P. Michael Mahoney (Rockford, Illinois) Chapter

The Stanley J. Rozkowski United States Courthouse. Rockford, Illinois

The P. Michael Mahoney Chapter of the Federal Bar Association was approved and chartered in 2014. We were named after the honorable P. Michael “Mike” Mahoney who devoted thirty six years on the bench and was the longest serving magistrate judge in the federal district courts when he retired in 2012. We are proud to say he is still a member of our chapter and continues to practice law. Our Chapter is committed to the promotion of the welfare, interests, and education of its members. Additionally, we strive to promote professional and social interaction among members and serve as a representative of the federal legal profession in the Norther District of Illinois, Western Division.

After much work, we were able to implement the Prisoner’s Rights Project with the Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2018. The project allows third year law students to represent inmates from the Dixon Correctional Facility who file civil rights claims in the U.S. District Court. While under the supervision and guidance of an adjunct teacher, the students participate in every component of the law suit including discovery, motion practice, depositions, and trial.

Additionally, we implemented a civics initiative program. Our judges have invited local students to the courthouse to learn about the judicial system and tour the building, and hosted classes of third graders to participate in a mock bankruptcy trial.

We also host continuing legal education programs covering a variety of topics of interest to our members, and have participated in fund raising efforts to help those in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are always working on promoting our membership and looking for ways to be advance our mission. Stay tuned as we have more projects in the works. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact the Chapter’s President or any one of our officers (login required). We would love to hear from you.