I was honored to serve as the chair of the ISBA's Standing Committee on Women and the Law (WATL) from 2017-2018. During my time as chair the committee focused on supporting passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in Illinois and nominating deserving ISBA members for awards. I am proud to say that every committee and section that took a position on the ERA stood in favor of ratification. The ISBA and several members of our committee filed witness slips in favor of passage of the ERA. The committee also produced several high-quality CLE programs on such topics as girls in crisis, starting a solo practice as a female attorney, the ERA, and transgender issues.
I am a recently retired United State Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In that position, I heard and issued lengthy written decisions on complex unfair labor practice cases throughout the United States and its territories. Previously, I served as an ALJ for the Social Security Administration, presiding over disability benefits cases. Before my appointment as an ALJ, I was a field attorney for the NLRB, an Assistant State's Attorney in LaSalle County, and an insurance defense attorney in Chicago and the suburbs. I am a member of the ISBA, ABA, LaSalle County Bar Association, Federal Administrative Law Judges Conference, and National Association of Women Judges. Outside of my legal work, I serve my community as a Rotarian, Zontian, American Legion member, a mock trial coach, a Scout leader, a substitute teacher, a baseball, basketball, bowling, golf, and scholastic bowl coach, and a mentor. I also currently serve on the ISBA's Standing Committee on Law-Related Education for the Public and Standing Committee on Judicial Evaluations Outside of Cook County.