The hustle and bustle of the 2015-2016 bar year is coming to an end. Since the beginning of the ISBA bar year starts in June each year, the month of May is often very busy with numerous awards luncheons, fundraisers, new committee appointments, and of course, warm weather. It is also time for my very last Chair’s Column. Our incoming ISBA President Vince Cornelius recently appointed Julie Neubauer to serve as Chair, Melissa Olivero as Vice Chair, and Lori Levin as incoming Secretary for 2016-2017 bar year. As I reflect on all that we have accomplished as a group, I have a huge smile on my face. But wow, I am ready to be ex-Officio! Here are a few upcoming highlights:

21st Annual Networking Reception

The ISBA Annual Meeting is right around the corner and there is a special 21st Annual Networking Breakfast which will take place on Saturday, June 18 from 8:00-9:30 a.m. at The Westin O’Hare, Rosemont, IL. Our Standing Committee has partnered with the Standing Committee on Racial and Ethnic Minorities & the Law, and the Diversity Leadership Council to continue this annual tradition. We encourage you to join us and get more involved. You can register for the ISBA Annual Meeting at <http://www.isba.org/annual>.

Lactation Accommodation at Annual Meeting and at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office

A huge thank you to Kim Weaver, Jeanne Heaton, and Melissa Burkholder who helped make lactation accommodation available for nursing mothers attending the Annual Meeting. Attendees who are in need of a clean private place to pump breast milk while attending the conference may utilize a private lactation room. A key for the room will be available at the ISBA Registration room at the Annual Meeting. Private lactation space is also available at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office for nursing mothers.

Awards 

One of the goals of the Standing Committee on Women and the Law is to explore ways to encourage women in their involvement in the legal community at all levels. I am so proud to be surrounded by such accomplished, hardworking, and inspiring award recipients. At the time of press, we congratulate several award recipients (who were nominated by our Standing Committee) for the following ISBA awards:

• Cindy Galway Buys selected as the 2016 recipient of the ISBA Human Rights Section Council’s Gertz Award (nomination prepared by Kelly Parfitt)

• Annemarie E. Kill selected as the 2016 recipient of the ISBA Matthew Maloney Tradition of Excellence Award (nomination prepared by Lori Levin)

• Debra Stark and the John Marshall Domestic Violence Clinical Advocacy Program, selected as the 2016 recipient of the Legal Education award (nomination prepared by Sherry Mundorff)

• Erin Wilson, selected as the 2016 recipient of the ISBA Young Lawyer of the Year Award (Cook County) (nomination prepared by Kristen Prinz)

Congratulations to all of the award winners who will be recognized at the ISBA Assembly Meeting on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. 