Chair column

The Standing Committee on Women and the Law celebrated Women’s History Month (March) in full stride. In celebration of International Women’s Day, 54 women gathered together on March 8th with pinky fingers raised for our first annual celebratory High Tea at Russian Tea Time in Chicago. It was an excellent networking opportunity in the company of women attorneys representing numerous practice areas and bar association affiliations far beyond the ISBA. It could not have been more of a success! Congratulations to WATL members Staci Balbirer and Erin Wilson on coordinating such an outstanding event.

We rounded out the month with my final meeting as Chair, which took place outside of Cook County at the Acquaviva Winery in Maple Park, Illinois (near DeKalb). Thank you to member Alice Sackett on coordinating our day in such a beautiful place out in the country. Committee members in attendance were joined by past-Chair Sandra Crawford and candidate for Third Vice President, Lisa Nyuli. With the aid of a pre-lunch wine tasting, our committee engaged in a lively discussion regarding our tradition of promoting the exceptional work of our fellow female attorneys in addition to our regular business agenda.

We have continued that tradition this year in submitting over 10 different nominations of both committee members and non-members for various awards given by the ISBA and other organizations. We are still waiting on most of the results, but we have one very special award to cheer about. On the nomination written by our CLE liaison and former Chair, Annmarie Kill, Secretary Lori Levin was selected as a 2017 ISBA Laureate! Just one of two female Laureate winners this year, Lori was inducted into the history annals of the ISBA at a luncheon ceremony on March 30, 2017. Congratulations Lori!

Finally we are looking forward to our final event of this Bar year! On May 11, 2017, at the gorgeous ceremonial courtroom at Loyola University Chicago, School of Law, together with the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, we will present a luncheon screening of the new documentary feature film, Balancing the Scales. The screening will be followed by a discussion led by the filmmaker and attorney Sharon Rowan, Esq. CLE credit will be included in the price. See the enclosed flier for registration information and a link to the trailer for the film. Hope to see everyone there! 