Prestigious Panel Discussed Recent High Profile Corruption Cases including Ryan, Blagojevich and U.S. v. Stevens

CHICAGO (July 28, 2009) – Perkins Coie lawyer and former federal prosecutor Patrick Collins moderated an ABA Presidential Showcase Program on issues arising in high-profile Illinois corruption cases involving George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich and Antoin "Tony" Rezko and in the corruption trial of former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens.

The program was held on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 10:30 am at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Regency Ballroom D, Gold Level, West Tower

Collins was joined by an exceptional panel, including:

• Hon. Abner J. Mikva, Chief Judge, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals D.C. (Retired) and current chair of Governor Quinn's Admissions Review Commission
• Hon. Amy St. Eve, U. S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, who presided over the high-profile prosecutions of Antoin "Tony" Rezko and Conrad Black
• Hon. Paul L. Friedman, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, who presided over the trial of David Safavian, related to the Jack Abramoff investigation
• Edward Genson, Partner, Genson & Gillespie and former attorney for impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
• Robert Cary, Partner, Williams & Connolly LLP and trial counsel for U.S. Senator Ted Stevens
• Laurie Barsella, Chief, Public Corruption and Organized Crime, US Attorney's office, Northern District of Illinois

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