Trial of Socrates

Athens convicted him.
History acquitted him.
Now you be the judge!

Event FAQ

• Please note: This event is sold out
• Open seating
• No physical ticket(s) will be issued
• Please check in at door
• Parking is not included with ticket
• Available nearby parking: Palmer House Valet Parking, Grant Park Garage, Mid-Continent Plaza Self-Park, Adams-Wabash Self-Park

About the Trial

The most significant legal appeal in nearly 2,500 years will take place  at the Palmer House Hotel Grand Ballroom located at 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603 on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 6:00 p.m., when we will re-try the biggest freedom of speech case of all times.

Judge Richard A. Posner presiding, William J. Bauer, former Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, and Anna Demacopoulos, Circuit Court Judge, and a jury of twelve distinguished citizens of Chicago, will decide the validity of these charges, admittedly of little interest to the defendant himself!

As a member of the audience, you will hear arguments by some of the country’s foremost legal minds.  Socrates will be defended by Dan Webb (Winston & Strawn) and Robert A. Clifford (Clifford Law Offices). Counsel for the City of Athens, former U.S. Attorney Pat Fitzgerald (Skadden, Arps) and former prosecutor Patrick M. Collins (Perkins Coie), will attempt to shed light on the age-old question: why must Athens, the birthplace of democracy, put to death a 70-year-old philosopher who exercised the fundamental right of freedom of speech?

The jury will include: The Honorable John J. Cullerton, Illinois Senate President, The Honorable Walter Burnett, Alderman, 27th Ward, The Honorable Margaret Frossard, John Marshall Law School, The Honorable Peggy Chiampas, Cook County Associate Judge, John P. Calamos, Sr., Chairman, Calamos Investments, George Anastaplo, Professor of Law, Loyola University, Thomas Minogue, Managing Partner, Thompson Coburn LLP, Dean R. Glassberg, Regional President, First Midwest Bank, Anna Davlantes, Host “Good Day Chicago,” Fox Chicago, Paul Meincke, Anchor, WLS-TV, Dan Mihalopoulos, Chicago Sun-Times, Ameet Sachdev, Chicago Tribune, Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times, Larry Yellen, Anchor, FOX 32 News.

Attending the Trial

$1,500
Friends Circle includes: two invitations to Trial of Socrates,
to the reception immediately following, plus recognition
in the program book and on website.

To find out more information, please contact President Connie Mourtoupalas at cmortoupalas@hellenicmuseum.org.

$100
One invitation to Trial of Socrates and to the reception immediately following.

$50
One student invitation to Trial of Socrates. Must present valid school id.  Purchase tickets in the Museum store only.

 

Sponsoring this Special Event

Become a sponsor and bring this thought-provoking trial to the people of Chicagoland, including the legal, academic and student communities.