CBA Record May-June 2025

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Alliance for Women Honors Outstanding Women Lawyers T he CBA’s Alliance for Women honored women leaders in the law during Women’s History Month nois and awarded to a woman who meets the Founder’s Award criteria but has been qualified to practice law for 15 years or less, awarded to Gail Eisenberg, a partner at Loftus & Eisenberg. By Ann Glynn, CBA Public Affairs Director

with a CLE panel presentation entitled “Celebrating Women Leaders,” followed by their annual awards ceremony. The CLE program was moderated by Incoming CBA President Judge Nichole Patton, Circuit Court of Cook County. It featured past women presidents of the CBA including Anita Alvarez, Chief Legal Counsel, Maryville Academy, 2009-2010 CBA President; Aurora Austriaco, Valen tine, Austriaco and Bueschel, 2012-2013 CBA President; Laurel Bellows, The Bel lows Law Group, 1991-1992 CBA Presi dent; Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy V. Cunningham, 2004-2005 CBA Presi dent; E. Lynn Grayson, Nijman Fran zetti, 2021-2022 CBA President; Patricia Brown Holmes, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila, 2015-2016 CBA President; and Terri L. Mascherin, Jenner & Block LLP, 2010-2011 CBA President. Panelists shared inspiring stories and advised how they overcame barriers to become leaders in the legal industry. Highlights of the annual ceremony for women lawyers included bestowing two awards: (1) the Founder’s Award for women who have demonstrated their commitment to the advancement women lawyers, was awarded to Mary Smith, vice chair of the VENG Group and American Bar Association Immediate Past Presi dent; and (2) the Alta May Hulett Award, named for the first woman lawyer in Illi

Gail Eisenberg and Mary Smith

Employment Lawyers Association – Illi nois for 2024. She currently serves as Supervisor for New Trier Township and is a former township trustee. She sits on the Administrative and Government Affairs Committees of the Jewish United Fund and co-chairs the Legislative Committee of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers. She is also on her synagogue’s board and has served on the Quality Jobs Council for Women Employed, as a Girl Scout troop leader, and on the Triage Cancer Legal Advisory Council. The panel and the awards presentation were sponsored by Lexis Nexis, Aronberg Goldgehn, and Carlson Dash LLC. The Alliance for Women works within the CBA to advance the interests of women in the legal profession and the larger community. Through speaker forums, debates, meetings, networking events, and direct community service, the Alliance tackles issues including career advancement, balancing work with out side interests, cultural diversity, ending violence against women, community ser vice, and equality in education. To join the Alliance for Women, sign up at www. chicagobar.org . The CLE portion of the event can viewed online at Learn.ChicagoBar.org.

Founders’ Award Mary Smith, Immediate Past President of the ABA, was the first Native American woman to serve in that role in the Asso ciation’s almost 150-year history. She is vice chair of the VENG Group, a national consulting firm. Smith has served at the highest levels of government at federal and state levels. She served on the senior team of the Civil Division at the United States Department of Justice and was gen eral counsel at the Illinois Department of Insurance. She was the first Native Ameri can to serve as one of 13 commissioners on the Commission on Women in the Profession. She served on the executive council of the National Conference of Bar Presidents and is a past president of the National Native American Bar Associa tion. She co-chaired the Litigation Section in the District of Columbia Bar Associa tion and also served on the board of direc tors of the CBA. Alta May Hulett Award Gail Eisenberg focuses on employee rights at Loftus & Eisenberg. She was appointed 2021-2023 chair of the CBA’s Labor and Employment Committee and to the 2023 Nominating Committee. She was elected Second Vice President of the National

Navigating Civil Rights in the Second Trump Term May 28, 2025 | 2:00-5:00 p.m. | Live Webcast or In-person at the CBA 2.75 IL MCLE Credit | Register at Learn.ChicagoBar.org This seminar will analyze the Trump administration’s impact on civil rights across key areas, including employment and labor rights, criminal justice, reproductive rights, LGBTQIA + rights, free speech, and immigration.

14 May/June 2025