President's Message

Dear BWLA Family,

As we enter the holiday season, I am reminded of the deep spirit of service and generosity that stands as another defining cornerstone of BWLA’s legacy and longevity. In our work, in our families, and in the countless organizations and causes we support—including BWLA—Black women in the legal profession continue to give our time, our talent, and our hearts. We do so not only because it is needed, but because service is woven into the very fabric of who we are. And so often, we do it without recognition or reward. Thank you all for everything that you do, and for all that you are.

This season, as our community and so many others continue to navigate challenging times—including the far-reaching impact of the government shutdown—our collective commitment to supporting and uplifting one another becomes even more vital. The power of giving back, whether through mentorship, service, or donations, continues to sustain and strengthen us all.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our BWLA Founders, Past Presidents, Past and Current Board Members, Past and Current Committee Chairs, members, sponsors, supporters, allies, and friends for your unwavering dedication and support of the BWLA Scholarship Fund Board’s 2025 Sips for Scholarships Fundraiser. Because of you—and under the leadership of BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Chair Jasmine Fannell—this year’s fundraiser was a tremendous success, raising more than $17,000 toward future scholarships and awarding eleven (11) outstanding law students each with $1,000 Fall Book Awards. Thank you for continuing to invest in our mission and in the next generation of Black women legal talent. A special thank you to Jones Day, Jenner & Block, Veritext, BDO, and Carol Ward for individually sponsoring five of this year’s Fall Book Awards by pledging more than $1,000 each, and to our generous in-kind donors and sponsors for contributing the wonderful items featured in our silent auction and raffles.

This month, we also celebrate one of BWLA’s remarkable Founders and Past Presidents, the Honorable Patrice Ball-Reed (ret.), on the occasion of her retirement after decades of dedicated service to the legal community and the people of Cook County. Judge Ball-Reed’s legacy of leadership, mentorship, and commitment to justice has opened doors for so many, and we are deeply grateful for her enduring contributions to BWLA and to our profession.

I also want to extend my appreciation and congratulations to our 2025–2026 BWLA Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs for their willingness to serve and lead BWLA Committees this bar year. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together this bar year.

As we look ahead, I encourage everyone to join BWLA at our Annual Holiday Party on December 2, 2025, as we “party with a purpose”—raffling items to support our law students and assembling Blessing Bags of essential items to help those experiencing homelessness this season. I also encourage you to participate in our Angel Tree Gift Drive, bringing holiday joy to the children of Englewood. Later this month, BWLA will share a special e-blast featuring some incredible service project opportunities led by our Community Service and Outreach Committee, including collaborations with local food pantries.

Together, let us continue to build upon BWLA’s Enduring Legacy—one rooted in community, mentorship, and service. Thank you for all that you give, and for the light you bring to BWLA and beyond.

With gratitude and sisterhood,

Joan A. Akalaonu

2025-2026 BWLA President

#EnduringLegacy

BWLA Sponsor Spotlight

Upcoming Events

Celebrate the Holiday Season

Purchase Tickets Today for

BWLA's Annual Holiday Party

Gather with the BWLA family as we close out the year in fellowship and joy at our Annual BWLA Holiday Party on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 5:30 – 8:30 PM at Baker & McKenzie LLP, 300 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL.

Join BWLA for a fun evening filled with good food, music, holiday games, laughter, and community. We’ll celebrate and reflect on the year—and look ahead to all that’s to come. As tradition, BWLA will once again "party with a purpose" by assembling Blessing Bags during the holiday party. All are encouraged, but not required, to assist with assembling bags filled with essential items (e.g. hats, gloves, scarves, socks, toiletries, etc.) that will be donated to individuals experiencing homelessness and at local shelters this holiday season.

Purchase your tickets today by clicking the button below! No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are $65 for BWLA Members, $80 for non-BWLA members, and $20 for Law Students. With their ticket, law students who attend the BWLA Holiday Party will have the chance to win exciting prizes, including a free Themis Bar course and travel stipend for the upcoming MWBLSA Convention in February 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri. Stay tuned for more details on the raffle for these prizes!

Let’s come together to celebrate one another and BWLA's Enduring Legacy this holiday season!

'Tis the Season for Giving

Donate Today to BWLA's Angel Tree Gift Drive in Partnership with the Salvation Army

BWLA is spreading love and kindness this holiday season through gift giving. We are proud to continue a tradition of partnering with the Salvation Army Englewood Red Door Center for this year’s Angel Tree Gift Drive. Please support this year's Angel Tree Gift Drive and help bring holiday joy to 24 children from the Englewood community by adopting an Angel child and purchasing a holiday gift. It's very simple! You pick the child(ren) of your choice here or by clicking the button below. Once selected, you will see the child's wish list, register your information, and then shop. Here is a helpful donations guide to help you select a great holiday gift for your Angel!

Once you choose your Angel child(ren), you can either:

• Shop on the Salvation Army Englewood Corps' Registry via the Walmart link here, put the child's name and provided identification code number in the memo/gift section of the purchase and the items will automatically be shipped to Salvation Army for that child;
• Shop via Amazon, put the child's name and provided identification code number in the memo/gift section of the purchase and ship the items to Salvation Army Red Door, Attn: Envoy Christal Johnson, at 945 West 69th Street Chicago, IL; or
• Shop locally, print out the child's barcode slip received at the time of selecting the child, attach the barcode slip to the gift, and mail, ship, or deliver it to Salvation Army Red Door, Attn: Envoy Christal Johnson, at 945 West 69th Street, Chicago, IL. 

No matter which option you choose, please make sure to include the name and age of the child, and the identification code number provided with your adoption confirmation! Gifts should be delivered or dropped off on or before by Friday, December 12, 2025 at Salvation Army Red Door, Attn: Envoy Christal Johnson, 945 W. 69th St., Chicago, IL 60621.

Please contact BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold here at with any questions. Thanks so much for giving this holiday season!

Get Involved:

BWLA Membership and Committees

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 BWLA Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs

Awards & Nominations Committee

Mary Melchor

Young/New Lawyers Committee

Milea Moyea

Kyle Palmore

Community Service & Outreach Committee

Aleathea Williams

Ashley Varnardo

Corporate Counsel Committee

Ariana Maloney

Jennifer King

Government Services Committee

Tiffany Barefield

Law Firm/Solo Practitioner Committee

Mischelle Luckett

Cha'yra Eddie

Roundtable Committee

Jenee Gaskin

Mentoring Committee

Renai Rodney

Adrienne Garner

Judicial Evaluation Committee

Kina Arnold

Michelle Flagg

Mariyah Young

Civil Rights Action Committee

S. Mayumi "Umi" Grisby

Eliana Green

Health and Wellness Committee

Nia-Imara Binns

Sponsor Relations Committee

Merili Seale

Contessa Gibson Williams

Law Student Outreach Committee

Jordan Bernard

Maryah Person

Leah Hall

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

Raise a Glass, Fund a Future

The BWLA Scholarship Fund Board's

2025 Sips For Scholarship Fundraiser

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the BWLA Scholarship Fund Board hosted its annual 2025 Sips for Scholarships Fundraiser at The Sinclair Chicago. With the support of BWLA Founders, Past Presidents, Past and Current Board Members, members, Past and Current Committee Chairs, members, sponsors, supporters, and friends, the BWLA Scholarship Fund Board reached and exceeded its $15,000 fundraising goal, by raising over $17,000 towards future scholarships!

Continuing its tradition and Enduring Legacy, BWLA announced the winners of its 2025 Fall Book Award Scholarships at the fundraiser. This year, BWLA awarded 11 outstanding law students each with a Fall Book Award of $1,000 to help with law school expenses. This year, BWLA was honored to have these individuals and organizations directly fund five of the BWLA 2025 Fall Book Awards by pledging more than $1,000 each: Jones Day, represented by BWLA Past President and BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Elsa Andrianifahanana at the event, Jenner & Block, represented by BWLA member Precious Jacobs-Perry at the event, BDO, Veritext Legal Solutions, represented by Melanie Mobley at the event, and Carol Ward.

Special thanks to BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Chair Jasmine Fannell and the Sips for Scholarships Planning Committee, including BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Members Merili Seale, Kina Arnold (BWLA Parliamentarian), Natalie Ellis, Alexandra Rogers (BWLA Treasurer) and BWLA Program Administrator Konesha "K" Rhea for leading the planning and logistics for the event, to the BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Members and the BWLA Board of Directors for all your hard work in making this year's Sips for Scholarships a success, to the 2025 Fall Book Award Sponsors. Lastly, special thanks to all who contributed, including sponsors, donors, attendees, and supporters, thank you for uplifting and investing in law students and helping BWLA carry forward its Enduring Legacy of supporting law students!

Congratulations 2025 Fall Book Award Scholarship Recipients

• Amari Richardson, NIU Law, 2L
• Amira Fitzpatrick, Northwestern Law, 2L
• Contessa "Tess" Gibson Williams, UIC Law, 3L
• Jasmyne Wells, Loyola Law, 2L
• Jordan Bernard, UIC, 3L
• Jordan Plunkett, Northwestern Law, 3L
• Lauren Smith, UIC Law, 2L
• Mariam Somorim, Northwestern, 3L
• Maryah Person, UIC Law, 3L
• Rayona Gordon, UIC Law, 2L
• Tikia Travis, UIC Law, 2L

Community and Solidarity

BWLA, CCBA, IJC, and BMLA's

Annual November Joint Dinner

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel, BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold, BWLA Board Member at Large Cyerra McGowan, BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Natalie Ellis, BWLA Past Presidents the Honorable Kenya Jenkins-Wright and Mary Melchor, BWLA Past Board Member the Honorable Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, BWLA Lifetime members the Honorable Sharon C. Coleman, the Honorable Annette Hubbard (ret.), and Harriet Parker, BWLA members Chief Administrative Law Judge Melanie Neely, the Honorable Linda Sackey, Leslie Davis, and others represented BWLA at the Annual November Joint Dinner, co-sponsored by the Cook County Bar Association, BWLA, the Illinois Judicial Council, and the Black Men Lawyers' Association, and held at the Sinclair Chicago.

At this year's November Joint Dinner, CCBA, BWLA, IJC, and BMLA unanimously honored Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, Circuit Court of Cook County, with the 2025 Trailblazer Award for his historic, innovative, and transformative service and leadership in the Chicago legal community and beyond.

Invest in Law Students

BWLA Connects with Chicagoland Law School Black Student Law Association Chapters

Throughout October and November 2025, BWLA Board Members and the BWLA Law Student Outreach Committee continued its mission and Enduring Legacy to support law students by connecting with the Black Law Student Association (BLSA) Chapters at various Chicagoland law schools. During these events, BWLA discussed and shared with the BLSA law students ways that BWLA supports law students, ways to get involved and volunteer with the organization and build connections while in law school, and also took time to listen to and respond to questions and concerns, especially in the current climate, from the law students.

BWLA at UIC Law BLSA

On October 16, 2025, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Board Member at Large Jade Peeples, and BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Shannon Stokes attended and presented at UIC Law School BLSA Chapter meeting.

BWLA at University of Chicago Law School BLSA

On October 22, 2025, BWLA Ex-Officio Weeya Young, BWLA Board Member at Large Amber Carpenter, and BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Shannon Stokes participated in a Lunch and Learn session with the University of Chicago Law School BSLA Chapter.

BWLA at DePaul Law School BLSA

On October 27, 2025, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold, BWLA Board Member at Large Yele Ajayi, BWLA Past President Elsa Andrianifahanana, and BWLA Law Student Outreach Committee Co-Chairs Maryah Person and Jordan Bernard attended and participated in the DePaul Law School BLSA Chapter Halloween Wellness panel focused on discussing tips and strategies for exam preparation and mental wellness during and following exams.

BWLA at Northwestern Law School BLSA

On November 4, 2025, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu and BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel attended and presented at Northwestern Law School BLSA Chapter General Body Meeting.

BWLA looks forward to connecting with additional Chicagoland Law School BLSA Chapters following final exams.

BWLA at the

2025 Chicago Hot Chocolate Run/Walk

On Sunday, November 2, 2025, BWLA Ex-Officio Weeya Young, BWLA Past Government Services Committee Chair Aubree Sanders, BWLA members Bria Wallace, Michelle Cunningham, Debbie Devassy Babu and family, and BWLA member and Past BWLA Spring Essay Scholarship Recipient Sydney Mann and her mom participated in the 2025 Chicago Hot Chocolate Run/Walk.

BWLA President Joan Akalaonu and BWLA Health and Wellness Committee Chair Nia-Imara Binns, who recently completed the Chicago Marathon, as well as BWLA Ex-Officio Weeya Young's family, attended and cheered on the BWLA participants who completed either the 5k or 2 mile walk during the event.

BWLA Honored at

Upsilon Sigma Alumni Chapter 98th Anniversary Carnation Ball & Crescent Moon Awards Gala

On Saturday, October 18, 2025, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel, BWLA Ex-Officio Weeya Young, BWLA Past Presidents the Honorable LaShonda Hunt and the Honorable Kenya Jenkins-Wright, BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Natalie Ellis and BWLA Law Student Outreach Committee Co-Chair Jordan Bernard, and BWLA members the Honorable Sophia Hall, Ashonta Rice, the Honorable Linda Sackey, Malaika Caldwell, Raymond Rushing, who is also Past President for the Cook County Bar Association, and others attended the 98th Anniversary Carnation Ball & Crescent Moon Awards Gala for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Upsilon Sigma Chapter held at the Tinley Park Convention Ceremony.

During the gala, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu received the Legal Luminary Award, BWLA Past President the Honorable LaShonda Hunt received the Judicial Excellence Award, BWLA member Ashonta Rice received the Legal Excellence Award, and BWLA member the Honorable Sophia Hall, received the Justice-Lifetime Achievement Award.

Special thanks to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Upsilon Sigma Chapter, President Judge Carl Walker, and the Crescent Moon Awards Committee for hosting such an uplifting and inspiring event.

BWLA attends Investiture of Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. for Illinois Supreme Court

On Friday, October 24, 2025, BWLA Ex-Officio Weeya Young and BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel, BWLA Past Board Member Ava George Stewart represented BWLA, alongside many members of the judiciary, fellow attorneys, community leaders, and friends, to witness Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. sworn in as the 123rd Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Neville is the second Black Chief Justice in Illinois history, following the late Justice Charles E. Freeman, who served from 1997 to 1999.

The investiture ceremony was held at the Apostolic Faith Church. The Honorable Sharon O. Johnson, Circuit Court of Cook County, served as Mistress of Ceremonies. During this historic investiture, Chief Justice Neville shared a powerful truth: “The surest means to honor the law is to remember the people it protects.”

BWLA Welcomes November Bar Admittees at the Illinois First District Bar Admission Ceremony

On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel represented BWLA in welcoming new bar admittees as they took the attorney's oath during the afternoon session of the Illinois First Judicial District Bar Admission Ceremony. The ceremony took place at the University of Illinois Chicago's Dorin Forum.

Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. and Justice Joy V. Cunningham presided over the afternoon ceremony. Cara LeFevour Smith, Director of the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services, made the motion to admit the class for the afternoon ceremony. BWLA member Nicky Boothe, Dean of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, seconded the motion. During the ceremony, Vice President Natanya was given the opportunity to give remarks on behalf of BWLA and Antonio C. Lee, President of the Cook County Bar Association, also offered remarks on behalf of the CCBA. Other bar association representatives at the afternoon ceremony included Belle Katubig of the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago, Kevin P. Kelley of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago, Cook County Circuit Judge Lori Rosen of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, Pamela Visvardis Savvides of the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois, Cindy Medina-Cervantes of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, Adam M. Zebelian of LAGBAC-Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association, and Margot Klein of the Seventh Circuit Bar Association.

BWLA congratulates and celebrates all the November 2025 Bar Admittees and welcomes them into the legal community and BWLA.

BWLA at CBA's Lawyers in the Classroom Fourth Annual Civic Education Appreciation Awards

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA longstanding member the Honorable Nichole C. Patton, who is also the President of the Cook County Bar Association, and BWLA member Stephanie Snow attended the Chicago Bar Association's Fourth Annual Civic Education Appreciation Awards hosted by Skadden Arps.

For more than four decades, the Lawyers in the Classroom program, utilizing the Edward J. Lewis II Constitutional Law Curriculum, has brought attorney volunteers into 2nd-8th grade classrooms to help students better understand the U.S. Constitution, the legal system, and law-related careers. The Annual Civic Education Appreciation Awards celebrates the lawyers and educations who bring the civic education to life for thousands of students across Chicagoland. This year, Lawyers in the Classroom, honored Bates Carey LLP and Chase Elementary with the 2025 Civic Education Appreciation Award.

BWLA Supports DAPP's

2025 Protect the Pipeline Fundraiser

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Chair Jasmine Fannell, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, and others supported the Diverse Attorney Pipeline Program's (DAPP) Protect the Pipeline Fundraiser. DAPP was founded by BWLA Past Presidents Tiffany Harper and Chastity Boyce, and is now led by BWLA Board Member at Large Amber Carpenter, BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Ashlee Germany and others. The organization cultivates and expands opportunities for underrepresented women in the law.

During the fundraiser, DAPP featured various hosts, including BWLA Member and Past Mentoring Dinner Committee Co-Chair, Scholastica Baker, Senior Counsel at McDonald's Corporation, BWLA member Jennifer Ballard Croft, General Counsel at Resource Innovations, Alejandra Lara, Assistant General Counsel of Employee Relations at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., David Susler, Assistant General Counsel, National Material, LP, and Kevin Lall, Chief Legal Officer, Ferrara Candy Company.

BWLA at the Chicago Urban League

64th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner

On Saturday, November 8, 2025, BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel, BWLA Board Member at Large Amber Carpenter, BWLA Past Presidents Kalia Coleman and Elsa Andrianifahanana, who is currently a BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member, BWLA Lifetime Member the Honorable Sharon C. Coleman, BWLA members Aleschia Hyde and Ashley Greer Shambley, and others attended the Chicago Urban League's 64th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner held at the Skyline Ballroom at McCormick Place.

The Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner is the Chicago Urban League's signature fundraising gala that supports the organization's services to thousands of Chicagoans. This year's gala theme was Shoulders We Stand On, Futures We Create.

BWLA Attends Empire Mock Trial Chicago:

The World Championship

On Monday, November 10, 2025, BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Natalie Ellis represented BWLA serving as a juror at the Championship Round at the 2025 Empire Chicago: The World Championship. Empire Chicago: The World Championship was held over the weekend from November 8-10, 2025, and featured more than 425 high school students from 16 states and four countries that competed in mock trials arguing both sides to complex case scenarios before real members of the legal community.

The Championship Round was held at Chicago-Kent College of Law and was presided over by Judge James A. Shapiro, Circuit Court of Cook County.

Events Around Town

Your Voice Matters

Complete Today the Confidential Mental Health and Wellness Survey for Illinois Lawyers

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission’s Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP) is reaching out to all Illinois judges and lawyers to ask for your participation in a confidential survey. Your input will help strengthen programs and services for lawyers facing challenges around stress, mental health, alcohol or substance use, and gambling. Your voice matters—by sharing your opinions, observations, and experiences, LAP can better support lawyers in their work and personal lives. 

Your participation in this survey is completely anonymous. There is no way to know the identity of any lawyer who participates in the survey or know any lawyer’s survey responses. The survey does not collect any personal identifiers (such as your name, email address, IP address, or work affiliation). Survey responses are received anonymously and will be housed in a confidential data platform managed by The Red Bee Group, LLC, an independent consulting firm. The survey data will be analyzed and presented as aggregated results, and after all analyses are completed, the data will be destroyed. The survey is designed to take 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Please look for the Survey invite in your email inbox or click on the link below to begin the survey. Please submit your survey responses any time before Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM. 

Purchase Tickets Today to Attend the 3rd Annual All-Bar Salute to Veterans in the Legal Profession

Purchase Tickets Today for the 
Just the Beginning - A Pipeline Organization's

Fall Fundraiser and Silent Auction

Scholarship Available

Apply Today for the AAML Illinois Chapter William Stewart Boyd Scholarship

Deadline to Apply: November 15, 2025

Purchase Tickets Today for the Chicago Bar Foundation's 29th Annual Fall Benefit

Purchase Tickets Today to Attend the

Law Bulletin Media's 6th Annual Awards Honoring Women in Law: Leaders Leaning In

Purchase Tickets Today for 
Hygge & Harmony: An Evening with the WBAI

Register Today to Attend a

Chicago Information Session for the 
Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program

Join the Obama Foundation for an in-person information session on Friday, November 21, 2025 (10:00–11:30 AM CT) at its Chicago office in Hyde Park (exact address provided upon confirmation).

This session is designed for organizational leaders and changemakers in Chicago and the Chicagoland area to:

• Learn more about the Obama Leaders USA program and application process
• Hear insights from current Leaders and alumni
• Explore ways to share this opportunity within your networks
• Connect with Foundation staff and fellow changemakers

Space for this info session is limited. RSVPs will be confirmed on a first come first served basis, and an email confirmation will be sent to you including the address and building access details. 

Applications for the 2026–2027 Leaders USA cohort open Monday, November 10 and close Friday, December 12. To learn more about the program or stay up to date on application updates, visit obama.org/programs/leaders/usa/ or email LeadersUSA@obama.org.

Sign Up Today to Volunteer for

Lawyers in the Classroom

Purchase Tickets Today to Attend the 16th Annual Symposium with the Judges from the Circuit Court of Cook County

Register to attend or live-stream the 16th Annual Symposium with the Judges on December 3, 2025 and hear Cook County Law Division judges share their wisdom and advice for the lawyers who appear before them. The Symposium panel discussion format allows judges to address current procedures and trends as well as offer advocacy tips for improving your trial practice.

The program runs from 1pm-5pm at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel and features opening remarks from the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County followed by four panels focusing on the state of the Law Division, motion practice, and trial advocacy.

Earn 3 Illinois MCLE credits while networking with your colleagues from the bench and bar. Purchase tickets today through the link below.

Apply Today for the

Just the Beginning - A Pipeline Organization's 2026 Summer Judicial Internship Project

BWLA Member Achievements

Congratulations to BWLA President Joan Akalaonu who will be one of the 2025 honorees at the Law Bulletin Media's 6th Annual Top Women in Law: Leaders Leaning In Event on November 19, 2025.

Congratulations to BWLA Founder and Past President the Honorable Patrice Ball-Reed (ret.) who recently celebrated her retirement as Associate Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County after decades of dedicated service to the legal community and judiciary. The retirement celebration took place on November 7, 2025 at Carnivale.

Congratulations to BWLA Past President Era Patterson, the Executive Director of the Office of Public Safety Administration for the City of Chicago, who recently spoke at Miami University, her college alma mater, for a Lunch and Learn discussion with students about her journey through law, policy, and leadership.

Congratulations to BWLA Board Member at Large Jade Peeples who will compete this Friday, November 15, 2025, in HYROX, a global fitness competition that combines running and other exercises that test athletes' strength, endurance, and agility. The competition will take place at Navy Pier Chicago.

Congratulations to BWLA Law Student Outreach Committee Co-Chair Maryah Person who recently competed as part of the UIC Law Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Mock Trial Team at the Premiere Trial Competition in Champaign-Urbana, IL. The team won the Team Professionalism Award.

Congratulations to BWLA Corresponding Secretary Kameelah Pointer who recently guest lectured a pre-law course at American University.

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