September 2021 Newsletter

President's Message
Greetings!

As much as #SummertimeChi is my favorite time of year, I can also appreciate Fall traditions like admiring the leaves as they change to beautiful, vibrant colors, watching children get excited as they prepare for another school year, pumpkin-spiced everything, and seeing all of your wonderful faces at BWLA's Fall General Membership Meeting! I hope to see each of you in one week as we kick off another amazing year of programming and fellowship. Our committee chairs are excited to share their ideas for this bar year, so please come out and support your fellow members and enjoy some informal networking.

Tickets for the 2021 Annual Fundraiser are on sale now! The speakers are phenomenal and they can't wait to share their unique experiences in sports leadership with you! We've been highlighting each of the speakers on social media. Please share with your networks and encourage a friend (or two) to attend what is sure to be a dynamic discussion.

Finally, if you've been thinking about how to lift as you climb, below are just a few of many opportunities we receive to mentor students. Let us know if you can lend your time.

I'll see you soon!

Nakhia C. Crossley
2021-2022 President
#BWLABeyond
Register for the 2021 Virtual Fall Meeting
Please click here to review BWLA's committees. If you are interested in volunteering for a committee, you can sign up here.

To attend this virtual meeting, please RSVP here.
Purchase Your 2021 Annual Fundraiser
Ticket Today!
On October 7, 2021 BWLA will host its 2021 Annual Fundraiser entitled Women Breaking Barriers in Sports Leadership. This year's event will be virtual and is sure to be a hot ticket item. You don't want to miss this dynamic group of speakers that are leading the charge in sports!
Myka Bell
Associate Counsel
San Francisco 49ers
D'Lonra C. Ellis
Vice President and General Counsel
Oakland Athletics
Terri Jackson
Executive Director
Women's National Basketball Players Association
Nona Lee
Executive Vice President &
Chief Legal Officer
Arizona Diamondbacks
Michele Roberts
Executive Director
National Basketball Players Association
BWLA is now accepting applications for the 
2021-2022 T.E.A. Directors Institute Fellowship!
The mission of T.E.A. (Train, Excel, Appoint) is to assist seasoned attorneys with raising their profile and preparing for roles as Directors on city, county, state, federal, non-profit and corporate boards. 
Please click the link below to view the application and apply.  deadline is January 8, 2021. 
Email completed applications to BWLADirectorsInstitute@gmail.com.
T.E.A. Application

About the T.E.A. Director's Institute
Founded by BWLA Past President Erica Kirkwood, this program focuses on increasing the presence of female attorneys of color on the boards of government entities, nonprofits, and private and publicly traded companies through intimate, interactive panels, lectures, skills-based workshops, and a networking reception. Program sessions will train Fellows in the areas of networking, resume writing, brand management, emotional intelligence, finance, business, corporate governance, and ethics. 
Past Events
BWLA at 2021 Bud Billiken Parade
On August 14, 2021, BWLA participated in the 81st Annual Bud Billiken Parade. Although the route was shorter this year, the enthusiasm of the community was stronger than ever! BWLA members and supporters walked the 10 block parade route, handing out school supplies, snacks and water along the way!

The BWLA Scholarship Fund Board coordinated another successful School Supply Drive. Led by Chair Jasmine Fannell, several members came together on Friday, August 13, 2021 to stuff bags full of school supplies to hand out during the Bud Billiken Parade. Thank you to everyone who donated and participated!
BWLA Attends CCBA Judicial Reception
BWLA proudly supported the Cook County Bar Association's Judicial Reception last month. Congratulations on a wonderful event!
BWLA Past Presidents Kenya Jenkins-Wright and Kalia Coleman along with former BWLA Board Member Camile Lindsay Kumi with CCBA President-Elect Natasha Jenkins
BWLA Past President Kalia Coleman with CCBA President Cannon Lambert, Sr. and CCBA President-Elect Natasha Jenkins
Announcements!
The Diversity Scholarship Foundation is seeking First Generation Mentors
The Diversity Scholarship Foundation, NFP (DSF) invites you to participate in its First Generation Mentor-Mentee Program.  This program is designed to introduce first-generation law students to attorneys and judges who can provide them with guidance to navigate law school and beyond.

If you are interested in joining this mentorship program for the Fall 2021 semester as either a mentor or mentee, please register below:
 
Student-Mentee: Register Here
Attorney-Mentor: Register Here
                                        
The DSF is a 501(3)(c) that was established by a small group of lawyers and judges committed to the idea that diverse law school student bodies are a means of ensuring further diversification in the legal community. To fulfill our mission, the DSF seeks to financially assist underprivileged and under-represented minorities in attending law school by offering them scholarships and mentorship opportunities.  Scholarship application period for Fall 2021 is currently open.

For more information visit www.diversitychicago.org          
Calling for Moot Court Judges!
The University of Chicago is looking for Judges for its Undergraduate Moot Court Tournament. The tournament will be held online via Zoom on Friday, October 15th and Saturday, October 16th

This year, the case concerns a federal vaccine mandate in response to a 2021 polio outbreak following fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Petitioner William Denolf is challenging the order under the Commerce Clause and the 5th Amendment Due Process Clause. 
 
You will hear different teams present arguments on these legal issues and judge their performance. Information regarding the American Moot Court Association's standards will be provided to judges in advance, so you don't need prior moot court judging experience in order to participate!
 
Please fill out this form to indicate your interest and also specify what times you’re interested in judging. In addition to volunteering for this worthwhile cause, judges can also earn MCLE credit for participating.

To learn more about the program click here.

BWLA T-Shirts on SALE NOW!
BWLA T-shirts are currently available for purchase!!! The new T-shirts were designed to celebrate and commemorate our resilience during the pandemic. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to BWLA's Scholarship Fund. T-shirts are $25.00 each and are available in size small - 2XL.

Click here to place your order TODAY while supplies last!
BWLA Member Achievements
Congratulations to BWLA Founder and Past President, the Honorable Patrice Ball-Reed, on being voted President of the Illinois Judges Foundation and Treasurer of the Illinois Judges Association!
Congratulations to BWLA Founder and Past President, the Honorable Patricia Brown Holmes, on being honored as Managing Partner of the Year by Corporate Counsel's Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards Program.
Congratulations to BWLA Founder, the Honorable Ann Claire Williams, on being appointed Co-Chair of the Racial Justice Diversity Committee for the Northern District of lllinois.
Congratulations to Precious Jacobs-Perry on being named a 2021 40 Under Forty Honoree by Chicago Lawyer and Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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 BWLA Corresponding Secretary, Era Laudermilk, at administrator@bwla.org.
Employment Opportunities
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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!
Thank You To Our Sponsors!!!!