On May 29, the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) will bring trial lawyers and judges together for its inaugural Trial Master Symposium and Larry R. Rogers, Sr., Awards Ceremony.
According to CCBA President Antonio C. Lee, the one-day CLE will “equip attorneys and law students with skills in civil trial advocacy, advanced litigation strategies, and courtroom mastery.“ This includes insight from trial lawyers and judges into the stages of trial practice, trial techniques, and strategies for complex and high-profile cases.
The symposium will conclude by honoring CCBA Past President Larry R. Rogers, Jr., with an award that bears his father’s name: The Larry R. Rogers, Sr. Trial Master Award.
Larry Rogers, Jr., who will also present on “Mastering Expert Witnesses” during the CLE, is an experienced trial lawyer at Power Rogers LLP. We spoke with him ahead of the event about civility, the challenges lawyers face today, and what he does to unwind.
How do you remain civil in tense situations?
Over time, I have learned that it is important to remain civil and respectful. That applies to how you address the court, your opponents, your clients, and the defendants that you are suing.
Engaging in less than respectful behavior detracts from what you are trying to convey and puts the focus on the messenger and not the message.
I try to de-escalate tense situations with respectful comments toward my opponents and breaks during litigation. That usually works well. When I am wrong, I also make it a point to apologize without delay.
How can lawyers better connect with the public?
Lawyers are the face of the law in many respects because they interact with clients, witnesses, and the general public.
I consider myself a lawyer in and outside of court and try to carry myself in a professional and respectful way at all times. I represent myself and our judicial system, and I want people in the community to respect both.
What is the biggest challenge impacting lawyers today?
One of the biggest challenges facing lawyers and the profession today is maintaining the law as a profession that fights for people and not just a business seeking clients.
Current legal advertising by some, not all, has degraded the profession in many respects. That is not what the law and our profession are about. It is about people, their problems, and helping them navigate their problems. Anything that suggests otherwise damages the integrity of the profession.
What do you do for fun?
I have been blessed to have a great wife and four beautiful children who love and like each other. While I enjoy dinner and socializing with good friends, nothing compares to quality family time for me. It is the BEST!
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Larry R. Rogers, Jr., serves as chairperson of the Illinois Supreme Court’s Rules Committee and was past president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. He received the 2025 Chicago Bar Association Vanguard Award and will be honored by the Illinois Bar Foundation with its Distinguished Award for Excellence on October 16, 2026.
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