A Glimpse Into the Gala

For more than 55 years, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee has shown up – in court, in our communities, and in the fight for civil rights. We have challenged discriminatory housing practices, defended voter access, fought for public schools, and stood alongside our communities fighting for a more just and equitable society. We have never backed down and we are not about to start. We know we cannot do it alone.

This November, we are asking you to stand with us. Be part of the Good Trouble Gala. For decades, Chicago Lawyers' Committee has brought together Chicago's legal community and civic leaders to raise funds and awareness for our civil rights work. The Gala has evolved each year to reflect the issues most urgently facing our communities.

The Good Trouble Gala takes its name from the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis — the civil rights icon who dedicated his life to the ballot and the belief that ordinary people, equipped with courage and solidarity, can change the arc of history.

Our Focus

This year's Good Trouble Gala shines a spotlight on Midwest Voting Rights & Democracy and our urgent fight to protect and expand this essential work across the Midwest. As the only Lawyers' Committee affiliate in the region, Chicago Lawyers' Committee stands at the forefront of this battle — in courts, at statehouses, and in communities — to ensure every eligible voter can freely and fairly cast their ballot. At a moment when voting rights face unprecedented pressure, the 2026 Gala is our chance to come together, raise the resources needed to fight back, and recommit to the principle that access to the ballot is the foundation of every other right.

Keynote Address

This year, we are thrilled to have the brilliant Neal Katyal, lawyer and former Acting Solicitor General of the United States, join us as our featured speaker!

Mr. Katyal has argued 54 cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, including the landmark 6-3 win in Learning Resources v. Trump (2026), which struck down the tariffs imposed by the President—a decision that the New York Times described as the most important ruling by the Supreme Court this century.