All Great Men Have Mothers: A Book ReviewBy Sandra Crawford, J.D.Women and the Law, April 2026The mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcom X, and James Baldwin played a pivotal role in their sons' lives. While often discussed less, this book sheds light on how Alberta Williams King, Louise Little, and Berdis Jones Baldwin raised men who would change the country's landscape.
Annual Tea Celebrating Women’s History Month 2026Women and the Law, April 2026On Friday, March 13, 2026, the ISBA Standing Committee on Women & the Law hosted an afternoon tea to celebrate Women’s History Month at Loews Chicago Hotel. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Kay O'Brien was the keynote speaker.
Balancing Career & Family at the Appellate CourtBy Julia Kaye WykoffWomen and the Law, April 2026We tell our kids all the time: look for the helpers. But as working moms, why don’t we tell ourselves that, too? Although our profession can be filled with some curmudgeonly old-schoolers who don’t understand the struggle, there is no shortage of helpers out there that want us to succeed. I am grateful that I found my mentor and “helper” in Justice Sholar.
ISBA’s Women & the Law Committee Raises Funds and Donations for Special Olympics IllinoisBy Laura CastagnaWomen and the Law, April 2026Thanks to the generosity of our WATL Committee members and donors, 154 items were purchased from the Amazon Wish List for the Sycamore Killer Whales, Warren County Falcons, and the Big Muddy Crew, and $835 in monetary contributions were donated directly to Special Olympics Illinois.
Lawyers’ Assistance Program: Mental HealthBy Nicole SartoriWomen and the Law, April 2026The Lawyers' Assistance Program is a valuable resource for attorneys, judges, and law students, offering services from assessments, substance abuse to mental health treatments, support groups, and individual counseling.
“Mind the Gap”: The Importance of Using Our Voices in Support of Judicial IndependenceBy Judge Chloé PedersenWomen and the Law, April 2026Judicial independence is an integral part of our legal system. There is no question, however, that we, as members of the bench and bar, have each sworn an oath to stand up for the rule of law. I implore each of you to stand strong, remain independent, and zealously serve as you have sworn to do. Judge Bloom, in addressing the Federal Bar Association's Broward County Chapter, provides compelling commentary on the past history and future ambitions of this duty.
New Member Spotlight: Aggie BaumertWomen and the Law, April 2026Learn more about Aggie Baumert, who not only brings a wealth of experience in family law to the committee—she embodies grit, passion, and dedication against all odds, a true testament to everything that the committee represents.
Annual Tea To Celebrate Women’s History MonthWomen and the Law, February 2026Join the Women & the Law Committee for its 2026 Annual Tea at the Loews Chicago Hotel on Friday, March 13, 2026!
Call to Action: Build a Bridge From Courthouse to CommunityBy Margie Komes Putzler & Avery TenEcykWomen and the Law, February 2026Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford is excited to unveil a forward and public-facing initiative: Build a Bridge from Courthouse to Community, founded on the premise that there is diminished confidence in our legal system, and it is the responsibility of lawyers and judges to make information about the operation of the courts more accessible and transparent to the people we serve.
Call to Action: Build a Bridge From Courthouse to CommunityBy Margie Komes Putzler & Avery TenEcykWorkers’ Compensation Law, February 2026Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford is excited to unveil a forward and public-facing initiative: Build a Bridge from Courthouse to Community, founded on the premise that there is diminished confidence in our legal system, and it is the responsibility of lawyers and judges to make information about the operation of the courts more accessible and transparent to the people we serve.
Safety, Stigma, and the State: Savanna’s Law and Domestic Violence RegistriesBy Judge Megan GoldishWomen and the Law, February 2026Savanna’s Law raises questions of whether other states, including Illinois, could adopt a similar framework. Tennessee is the first state to implement a statewide public registry specifically for repeat DV offenders. While other jurisdictions maintain law-enforcement-only databases or protective-order registries, these differ significantly from a public criminal offender registry.
When a Private Home Becomes a Regulated Workplace: Employment Law Considerations for Hiring Nannies in IllinoisBy Kat GaineyWomen and the Law, February 2026For many families juggling careers and children, hiring an in-home nanny often feels like a practical solution to an everyday problem. The arrangement appears personal, private, and even informal; however, unlike traditional employment relationships, in-home childcare frequently begins through word-of-mouth referrals, casual interviews, and handshake agreements. Yet few families pause to consider the legal implications that accompany recurring childcare.
Women at the Center: Community Responses to Federal Immigration Activity in Chicago and the Surrounding SuburbsBy Kat DelgadoWomen and the Law, February 2026Over the past several months, many Chicagoland residents have observed an increased federal presence in the city and surrounding suburbs. These temporary operations, largely related to immigration enforcement, have been visible and disruptive and have prompted widespread community responses. For women living in Illinois and practicing law, these events do not exist in an abstract or theoretical space, but rather intersect directly with the lived realities of local families and with the legal systems designed to protect them.
Mentorship: The Power of “Small” ActsBy Rachel KolbWomen and the Law, September 2025Mentorship and networking are important resources in the legal field. Be sure you are utilizing your personal and professional connections to enhance your experience!
Abortion Bans: How Post-Dobbs Restrictions Will Impact States Without Their Own Abortion LimitsBy Olivia St. Clair Long & MK ClaytonWomen and the Law, May 2025Florida’s new six-week abortion ban has created a healthcare crisis, forcing many to travel out of state for care and putting lives at risk, as seen in Anya Cook’s near-fatal miscarriage. The law includes limited, hard-to-access exceptions and disproportionately impacts marginalized groups. It also strains healthcare systems in nearby states and may influence national public health and political dynamics.
Chair’s ColumnBy Deanna HoytWomen and the Law, May 2025A note from the chair: "It has been my honor working with all of you over the 12 months. We have done some great things through all your incredible dedication and hard work."
Equal Rights Amendment Update: Where Are We Now?By Cindy G. BuysWomen and the Law, May 2025At its Annual Meeting in Chicago in July 2024, the American Bar Association adopted a resolution recognizing the ERA as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution because it satisfies all requirements of Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The ABA did so with support of the ISBA. The ABA Resolution rejects the argument that the ratifications are time barred because the time bar is not part of Article V of the Constitution and because it was contained in the text of a congressional resolution and not in the language of the amendment itself.
Maaria Mozaffar: Someone You Should KnowBy Mona ElgindyWomen and the Law, May 2025An interview with Maaria Mozaffar, who has been trailblazing across the State of Illinois in her role as a legislative advocate and civil rights attorney. Her successes have served not only the women of Illinois but also so many others. In this interview, Mozaffar discusses her most recent accomplishments.
Member Spotlight: Debra L. ThomasBy Jessica DurkinWomen and the Law, May 2025A spotlight on a new member of the ISBA Standing Committee on Women & the Law.
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation ChampionBy Judith ConwayWomen and the Law, February 2025At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Chair’s ColumnBy Deanna HoytWomen and the Law, February 2025A message from the chair regarding volunteering in your community.
Dr. Hillary Langley to Speak to ISBA on Managing Trauma Experienced in the Legal ProfessionBy Debra L. ThomasWomen and the Law, February 2025WATL sought out a specialist to help attorneys best understand what trauma really is as it relates to the legal profession and attorneys’ daily lives. On May 7, Dr. Hillary Langley will present a Zoom CLE seminar where she will explain how trauma can manifest and impact the individual’s mental health, physical health, and emotional well-being, and then also provide tips for managing the trauma. Dr. Langley answers a series of questions in anticipation of the program.
Event Recap: What It Takes to be a Trial Lawyer if You’re Not a ManBy Kristine HoniotesWomen and the Law, February 2025A synopsis of the University of Illinois College of Law's Fall Symposium from November 8, 2024, entitled, "Teaching the Next Generation of Trial Lawyers: What It Takes to be a Trial Lawyer if You’re Not a Man."
Interview with Former WATL Chair, Lori LevinBy Judith ConwayWomen and the Law, February 2025A spotlight on Lori Levin who served as chair of the Women and the Law Committee from 2018-2019.
Governor J.B. Pritzker Signs Into Law the House Bill 5142By Olga BeznashchukWomen and the Law, December 2024On July 29, 2024, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law HB5142, also known as the Birth Equity Act. The Act amends the Illinois Insurance Code and Illinois Public Aid Code to expand coverage for pregnancy, postpartum, and newborn care. The Act also mandates comprehensive abortion coverage without extra costs and deductibles.
