Wednessday, July 17, 2024
5:15PM – 6:30PM

Chicago Bar Association
321 S Plymouth Ct Seminar Room
5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604

Join the Federal Bar Association’s Chicago Chapter, the Chicago Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, and the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago in celebrating the remarkable career of Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer at a special reception on July 17, 2024, from 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM at the Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604. This event honors Judge Pallmeyer’s historic tenure as the first woman Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Judge Pallmeyer has served as a U.S. District Court Judge since 1998, after her initial role as a Magistrate Judge. On July 1, 2019, she became the first woman to head the federal court in Chicago in its 200-year history. Throughout her decades on the bench, Judge Pallmeyer has overseen many significant cases, including the corruption trial of former governor George Ryan. Her leadership was pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she ensured the health and safety of court employees, judges, practitioners, and the public, maintaining court operations and communication during unprecedented times.

In addition to her judicial duties, Judge Pallmeyer has been instrumental in outreach efforts to educate the community on the rule of law and spearheaded court beautification projects. This reception provides a unique opportunity to acknowledge her invaluable contributions to the judiciary and our community. During the reception, we will also present Chief Judge Pallmeyer with the FBA’s Frank J. McGarr Award, which honors notable legal professionals who have significantly contributed to federal government service.

This free program is open to all Federal Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, and Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago members. We welcome everyone to join us in honoring Chief Judge Pallmeyer. Appetizers will be served, and a cash bar will be available.

This event is a wonderful occasion to celebrate a trailblazing figure in the legal field and connect with peers over light refreshments and drinks. We look forward to seeing you there!

About Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer

After serving as a Magistrate Judge, Chief Judge Pallmeyer has served as a U.S. District Court Judge since 1998. On July 1, 2019, Judge Pallmeyer became Chief Judge of the Northern District of Illinois, making her the first woman to head the federal court in Chicago in its 200-year history. During her more than two decades on the federal bench, Judge Pallmeyer has presided over many significant cases, including the corruption trial of former governor George Ryan. Within six months of becoming Chief Judge, Judge Pallmeyer was faced with the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant needs for ensuring the health and safety of Court employees, Judges, practitioners and the public. In the depths of the pandemic, Judge Pallmeyer deftly navigated the crisis, kept the Courts open and individuals informed in such uncertain times, and sometimes sent out letters twice a day to tell staff how many people had reported infections. She also spearheaded Court beautification projects to project the dignity of a courthouse and has worked tirelessly in outreach efforts to help explain the rule of law to the community.