Upcoming Events

Purchase Discounted Tickets Today

for the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section's All Bar Networking Social,

Co-sponsored by BWLA

BWLA is proud to co-sponsor and participate again this year in the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section's All Bar Networking Social on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard Street, Chicago, Illinois from 5:00-7:00pm. Purchase your ticket today to attend an evening of networking and socializing with hundreds of lawyers, law students, and judges from the Chicagoland legal community and bar associations. Representatives from the BWLA Young/New Lawyers' Committee will be in attendance at the event - make sure to stop by and learn more about upcoming BWLA events, sign up for one of BWLA committees, pay your BWLA membership dues, and participate in our raffle!

Tickets are $50 and include a wristband drink package and appetizers. BWLA members can purchase discounted tickets ($40) by using the promotional code "Network." Purchase your ticket today through the link below!

Save the Date:

BWLA Mentoring Program Orientation

BWLA is proud to be a sponsoring organization for the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism’s Lawyer-to-Lawyer mentoring program. BWLA is excited by the response it has received from those interested in mentoring and/or being mentored as part of the BWLA's Mentoring Program that we are relaunching this fall.

For those people who submitted interest forms to be a mentor or mentee, please save the date and stay tuned for more information about the upcoming BWLA Mentoring Program Orientation hosted by BWLA sponsor Ropes & Gray at 191 N. Wacker Driver, Chicago, Illinois, on September 15, 2025 from 5:30-7:30pm. The evening will include an opportunity for mentors and mentees to meet, connect, and mingle over drinks and appetizers, and learn more about the program from BWLA Past President and Mentoring Program Committee Co-Chair Renai Rodney and Mark Palmer, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. During the meeting, attendees will also complete the mandatory Mentoring Program orientation. It is sure to be an inspiring and fun evening of connection and community!

Those who have submitted interest forms to be a mentor or mentee will receive further information about their matches and the BWLA Mentoring Program Orientation via email in the weeks to come. We look forward to seeing you on September 15th for the launch orientation!

Save the Date:

BWLA Fall General Body Meeting

and Committees Fair

Save the date to join BWLA for its upcoming 2025 Fall General Body Meeting and Committees Fair on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 5:30-8:00pm. This year, the meeting with be hosted by BWLA sponsor Chapman and Cutler at 320 South Canal Street, Chicago, Illinois. BWLA is looking forward to welcoming BWLA members, friends, supporters, sponsors, and allies for an evening of networking and fellowship, where attendees can learn more about upcoming BWLA events and various ways to get involved with BWLA this Bar year, including joining one of its committees.

Stayed tuned for more details on how to register to attend the meeting and for more information about this year's Special Guest Speaker for the meeting. You will not want to miss it!

BWLA Membership and Committees

GET INVOLVED:

Sign Up Today to Volunteer or Serve as a Co-Chair for the BWLA Judicial Evaluation Committee

BWLA is one of a thirteen-member consortium of bar associations known as the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening (“Alliance”). As an Alliance member, BWLA's Judicial Evaluation Committee investigates, interviews and evaluates judicial candidates for the purpose of issuing a rating of "Recommended" or "Not Recommended." Ratings are based on a fair, accurate, and complete evaluation of a candidate and are not to be construed as an endorsement. Ratings are advisory only and are a crucial tool in educating and informing our members and the public about candidates during elections. 

The BWLA Judicial Evaluation Committee is in need of volunteers to represent BWLA in this critical work of ensuring judicial candidates are fit. Eligible volunteers must be law students (2L or above), law school graduates, and not currently serving or running as a judge. Investigators review candidate materials and conduct brief interviews with approximately 20 attorneys to compile a summary report. Interviewers participate in confidential interviews along with other Alliance members and provide BWLA with a recommended rating based on the information collected. Training will be provided. 



The BWLA Judicial Evaluation Committee is also in need of co-chairs. You must be a current BWLA member in good standing to facilitate the evaluation process with the support of administrative staff. Co-chairs act as liaison between the Alliance, volunteers, and the Board of Directors.

If you are interested in getting more involved with BWLA and/or learning more about the judicial evaluation process, please click on the link below to complete a volunteer interest form!

Past Events

Packing for Purpose: BWLA Packs 100 Backpacks for Chicago's 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade

On Thursday, August 7, 2025, BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Chair Jasmine Fannell, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel, BWLA Treasurer Alexandra Rogers, BWLA Corresponding Secretary Kameelah Pointer, BWLA Board Members at Large Cyerra McGowan and Omoyele "Yele" Ajayi, BWLA Scholarship Fund Member Shannon Stokes, BWLA members, supporters, families, and friends came together to pack backpacks with school supplies for BWLA to hand out during this year's Bud Billiken Parade.

The lively and impactful Packing Party was sponsored and hosted by BWLA sponsor Burke, Warren, MacKay, & Serritella, P.C., who sponsored the backpack drive and donated over 100 backpacks! Together, attendees at the Packing Party quickly packed the backpacks with school supplies including paper, pencils, notebooks, rulers, folders, and more. Additionally, attendees wrote out encouraging messages and notes that were included in the backpacks. The event reflected BWLA's ongoing commitment to service, fostering community, and making positive impact.

Special thanks to BWLA sponsor Burke, Warren, MacKay, & Serritella, P.C., for its amazing sponsorship this year, to BWLA Treasurer Alexandra Rogers who secured her firm's sponsorship, and to all those who donated school supplies, backpacks, and/or volunteered at the Packing Party!

Strengthening Community, Giving Back: BWLA at Chicago's 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade

On Saturday, August 9, 2025, the BWLA Scholarship Fund Board, along with the BWLA Board of Directors, members, supporters, and allies, marched in Chicago's 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade. During the parade, BWLA passed out 100 donated backpacks filled with school supplies and encouraging messages to youth along the parade route to set them up for a successful school year ahead.

Special thanks to the following:

• BWLA Sponsor Burke, Warren, MacKay, & Serritella, P.C., who sponsored the backpack drive this year donating over 100 backpacks and also hosted the Packing Party at its firm;
• BWLA Treasurer Alexandra Rogers who secured her firm's sponsorship;
• BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Chair Jasmine Fannell, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Treasurer Alexandra Rogers, BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold, and BWLA Program Administrator Konesha "K" Rhea for coordinating the logistics for this year's BWLA at Bud Billiken Parade event;
• To the Joseph M. Fannell Memorial Foundation for their donation towards school supplies;
• All those who donated and/or packed backpacks and school supplies this year;
• All those who volunteered wagons, coolers, water, food, and snacks for the parade; and
• All our amazing volunteers, family members, and friends who joined BWLA to march in this year's parade and serve as an inspiration to the youth.

BWLA looks forward to seeing everyone at next year's parade!

BWLA Sponsors Scholarship at The Law School Mentor's 2025 Summit

On Sunday, August 10, 2025, BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Shannon Stokes, BWLA Corresponding Secretary Kameelah Pointer, BWLA Law School Outrach Committee Co-Chairs Maryah Person and Leah Hall represented BWLA at the three-day The Law School Mentor 2025 Annual Summit where BWLA proudly sponsored a $250 scholarship to an aspiring law student. This year, BWLA awarded the scholarship to Sandra "Sandi" Thuku, a graduate with a B.S. degree in Political Science from Loyola University Chicago. Sandi has already been accepted at one law school, and is currently in the process of retaking her LSAT exam to continue to expand her law school and scholarship options. This marks the third consecutive year BWLA has sponsored a scholarship for the summit, reinforcing its commitment to supporting future members of the legal profession.

Notably, BWLA Board Member at Large Jade Peeples also awarded The Change Maker Scholarship in honor of her late father, Roy Peeples, celebrating students who embody the spirit of leadership and service.

BWLA Co-Sponsors the Cook County Bar Association's CLE Panel "Power in the Paycheck: The Fight for Black Women's Economic Justice"

On Thursday, July 24, 2025, BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel and BWLA Corresponding Secretary Kameelah Pointer and others represented BWLA at the Cook County Bar Association CLE Panel "Power in the Paycheck: The Fight for Black Women’s Economic Justice," a program co-sponsored by BWLA and others and held in honor of Black Women’s Equal Pay Day.

The CLE panel featured Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Cherita Ellens (CEO, Women Employed), and Alexis White (Deputy Budget Director, City of Chicago), with BWLA Corporate Counsel Committee member Jennifer King (Executive Director, Cook County Department of Human Rights and Ethics) serving as moderator. Attendees learned about the institutional structures and systemic barriers that have contributed to pay disparities for Black women, as well as strategies for dismantling these inequities. The discussion was both educational and inspiring, reinforcing the urgent need to advocate for pay equity and to leverage our platforms to advance economic justice for Black women.

BWLA Attends the Chicago Bar Association and Chicago Bar Foundation 2025 Pro Bono and Public Service Awards Luncheon

On Friday, July 25, 2025, BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel and BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Natalie Ellis, BWLA member Erika Harold and others attended the Chicago Bar Association and Chicago Bar Foundation 2025 Annual Pro Bono and Public Service Awards Luncheon. The annual event, co-chaired this year by Chantal Kazay Rivera (McDonald's Corporation) and Marlon Lutfiyya (Neal, Gerber, & Eisenberg, LLP), honored lawyers from across the legal community whose extraordinary commitment to service reflects the ideals of equal access to justice.

This year’s honorees included Spencer Haydary (Law Center for Better Housing), Kathy Malamis (Zurich North America), the Honorable Veronica O’Malley (19th Judicial Circuit of Illinois), Rich Klawiter (DLA Piper LLP (US)), Missy Turk Firmage (Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.), Michelle Vodenik (Chicago-Kent College of Law), and Cynthia Cornelius (Cabrini Green Legal Aid). The luncheon celebrated the profound impact of pro bono work and public service on the lives of the most vulnerable members of our community.

BWLA Celebrates and Attends the National Bar Association's 100th Annual Convention

The National Bar Association hosted its 100th Annual Convention and Exhibits in Chicago at the Hyatt Regency Chicago from July 26 through August 1, 2025. The centennial convention offered a various opportunities for Black attorneys and others from across the country to come together in the Windy City to connect, network, discuss relevant and pertinent issues in the legal community and profession, and encourage and celebrate one another and the legacy and impact of the National Bar Association. BWLA proudly co-sponsored, participated in, celebrated, and attended various events and activities during the weeklong convention.

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, BWLA Past President Elsa Andrianifahanana and BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Ashlee Germany were honored with the National Bar Association's Centennial 40 under 40: Nation's Best Advocates Award at the Black-Tie Award Gala.

On Sunday, July 27, 2025, BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel, BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold, BWLA Corresponding Secretary Kameelah Pointer, BWLA longstanding member and Chicago Bar Association President the Honorable Nichole Patton and others attended the National Lawyers Convention Welcome to Chicago Wrigleyville Takeover, a social networking gathering for Black attorneys at Wrigley Field to kick off NBA Centennial Week. Judge Patton was part of the host committee for the event.

On Monday, July 28, 2025, BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold, BWLA Corresponding Secretary Kameelah Pointer, BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Shannon Stokes, BWLA Past President Era Patterson, BWLA member Scholastica Baker and others attended BWLA Sponsor Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP's Cocktails and Conversations Reception at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel, BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold, BWLA Board Members at Large Cyerra McGowan and Jade Peeples, BWLA Founder the Honorable Ann Claire Williams (ret.), BWLA Past Presidents Mary Melchor, the Honorable Kenya Jenkins-Wright, and Elsa Andrianifahanana, BWLA member Alfreda Bradley-Coar and others attended the National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division (NBA WLD) 2025 Gertrude E. Rush Annual Breakfast. BWLA proudly co-sponsored the event which honored the legacy of Gertrude E. Rush, the first Black woman lawyer admitted to the bar in Iowa in 1918 and only woman founder of the National Bar Association. During the annual breakfast, BWLA Past President Mary Melchor was inducted into the NBA WLD's Scroll of Distinguished Women Lawyers. Also, BWLA Founder the Honorable Ann Claire Williams (ret.) was awarded the Excellence in the Judiciary Award, and BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel and BWLA member Alfreda Bradley-Coar were awarded with the Outstanding Public Service Award.

On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold participated as a panelist at the National Bar Association’s Criminal Law and Juvenile Justice Section's panel on “Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline.” The other panelists included Robyn L. McCoy (NBA Criminal Law and Juvenile Justice), Darryl V. Auguste (Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Juvenile Delinquency Division), and Frederick “TJ” Joshua (DNA Strategy Group). The panel examined the intersection of criminal law and juvenile justice, highlighting strategies to address systemic inequities that contribute to the pipeline from schools to incarceration. The panel discussion was preceded by a fireside chat hosted by Criminal Justice Law and Litigation Section Chair Kevin Jones on "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Prosecutor" with Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis.

During the centennial conference, BWLA Law Student Outreach Committee Co-Chair Jordan Bernard received a $5,000 scholarship from the National Bar Association's Corporate Law Division.

BWLA Sponsors and Attends the

Decalogue Society of Lawyers' 91st Annual Installation and Awards Dinner

On Thursday, July 31, 2025, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Ex-Officio Weeya Young, BWLA Treasurer Alexandra Rogers, BWLA longstanding member and Chicago Bar Association President the Honorable Nichole Patton, BWLA member Nisha Dotson, and others attended the Decalogue Society of Lawyers' 91st Annual Installation and Awards Dinner at Ateres Ayala in Skokie, IL. BWLA was a Silver Sponsor for the installation. The Honorable Timothy C. Evans, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County administered the oath to install President Alexander Marks and the 2025-2026 Officers and Board of Managers.

Events Around Town

Register Today to Attend the Black Men Lawyers' Association's Family Day at Lincoln Park Zoo

Youth Performing Arts Scholarship Available:

Apply Today for the Joseph M. Fannell Memorial Foundation's Performing Arts Competition

The Joseph M. Fannell Memorial Foundation's (JMF) Performing Arts Competition, is free and open to youth between the ages of 10 and 22 and provides cash prizes for winning video submissions. JMF is a non-profit organization with a mission of supporting youth in the arts by awarding scholarships and other financial assistance and providing them with platforms to share their talents. More information about JMF, which has given over $50,000 to youth to date, and the competition can be found here. 

Register Today to Attend the

Cook County Bar Association's CLE Webinar "Still Legal, Still Necessary: The Current State of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion"

Register Today to attend

The Chicago Committee's Speaker Discussion "Nourish: Staying Grounded in the New Legal Workspace"

Register Today to Attend The Juris Girls Sisterhood Panel "From Dream to J.D."

Purchase Tickets Today for the Illinois Judicial Council's 43rd Annual Installation and Scholarship Awards Ceremony

Register Today for

Chicago Bar Association Webcast CLE "How AI is Reshaping the Core Competencies Required of Future Lawyers, from Research to Judgment"

Nominations Are Open:

Nominate Today a Women Law Student, Lawyer, or Organization for the Ms. JD Limitless Awards

Purchase Tickets Today for the Chicago Lawyers' Committee For Civil Rights' Good Trouble Gala

Save the Date:

Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter's 2025 Annual Meeting and Installation Luncheon

BWLA Member Achievements

Congratulations to BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold who continues to successfully author more books, most recently See Me, Verme (the Spanish version), His Bride, and The Priesthood of the Dance. These books and others can be purchased here.

Congratulations to BWLA Law School Outreach Committee Co-Chair Jordan Bernard who recently received a $5,000 scholarship from the National Bar Association's Corporate Law Division.

Congratulations to BWLA Past President Kalia Coleman who was recently nominated by her peers as one of Just the Beginning - A Pipeline Organization's 5 under 40 Legal Professionals for her personal and professional commitment to advancing fairness within the legal profession.

Congratulations to BWLA Founder the Honorable Ann Claire Williams (ret.) who recently received the Thurgood Marshall Justice Award from the Managing Partners & General Counsel Networks at its 15th Annual Awards Dinner held during the National Bar Association's 100th Annual Convention.

Do you or someone you know have an achievement that you'd like us to highlight in our monthly newsletter? We want to celebrate our members! Send your latest achievement addressed to administrator@bwla.org.

Employment Opportunities

BWLA constantly receives new employment opportunities that our members may be interested in. The ever expanding list has become too lengthy to share here, so please be sure to visit the BWLA Job Board to view all current employment opportunities!

Sponsors

Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. | www.bwla.org