BWLA Program Spotlight

Upcoming Events

Happy Hour

Unwind Tomorrow with the BWLA Young Lawyers and Health and Wellness Committees

The BWLA Young Lawyers Committee and the Health & Wellness Committee invite you to join us for a midweek Happy Hour at Hubbard Inn on Wednesday, December 10, from 5:00-7:00pm.

This is a great opportunity to relax after a long day, enjoy light bites and drinks, and connect with fellow BWLA members, committee leaders, and friends. Whether you’re looking to network, build community, or simply take a moment for yourself, we’d love to see you there. Bring a colleague, bring a friend, and come end your day with good energy and great company! 

'Tis the Season for Volunteering

Sign Up Today to Volunteer

with BWLA at Soul Santa Village

 Volunteer with BWLA at Soul Santa Village!

December 19–21, 2025 | Cinespace, 3355 W. 31st St., Chicago, IL 60623

Sign-Up Deadline: December 12, 2025

Join BWLA’s Community Service Committee as we help bring holiday magic to the Soul Santa Village—an immersive Chicago holiday experience filled with live music, performances, and community joy. This volunteer opportunity is a wonderful way to give back during the season and support families and children across the city.

Volunteer Shifts:

Volunteers will sign up for one-hour shifts on any of the available dates below:



Friday, December 19 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Chicago Public Schools will bus students to this private event. Volunteers will assist with:

• Toy drive management
• Greeting students and chaperones
• Food and beverage distribution
• Supporting group crafting activities
• General crowd management

Saturday, December 20 & Sunday, December 21 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Open to the public. Volunteers will help with:

• Toy drive management
• Welcoming guests at the door
• Food and beverage distribution
• Assisting with crafting stations
• General crowd management

This is a fantastic opportunity to spread holiday cheer and serve our community in a meaningful way. Spots are limited—sign up by December 12, 2025 to secure your volunteer spot!

Register Today to Volunteer with BWLA and ChiGivesBack for the 2026 MLK Jr. Day of Service

🌟 BWLA + ChiGivesBack: MLK Jr. Day of Service 2026

Monday, January 19, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Vanderpoel Elementary School, Chicago

BWLA is proud to continue our annual tradition of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through service. Join us on Monday, January 19, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM as BWLA again partners with ChiGivesBack for the 2026 MLK Jr. Day of Service!

This year, BWLA volunteers will support Vanderpoel Elementary School by organizing classrooms, painting hallways, and participating in mural projects commissioned for the day—all in an effort to brighten and uplift the learning environment for students and educators.

Breakfast will be provided for volunteers.

Registration Details

Register today through the link below. Space is limited to 25 BWLA volunteers, so be sure to sign up early!

To register, volunteers must purchase a $10 event sponsor t-shirt, which will be available for pickup on the day of service. Further details will be sent directly to those who register.

About ChiGivesBack

ChiGivesBack works to empower underserved communities across Chicago through impactful programming, leveraging diverse partnerships and resources to address social issues and drive community reinvestment. Learn more at chigivesback.com.

Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy through action, fellowship, and meaningful service. We look forward to serving with you!

Purchase Tickets Today for the

2026 Solidarity Awards and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day CLE, co-sponsored by BWLA

As tradition, BWLA is proud to once again co-sponsor the 2026 Solidarity Awards and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day CLE Program, along with the Decalogue Society, the Illinois Judges Association, the Cook County Bar Association, the Illinois Judicial Council, and the Black Men Lawyers’ Association. This year, the awards ceremony and CLE program will take place on January 11, 2026 from 1:30-4:30pm at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, 360 North State Street, Chicago, IL.

This year’s CLE program will include a video viewing of "Rustin" followed by a discussion of the legal issues raised in the film. The discussion will be moderated by Cliff Scott-Rudnick from the Decalogue Society, and the speakers will be BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Shannon Stokes and Cook County Bar Association President Antonio Lee. This program qualifies for 1 hour of MCLE Professional Responsibility credit.

Following the CLE, please join us for a reception honoring the recipients of the 2026 Solidarity Awards presented by Decalogue, CCBA, BWLA, BMLA, JJAI, and IJC. Honorees will be announced soon.

Register today through the link below. Tickets are $35.

Save the Date

BWLA 2026 Annual Ski Trip Weekend Getaway

🗓️ Save the Date — BWLA 2026 Ski Trip! ❄️🎿

Bundle up and get excited—BWLA is headed to the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort in Thompsonville, Michigan this year for its 2026 BWLA Annual Ski Trip from February 27–March 1, 2026!

Escape with us for a relaxing and fun winter retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the Windy City. Crystal Mountain has options for everyone—whether you want to hit the slopes, unwind at the spa, go ice skating, or simply enjoy a cozy sleigh ride and take in the snow-covered scenery.

On Saturday evening, we’ll come together for a BWLA group dinner, complete with a CLE discussion on self-care and wellness, and then wind down with fun, laughter, and games.

Stay tuned for more details about this event, including registration, BWLA van transportation, and how to book your room.

We look forward to having you join us. Treat yourself—you’ve earned this getaway! ✨

Get Involved:

BWLA Membership and Committees

Every chapter of BWLA’s history has been written by members who chose to get involved, give back, and lead with purpose. Joining a committee is more than volunteering; it’s an opportunity to help shape the future of BWLA, strengthen our sisterhood, and expand our impact across Chicago’s legal and civic communities.

When you serve, you carry forward BWLA’s Enduring Legacy of excellence, advocacy, and empowerment. Whether you’re passionate about community service, professional development, or advancing equity in the legal field, there’s a place for your voice and your vision within BWLA. Join us and help continue the legacy that has uplifted Black women in law for nearly four decades. Please use the link below to sign up for one of BWLA's committees this bar year!

Past Events

BWLA 2025 Annual Holiday Party –

A Night of Celebration, Connection & Purpose!

On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the BWLA community gathered at Baker & McKenzie LLP to celebrate our Annual Holiday Party in festive style! BWLA Past Presidents, our current President, Board Members, Committee Chairs, Lifetime Members, law students, friends, allies, and new faces came together for a lively evening featuring delicious food and drinks, warm fellowship, and outstanding live music from the Only Child Band.

Throughout the night, attendees mixed and mingled over the holiday edition of Holiday Mingle, BWLA’s adaptation of the traditional bingo game. With all her squares signed, the Horonable Arnette Hubbard (ret.) took home first place (Michelle Obama Look Book), Chief Administrative Law Judge Melanie Neely won second place (BWLA swag bundle), and Jontavia Guilty, a law student from the University of Illinois at Chicago, won third place (a $25 Amazon gift card).

BWLA also celebrated its law students in a special holiday raffle! Congratulations to Layla Covington, law student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, on winning a free Themis Bar Course—and what a special surprise, as this was Layla’s very first BWLA event! Congratulations also to BWLA Law Student Committee Co-Chair Jordan Bernard, a fellow UIC law student, on winning the $500 travel stipend for her attendance at the upcoming MWBLSA 58th Regional Convention being held on February 18-22, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri.

In true BWLA tradition, the evening also included a moment to “party with a purpose.” Attendees joined together to assemble 100 Blessing Bags filled with essential items and handwritten notes for individuals experiencing homelessness this holiday season. Guests were invited to take Blessing Bags with them to distribute directly, and the remaining bags were donated to The Night Ministry, a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides housing support, healthcare, and human connection to individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. The Blessing Bags will be provided to young people served through The Night Ministry’s youth and young-adult shelters this holiday season.

We extend special thanks to Baker & McKenzie LLP, including to BWLA Board Member at Large Cyerra McGowan, who is an associate at the firm, for generously hosting this year’s celebration, to BWLA Program Administrator Konesha "K" Rhea, who coordinated and handled the logistics and planning for the holiday party, to Themis for donating the free Themis Bar Course, and to the BWLA Community Service Committee for coordinating the Blessing Bags effort.

Finally, we are grateful to all who contributed to the BWLA Scholarship Fund Board on Giving Tuesday—thanks to your generosity, BWLA received $600 in donations that will directly support scholarships for law students.

✨ It was a joyful evening filled with celebration, community, and holiday cheer. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the night so memorable! ✨

BWLA Supports Ari Williams Law's

7th Annual Englewood Turkey Drive

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, BWLA’s Community Service Committee proudly volunteered at Ari Williams Law’s 7th Annual Turkey Drive, an annual event that provided Thanksgiving turkeys and food items to more than 200 people in the Englewood community this year. BWLA volunteers—Committee Co-Chair Aleathea Williams, along with Gina Smith, Mitrese Smith, Michelle-Bryant Smith and her daughter, and Fluffly Kilburn—spent the day at the Ogden Park Field House packing and distributing holiday food bags.

This year, BWLA supported the Turkey Drive through both volunteer service and a Thanksgiving donation drive, inviting members, supporters, and allies to contribute turkeys, non-perishable food items, and monetary donations. The generosity of these donations and support directly assisted in serving all the individuals and families who participated in the turkey drive.

BWLA’s participation reflects our continued commitment to uplifting Chicago neighborhoods and advancing our Enduring Legacy of service, compassion, and purposeful community engagement during the holiday season.

See the Community Service Spotlight at the top of this newsletter featuring BWLA member Ari Williams, founder and owner of Ari Williams Law, LLC, and Community Service Committee Co-Chair Aleathea Williams.

Serving with Purpose

BWLA Volunteers at CAWC

On Sunday, December 7, 2025, dedicated members of BWLA’s Community Service Committee, specifically BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold and BWLA members Brigid Carmichael and Ama Gyimah, braved the cold weather and snow to serve at Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC)—generously volunteering their time to support survivors and families in need.

CAWC remains a vital resource in our community, working to end domestic violence through a self-help, empowerment approach. The organization provides emergency shelter for adults and children, offers counseling and advocacy services, and operates a 24-hour hotline for those affected by domestic violence.

During their volunteer shift, Brigid, Kina, and Ama spent the afternoon organizing and brightening the clothing shed at the CAWC shelter—helping ensure that individuals and families can access essential clothing in a welcoming and organized environment. BWLA extends a heartfelt thank you to these amazing women for their service and commitment, and to BWLA’s Community Service Committee for continuing to coordinate meaningful volunteer opportunities that uplift and strengthen our Chicago community.

United by law, Fueled by Sisterhood—and always Dedicated to Service. 💜

BWLA Honored at the Law Bulletin Media's Sixth Annual Top Women in Law Awards Ceremony

On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA members Mary Richardson-Lowry, Monica Howery, Jane Bart-Plange, Lea Gutierrez, Allison Powers were among those honored by the Law Bulletin Media with the 2025 Women in Law - Leaders Leaning In Award for their incredible impact on the legal profession, achieving success in mentoring and promoting other women, and for being shining examples of leadership. With over 400 nominations, the Law Bulletin Media selected about 38 women attorneys to honor this year. BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Natalie Ellis, BWLA member Nia Crosley, Cook County Bar Association Past President Raymond Rushing and others attended the award ceremony to support the honorees. The 2025 award winners' profiles can be viewed in the online special edition of the Law Bulletin Media here.

BWLA at the HYROX Competition

On Friday, November 14, 2025, BWLA Board Member at Large Jade Peeples proudly participated in this year’s HYROX competition at Chicago’s Navy Pier. BWLA President Joan Akalaonu and BWLA Program Administrator Konesha "K" Rhea were present to support and cheer on Jade on behalf of BWLA. Jade and her competition partner, Dr. Courtney Gilbert, completed the world-renowned fitness race in an impressive 1:27:04 finishing time!

HYROX is an international fitness competition that blends endurance running with strength-based functional workouts. Competitors run eight 1-kilometer laps, with each lap followed by a different fitness challenge—such as sled pushes, rowing, wall balls, burpees, and more. The goal is to finish the course as quickly as possible, making it a challenging yet rewarding experience for fitness enthusiasts. The result is a demanding, exhilarating test of stamina, strength, and mental grit.

BWLA applauds Jade and her teammate Dr. Gilbert, for embracing this challenge and pushing through with determination and teamwork. We are so proud to celebrate Jade’s dedication to health, wellness, and personal excellence—both in and outside of the legal community! Way to go, Jade! 🏅💜

Events Around Town

The Law School Mentor Applications Are Live!

Apply Today to Become a

2026 Law School Mentor

Register Today for University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's School of Continuing Education's CR3 2025 Examining Equity Thru Various Lens: Reflections and Final Insights

Purchase Tickets Today for the Lawyers for the Creative Arts' 2025 Annual Benefit Luncheon

Purchase Tickets Today for the Cook County Bar Association's Holiday Mingle

Purchase Tickets Today for

LAGBAC's Medical-Legal Holiday Mixer

Purchase Tickets Today for ISBA's Annual Holiday Reception on December 12, 2025 Honoring the Justices of the Supreme Court of Illinois, with Special Remarks from Justice Lisa Holder White

Purchase Tickets Today for

the Black Men Lawyers' Association's

Annual Holiday Party

Purchase Tickets Today for the

Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League's Annual Holiday Party

Purchase Tickets Today for

The National Association of Black Journalists Chicago Chapter's Red Hot Holiday Party and Award Ceremony on Thursday, December 18th

Purchase Discounted Tickets Today for Chicago Sinfonietta's Holidays of Hope Concert

Purchase discounted tickets today for the Chicago Sinfonietta’s Holidays of Hope concert on December 19, 2025 at 7:00pm at the Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville, IL or on December 20, 2025 at 7:00pm at the Mandel Hall at 1131 E. 57th Street, Chicago, IL. Save $10 in the middle price levels with the code HOLIDAYS10.

The Holidays of Hope concert is a joyful twist on the traditional holiday concert where jazz meets classical and everyone’s invited. At the heart of it: Duke Ellington’s swinging take on The Nutcracker, transforming Tchaikovsky’s classic into a big-band celebration along with a global program of festive music, from a Hanukkah symphony, a piece with Latin American flair, and favorites like Sleigh Ride. Before the music begins, you’ll sip hot cocoa and craft your own luminaria. It all ends in a warm glow as the audience joins in a sing-along under soft, shared light.

Perfect for family traditions, first dates, or reconnecting with friends without heading downtown or breaking the bank.

Purchase Tickets Today for the Diversity Scholarship Foundation's Annual Unity Gala

Register Today for MWBLSA's 58th Regional Convention Rooted in Legacy Rising in Excellence

BWLA Member Achievements

Congratulations to BWLA member Aniyah Braveboy who recently moderated a panel at the American Bar Association's Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries Conference.

Congratulations to BWLA member and prior BWLA Scholarship Recipient Jennifer Dickey who recently presented during the Chicago Bar Association's Cyber Law and Data Privacy Committee's CLE Live Webcast on "Breaking into Privacy Law: Foundations, Credentials, and Careers."

Congratulations to BWLA member Averil Edwards who was recently a speaker for an Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) CLE panel, along with Eli Litoff and Javaria Neagle, on "The Hidden Risks of Environmental Marketing: A Guide to Avoiding and Defending "Greenwashing" Claims" which was hosted at Riley Safer Holmes and Cancilla LLP.

Congratulations to BWLA Scholarship Board Member Natalie Ellis who was recently honored as one of the recipients of the 2025 LCLD Pathfinder Atlas Award.

Congratulations to BWLA member Jasmine Felder who recently accepted an offer with the State Attorney's Office for the 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida as an Assistant State Attorney and will start in August of 2026. Jasmine was also recently a guest speaker at the National Black Pre-Law Conference in New York, NY on November 14, 2025.

Congratulations to BWLA member Jeanne M. Gills who was recently named to Forbes 2025 America's Top Lawyers.

Congratulations to BWLA Past Board Member and BWLA Civil Rights Action Committee Co-Chair S. Mayumi "Umi" Grigsby who recently hosted the Leadership Greater Chicago's (LGC) Fireside Chat: Purposeful Leadership & Productive Justice with Adrienne White-Faines and Sarah Garza Resnick. Umi and her fellow speakers are all LGC Fellows.

Congratulations to BWLA member Aleschia Hyde, who was recently recognized as a 2026 Illinois Rising Star by Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers honors the top attorneys nationwide across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes through a patented process of independent research and peer input. The list highlights both seasoned attorneys and the Rising Stars of the profession.

Congratulations to BWLA member Precious Jacobs-Perry who recently moderated a distinguished panel, including former Mayor of Chicago Lori E. Lightfoot, the Honorable John F. Kness, the Honorable Young B. Kim, Cassie Lively, and Elizabeth Barton, for the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter's "Strategies for Successful Resolution at Mediations, Arbitrations, and Settlement Conferences."

Congratulations to BWLA member Lisa Kpor who recently gave closing remarks at the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter's "Strategies for Successful Resolution at Mediation, Arbitrations, and Settlement Conferences."

Congratulations to BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel who was recently selected as part of the 2025-2026 Class of National Conference of Bar Presidents Diversity Scholars. Congratulations to Natanya who will also be one of the expert instructors for the upcoming virtual webinar for the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's Culture of Racism, Recovery Resiliency (CR3) Series "Examining Equity Thru Various Lens: Reflections and Final Insights" on December 11, 2025. Register for the webinar here.

Congratulations to BWLA member Desiree Ralls-Morrison, who was recently selected as a 2026 Ms. JD's Gala & Awards Honoree for her transformative vision and leadership in the legal profession and for opening doors for the next generation. Desiree will receive this award at the Ms. JD Gala & Awards Ceremony on April 23, 2026 in San Francisco.

Congratulations to BWLA Founder and Past President Z Scott who was recently featured in Crain's Chicago Business "2025 Who's Who List" and was recognized as one of the most influential figures in Education.

Congratulations to BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Shannon Stokes who recently served as a panelist for the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services and Addus Home Care's Town Hall on "Understanding the OBBBA Act's Impact on Minorities and Senior Citizens."

Congratulations to BWLA Lifetime Member Andrea Zopp who was recently featured in Crain's Chicago Business "2025 Who's Who List" and recognized as one of Chicago's most impactful leaders in Financial Services.

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