June 2010 Diversity Leadership Council Newsletter

An introduction from Chair Alice Noble-Allgire.

By E. Lynn Grayson

A note from Editor E. Lynn Grayson.

A transcript of the Attorney General's address at the ISBA's Midyear Meeting.

An description of the ISBA Diversity Leadership Award and background of its first recipient, Hon. George N. Leighton.

Four distinguished Illinois attorneys shared their stories as part of the ISBA’s Midyear Meeting program, “Lincoln’s Legacy: Lawyers Protecting Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Established in 2009 by 15 Cook County judges who openly identify themselves as gay or lesbian, the Alliance of Illinois Judges seeks to promote the administration of justice and to improve the legal profession.

More than 50 area bar associations came together for the 2009 Unity Award Dinner and Seventh Annual Bar Presidents Swearing-In Ceremony.

Since it first began in 1993, the Korean American Bar Association of Chicago has undergone tremendous growth and change.

A description of the memoir by Justice Albie Sachs, who in 1994 was appointed to the Constitutional Court of South Africa by Nelson Mandela.

The Annual Diversity Luncheon has been one of the Peoria County Bar Association's most well-attended and successful events. But if statistics are any indicators, there's still have a long way to go to ensure diversity in the legal profession.

The Chicago Committee Mentorship Academy launched in 2008, and uses a non-traditional model to help new associates find success and fulfillment in their legal practice.

The ISBA’s “Celebrating Women in the Profession” luncheon was held on March 9, 2010.

On March 31, approximately 400 lawyers from the Illinois legal community joined together for an evening in support of charities working in Haiti to rebuild a country shattered by the loss of over 200,000 people as a result of the recent earthquake.

On November 2nd, Chicago welcomed back its own Kareem A. Dale, Special Assistant to President Obama, to address issues of concern to the Chicago legal community.

The mission of the Standing Committee has been focused on educating and creating awareness of issues impacting racial and ethnic minorities.

The Chair provides insight into the Committee's accomplishments this year.

A summary of comments made by Kelly White, Executive Director of the Chicago Foundation for Women, at its 24th Annual Luncheon on September 24, 2009.