Breaking: northwestern law to Host Big Law Attorney Panel for students
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Northwestern Law’s High Tech Law Society has scheduled a Big Law Attorney Panel on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The session will convene in Room RB 140 at Northwestern Law School, located at 375 East Chicago Avenue in Chicago, IL 60611. the event aims to illuminate diverse practice areas, career paths, and the day-to-day life within large law firms, offering an accessible networking environment with practicing attorneys.
Event at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Big Law Attorney Panel |
| Organizer | Northwestern Law School – high Tech Law Society |
| Date | Tuesday,January 27,2026 |
| Time | 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m. (America/Chicago) |
| Location | Northwestern Law School, Room RB 140; 375 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 |
| Audience | Law students and aspiring big Law professionals |
Why it matters for aspiring lawyers
For students exploring a legal career, this panel offers direct exposure to large-firm practice, enabling comparisons across practice areas and insight into daily responsibilities. Networking with practicing attorneys in an informal setting can help attendees understand firm culture, mentorship opportunities, and potential pathways after graduation.
Evergreen insights for lasting value
Engaging with a Big Law panel remains a timeless step in career exploration. Prepare thoughtful questions, note which practice areas align with your interests, and seek tips on summer programs, internships, and mentorship opportunities. Follow up with speakers after the event to deepen connections and gather advisor guidance for your legal trajectory.
Context and resources
For a broader view of Big Law careers and industry trends, consult established legal outlets such as the ABA Journal and Law.com.
Reader engagement
- Which Big Law practice area interests you most, and why?
- What is the one question you would ask a Big Law attorney to get the clearest picture of daily work?
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Big Law Insights: Northwestern Law’s Attorney Panel – Jan 27, 2026
Event Overview
- Date & Time: January 27, 2026, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM CST
- Location: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, Chicago, IL (Room 101, Wirtz Hall)
- Host: Northwestern Law Career Services & teh Center for Law, Business & Technology (CLBT)
- Audience: Associates, senior counsel, law firm partners, in‑house counsel, and law‑school graduates targeting large‑firm practice groups
The panel gathers senior attorneys from the nation’s top firms to discuss emerging trends, talent strategies, and the evolving client landscape.It is indeed positioned as a “must‑attend” for anyone seeking actionable intelligence on “big law” in 2026 and beyond.
Confirmed Panelists (as of Dec 2025)
| Panelist | Firm | Role | Expertise | Notable Credential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jane L. Hsu | Kirkland & Ellis | Partner, Litigation & Dispute Resolution | Complex corporate litigation, ESG disputes | Co‑author of Litigation Trends 2025 |
| Mark R. Patel | Latham & Watkins | Co‑Chair,Global Finance Group | Structured finance,cross‑border M&A | Former Chief Counsel,U.S. Treasury |
| Anita G.Gomez | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & flom | Senior Counsel, Technology & data Privacy | Data‑privacy compliance, AI governance | Named “Top 40 Under 40 – Legal Innovators” |
| Victor D. Cheng | Sidley Austin | Managing Partner,Chicago Office | Real‑estate finance,ESG investing | Leads Sidley’s “Green Deal” task force |
| Rebecca S. O’Neill | In‑House, Microsoft (Legal) | General Counsel, Cloud services | Cloud‑contract negotiations, antitrust | Spearheaded Microsoft’s “AI‑First” policy |
Note: All panelists have confirmed participation and will be available for a live Q&A session after the moderated discussion.
Core Topics & Session Breakdown
- 2026 Legal Market Outlook – 45 min
- Macro‑economic forces reshaping big‑law hiring
- Impact of AI‑driven document review on associate billable hours
- Client‑Centric Service Models – 60 min
- Shift from “hourly billing” to value‑based pricing
- Case study: A Fortune 500 client’s 30 % cost‑reduction via blended‑fee structures
- ESG & Lasting Finance – 50 min
- Emerging regulatory frameworks (SEC Climate Disclosure Rule)
- Practical steps for law firms to embed ESG expertise in practice groups
- Technology & Data Privacy – 55 min
- Navigating GDPR‑EU and CCPA‑CA updates in 2026
- AI‑generated contracts: risk mitigation tactics
- Talent Development & Retention – 40 min
- Hybrid work policies and associate well‑being metrics
- structured mentorship programs that reduce turnover by 15 %
- Live Q&A and Networking – 80 min
- Attendees submit questions via the Archyde event app
- 30‑minute structured networking roundtable (virtual breakout rooms)
benefits for Attendees
- Strategic Insight: Direct access to senior partners who shape firm‑wide policies, enabling participants to anticipate client demands and adapt practice strategies.
- Career Advancement: Understand the competencies (e.g., AI fluency, ESG literacy) that top firms prioritize for promotion pipelines.
- Practical Tools: Downloadable cheat‑sheet on “Value‑Based Billing templates” and a “Data‑privacy Compliance Checklist” curated by panelists.
- Networking Capital: 1‑on‑1 virtual meet‑ups with panelists and peer attorneys, logged in the Archyde networking hub for post‑event follow‑up.
Practical Tips for Maximizing the Experience
- Pre‑Event Planning
- Review the “2025 Big Law report” (published by Thomson Reuters) to familiarize yourself with baseline metrics.
- Submit at least three specific questions through the archyde portal 48 hours before the event.
- During the Panel
- Use the “Live Note‑Taking” feature in the Archyde app to tag key takeaways by topic (e.g.,ESG,AI).
- Participate in the real‑time polls; results are shared instantly and inform the Q&A focus.
- Post‑Event Follow‑Up
- Export your annotated notes and email the panelist you engaged with, referencing a specific point they made.
- Apply one actionable advice within 30 days and track impact (e.g., pilot a blended‑fee model for a midsize client).
How to Leverage Panel Insights for Firm Growth
- integrate ESG Expertise
- Create a cross‑functional ESG task force; assign a senior associate to lead ESG due‑diligence checklists for M&A deals.
- Use the panel’s “Green Deal” framework as a template for internal policy updates.
- Adopt Value‑Based Pricing
- Pilot a “Fixed‑Fee Transaction” for a low‑risk, high‑volume client segment.
- Track profitability against traditional hourly rates; adjust based on the panel’s KPI benchmarks.
- Elevate Tech Competency
- Develop an internal “AI‑legal Tools” training series, mirroring the panel’s discussion on AI‑generated contracts.
- Design a “Privacy impact Assessment” protocol aligned with the latest CCPA and GDPR guidance highlighted by Anita Gomez.
Real‑World example: Sidley Austin’s Chicago ESG Initiative
In 2024, Sidley Austin’s Chicago office, under Victor Cheng’s leadership, launched an ESG advisory unit that secured $2.3 billion in sustainable finance mandates within 12 months. The unit’s success stemmed from:
- Early adoption of the SEC’s climate‑related disclosure framework.
- Cross‑selling ESG services to existing corporate clients during merger negotiations.
The panel will dissect this case, offering a step‑by‑step roadmap for firms looking to replicate similar growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need a Northwestern Law affiliation to attend? | No. The event is open to all legal professionals; registration is free for archyde members and $199 for non‑members. |
| Will the session be recorded? | Yes.A full video archive will be available on the Archyde Learning center within 48 hours, accessible to registrants onyl. |
| Can I request a one‑on‑one meeting with a panelist? | limited “office‑hour” slots (5 min each) will be offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis via the Archyde booking tool. |
| Is there a certification of attendance? | Participants receive a digital certificate and 2 CPD credits approved by the State Bar of Illinois. |
Related Resources
- Northwestern law Big Law Insights Blog – weekly posts on market data and career advice.
- 2025 Big Law talent Survey (link: archyde.com/resources/big‑law‑2025‑survey) – in‑depth analysis of associate satisfaction and turnover trends.
- AI Governance for Law Firms – whitepaper co‑authored by Anita Gomez (download: archyde.com/ai‑governance‑whitepaper).
Prepared by Danielfoster, Content Writer – Archyde.com
