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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.

06/08/2025

Getting Involved, Giving Back: Bar Leaders Share Their Stories

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.

33 min
16/07/2025

Historic Justice: Investigating Cruelty and Death at Florida’s Dozier School for Boys

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

55 min
11/06/2025

It Ends With Lawsuits: Unpacking the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Legal Battle

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.

1 hr
09/05/2025

Rethinking Legal Fees for a Modern, Value-Based Practice

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.

33 min
02/04/2025

Bullying in the Legal Profession

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.

52 min
05/03/2025

A Conversation with Cook County State’s Attorney Justice Eileen O'Neill Burke

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.

57 min
06/02/2025

More Than a Month: Black History at the DuSable Museum

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.

44 min
09/01/2025

Transgender Prisoner Rights with Alan Mills

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.

42 min

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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.