President's Message

Dear BWLA Members, Friends, and Supporters,

I am incredibly proud to lead BWLA through this 40th Anniversary year, and this past month reminded me exactly why our theme — *Rooted in Resilience, Powered by Purpose* — is more than words on a banner. Keeping with tradition, BWLA marched in the 97th Bud Billiken Parade, with volunteers distributing backpacks, school supplies, and Know Your Rights cards containing vital legal information to families preparing for the new school year. Our members also joined the Haitian American Lawyers Association and fellow bar associations to provide critical legal information and assistance to Haitian Americans recently affected by the loss of Temporary Protected Status, and several members have been volunteering to read to patients at La Rabida Children's Hospital. To everyone who volunteered, sponsored, hosted, or simply spread the word this month: thank you. This is who we are.

This same spirit is carrying us toward our biggest moment yet. Planning for our 2027 National Summit of Black Women Lawyers is underway. That momentum kicks off in earnest on September 30th, when our Fall General Body Meeting at Baker McKenzie will bring together past Summit-era Presidents for a candid conversation about leading and growing BWLA over 40 years.

An association is only as strong as the heartbeat of its membership, and this is your moment to step in. Whether you are a law student starting your journey, a practitioner across the public or private sectors, a member of the judiciary, or an ally who shares our commitment to equity, our Summit committees — Programming, Marketing, Logistics, and Fundraising — need your voice, and September 30th is where that starts. Forty years of resilience and purpose have happened because BWLA members showed up for each other, year after year. I hope you'll show up on September 30th too, not just to hear where we're headed, but to help decide it.

With gratitude,

Natanya Pope-Sohel

2026-2027 BWLA President

#RootedinResiliencePoweredbyPurpose

Announcing the 2027 National Summit of Black Women Lawyers

BWLA Upcoming Events

Join BWLA at La Rabida Children's Hospital Reading to Children

Join BWLA's Community Service and Outreach Committee on Wednesdays in September as they read to children at La Rabida Children's Hospital located at 6501 S. Promontory Drive, Chicago, IL. Volunteers will read a choice of stories to families waiting for their doctor's appointments during 30 minute intervals between the hours of 10:00 am - 12:00 pm on September 9, 16, 23, or 30th.

Register Now for BWLA Fall General Body Meeting and Committee Fair

Step into a legacy four decades in the making. Join us for the BWLA 2026 Fall General Body Meeting & Committee Fair on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM at BWLA Sponsor Baker McKenzie LLP (Blue Cross Blue Shield Building, 300 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL). Together, we will officially launch our 40th Anniversary Year and unveil momentum for the upcoming 2027 National Summit of Black Women Lawyers.

Be in the room or on zoom for an exclusive Past Presidents Panel, Legacy of Leadership: 40 Years of BWLA & The Path to the 2027 National Summit. Hear directly from trailblazing BWLA Past Presidents Elsa Andrianifahanana, Chasity Boyce, Nathalina Hudson, and Judge Kenya Jenkins-Wright as they share insider reflections on BWLA’s powerful history, preview what’s ahead for the National Summit, and detail how this organization transformed their careers and lives.

Beyond the panel, take advantage of high-impact networking at our Committee Fair. Surround yourself with leaders and peers in the legal community, explore active committees, expand your professional circle, and take an active role in driving BWLA’s future.

OPEN LAW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Apply Today for the BWLA's 2026 Fall Book Award Scholarships

Attention current Chicagoland law students! BWLA wants to invest in you! The application for the 2026 Fall Book Award Scholarship is now open!

The BWLA Scholarship Fund Board is sponsoring its annual 2026 Fall Book Award Scholarship. Continuing its tradition of supporting law students, the BWLA Scholarship Fund Board will be awarding up to ten (10) eligible law student recipients with $1,000 scholarships to help with paying for law school books and other expenses.

The Fall Book Award applications are now available to download, complete, and submit for all those law students who are eligible for the scholarship. Download the application through the link below and apply today. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The Fall Book Award scholarship recipients will be announced at the annual BWLA Scholarship Fund's Sips for Scholarships Fundraiser!

Diversity Scholarship Foundation Scholarship Now Open

BWLA Membership and Committees

Become a Member: Pay Your Membership Dues

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.

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 40 years. Please use the link below to sign up for one of BWLA's committees this bar year!

Past Events

BWLA at the South Asian Bar

Association Annual Gala

On Friday, August 21, 2026, BWLA President Natanya Pope-Sohel and Vice President Kina Arnold attended the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago Annual Gala at Lacuna Lofts.

The goal of the event was to bring together not just attorneys, judges, and students but also families, friends, and community members to celebrate the richness and diversity of South Asian culture through art, storytelling, music, and shared experiences. We are especially excited to welcome fellow bar organizations and create space for meaningful cross-community engagement and connection.

The evening featured:

• Special musical performances
• Live calligraphy and caricature artists
• Delicious South Asian cuisine and light bites
• Exclusive mini private tours during the first hour of the event in the South Asian Institute's main gallery
• Access to the South Asia Institute’s featured exhibit: Transforming Legacies: South Asian Story Painting

BWLA at the 2026 Chicago Bar Young Lawyers Section's All Bar Social

On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, BWLA President Natanya Pope-Sohel and BWLA Member Sydney Mann represented BWLA at the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section All Bar Networking Social held at Hubbard Inn.

At the event, BWLA networked with other bar associations and spoke with attorneys and law students about BWLA and some of its upcoming events, including the Fall General Body meeting.

Events Around Town

Purchase Tickets Today for the Illinois Judicial Council's 44th Annual Installation and Scholarship Awards Ceremony

Purchase Tickets Today for Dean's Reception Honoring Michèle Alexandre

Register for SABA's Upcoming Event:

Charting Your Purpose-Driven Brand

Purchase Your Ticket Now for the

Shared Future Gala

Register for Just The Beginning - A Pipeline Organization's 13th National Conference and Gala

Register for the American Bar Association Chicago Chapter's 2026 Annual Meeting & Installation Luncheon

Join BWLA Lifetime Member Sonya Olds Som at the Girls Inc. Strong Smart Bold Awards Gala

Register to Attend the Chicago Committee's

Annual Meeting

Grab a Ticket to Diversity Scholarship Foundation's Trivia Night

Purchase Your Good Trouble Gala Tickets

Volunteer Opportunities for Attorneys

Volunteers Needed for the Second Chance Summit

The Clerk of the Circuit Court, Mariyanaa Spyropoulos is hosting the Second Chance Summit (SCS), where Cook County residents can receive free legal help with expungement and sealing of court documents.

Volunteer attorneys are essential to making this event a success. Attorneys who attend one training session and participate at the SCS will earn 1 General MCLE credit.

Volunteers Need for Pro Bono Opportunities

The Illinois Supreme Court is establishing a program for lawyers who are interested in pro bono service to sign up and be trained to be matched with a legal services organization assisting self-represented litigants.

Click on the link below to register and connect to pro bono opportunities that align with your interest!

BWLA Member Achievements

Congratulations to BWLA Ex-Offico Joan Akalaonu recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Congratulations to BWLA Founder and Past President the Hon. Patricia Brown Holmes (Ret.) on being named to The Best Lawyers in America 2027 and being named a Litigation Star, and a Top 250 Woman in Litigation by Benchmark Litigation.

Congratulations to BWLA 2027 National Summit Co-Chair ALJ Michelle Cunningham on being appointed to the Commission's Community Trust Committee by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice.

Congratulations to BWLA Past President Kalia Coleman on being named one of Crain's Chicago Business Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law and on being named to The Best Lawyers in America 2027.

Congratulations to BWLA Member and Past Scholarship Winner Jennifer Dickey on her selection to the inaugural American Bar Association + TEDLaw Cohort.

Congratulations to BWLA Parliamentarian Natalie Ellis on being recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Congratulations to BWLA Past Board Member and Past Scholarship Fund Board Chair Demitrus Evans for receiving the 2026 Community Advocate Excellence Award from Agents of Hope.

Congratulations to Monique Howery on being named to The Best Lawyers in America 2027.

Congratulations to BWLA Member LaVon Johns on being named to The Best Lawyers in America 2027 and to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Real Estate Lawyers.

Congratulations to BWLA Member Hon. Nichole Patton on her recognition for inspiring the 2026 graduates at Commencement and beyond by the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

Congratulations to BWLA Member Bria Stephens on being recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

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