Ethics: Model Rule 8.4(g) and Unconstitutional Limits on Attorney Expression

Mr. Eckler is a Partner in Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP’s Chicago office and is Co-Chair of the firm's Professional Liability / Errors and Omissions national practice section, Vice-Chair of the firm’s Midwest Coverage Team, Vice-Chair of the firm's Transactional Risks/Representations & Warranties practice team, and a member of the firm’s Appellate Advocacy Section. He is a highly experienced litigator who focuses his practice on professionals, insurers, and businesses in disputes in state and federal courts across Illinois and Indiana. In addition to working at the trial level, Mr. Eckler has successfully represented clients in numerous appellate matters and filed several amicus briefs on behalf of defense organizations. He is active in the organized defense bar both at the state and national level. Mr. Eckler is a past president of the PLDF and current Second Vice President of the Illinois Defense Counsel. He is on the Amicus Committee of the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana and is a member of the DRI Third-Party Litigation Task Force. Mr. Eckler publishes a weekly column, For the Defense, in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, is the civil practice columnist for the IDC Quarterly, and is a frequent contributor to the PLDF Quarterly. He is a member of the Rules Committee and Chair of the Special Committee on Advocacy for the Appellate Lawyers Association. Mr. Eckler also gives an annual Illinois insurance coverage update to the Insurance Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. He is very active on LinkedIn with three posts daily focusing on developments in the law in Illinois and Indiana and trends impacting civil justice. Finally, Mr. Eckler co-hosts the Podium and Panel Podcast where they discuss recent oral arguments before the Illinois and Indiana courts of review, the Seventh Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mr. Samp has specialized in appellate litigation with a focus on constitutional law. He served as Chief Counsel of the Washington Legal Foundation for more than 30 years and recently retired after serving four years as Senior Litigation Counsel at the New Civil Liberties Alliance.  Mr. Samp has participated directly in more than 200 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including as counsel of record in Garland v. Cargill, a case being heard by the Court this term. Mr. Samp is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School and clerked for a federal judge in Detroit.

Ms. Wagenmaker provides legal counsel in corporate, tax, employment, and real estate matters for nonprofits operating on local, national, and international levels. Her clients include churches and other religious organizations, social service providers, and schools. Her corporate and tax work includes development of new tax-exempt entities, providing guidance for effective nonprofit governance and other operational legal issues. In addition, she represents clients in property tax exemption matters for charitable, religious, and educational purposes, shared occupancy arrangements, and property transfers.