This Women's History Month, BWLA celebrates the Enduring Legacy of the extraordinary women who have shaped our organization and our profession. We honor our Founders, Past Presidents, Board and Committee members, members of the judiciary, and the many members and supporters whose leadership, service, and dedication continue to uplift and empower generations of Black women in the law.

Your contributions strengthen our community and inspire the future. 💜

BWLA Monthly Spotlight

Honoring an Enduring Legacy

Celebrating Women's History Month

March is Women’s History Month, and BWLA proudly celebrates the Enduring Legacy that extraordinary women have left not only on the world, but within BWLA. From our Founders to our Board and Committee Members, these women have worked tirelessly to cultivate a space where the next generation of Black women lawyers can thrive, lead, and reach even greater heights.

This month’s spotlight is on BWLA’s Corporate Counsel Committee, co-chaired by Ariana Maloney and Jennifer King. The committee focuses on supporting general counsels, in-house attorneys, and those interested in pursuing in-house leadership roles. Through thoughtfully curated programming, this committee creates opportunities for Black women in-house attorneys to build community, strengthen professional connections, and advance their professional and business development. Read the spotlights below!

BWLA 2026 Spring Fundraiser Luncheon

Ticket Registration is Now Open!

Purchase Tickets Today for the

BWLA 2026 Spring Fundraiser Luncheon "Enduring Legacy: Celebrating Excellence, Trailblazing Leadership and Lasting Impact"

🎉2026 Spring Fundraiser Luncheon – Ticket Registration Now Open!🎉

We are excited to announce that ticket registration is now open for the BWLA 2026 Spring Fundraiser Luncheon, “Enduring Legacy: Celebrating Excellence, Trailblazing Leadership, and Lasting Impact.”

Join us on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, 301 E. North Water Street, Chicago, IL 60611, for this year's BWLA awards luncheon as we recognize, honor, celebrate trailblazing leaders and organizations whose Enduring Legacy of excellence, service, and impact continues to shape the legal profession and beyond and inspire generations to come. During the luncheon, BWLA will also award a substantial amount in scholarships to outstanding law student recipients of our 2026 BWLA Spring Essay Scholarships, Agnes McGirth Scholarship, and BWLA Bar Review Awards, continuing our long-standing commitment to supporting and investing in the next generation of legal leaders.

Tickets can be purchased through the link below: BWLA Members: $150; Non-Members: $175. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

✨ The 2026 Enduring Legacy Luncheon Honorees will be announced soon—stay tuned! ✨

Purchase your tickets today through the link below and secure your seat for this unforgettable event.

Purchase Tickets Today for the

BWLA 2026 General Counsel Half-Day CLE Seminar and Opening Reception

Join BWLA Corporate Counsel Committee for an engaging afternoon of CLE programming and evening of celebration at the 2026 BWLA General Counsel Half-Day CLE Seminar and Opening Reception. Held the day before BWLA’s 2026 Spring Fundraiser Luncheon, the GC CLE seminar and opening reception will be hosted at and sponsored by BWLA Title Sponsor Jones Day, 110 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL., and will feature dynamic panels addressing the most pressing legal, regulatory, and strategic issues facing today’s corporate legal leaders—followed by an Opening Reception celebrating and toasting Black women General Counsel.

CLE Session Topics Include:

• The GC’s Risk Calculus: Regulatory change, litigation exposure, and what’s keeping corporate legal leaders up at night.
• Healthy or Liable? Make America Healthy Again, Medicare/Medicaid reform, and the rise of food regulation.
• AI in Legal Practice: Bias, ownership, and risk—what general counsel need to know.
• Inside the Relationship: How litigators and in-house counsel partner to win.

Ticket Pricing (Member / Non-Member):

• CLE Half-Day Only: $25 / $35
• Reception Only: $50 / $75
• CLE & Reception: $65 / $100

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, earn CLE credit, and connect with leading attorneys and corporate counsel across Chicago as we lead into BWLA’s Spring Fundraiser Luncheon. Purchase your tickets today through the link below and secure your spot!

Upcoming BWLA Events

Invest in Yourself

See You Tonight at the BWLA Corporate Counsel Committee 2026 Financial Empowerment Panel

See all those who registered to attend tonight for the BWLA Corporate Counsel Committee for its Financial Empowerment for Lawyers panel, hosted and sponsored by Sheppard Mullin, 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL. We are excited for this evening of fellowship and candid discussion, with opening remarks from our host sponsor, Kanasha Herbert, Special Counsel, at Sheppard Mullin, and a dynamic panel discussion from outstanding professionals who will share practical strategies to help lawyers build, protect, and grow their wealth.

Speaker panelists include:

• Melanie Stewart, Director and Senior Counsel, Employee Relations, Stanley Black & Decker
• Anton Burkett, Founder, True North Tax & Accounting
• Abosede Odunsi, Shareholder, Trusts & Estates, von Briesen
• Bryan Lafevor, Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor, Fifth Third Private Bank

Moderated by:

• Fluffy Kilburn, Associate Attorney, The Peak Law Group, PLLC

Register Today for WBAI's "The Silent Shift: Supporting Mental Health During Perimenopause" CLE, Co-sponsored by BWLA

BWLA is proud to co-sponsor, along with other bar associations, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois The Silent Shift: Supporting Mental Health During Perimenopause. This one-hour CLE program and networking reception will take place on April 22, 2026 at 5:30pm at the ISBA Regional Office, 20 S. Clark Street, Suite 820, Chicago, IL. The CLE program will be presented by Dr. Jennifer Litner, a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex therapist, and founder of Embrace Sexual Wellness. Light appetizers and beverages will be served.

Designed for women in the legal profession, this presentation examines how perimenopause affects mental health, stress regulation, emotional wellbeing, and relationship health. The purpose of this program is to increase awareness of a common yet often unrecognized life transition that can influence professional performance, leadership capacity, and interpersonal dynamics at home and work.

Register today through the link below. Tickets are $20. Attendees will receive 1 hour of CLE mental health credit.

Register Today for the

ISBA's 13th Annual Minority Bar CLE Conference, Co-sponsored by BWLA

BWLA, in collaboration with several diverse bar associations, will participate in the Illinois State Bar Association’s (ISBA) 13th Annual Minority Bar CLE Conference on March 26–27, 2026. Part 1 of the Conference will take place in person at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office, 20 S. Clark Street, Suite 820, and will provide opportunities for meaningful networking and professional development. The program offers 4.0 hours of MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours of Professional Responsibility credit in the areas of mental health and substance abuse, diversity and inclusion, and professionalism.

BWLA is proud to co-coordinate with the a CLE panel session titled “Intersection of Immigration and the Rule of Law,” which will explore the evolving legal and policy landscape surrounding immigration enforcement, administrative authority, and due process.

BWLA is proud to co-coordinate two sessions during the conference. The first, in coordination with the Chinese American Bar Association, Decalogue Society, and Muslim Bar Association of Chicago, “Intersection of Immigration and the Rule of Law,” examines the evolving legal and policy landscape surrounding immigration enforcement, administrative authority, and due process. BWLA is also co-coordinating the session “How Are Bar Associations Preparing Members?” alongside the Asian American Bar Association, Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association (LAGBAC), HLAI, Korean American Bar Association, and South Asian Bar Association. This panel will explore how bar associations are working collaboratively to protect vulnerable populations while also addressing internal challenges such as attorney mental health and emerging threats to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additional panels will address attorney wellness and moral injury, and how members of the judiciary are maintaining professionalism and ethical standards in increasingly complex and technology-enabled courtrooms.

Part 2 of the Conference will be offered via live webcast on March 27, 2026 and will examine pressing legal issues affecting attorneys and their clients, including the challenges faced by self-represented litigants, immigration emergency planning for families, responses by Illinois courts and agencies to federal policy shifts, and recent U.S. Supreme Court developments.

Register today through the link below. Attendees may register for any portion of the program, which will conclude with a networking reception following the first day’s sessions. The CLE program is free for paid members of sponsoring bar associations, so pay your BWLA membership dues today!

Legislative Update

BWLA Supports HB4217 & SB3416: Equal Representation for Public Defender Clients in Statutory Summary Suspension Hearings

BWLA is proud to join a broad coalition of legal and community organizations in supporting HB4217 & SB3416 — Equal Representation for Public Defender Clients in Statutory Summary Suspension (SSS) Hearings.

This legislation promotes fairness and equity by allowing Public Defender’s Offices, when already appointed in a traffic-related criminal case, to also represent clients in related SSS hearings. Currently, indigent defendants often must navigate these civil suspension hearings without counsel, even though they stem from the same arrest and involve overlapping legal issues. By granting discretion for coordinated representation, this bill will help level the playing field, strengthen case outcomes, and reduce unnecessary collateral consequences that impact individuals’ ability to work, attend school, and support their families.

We encourage our members and supporters to review the fact sheet and reach out to Roya Samargandi (rsamargandi@chicagobarfoundation.org) of the Chicago Bar Foundation or Sharilyn Grace (sharlyn.grace@cookcountyil.gov) of the Cook County Public Defender’s Office to learn more about this important effort to expand access to justice.

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

Building a Legacy That Shapes Chicago

BWLA’s 2026 Judicial Reception

On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, BWLA proudly hosted its annual Judicial Reception "Enduring Legacy: Building a Legacy that Shapes Chicago" at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. The evening brought together members of the judiciary, legal professionals, and community leaders for a memorable celebration of excellence, leadership, and legacy. Guests enjoyed an engaging evening of networking, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks, complemented by live music from OnlyChild Band.

With this year's theme, the 2026 BWLA Judicial Reception served as a meaningful opportunity to honor and celebrate those whose leadership and service have and continue to shape and impact the legal landscape and our communities in Chicago and beyond. This year, BWLA honored and heard inspiring remarks from the following exceptional group of honorees whose contributions exemplify leadership, service, and lasting impact:

Judge Ann Claire Williams Awardees:

• The Honorable Andrea M. Buford, Presiding Judge, Child Protection Division, Circuit Court of Cook County
• Julieanna L. Richardson, Founder & President, The HistoryMakers
• Jackie Taylor, Founder & CEO, Black Ensemble Theater

Enduring Legacy Awardees:

• The Honorable Patrice Ball-Reed (Ret.), BWLA Founder and Past President, Circuit Court of Cook County
• The Honorable Sybil C. Thomas (Ret.), BWLA Past President, Child Protection Division, Circuit Court of Cook County

The evening concluded with inspiring special remarks from BWLA Founder Honorable Ann Claire Williams (Ret.) and BWLA Past President Elsa Andrianifahanana.

Special thanks to this year's Judicial Reception Co-Chairs, BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold and BWLA Recording Secretary Lé'Loni English, for their outstanding leadership and dedication in planning this amazing and inspiring event. Thanks to Taft for hosting this year's Judicial Reception. And thanks to Helen Shiller, Board Member for the Black Ensemble Theater, who accepted Jackie Taylor's award on her behalf at the reception.

BWLA's 2026 Road to the Robe:

Insights, Inspiration, and Pathways to the Bench

On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the BWLA Government Services Committee hosted its annual Road to the Robe panel at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP in Chicago. The event brought together law students, attorneys, and members of the judiciary for an engaging and insightful conversation on navigating the path to the bench.

Moderated by Administrative Law Judge Michelle Cunningham, a member of the BWLA Government Services Committee, the panel featured an esteemed group of jurists who shared their unique journeys to the bench, along with candid reflections, practical advice, and invaluable lessons learned along the way:

• Hon. Torrie Corbin, Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
• Hon. Melanie Patrick Neely, Chief Administrative Law Judge, Illinois Department of Revenue
• Hon. Jennifer S. Nolen, Administrative Law Judge, Illinois Human Rights Commission
• Hon. Yolanda Harris Sayre, Circuit Court Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
• Hon. Natosha Cuyler Toller, Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County

With over 50 attendees, the event was met with enthusiastic engagement and appreciation, as participants expressed gratitude for the “jewels” of wisdom and actionable guidance shared by the panelists.

Special thanks to Government Services Committee, led by Chair Tiffany Barefield and BWLA Recording Secretary Lé'Loni English, for their exceptional efforts in organizing this impactful and inspiring program. Thanks to Taft for hosting this BWLA event. And thanks to our fantastic moderator and panelists and all who attended!

Slopes, Self-Care, and Sisterhood:

BWLA’s 2026 Annual Ski Trip

During the weekend of February 27–March 1, 2026, BWLA Board members, members, and friends traveled to Crystal Mountain Ski Resort in Thompsonville, Michigan, for the 2026 BWLA Annual Ski Trip—a memorable weekend filled with connection, relaxation, and fun.

Nearly 20 attorneys, law students, and friends enjoyed a chartered bus ride away from the hustle and bustle of the city to the picturesque Michigan resort. The weekend included dinner and live music on Friday, and on Saturday, guests took full advantage of the resort’s offerings—hitting the slopes, relaxing at the spa, or exploring nearby attractions, including a visit to St. Ambrose Cellars.

Saturday evening featured one of the trip’s highlights: an authentic horse-drawn carriage ride led by majestic Clydesdale horses. The evening continued with a meaningful CLE presentation, “How Are You ‘Really’ Doing?”, led by Latoya Stallworth, LCSW, which focused on mental health and practical self-care strategies for Black women in the legal profession. The night concluded with a group dinner filled with laughter, games, and fellowship.

Special thanks to BWLA Health & Wellness Committee Chair Nia-Imara Binns and BWLA Treasurer Alexandra Rogers for planning such a restorative and memorable weekend experience. Additional thanks to Latoya Stallworth, LCSW, for her insightful CLE presentation.

Honoring Legacy and Justice: BWLA at the 2026 Earl B. Dickerson Awards Luncheon

On Friday, February 20, 2026, BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel represented BWLA at the Chicago Bar Association’s Annual Earl B. Dickerson Awards Luncheon, held at the Union League Club of Chicago.

This year's luncheon honored an outstanding group of trailblazers—Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., BWLA Lifetime Member the Honorable Arnette R. Hubbard (Ret.), BWLA member Andrea D. Bonds, and Cannon Lambert, Sr.—whose careers and service reflect a deep commitment to justice, equity, and service, continuing the powerful legacy of Earl B. Dickerson.

This year's awards luncheon was organized under the leadership of Chicago Bar Association President the Honorable Nichole Patton, a longstanding BWLA member, and the Honorable Tracie Porter, and brought together members of the legal community to celebrate excellence and impact. BWLA was honored to be represented at this meaningful gathering, which continues to recognize those who embody courage, leadership, and dedication in advancing justice for all.

Honoring a Trailblazer: BWLA Supports Chicago State University's Tribute to Justice Charles E. Freeman, Illinois Supreme Court

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, BWLA Founders, Past Presidents, Board Members and more attended and supported Chicago State University’s premiere of its archival collection celebrating the life and legacy of the late Justice Charles E. Freeman—the first African American to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court and as its Chief Justice.

Held at the university’s Gwendolyn Brooks Library, the program brought together members of the judiciary, legal community, students, and other distinguished guests to commemorate Justice Freeman’s profound impact on the legal profession and his enduring legacy. The evening’s program featured welcome remarks from CSU Juniors Travon Powell and Kimberly Britt, an inspiring rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing by Malachi Davis, CSU Class of 2026, and powerful reflections from BWLA Founder and Past President Z Scott, President of Chicago State University; Justice Freeman’s son, Kevin Freeman; BWLA Founder and Past President the Honorable Patricia Brown Holmes (Ret.); Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr.; Chief Judge Charles S. Beach; the Honorable Tiana S. Blakely, President of the Illinois Judicial Council; Justice Carl Anthony Walker; and BWLA President Joan Akalaonu.

Following the program, guests had the opportunity to view curated archival materials, including photographs, news articles, and historical artifacts that captured the breadth of Justice Freeman’s remarkable career.

BWLA is proud to support initiatives that preserve and uplift the legacy of trailblazers whose impact continues to shape the legal profession and inspire future generations.

Connecting and Building Community:

BWLA Corporate Counsel Committee Social Night

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, BWLA’s Corporate Counsel Committee hosted a lively social at Punch Bowl Social in Chicago, bringing together attorneys for an evening of networking, laughter, and connection.



As the Committee prepares for its upcoming General Counsel Half-Day CLE Seminar and Opening Reception on April 15, 2026, momentum continues to build. Ticket registration is now open so purchase tickets today here! Those interested in getting involved are encouraged to contact the BWLA Administrator at administrator@bwla.org.

Empowering the Next Generation:

BWLA at UIC BLSA’s 2026 Black Legal Summit

On Saturday, March 7, 2026, BWLA was proud to participate in the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (UIC Law) BLSA’s 5th Annual Black Legal Summit, themed “We’re Almost There: Celebrating Black Excellence, Empowerment, and Ensuring Legacy,” hosted at Barnes & Thornburg.

BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Treasurer Alexandra Rogers, BWLA member Dean Nicky Boothe, Dean of UIC Law, BWLA member Administrative Law Judge Michelle Cunningham, BWLA member Lisa Kpor, and Cook County Bar Association President-Elect LeDeidre Turner—a longstanding BWLA member—served as panelists for this year’s Women’s Panel. UIC Law student Osikenoya U moderated the discussion. Together, the panelists shared practical advice on excelling as young attorneys in an ever-evolving legal profession, offering candid insights and encouragement to law students preparing to enter the field.

BWLA is proud to continue supporting spaces that uplift, empower, and inspire future attorneys to walk confidently in their purpose and build their own enduring legacy. Thank you to UIC Law BLSA for hosting another outstanding summit this year.

Events Around Town

Purchase Tickets Today for the Black Ensemble Theater's "The Jackie Wilson Story," Written and Directed by BWLA's 2026 Judicial Reception Honoree Jackie Taylor

Happening Today: Attend Today's "From Understanding to Action: Centering Truth to Build Meaningful Repair" Discussion Panel

Apply Today for the Chicago Urban League's IMPACT Leadership Development Program

Apply Today to Join the Board of Directors of Ascend Justice

Register Today for the National Bar Association's Gertrude E. Rush Conference & Spring General Counsel Invitational

The National Bar Association (NBA) will host its 46th Annual Gertrude E. Rush Conference and Awards Gala in San Diego, California, from March 26–29, 2026. Named in honor of Gertrude Elzora Durden Rush—the first African American woman admitted to the Iowa bar and one of the founders of the National Bar Association—the conference is one of the NBA’s signature gatherings. The event brings together attorneys, judges, and legal leaders from across the country to celebrate trailblazers in the profession while engaging in important conversations about leadership, civil rights, and the future of the legal profession.


The conference will feature a series of engaging panels and programs addressing timely issues such as constitutional law, voting rights, emerging technologies including artificial intelligence in the legal system, and the role of Black lawyers in safeguarding democracy and advancing justice. The event will conclude with the Gertrude E. Rush Awards Gala, which honors individuals who exemplify Rush’s legacy of excellence, resilience, and commitment to justice while continuing to inspire the next generation of legal leaders.

RSVP to Attend the

DuSable Black History Museum Women's Board's

"Women in History: Women Shaping and Inspiring Sustainable Generations"

Purchase Tickets Today for

CCBA's Legend's Awards Dinner

Purchase Tickets Today for the

Arab American Bar Association of Illinois 2026 Judicial Reception and Installation of Officers

Register Today for

ISBA's Stronger Together: Supporting Women

in the Legal Profession Half Day CLE

Register for the Illinois State Bar Association's Stronger Together: Supporting Women in the Legal Profession on Thursday, April 23, 2026 hosted at Roosevelt University Wells Lounge, 430 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL See the schedule below:

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Roosevelt University, Wells Lounge, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago

Lunch Served: 12:00 – 12:30

CLE Program: 12:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Complimentary Reception: 5:45 – 7:00 p.m.

4.75 hour MCLE credit, including 4.75* hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Diversity & Inclusion Credit

Don’t miss this program that empowers women to build a supportive professional network, while learning how to overcome career challenges more effectively through the collective support of their colleagues, communities, and families. Topics include:

• Why including women in the Supreme Court is so important;
• How to reclaim your confidence and reduce internal pressure;
• Methods for achieving a successful work-life balance;
• The pivotal role male leadership plays in creating substantial change for underrepresented groups;
• The steps leaders are taking to maximize inclusivity and foster belonging;
• The cultural and structural factors impacting women lawyers; and
• Much more.

Register Today for the Chicago Bar Association's Symposium "AI 2035: The Legal Profession and the Judiciary in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

BWLA Member Achievements

Congratulations to BWLA President Joan Akalaonu who was recently interviewed and featured by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism for Black History Month. The interview feature can be read here.

Congratulations to BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold who was recently awarded the Lighting the Path to Purpose Community Service Award by Outpour Worship Assembly.

Congratulations to BWLA member Melissa Anyetei who was recently recognized by Crain's Chicago Business on its 2026 Notable Women in the Law list.

Congratulations to BWLA Law Student Outreach Committee Co-chair Jordan Bernard who is part of the UIC School of Law's Trial Advocacy Competition Team. Her team recently placed at the Midwest BLSA's 58th Regional Convention's Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition and will now advance and compete at the National BLSA Convention competition in Portland, Oregon.

Congratulations to BWLA member Sheraya Bernard who recently received a Constance L. Montgomery Scholarship and CCBA Membership Dues Scholarship from the Cook County Bar Association Foundation.

Congratulations to BWLA member Andrea Bonds who was recently awarded with the Earl B. Dickerson Award by the Chicago Bar Association.

Congratulations to BWLA member Dean Nicky Boothe who was recently recognized by Crain's Chicago Business on its 2026 Notable Women in the Law list.

Congratulations to BWLA Founder and Past President the Honorable Patricia Brown Holmes (ret.) who was recently recognized by Crain's Chicago Business on its 2026 Notable Women in the Law list.

Congratulations to BWLA member Timnetra Burruss who recently launched a new podcast "Unwritten Chapter" with BWLA Past President Era Patterson, who will be recognized by the Chicago Defender as a 2026 Women of Excellence Honoree on March 20, 2026, who will be honored with a Leader of the Year Award at the Chicago Women Leading Real Estate Ceremony on March 26, 2026. The Chicago Defender Women of Excellence tickets can be purchased here and the Chicago Women Leading Real Estate Ceremony tickets can be purchased here.

Congratulations to BWLA supporter Kimberly Cook who was recently recognized by Crain's Chicago Business on its 2026 Notable Women in the Law list.

Congratulations to BWLA member Terri Dickinson Creasey who recently joined the Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator Advisory Council.

Congratulations to BWLA member Jennifer Dickey who was recently recognized as a Corporate Counsel 2026 Women Influence & Power in Law in the Next Generation of Leaders (Law Firm) category, and who recently spoke at NIU Law's Artificial Law Intelligence Law Society on AI, Accountability and Equity for All for Black History Month.

Congratulations to BWLA Past Scholarship Fund Board Chair Demitrus Evans who recently served as a moderator for the Global Chamber Chicago webinar on "Chicago as a Global Trade Gateway."

Congratulations to BWLA Past Board Member S. Mayumi "Umi" Grisby, Esq. who recently became Executive Director of Share Our Space, a Chicago nonprofit ensuring children ages 0–5 have the diapers, clothing, and essentials they need for a strong start.

Congratulations to BWLA member Sharaylynn Horton-Hill who is part of the UIC School of Law's Trial Advocacy Competition Team. Her team recently placed at the Midwest BLSA's 58th Regional Convention's Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition and will now advance and compete at the National BLSA Convention competition in Portland, Oregon.

Congratulations to BWLA Lifetime Member the Honorable Arnette Hubbard (ret.) who was recently awarded with the Earl B. Dickerson Award by the Chicago Bar Association.

Congratulations to BWLA Past President Nathalina Hudson who was recently recognized by Crain's Chicago Business on its 2026 Notable Women in the Law list.

Congratulations to BWLA member Precious Jacobs-Perry who was recently recognized by Crain's Chicago Business on its 2026 Notable Women in the Law list.

Congratulations to BWLA supporter LaVon Johns who was recently recognized by Crain's Chicago Business on its 2026 Notable Women in the Law list and who will be honored with a Innovator of the Year Award at the Chicago Women Leading Real Estate Ceremony on March 26, 2026. The Chicago Women Leading Real Estate Ceremony tickets can be purchased here.

Congratulations to BWLA member Chantal Kazay Rivera who was recently selected to serve as Acting Board Secretary for the Ronald McDonald House.

Congratulations to BWLA member Camile Lindsay whose appointment as the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation of the Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation was recently confirmed by the Illinois Senate Executive Appointments Committee.

Congratulations to BWLA member Ibidun "Ibi" Oduguwa who is part of the UIC School of Law's Trial Advocacy Competition Team. Her team recently placed at the Midwest BLSA's 58th Regional Convention's Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition and will now advance and compete at the National BLSA Convention competition in Portland, Oregon.

Congratulation to BWLA member Desiree Ralls-Morrison who will be one the Ms. JD honorees at its Limitless Gala on April 23, 2026 in San Francisco, CA. Tickets to the Gala can be purchased here.

Congratulations to BWLA Past President Era Patterson who recently launched a new podcast "Unwritten Chapter" with fellow BWLA member Timentra Burrus.

Congratulations to BWLA Treasurer Alexandra Rogers who will present at her firm Burke, Warren, MacKay, & Serritella, P.C.'s Spring 2026 Labor & Employment Law Update on April 14, 2026. You can register for the virtual program here.

Congratulations to BWLA member Mitrese Smith who is part of the UIC School of Law's Trial Advocacy Competition Team. Her team recently placed at the Midwest BLSA's 58th Regional Convention's Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition and will now advance and compete at the National BLSA Convention competition in Portland, Oregon. Also, Mitrese recently received a Constance L. Montgomery Scholarship and CCBA Membership Dues Scholarship from the Cook County Bar Association Foundation.

Congratulations to BWLA member Cicely Warren who recently received a Constance L. Montgomery Scholarship and CCBA Membership Dues Scholarship from the Cook County Bar Association Foundation.

Congratulations to BWLA member Jasmyne Wells who is part of the Loyola Law Moot Court Program. Her team recently placed second at the Midwest Regional Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition and will now advance and compete at Nationals.

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