June 2011 Diversity Leadership Council Newsletter

By Richard A. Wilson

When the new Act took effect on June 1, Illinois joined 11 U.S. States and the District of Columbia that now recognize legal unions between same-sex couples.

By Annemarie E. Kill

The ISBA has taken a lead as one of the few bar associations to pass a formal resolution in support of CEDAW.

By Sandra Crawford

Are our efforts to promote diversity in ISBA membership working? Check out the ISBA's census data here.

By Juan Andrade

Learn more about this nationally acclaimed Chicago-based nonprofit that, since it began its community empowerment work in 1982, has increased the number of Hispanics registered to vote from 82,000 to over 200,000.

By Jayne Reardon

Now, thanks to the Illinois Supreme Court’s recent approval of a recommendation of the Commission on Professionalism, experienced attorneys supporting the development of new lawyers through an approved mentoring program may receive professional responsibility CLE credit under new Supreme Court Rule 795(d)(12), and activities around diversity and inclusion are a key component of the Commission’s approved mentoring plan.

By Jennifer M. Sender

Throughout the plan year, the Diversity Scholarship Foundation offers support to small, medium, and large law firms to become their “diversity partners” and encourages mentoring and recruitment of minority attorneys. As a diversity partner, the DSF will work hand-in-hand with the leadership of these firms to structure and implement a diversity plan of action beyond mere lip service.

By Annemarie E. Kill

With approximately 30,000 members, the ISBA is the largest voluntary statewide organization of lawyers in Illinois. This Resolution advances our association’s goal of inclusion by reflecting the changing face of our profession.

By Paula H. Holderman

The ISBA and the Illinois Bar Foundation, through the M. Denny Hassakis Fund, have agreed to make a one-time contribution of $37,500 to run the three-week pilot program for 40 disadvantaged minority eighth-grade graduates. It is the expectation and hope of the ISBA in collaboration with the Illinois legal community, that this initial pilot program will expand to a statewide initiative of intensive summer programs and regular Saturday programming during the school year.

By Marc A. Garcia

Since 2002, through the Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the Human Rights Campaign has surveyed major businesses, including law firms, to benchmark important employer benefits and protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees and their families.

The Diversity Leadership Award recognizes long-standing, continuing and exceptional commitment by an individual or an organization to the critical importance of diversity within the Illinois legal community, its judiciary and within the Illinois State Bar Association.

By Melissa M. Olivero

Nearly 100 people commemorated Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the annual Luminary of Hope event in October.

The Diversity Leadership Fellows program had its inaugural year in 2010-2011. The goal of the Fellows program is to increase diversity in the membership of ISBA section councils, committees, and other leadership positions, to educate young lawyers about the work, structure, and policies of the ISBA, and to ultimately to develop a diverse group of future leaders of the organization.

By Annemarie E. Kill

Read about some of the highlights of the work done by the diversity-related ISBA committees and section councils this bar year.

By E. Lynn Grayson

The ISBA diversity Web page serves as a central repository of the latest diversity-related information, activities and events within the bar association as well as the Illinois legal community. The Web page also provides insight into recent diversity led initiatives and highlights the progress of other Task Force recommendations.