Chicago Finance Exchange upcoming events

Book Club: Downtown (08/18/2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The Downtown Book Club will gather on August 18 at Mary Lee Corrigan's home to discuss Ralph Ellison's, Invisible Man, a continuation of their series on American Literature.

About the Book:
In this deeply compelling novel and epic milestone of American literature, a nameless narrator tells his story from the basement lair of the Invisible Man he imagines himself to be. He describes growing up in a Black community in the South, attending a Negro college from which he is expelled, moving to New York and becoming the chief spokesman of the Harlem branch of "the Brotherhood," before retreating amid violence and confusion.

Enjoy great company, delicious food, and a lively discussion. Attendees are asked to bring a dish or beverage to share.

Michigan Summer Brunch (08/23/2026)

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

CFE member Barbara Best invites you to a lakeside brunch on Sunday, August 23, in Buchanan, Michigan. Enjoy a relaxing and fun afternoon with CFE friends. Weather permitting, there are kayaks, paddle boards, and floaties for those who want to spend time on the water.

The brunch is a potluck. You will be asked to select the type of dish you will provide during registration. Quantities for each ticket type are limited to ensure a variety of options.

Registration is capped at 25 attendees. A waitlist will be established should the event reach capacity. Note the start time is 11:00 am Central Time/Noon Eastern Time.

Bright Endeavors Volunteer Candle Event (08/26/2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

You've seen their candles at our events, and maybe even purchased a few. Now, the Philanthropy Committee invites you to participate in a volunteer session at Bright Endeavors, where together we'll join in their mission through a unique, hands-on experience co-led by young moms in their job training program.

Through the art and science of candle making, you'll see firsthand how innovative practices, informed by brain and behavioral science, help everyone build a strong set of professional skills at any stage of their career.

Space is limited.

Cocktails & Connections: Downtown (09/10/2026)

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Chicago Finance Exchange members are invited to an evening of drinks, light bites, and conversation at TorreBlanc's office on September 10. Hosted by CFE member Joanna Herrick and featuring Ally Shoes, this casual, after-work gathering is all about building relationships and enjoying genuine conversation. No formal program, just a chance to unwind, connect, and see the latest collection from Ally Shoes.

Shoes will be available for purchase, and 5% of all sales will be donated to CFE's partner philanthropy, New Moms.

Dinner Program: An Insider's View of the U.S. Supreme Court (09/22/2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 22:30:00 GMT

CFE is delighted to welcome back a past dynamic dinner speaker, Linda Coberly, nationally recognized appellate lawyer and Co-Chair of Winston Taylor LLP’s Litigation Department.

Drawing on her extensive Supreme Court experience, including her service as a law clerk to Justice Stephen G. Breyer, Linda will offer an insider’s perspective on the Court’s current culture, the growing significance of its shadow docket, and the consequential issues likely to emerge during the Supreme Court term beginning in October 2026.

Following her remarks, Linda will join CFE President Barbara Best for a timely conversation about what Supreme Court activity may mean for businesses and financial leaders. Their discussion will explore the potential impact on regulation, the expanding use of executive orders, and the broader legal and business environment. The evening will conclude with questions from the audience.

Guests are welcome. Reserve your spot today!

Sponsorship Opportunities: Click to view the sponsor brochure
Premier Event Sponsor: $5,000
Table Sponsor: $3,000

About Linda Coberly:

Linda is recognized as one of the nation’s leading appellate lawyers by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US, and The Best Lawyers in America®. Clients describe her as “a tremendously talented, thoughtful lawyer” who is highly effective in defending their interests.

Linda founded Winston’s award-winning Appellate & Critical Motions Practice and now co-leads its Litigation Department. She also serves on the firm’s Executive Committee.

She has argued more than 80 appeals, including before the U.S. Supreme Court, nine federal courts of appeals, and numerous state appellate and supreme courts. Her wide-ranging practice spans securities, product liability, and other complex litigation, and she frequently advises trial teams on critical legal issues with significant appellate implications.

A substantial portion of Linda’s practice focuses on advising and representing clients in matters before the U.S. Supreme Court. Her recent successes include securing a unanimous 9–0 reversal for Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation in a case that clarified the scope of private claims under Rule 10b-5. She also served as lead appellate lawyer and led the briefing in the firm’s unanimous Supreme Court victory on behalf of student-athletes challenging the NCAA’s amateurism rules.

Book Club: West Suburban (10/06/2026)

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join fellow Chicago Finance Exchange members on Tuesday, October 6, for dinner and a social discussion of the book, The Displacements, by Bruce Holsinger. The novel is a suspenseful read plotted on a vast national tapestry that thrillingly explores what happens when privilege is lost and resilience is tested in a swiftly changing world. Enjoy great company, delicious food, and a lively discussion. Whether you've finished the book or are just curious, all are welcome to join the conversation!

About the Book

To all appearances, the Larsen-Hall family has everything: healthy children, a stable marriage, a lucrative career for Brantley, and the means for Daphne to pursue her art full-time. Their deluxe new Miami life has just clicked into place when Luna, the world’s first category 6 hurricane, upends everything they have taken for granted.

When the storm makes landfall, it triggers a descent of another sort. Their home destroyed, two of its members missing, and finances abruptly cut off, the family finds everything they assumed about their lives now up for grabs.