The joint bar association Unity Award dinner, “Diversity: The Challenge of Change,” will take place Thursday, Nov. 15 in the Grand Ballroom of the Inter-Continental Hotel, Chicago.

Proceeds from the fifth annual event, which begins with a 5 p.m. reception, will benefit a new $100,000 diversity scholarship to be established at The John Marshall Law School.

The 2007 Unity Award will be presented to Cook County State's Attorney Richard A. Devine. Recipients of Advocate for Diversity Awards are Cook County Judges Sandra R. Otaka and E. Kenneth Wright Jr.

“We are inspired by the what our award recipients have contributed to the legal community,” said Jessica Arong O'Brien, who chaired the 2006 dinner. “The work they have done has laid a strong foundation for increased awareness that our system works better because of its diversity.”

Presidents of almost 40 diverse bar associations, including Joseph G. Bisceglia of the ISBA, have been invited to participate in a mass swearing-in ceremony.

Co-chairs of the unity dinner are Michele M. Jochner of the ISBA Board of Governors, Ronald Almiron and Vaishali Rae.