VAB Hosted NAMWOLF Gathering at Adler Planetarium

You're all stars in our book! A big thanks to The Adler Planetarium for presenting at the informal gathering of Chicago-area National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) law firms and supporters that VAB hosted last night. It was a great way to see our NAMWOLF friends, celebrate all that Chicago (and the universe!) has to offer, and hear about the out-of-this-world work that the Adler is doing. Thank you Michelle B. Larson, PhD, President and CEO of the Adler Planetarium, Ryu Mizuno, Chief Revenue Officer, and Nancy Gerrie, Vice Chair of the board of Trustees.

VAB Sponsors the Hyde Park School of Dance’s Annual Nutcracker Performance

VAB was proud to sponsor the 2023 Hyde Park School of Dance’s Annual Nutcracker Performance.

Hyde Park School of Dance has been serving Chicago’s South Side since 1989. They are a 501(c)3 non-profit providing opportunities for students of all ages to study, perform, and create classical and contemporary dance at the highest levels of discipline and artistry

Welcoming dancers of any race, religion, body type, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and family income, they cultivate a love of dance and strength of body, mind, and character that will benefit the students throughout their lives.

VAB Supports Just The Beginning - A Pipeline Organization

In celebration of Black History Month, we are honored to support Just The Beginning – A Pipeline Organization whose mission is to is to encourage students of color and other underrepresented groups to pursue a career – and leadership opportunities -- in the practice of law. This pipeline organization illuminates that path to becoming a lawyer and a leader, making real change to the legal community.

If you'd like to join us in supporting JTB, please visit https://jtb.org/

Andrea Mireles Asked to Join Board of Directors for Corazon Community Services

Congratulations to VAB associate Andrea Mireles who has been asked to serve on the Board of Directors for Corazon Community Services, an organization that she has been involved with since high school. The mission of Corazón Community Services is to improve the quality of life for children, youth and families through holistic social services offered in a culturally sensitive environment. They have been providing life-changing and life-saving services since 2003. We couldn't be more proud of Andrea who shares our passion for giving back.

Sandy Morris Mock Trial Mentor for Girl Scouts' Project Law Track for 11th Straight Year

Over the last 10+ years #VAB Counsel & former Girl Scout Sandy Morris has had the opportunity to support the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana. Through various roles & activities such as mentoring at Camp CEO (a program in which girls meet business leaders & learn about career opportunities), attending benefits, or mentoring, speaking and judging her favorite #GirlScoutsGCNWI effort, Project Law Track (see below), Sandy has stayed connected to this organization she holds so dear.

This year Sandy served as a mentor, answering questions and helping the girls prep for witness examination and other aspects of the trial. She also got to play a witness during the proceedings. Here you can see Sandy and fellow mentors Maggie Mendenhall Casey and Amanda Pillsbury preparing participant Jasmine for the role of prosecutor.

She joined the scouts at age 7 and to prove she's legit she has agreed to share these adorable photos. One at age 13 with her troop dressed up as California Raisins for her town’s bed races (to raise money to fight hunger) & one of her at 14 when she earned her Silver Award. Check out those sweet feathered bangs! Oh, and her membership card from 1987-88 as a little bonus.
#ProjectLawTrack is a 3-week program that is in its 11th year & is going on right now. This event inspires the next generation of female law professionals through mentorship and mock trial experiences that demystify the portrayal of lawyers as seen in the media. We encourage anyone who can to donate and support this effort by visiting: https://lnkd.in/dFYPP5X

VAB Supports the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana's Project Law Track

VAB is super excited to support Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana's #ProjectLawTrack! Now in its 11th year, this event inspires the next generation of female law professionals through mentorship and mock trial experiences that demystify the portrayal of lawyers as seen in the media. This virtual series connects today's girls with female law professionals as they explore the path to law school and the many opportunities a legal career can offer. #VAB Counsel and former Girl Scout Sandy Morris has volunteered and supported this program since its beginning. We'd like to thank the #GirlScoutsGCNWI and the planning committee for organizing this year's event, with a special shout out to friends of the firm Monica Weed, Jennifer Kobayashi, and Erica Byrd. We encourage anyone who can to donate and support this project by visiting: https://lnkd.in/dFYPP5X

#GirlScoutLaw

#OnceaScoutAlwaysaScout

Shareholder and BEDS Plus Care Board Member, Susan Valentine Featured in BEDS Plus Annual Newsletter

VAB  shareholder and BEDS Plus Board Member, Susan Valentine was featured in the BEDS Fall Newsletter. In it, she explains why the supporters of this non-profit are needed now more than ever during COVID-19. The mission of BEDS Plus is to help vulnerable individuals stabilize their lives through housing and supportive services. If you are interested in learning more about this organization, please visit https://beds-plus.org/

Aurora Austriaco Installed as the 71st President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents

On August 27, 2020, shareholder Aurora Austriaco was installed as the 71st President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP).

NCBP hosts bi-annual conferences of state and local bar presidents that are held in conjunction with ABA midyear and annual meetings. For more about us, see http://ncbp.org/Purpose.htm

Aurora Austriaco, School Board member of the Maine Township High School District 207, Mentioned journal-topics.com Article About Equity

VAB shareholder, Aurora Austriaco who also serves as a School Board member of the Maine Township High School District 207, was mentioned in an article posted on journal-topics.com which reported on steps the District has taken to emphasize equity and its commitment to identifying and dismantling the structures that permit and contribute to systemic racism and in ensuring students are treated fairly and have the support they need to succeed.

Aurora Austriaco is the 2020 recipient of the Cook County States Attorney's Outstanding Community Leadership Service Awards

VAB Shareholder Aurora Austriaco is the 2020 recipient of the Cook County State’s Attorney Foxx’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Leadership Awards in observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The Community Leadership Awards honor the accomplishments of outstanding individuals in the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community.

Candidates for the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Community Leadership Awards must be Cook County residents and are considered using the following criteria:

• Leadership, honor, and integrity

• Community involvement and activism

• Volunteer/ Pro-Bono work

• Youth involvement and/or mentorship programs

We are so proud of Aurora’s continued commitment to the Asian Pacific American community and thank the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for this recognition.

https://www.cookcountystatesattorney.org/outreach/annual-community-events/asian-leadership-awards

Susan Valentine Attends the 2020 BEDS Soup and Bread Event

Susan Valentine, Vice President of BEDS Plus Care Board of Directors, attends January 27, 2020 Soup and Bread event along with Illinois State Bar Association President (and volunteer lawyer for BEDS) David Sosin. Also pictured: BEDS Executive Director, Tina Rounds (far right) and Janet Sosin (far left).

VAB Sponsors the BEDS Plus Care Soup & Bread Event

VAB sponsors the BEDS Care Plus Annual Soup & Bread event which benefits their emergency overnight shelter facilities.

Sandy Morris to Serve as Illinois Legal Aid Online Board Member for 5th Year

VAB congratulates Sandy Morris for serving her 5th straight years on the Illinois Legal Aid Online's board of directors. The Board is a diverse group of leaders and innovators who are passionate about using technology to help people in Illinois to resolve their legal problems.

Sandy Morris Recipient of the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Distinguished Service Award

In 2018 VAB attorney Sandy Morris was the recipient of the CVLS Distinguished Service Award for her pro bono work in the community.

The Chicago Volunteer Legal Services is comprised of 2,400+ volunteer attorneys who donate free services to thousands of low-income Chicagoans annually. Our services are 100% free, accessible & real. 

We have done our best to bring together all the resources of the great city of Chicago. We do this by utilizing our small staff to support and train a pool of thousands of volunteer attorneys from more than 990 firms, companies, and organizations throughout the city. We support, organize and train these wonderful volunteers in order to make the biggest impact in the most cost-effective way possible.