The newsletter of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Women and the Law

June 2007, vol. 1, no. 1

In This Issue…

• Diversity in the Legal Profession: What we can do to open doors?
  For many persons of color, the American educational system presents a barrier, rather than a conduit, to the legal profession.
• Chairs’ Column
  As chairs of the Standing Committees on Women and the Law and Minority and Women Participation, we are pleased to share with you the diversity outreach and educational efforts that our committees have undertaken during the past year.
• Diversity Roundtable: Pipeline to the future
  During the past year, the Standing Committee on Minority and Women Participation has been exploring ways that the Illinois State Bar Association can encourage more minorities traverse the educational pipeline into the legal profession.
• The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism and its mission
  When I enrolled in law school I took a step toward a major life goal.
• Diversity is a yarn, until women of color are woven into the law firm fabric
  Most private firm business models continue to adhere to the “pay-your-dues-and-climb-the-ladder” tradition.
• Articulating the business case for inclusion
  The business case for diversity is well established and directly relates to any legal organization’s ability to compete for the best clients and talent.
• Summary of the 2006 Diversity Luncheon
  On September 18, 2006, the Peoria County Bar Association’s Diversity Committee held its third annual Diversity Luncheon and outdid itself again.
• The Chicago Call to Action for Women Attorneys: The right thing to do for law firms
  Law firms continually struggle for meaningful ways to advance commonly shared diversity objectives.
• Diversity news
  The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (“MCCA”) selected the law firm of Laner, Muchin, Dombrow, Becker Levin and Tominberg, Ltd. (“Laner Muchin”) as the recipient of the Thomas L. Sager Award for the Midwest Region.
• Mission Possible: Black Law Students Association at SIU Initiative
  A life with no opportunities is like a body with no brain. It has no chance of survival. No chance to grow and learn.
• Excellence and strength through diversity: The positive impact on the future of our profession
  The legal profession has been a dynamic force in shaping the history of our nation. It is no surprise, therefore, that lawyers have a special place in our society as the protectors of the underprivileged and disenfranchised.