Former U.S. attorney to lead panel discussion on gun violence in Chicago

CHICAGO - Zach Fardon, Visiting Distinguished Scholar at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and former U.S. attorney, will lead a panel discussion, “Gun Violence in Chicago: Perspectives from Not-for-Profit Community Leaders,” at noon, Wednesday, Jan. 17.

The discussion, which is free and open to the public, will take place at Northwestern Law in the Rubloff building, Aspen Hall, room 150, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Lunch will be provided and an RSVP is encouraged.

Panelists include:

• Ricardo Estrada -- President/CEO for Metropolitan Family Services
• Teny Gross -- Executive Director for Institute for Nonviolence Chicago
• A.J. Watson -- National Director for Becoming A Man (B.A.M.)

This will be the third in a series of talks led by Fardon during the 2017-2018 academic year. Fardon’s first lecture held in October, “Gun Violence in Chicago: Past, Present and the Long Path Forward,”is available for viewing here. The second lecture, “Gun Violence in Chicago: Perspectives from Law Enforcement,” took place Nov. 9.

During his tenure at the Law School, Fardon will lead a series of talks about gun violence in Chicago, a timely and significant topic. He will speak directly on this issue and also moderate conversations with stakeholders from the legal, nonprofit and law enforcement communities.

Fardon served as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois from 2013 until early 2017. Under his leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s office was recognized for numerous significant investigations and prosecutions involving international terrorism and terrorism financing, public corruption, corporate fraud, violent crime, narcotics and gangs. As U.S. Attorney, Fardon directed the implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal anti-gun violence initiative with the Chicago Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Now he is managing partner and head of litigation of the Chicago office of King & Spalding.