matters for a variety of City departments including policy development, police officer training, and municipal ordinance drafting. A graduate of DePaul University College of Law (J.D., 2002), Nydia is Vice President of the Kane County Bar Association and remains active in the legal community. Deborah Lang is an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Aurora since 2018.  Prior to that, she worked in both the civil and criminal divisions of the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office since 2006. A graduate of Northern Illinois University (J.D. 2006), she is the current co-chair for the KCBA Local Government Law Committee.

    37 min

  3. FEB 1

    An Unexpected Path to Law School: On the Bar with Chris Cosentino

    In this episode of On the Bar, we are joined by KCBA member, Co-Chair of the Civil Practice Committee, and attorney Chris Cosentino of The Cosentino Law Firm, LLC. Chris shares the story of how he “accidentally” found his way to law school—and why, in the end, he knows he made the right career choice. He discusses what he enjoys most about practicing law and reflects on working alongside his family, each with their own distinct practice areas, offering insight into the unique family dynamic. Chris also highlights upcoming seminars hosted by the Civil Practice Committee and closes by sharing advice for young attorneys navigating the early stages of their careers. Chris primarily concentrates his practice in the area of general civil litigation, which encompasses a variety of matters, including: contractual disputes, personal injury, landlord/tenant, construction and property development, trademark and copyright, professional negligence, and shareholder-related litigation. Chris also has years of experience with residential and commercial real estate transactions. Chris has been admitted to the U.S. District Court for the N.D. of Illinois, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the N.D. of Illinois, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

    20 min

  4. JAN 15

    Reducing Conflict and Supporting Families Through a Collaborative Divorce Approach: On the Bar with Rachel Hernandez and Kristin Louis

    On this episode of On the Bar, we welcome Rachel Hernandez and Kristin Louis of Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC for an insightful conversation on family law and the growing role of collaborative divorce. Rachel and Kristin begin by sharing their individual journeys to law school, their professional backgrounds, and what led them to focus their practices on family law. They discuss how their individual paths naturally led them to collaborative divorce and why this approach aligns with their shared values as attorneys. Throughout the episode, they explain how collaborative divorce differs from traditional divorce, emphasizing its focus on reducing unnecessary conflict and helping families navigate separation with greater intention and support. Rather than pitting parties against one another in court, the collaborative process allows clients to work through their issues out of court with the guidance of a collaborative team, creating space for healthier communication and more sustainable outcomes—especially for co-parents. Rachel and Kristin also address common misconceptions about collaborative divorce, walk listeners through how the process works, and discuss what happens if the collaborative process is unsuccessful. They highlight the challenges inherent in family law and divorce, noting that while there are legal issues to resolve, there are often significant social and emotional components that require proper resources and support. By helping clients access the right tools and professionals, they aim to change the tone and trajectory of the divorce experience. The conversation also covers the upcoming Kane County Bar Foundation NEST (Neutral Exchange Supervised Time) coming to Kane County—a safe, neutral space designed to support children and families through supervised parenting time and child exchanges when needed. Rachel and Kristin explain why this resource is so impactful and the many benefits it will bring to the families of Kane County. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the importance of building relationships within the local legal community and how involvement with the Kane County Bar Association has been a meaningful benefit in their careers. Rachel Hernandez, an experienced Collaborative Family Lawyer, is a founding attorney at Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC. With a focus on resolving family legal issues outside of court, Rachel provides practical advice on matters such as assets, debts, maintenance, and child custody, prioritizing the best interests of children. She engages qualified professionals and adopts a comprehensive approach to ensure well-informed decisions and emotional support for clients and their families. A conscientious, compassionate attorney with a background in family law and juvenile abuse and neglect. Kristin has focused her legal career on helping children and families navigate life changing family legal matters with a focus on the best interests of the children. Kristin is passionate about using alternative dispute resolution options in the family law area and joined Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, LLC with that goal in mind.

    34 min

  5. JAN 1

    All Rise! The KCBA Bar Show Is Back: On the Bar with Carolyn Jansons

    Carolyn Jansons—attorney, KCBA member, and partner at Drendel & Jansons—is back for another conversation on this episode of On the Bar. Carolyn shares her inspiring personal story that led her to law school and ultimately shaped her legal career. She discusses her deep involvement with the Kane County Bar Association, including her time as KCBA President and her work on numerous committees, such as the Family Law Committee. Carolyn explains why it’s so important for young attorneys to get involved in their local legal community and how she navigated the profession early in her career. She dives into her involvement with the KCBA Bar Show, sharing its history, the many roles that come together to make it a success, and why members should get involved as the next Bar Show approaches in April 2026. Carolyn D. Jansons (Partner) was born in Columbus, Ohio, in September of 1974. She is a 1996 graduate of Northern Illinois University and 2001 graduate of Northern Illinois University College of Law, magna cum laude. She graduated seventh (7th) in her class from Northern Illinois University College of Law and was a member of the Law Review. She is admitted to practice in front of all Illinois State Courts and was admitted to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court in 2006. To listen to Carolyn’s first On the Bar appearance: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VROapOig57X2Maha5e1aN?si=tyoa3b-yQySl5JSSxuYpEQ

    25 min

  6. 12/15/2025

    Supporting Community Health Across Kane County: On the Bar with Kane County Health Department Executive Director Michael Isaacson

    On this episode of On the Bar, we talk with Michael Isaacson from the Kane County Health Department about his journey into public health and the wide range of services the KCHD provides. He explains how the KCHD partners with organizations across the community, the importance of the Behavioral Health 360 website, and how attorneys can use these resources—such as referrals, support groups, and parent cafés—to better support their clients. Michael also discusses IRIS, a formal referral system for professionals, which is especially useful for family law attorneys seeking reliable connections for the families they work with. He closes the episode by looking ahead to the future of the Health Department and sharing his experience attending the State of the Union Address.

    24 min

  7. 12/01/2025

    Bar Briefs Unfolded: On the Bar with Bar Briefs Co-Editors Anna Dopke and Karen Zajicek

    Co-Editors of the Bar Briefs Magazine, Anna Dopke and Karen Zajicek , join us for this week’s episode of On the Bar. We learn about their backgrounds, their day jobs, and what led them to the Bar Briefs Committee — and eventually to becoming Co-Editors of the publication. They walk us through the planning, coordination, and behind-the-scenes effort that goes into producing each issue. Anna and Karen share why Bar Briefs is such an important part of the KCBA: it connects members across all practice areas, keeps everyone informed about developments in the local legal community, and offers a place for members to share both personal and professional updates. They highlight the upcoming themed issue in the works; the March/April edition will focus on AI & Technology. The committee is looking for KCBA members to contribute —whether you’ve used AI tools in your practice, have insights on how technology is shaping the legal profession, or wish to offer a more scholarly analysis of emerging trends. The deadline to submit your AI/Tech article for the March/April issue is January 26, 2026. Please send all articles or questions (AI/Tech related or not) to editor@kanecountybar.org, or reach out to Anna or Karen directly. Anna and Karen hope to see increased engagement from KCBA members and discuss the many benefits you will receive by contributing. Interested in attending the Bar Briefs Committee Meetings? Please join on the third Tuesday of every month at the 3rd Street Courthouse in Geneva at noon. Please submit your good news for the Bar Briefs "For the Bar, By the Bar" column, as well as any articles or ideas for future submissions, to editor@kanecountybar.org. Anna A. Dopke is a partner with Schening & Dopke Law LLC, in South Elgin, where she concentrates her practice on areas relating to estate planning, including the preparation of trusts, wills, powers of attorney, probate, trust administration, and real estate transactions. Anna is licensed to practice in Illinois and may be reached at anna@scheningdopkelaw.com. Karen M. Zajicek is a Senior Staff Attorney for the 16th Judicial Circuit where she conducts legal research and completes writing projects for judges, assists the court in drafting orders during the plenary order of protection and name change court calls. Karen earned her J.D. degree from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law and is licensed to practice in Illinois. She may be reached at ZajicekKaren@16thCircuit.IllinoisCourts.gov.

    25 min

  8. 11/15/2025

    Acting on Justice: On the Bar with Frank Louis Calabrese

    In this episode of On the Bar, we sit down with KCBA member, attorney, and professional actor Frank Louis Calabrese for a conversation that bridges the worlds of law and the performing arts. Frank shares what inspired him to pursue law and how his career has evolved through a range of roles — from IRS Special Agent and U.S. Attorney Adviser to private practice attorney and accomplished stage and film performer. He discusses how his experience in acting has influenced his approach to law, the balance between his two professions, and the opportunities and challenges that come with following multiple passions. Lori convinces Frank to get involved in our upcoming KCBA Bar Show (April 2026) and he discusses his most recent film, Before Dallas. Click HERE to view the trailer. This episode offers an engaging look at a multifaceted career and the lessons learned from a life spent pursuing purpose in and out of the spotlight. Frank Louis Calabrese is an accomplished attorney and professional actor whose career has spanned government service, private practice, and the performing arts. Frank has appeared in numerous stage productions, TV shows, and films — including his most recent role in Before Dallas.

    34 min
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On the Bar with the Kane County Bar Association is a behind the scenes look into the legal community. New episodes drop on the 1st & the 15th of every month. Stay tuned!

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