The Catalyst

The newsletter of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Women and the Law

2006 Articles

11th Annual Networking Breakfast at the Annual Meeting at Lake Geneva June 2006 Southern Illinois University School of Law is once again sponsoring the Networking Breakfast hosted by the Women and the Law Committee during the Annual Meeting at the Abbey in Lake Geneva. The buffet breakfast will be held at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2006.
Ann B. Jorgensen: First Woman Chief Judge of the Eighteenth Circuit June 2006 A graduate of Loyola University and DePaul University College of Law in 1980, Judge Ann Jorgensen started her legal career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in DuPage County and in 1984 entered into private practice in the law offices of John F. Donahue, becoming a partner in the firm of Donahue, Jorgensen, Sowa and Bugos.
Celebrating the past, fighting for the future By Patrice Ball-Reed March 2006 The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), Black Women Lawyers Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), Cook County Bar Association (CCBA), National Council of Negro Women-Chicago Midwest Section (NCNW-CMS) and 19 other organizations co-hosted a Midwest Voting Rights Act (VRA) Leadership Summit on January 20, 2006.
The Chicago Foundation for Women June 2006 The lead article in the March 2006 Catalyst, “Supreme Court Justice Talks About the ‘F’ Word,” summarized the remarks of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg when she was the recipient of an award from the Chicago Foundation for Women.
Choosing the child care option that is right for you By Annemarie E. Kill March 2006 When my partners and I began our firm in 2000, we were three women who were just starting our families.
Domestic violence: Silent witness, silent killer By Shadia Haddad October 2006 We all know the difference between a battery and a domestic battery. It’s obvious, right? Just add a relationship element to the equation and voi-law!
Donate a dollar to “WE” June 2006 For our readers who are not already aware, the ISBA Women and the Law Committee partners yearly with WOMEN EVERYWHERE: Partners in Service Project, Inc. (“WE”), to solicit and coordinate volunteer activities for women and children in need around the state.
Dupuy v. Samuels (DCFS Director), re DCFS safety plans case report By Angela Peters June 2006 Entire families, including mothers, fathers, children, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, male and females of any description are possible persons who can be affected by DCFS safety plans.
Ending domestic violence one family at a time By Jennifer Djordjevic January 2006 Domestic violence does not discriminate.
Flexible hours policies: Success strategies for you and your law firm By E. Lynn Grayson October 2006 All attorneys share a common aspiration—a career that allows for a rich, meaningful personal life coupled with ongoing opportunities for professional development and advancement.
From the Chair By Claire A. Manning October 2006 It is with honor and pleasure that I assume the position as Chair of the standing committee on Women & the Law.
The gift of fear: What listening to intuition can do for women lawyers By Amie M. Simpson October 2006 Imagine fear as a gift. Image being able to fine-tune your intuition in such a way that you can anticipate dangerous situations BEFORE they become dangerous...
Irene F. Bahr, ISBA President Elect June 2006 The Woman and the Law Committee is proud that one of its founding members, and a strong supporter of women in the legal profession, Irene F. Bahr, will be installed on June 16, 2006, as the 130th president of the Illinois State Bar Association, and only the third woman to hold this position.
Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow announces her retirement June 2006 The recipient of numerous awards, including the Glass Ceiling Buster Award from the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers and the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award from the American Bar Association, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow has served as a shining example and mentor to women attorneys throughout her magnificent legal career.
The lawyer as peacemaker and healer By Sandra Crawford January 2006 As we in the western hemisphere in winter in recognition of the season of lights, peace and brotherly love, it seems appropriate to explore the role of the lawyer as peacemaker and healer and give thanks for the opportunity the practice of law gives each of us to “bring peace into room.”
Lawyer, Know Thyself—Let’s look together behind the facade of a profession in the law for women By Sandra Crawford June 2006 Several incidents, events and conversations converged recently which brought me to reading the book and formulating the ideas I wish to share with you here.
Letter from the Chair By Meredith E. Ritchie March 2006 Thanks to all of you who have participated in our committee events thus far this year! Due to an active, dedicated committee, we have surpassed our expectations (certainly my expectations).
Negotiation and emotions, not mutually exclusive concepts By Sandra Crawford October 2006 Negotiation is part of the fabric of your daily lives and the key function of much of work as attorneys, as mothers, as spouses, as committee members, etc.
The new MCLE rules: An overview By Michele M. Jochner January 2006 After several years of discussion and debate, the Illinois Supreme Court, on September 29, 2005, adopted new and amended rules requiring all active practitioners licensed in Illinois to comply with a “Minimum Continuing Legal Education” (MCLE) requirement.
Senate Bill 475—Cause for concern or self-generated crisis? By Laninya A. Cason January 2006 On August 25, 2005, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Alton, Illinois, Governor Rod Blagojevich signed into law Senate Bill 475 which, among other things, effectively places statutory limitations (caps) on noneconomic damages (e.g. pain and suffering) for plaintiffs who file lawsuits against physicians and hospitals.
Special needs of girls and women in prison: What can we do? By Sharon L. Eiseman October 2006 During its 2005-06 term, the Women and the Law Committee welcomed special guest speaker Lori Levin, Executive Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, to one of our meetings.
Supreme Court Justice talks about the “F” word By Sandra Crawford March 2006 On Saturday, December 10, 2005, the Chicago Foundation of Women (CFW) honored U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by inaugurating an award in her name and conducting a discussion with a panel of prominent women, including the Honorable Judge Ann Williams, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Members of the ISBA Women and the Law Committee were fortunate to have been invited to the event.
With gratitude to Ms. Parks, and Ms. Vinson, and the fighters yet to come… By Kaethe Morris Hoffer March 2006 There is a woman to whom all equality-loving people owe much. Her name is Michelle Vinson, and she is a rape survivor. She fought for justice and dignity for herself and changed the world for all Americans, especially women.
Women and the Law reception at the Creve Coeur Club in Peoria By Elizabeth L. Jensen June 2006 The Women and the Law Committee has sponsored numerous receptions throughout the state of Illinois to offer an opportunity for women attorneys to network and socialize.
Women in the news June 2006 Congratulations to the new women members of the ISBA Board of Governors: ANITA M. DE CARLO, Chicago (Under 37 – Cook County); and ELIZABETH L. JENSEN, Peoria (Area IV – 10th, 14th & 15th Circuits).