It was a wonderful experience to serve as Chair of Illinois State Bar Association’s (“ISBA”) Standing Committee on Women and the Law (“WATL”) from 2009-2010. I am a partner at the Law Offices of Avery Camerlingo, a family law and employment law firm located in Chicago, Illinois. Additionally, I provide extensive pro bono services through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, the Center for Disability and Elder Law and the Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic.
My year as Chair was a fantastic year, which was highlighted by events committed to affording women attorneys leadership opportunities. We presented a program titled “Seek Power: A Woman Lawyer’s Guide to Authentic Self-Promotion.” The program gave those who hate networking the tools needed for comfortable self-promotion. WATL also presented “Women and the Criminal Justice System—Justice Delivered or Denied?” The program focused on the distinct reasons women are brought into the criminal justice system, the treatment they receive while there, and the problems they encounter upon their release. The final segment of the program focused on how attorneys could improve the system and reduce the crime rate among women.
ISBA’s president at the time, John O’Brien, highlighted diversity at the Mid-Year meeting with a program entitled “Lincoln’s Legacy: Lawyers Who Protect Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” As part of that program, WATL presented a program highlighting the issue of sex-trafficking of women and girls in the Chicago area. WATL also coordinated a luncheon entitled “Celebrating Women in the Profession: Reach Out and Build Our Future,” for an event hosted by President O’Brien. Barbara J. Howard, President of the Ohio State Bar Association, gave the Keynote Address which focused on the progress made my women attorneys. Ms. Howard recognized Judge Carole Bellows, a former ISBA President, who was the first female state bar association president in the country. Lastly, WATL traveled to the Northern Illinois University College of Law in DeKalb, Illinois. We held a program for law students, followed by a networking reception with attorneys and judges in the area. Throughout the year, we focused on promoting all women attorneys and regularly championing women who were deserving of awards and recognition. I want WATL to continue supporting women attorneys and being a resource for issues affecting women.