National Hellenic Museum’s
The Trial of Pericles
Wednesday, April 17
7 p.m. at the Harris Theater
Nationally renowned attorneys to argue ancient Greek case regarding voting rights, including Katerina Alexopoulos (U.S. Department of Homeland Security), Patrick M. Collins (King & Spalding), Tinos Diamantatos (Morgan, Lewis & Bockius), Sarah F. King (Clifford Law Offices), James C. Pullos (Clifford Law Offices) and Patrick A. Salvi II (Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard)
Judges include Ret. Circuit Court Judge Anna H. Demacopoulos, Circuit Court Judge Anthony C. Kyriakopoulos, and U.S. District Court Judge Lindsay C. Jenkins
Jurors include Democratic nominee for Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke and President-Elect of the Chicago Bar Association John C. Sciaccotta
CHICAGO (April 10, 2024) — The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) is proud to announce the prominent attorneys, judges, and jurors for The Trial of Pericles on Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph Street, Chicago). Bringing together nationally renowned attorneys in a contemporary courtroom setting, The Trial of Pericles continues NHM’s exploration of how the ancient Greeks grappled with timeless controversies that continue to influence modern society. At this dynamic live event, prosecutors and defense attorneys present an ancient case regarding citizenship, voting rights, and Pericles, the great hero of Athenian democracy—with audience members casting their votes to decide the final verdict. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the NHM website.
The prosecution team for the Trial of Pericles includes attorneys Katerina Alexopoulos (U.S. Department of Homeland Security), Patrick M. Collins (King & Spalding LLP), and Tinos Diamantatos (Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP). Presenting the defense of Pericles will be Sarah F. King, (Clifford Law Offices PC), James C. Pullos (Clifford Law Offices PC), and Patrick A. Salvi II (Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard PC).
Judges presiding at the Trial of Pericles are Hon. Anna H. Demacopoulos (Ret. Circuit Court Judge, State of Illinois), Hon. Anthony C. Kyriakopoulos (Circuit Court Judge, State of Illinois), and Hon. Lindsay C. Jenkins (U.S. District Court Judge, Northern District of Illinois).
The April 17 event will be emceed by award-winning Chicago media personality and NHM Trustee Andrea Darlas. Prominent jurors at the Trial include: Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke (Ret.), Democratic Nominee for Cook County State’s Attorney; Steve Cochran, Host of the Steve Cochran Show on WLS AM 890; 34th Ward Alderman Bill Conway; Professor Nicholas Doumanis, Professor and Illinois Chair in Hellenic Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago; Themistocles P. Frangos, Officer of the Hellenic Bar Association; Professor Zoi Gavriilidou, Visiting Professor at the University of Chicago; Shia Kapos, Reporter for POLITICO; Cannon Lambert of Karchmar & Lambert, P.C. and Past President of the Cook County Bar Association; Commander Melinda Linas, 14th District Commander of the Chicago Police Department; John C. Sciaccotta of Aronberg Goldgehn, President-Elect of the Chicago Bar Association; Kristofer Swanson, Vice President and Practice Leader of Forensic Services at Charles River Associates; and Consul Georgia Tasiopoulou of the Greek Consulate General in Chicago.
The role of Pericles will be played by Judge Paul Lillios (Ret.) and the role of Olympia, a non-Athenian wife and mother in Athens serving as a witness for the prosecution, will be played by Judge Megan Goldish.
Tickets for the National Hellenic Museum’s The Trial of Pericles on Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph Street, Chicago) are now on sale for $100, with student tickets available for $50 with proof of ID. Attorneys who attend this event will qualify for 1.5 hours of continuing legal education (CLE). For more information and to purchase tickets, click here or call 312-655-1234.
The National Hellenic Museum recognizes and appreciates the support of its Lead Sponsors for The Trial of Pericles, as well as the generosity of all the sponsors who helped make this event possible. Lead Sponsors for this event are Calamos Investments; Clifford Law Offices; The Jaharis Family Foundation; The James A. Regas Family; and Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard.
The Trial of Pericles event co-chairs are NHM Trustees Konstantinos Armiros, counsel at Saul Ewing LLP, and Judge Anna Demacopoulos (Ret.).
The Trial of Pericles is nearly 2,500 years in the making. In 451 B.C.E., Pericles changed the Athenian Constitution to restrict citizenship to those born to two Athenian parents. He said this action was necessary to protect Athens from foreign influence, while many others saw this as tyrannical because citizens lost their civil liberties, including the right to vote. Some speculated Pericles would have faced trial for his actions had he survived the Great Plague of Athens. Now, the National Hellenic Museum brings together top litigators to argue the case and determine whether Athens’ revered statesman truly attacked democracy.
The dynamic NHM Trial Series highlights the enduring relevance and value of Greek thought and history and supports the mission of the National Hellenic Museum. It has grown both in reputation and following since its inception in 2013. In 2016, NHM’s The Trial of Antigone was broadcast on WTTW TV (PBS Chicago), and in May 2017 it was nominated for a Midwest regional Emmy. Subsequent NHM Trial Series events have also aired on public television and received regional Emmy nominations. Since 2017, the annual event has been qualified by the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (IARDC) for continuing legal education (CLE) credit. Attorneys attending the event can register for CLE credit on-site.
About the National Hellenic Museum
The National Hellenic Museum has a mission to share Greek history, art, culture, and the Greek American story. NHM preserves the Hellenic legacy and makes this rich heritage relevant today through its extensive collection of more than 10,000 physical artifacts, hundreds of oral histories, exhibitions, educational programs, and special events. Originally founded in 1983 and located in Chicago’s historic Greektown neighborhood since 2011, the museum provides lifelong learning for the community and sparks inquiry and discussion about the broader issues in our lives and society. Regular museum hours are Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.