President's Message

Dear BWLA Family,

As we enter the fall season and the start of this new bar year, I am excited for the next two upcoming BWLA events: the BWLA Mentoring Program Orientation and the BWLA Fall General Body Meeting.

One of the BWLA's greatest strengths is it commitment and dedication to mentorship. For nearly 40 years, BWLA has thrived because of the guidance, wisdom, and sisterhood we offer and pour into one another. In a profession that can often feel isolating for Black women and others, mentorship connects us and reminds us that none of us walks this journey alone. Mentorship is not simply an act of service—it is a foundational pillar to building an Enduring Legacy. It is how we ensure that the next generation of Black women lawyers steps into their legal careers with confidence, courage, and community at their side.

That is why I am thrilled for the relaunch of the BWLA Mentoring Program beginning September 15, 2025! This year, we are blessed to have 20 outstanding BWLA members volunteer to serve as mentors, dedicating their time while balancing already demanding schedules, to support, encourage, and guide new attorneys and law students. I want to recognize and thank these mentors for their commitment and service to BWLA:

I also extend my gratitude to those who worked diligently to coordinate this relaunch: BWLA Past President and Mentoring Program Co-Chair Renai Rodney, BWLA Board Members at Large and Committee Liaisons Amber Carpenter and Jade Peeples and the Law Student Outreach Committee Co-Chairs Jordan Bernard, Maryah Person, and Leah Hall. Thank you for your leadership and service!

I am equally excited for our BWLA 2025 Fall General Body Meeting and Committee Fair on October 7, 2025! This year, our special guest speaker is a trailblazing leader in the legal community—BWLA Founder and Past President, the Honorable Patricia Brown Holmes (ret.), Managing Partner of Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP. Judge Holmes is the first Black woman to lead and have her name on the door of a national law firm that is not women- or minority-owned. Her extraordinary career includes service as a state court judge, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Assistant State’s Attorney, giving her the rare distinction of having tried cases in state, city, and federal court, as well as in appellate and state supreme courts.

Judge Holmes is also widely recognized as a powerful advocate for justice, diversity, and inclusion. She has served in high-profile appointments—including as Special Prosecutor in the matter of Laquan McDonald—and has been honored with numerous awards, including the ABA Diversity Leadership Award, the Justice John Paul Stevens Award, and recognition as a Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyer. She is a legal powerhouse and a dedicated mentor who has opened doors for countless attorneys.

At our Fall General Body Meeting, Judge Holmes will share her reflections on how she has built an Enduring Legacy—as one of BWLA’s Founders and Past Presidents, and as the first Black woman to break barriers at the helm of a major law firm. Her story exemplifies what it means to lift as we climb and to build a legacy that paves the way for others to follow.

I look forward to seeing our BWLA members, friends, and supporters at these upcoming events and throughout the bar year. Together, we will continue to strengthen our community, uplift one another, and carry forward BWLA’s enduring legacy.

With gratitude and sisterhood,

Joan A. Akalaonu

2025-2026 BWLA President

#EnduringLegacy

Upcoming Events

Register Today to attend BWLA's 2025 Fall General Body Meeting and Committees Fair

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

This year, BWLA is excited and honored to have as its Special Guest Speaker, BWLA Founder and Past President, the Honorable Patricia Brown Holmes, Managing Partner of Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP, who will speak on how she has built an Enduring Legacy in her legal career as one of the founders and leaders of BWLA and as the first Black woman to lead and have her name on the door of a major law firm that is not women - or minority-owned. 

Scholarship Available!

Apply Today for the BWLA's 2025 Fall Book Award Scholarships

Attention current Chicagoland law students! BWLA wants to invest in you! Apply TODAY for one of the BWLA 2025 Fall Book Award Scholarships!

The BWLA Scholarship Fund Board is sponsoring its annual 2025 Fall Book Award Scholarship. Continuing its tradition and Enduring Legacy 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 Friday, October 3, 2025. The Fall Book Award scholarship recipients will be announced at the annual BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Sips for Scholarships Fundraiser on October 28, 2025.

BWLA Looks Forward to Seeing Participants at Next Week's Mentoring Program Orientation

BWLA is excited to have matched about 20 pairs of mentors and mentees to participate in its BWLA Mentoring Program. These mentoring pairs will receive CLE credit through the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism’s Lawyer-to-Lawyer mentoring program. Additionally, these mentoring pairs have also been connected with Black women law students to help them successfully navigate law school and the start of their legal careers.

The BWLA Mentoring Program and journey begins this month at next week's BWLA Mentoring Program Orientation hosted by BWLA sponsor Ropes & Gray at 191 N. Wacker Driver, Chicago, Illinois, on September 15, 2025 from 5:30-7:30pm. The evening will include an opportunity for the mentors and mentees to meet, connect, and mingle over drinks and appetizers, and learn more about the program from BWLA Past President and Mentoring Program Committee Co-Chair Renai Rodney and Mark Palmer, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. During the meeting, attendees will also complete the mandatory Mentoring Program orientation. Law student participants will also learn about expectations and parameters for the mentoring program. It is sure to be an inspiring and fun evening of connection and community!

Special thanks to BWLA Past President and Mentoring Program Committee Co-Chair Renai Rodney, BWLA Board Members at Large and Committee Liaisons Amber Carpenter and Jade Peeples, and the BWLA Law Student Outreach Committee Co-Chairs Maryah Person, Jordan Bernard, and Leah Hall for their hard work, dedication and commitment to successfully relaunching BWLA's Mentoring Program this year! Special thanks to BWLA sponsor Ropes & Gray for hosting the upcoming orientation!

Save the Date

Raise a Glass, Fund a Future:

BWLA's 2025 Sips for Scholarships

Mark your calendars! The BWLA Scholarship Fund Board is thrilled to announce that our signature event, Sips for Scholarships, returns on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at the illustrious Sinclair Chicago (17 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL).

Continuing tradition, we will award our 2025 Fall Book Scholarships to outstanding law students and raise funds to support the next generation of leaders. Guests will enjoy an evening of community, conversation, and celebration—complete with networking opportunities, a silent auction, and entertainment.



Save the date and stay tuned for more details, including ticketing, sponsorship opportunities, and this year's exciting silent auction line-up. If you are interested in sponsoring or contributing an item for the auction, please reach out to administrator@bwla.org.

BWLA Membership and Committees

GET INVOLVED:

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

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

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



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

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

Past Events

BWLA's New Lawyers Committee at the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section All Bar Networking Social

On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the BWLA New Lawyers Committee, specifically BWLA Board Member at Large and Committee Liaison Cyerra McGowan and Committee Co-Chairs Kyle Palmore and Milea Moye, represented BWLA at the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section All Bar Networking Social held at Hubbard Inn. BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Recording Secretary Le'Loni English and others were also in attendance.

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. BWLA also held a raffle for those who paid their membership dues during the event. This year's raffle winner is Aleathea Williams.

Celebrating Leadership:

BWLA at the Illinois Judicial Council's 43rd Annual Installation and Scholarship Ceremony

On Thursday, September 4, 2025, BWLA proudly attended the Illinois Judicial Council’s 43rd Annual Installation and Scholarship Ceremony held at the Gallery Guichard. Among the attendees were BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel, Corresponding Secretary Kameelah Pointer, BWLA Past Presidents the Honorable LaShonda Hunt, the Honorable Patricia Ball-Reed, the Honorable Kenya Jenkins-Wright, and Mary Melchor, along with BWLA Law Student Committee Co-Chairs Jordan Bernard and Maryah Person, and BWLA members the Honorable Nichole C. Patton, President of the Chicago Bar Association, and the Honorable Linda Sackey.

Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. administered the oath and installed the Honorable Tiana S. Blakely as this year's IJC President, along with her Officers, including Judge Kenya Jenkins-Wright who was installed as IJC Secretary, and her Board Members at Large. Both Judge Jenkins-Wright and Judge Patton were among those honored with awards recognizing their outstanding service and contributions to the judiciary.

On behalf of the IJC Foundation, Judge Patton also awarded scholarships to several deserving law students, including BWLA Law Student Committee Co-Chairs Jordan Bernard and Maryah Person, and BWLA member Ibidun (Ibi) Oduguwa.

Pouring into Possibility:

BWLA Supports Women's Futures at the Dress for Success Chicago's End of Summer Cocktail Party

On Wednesday, September 3, 3025, BWLA Parliamentarian Kina Arnold represented BWLA at the Dress for Success Greater Chicago end-of-season cocktail party "Last Sip of Summer: Pouring Into Women's Futures" at The Loft 22 @ UMMO in River North (22 W Hubbard). The gathering was an opportunity to mix and mingle with those leading the organization, including Doris Gadsden, Office Coordinator for Dress for Success Greater Chicago, learn more about the organization and its impact through client testimonials, and support empowering women across Chicagoland with the tools, confidence, and resources they need to succeed in work and in life. 

Earlier this year, BWLA collaborated with the Women's Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) on a clothing drive and day of service in support of Dress for Success Greater Chicago and its mission to help unemployed and underemployed women achieve economic independence with professional attire.

BWLA attends Career Day at

Chicago Public Elementary School

On Friday, September 5, 2025, BWLA President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Natalie Ellis, BWLA Past Board Member Ava George Stewart, BWLA members Michelle Flagg and Nia Crosley, and others volunteered and participated with several other professionals in the 2025 Career Day at a Chicago Public School Elementary School in Chicago's West Englewood neighborhood. The Career Day was hosted and sponsored by Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella Partner and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair Nicholas Gowen. Through panels and break-out sessions in individual classrooms, participants interacted and engaged with young students in 5th through 8th grade speaking with them about their futures and potential career paths.

Events Around Town

Nominations Are Open:

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

Register Today to Attend the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section's Open House

Register Today for

LAGBAC's Lawyers for Diversity Celebration

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

Register Today for the

Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter's

CLE Screening and Panel Discussion "A Miscarriage of Justice: Insights for Today from the Acquittal of Emmett Till's Murderers"

Purchase Your Ticket Today

for the Illinois Judges Foundation Annual Reception celebrating honorees, including BWLA Lifetime Member, the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman

Register Today for the Association of Corporate Counsel Chicago's CLE Presentation on "The New Immigration Landscape - Lessons Learned and What May Lie Ahead in 2026"

Purchase Your Tickets Today

for the Just the Beginning - A Pipeline Organization's 2025 Light the Spark Celebration celebrating awardees, including BWLA Past President Kalia Coleman

Purchase Your Ticket Today for the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago 2025 Annual Gala

BWLA Member Achievements

Congratulations to BWLA President Joan Akalaonu who was recently recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar.

Congratulations to BWLA Past President and Scholarship Fund Board Member Elsa Andrianifahanana who will honored on September 11, 2025 by Care for Friends with the Power Hope Award for her leadership in bringing hope and light to communities in Chicago.

Congratulations to BWLA Law School Outreach Committee Co-Chair Jordan Bernard who recently received a scholarship from the Illinois Judicial Council Foundation at the Illinois Judicial Council's 43rd Annual Installation and Awards Ceremony.

Congratulations to BWLA Past President Nakhia Crossley who recently served as a panelist at the Rising Star Forum of the 2025 Women's Energy Summit.

Congratulations to BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Natalie Ellis who was recently recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Product Liability Litigation-Defendants.

Congratulations to BWLA Founder and Past President the Honorable Patricia Brown Holmes (ret.) who was recently recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar.

Congratulations to BWLA Past Board Member at Large S. Mayumi "Umi" Grisby who will be honored this week at the American Constitution Society's 2025 Legal Legends Luncheon as one of the Ruth Goldman and Abner J. Mikva Awardees.

Congratulations to BWLA Past President Nathalina Hudson who recently served as a panelist at the 2025 Alcohol Law and Policy Conference discussing the impact of organized retail crime on the alcohol industry and the work the Illinois Attorney General's Office's Organized Retail Crime Taskforce is doing to combat retail crime.

Congratulations to BWLA member Justice Freddrenna M. Lyle of the Illinois Appellate Court who was recently sworn in by Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. and installed as the new Chair of the Judicial Council of the National Bar Association at its 54th Annual Thurgood Marshall Luncheon.

Congratulations to BWLA member Jasmine Morton Rogers who was recently recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Litigation-Labor and Employment, and Product Liability Litigation-Defendants.

Congratulations to BWLA member Ibidun (Ibi) Oduguwa who recently received a scholarship from the Illinois Judicial Council Foundation at the Illinois Judicial Council's 43rd Annual Installation and Awards Ceremony.

Congratulations to BWLA Law Student Outreach Committee Co-Chair, Maryah Person who recently received a scholarship from the Illinois Judicial Council Foundation at the Illinois Judicial Council's 43rd Annual Installation and Awards Ceremony.

Congratulations to BWLA Vice President Natanya Pope-Sohel who will be presenting a CR3 webinar session on September 11, 2025 for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on "Supporting Justice-Impacted Individuals Facing Reentry Barriers." You can register to attend the seminar here.

Congratulations to BWLA member Taylor Stamps who was recently elected to serve as Law Student Division Chair for the American Bar Association.

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