2024 is already looking #VABulous! Congratulations to Susan Valentine, Aurora Austriaco, Lydia Bueschel, and Sandy Morris who have been included on the 2024 "Illinois Super Lawyers" list. We are also very excited to report that Reena Sikdar and Deborah Seriki have been included on the 2024 "Illinois Rising Stars" list.
Mary Smith 1st Native American Woman to Serve as President of the ABA
Join us as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month by recognizing the incredible achievements of Mary Smith who has made history as the first Native American woman to serve as President of the American Bar Association.
Mary's remarkable journey not only highlights her exceptional leadership and legal expertise but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring Native American professionals. Her trailblazing efforts pave the way for future generations, demonstrating that barriers can be broken.
During this month dedicated to honoring Native American heritage, we applaud Mary Smith for her remarkable achievements and for making a lasting impact on the legal profession. Let us continue to uplift and empower Native American communities and celebrate the diverse talents and contributions they bring to our society.
VAB’s 2023 Super Lawyers
VAB Chosen NAMWOLF 2022 Law Firm MVP
VAB was thrilled to receive the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) most valuable player award for its service and was honored to have presented the Diversity Initiative Achievement Award to Kim Metrick, Vice President, Employment Law, Legal Operations and Investigations for Walgreens Boots Alliance who accepted the award on behalf of Walgreens.
Additionally, we’d love to send a big congratulations to both Emery Harlan Founder of #NAMWOLF and Equity Partner at MWH Law Group LLP on receiving the inaugural NAMWOLF Trail Blazers Award and Theos McKinney Assistant General Counsel at Constellation Energy Generation on winning the 2022 Outstanding Service by an Advisory Council Member Award!
Lydia Bueschel honored by Women Employed
Congratulations to VAB Shareholder Lydia Bueschel, who was honored today for her years of Board service and advocacy on behalf of working women at Women Employed ‘s annual gala the Working Lunch!
Aurora Austriaco Recipient of this Year's Chicago United “Toni Cornelius Special Recognition” Award
Congratulations to VAB Shareholder, Aurora Austriaco on her election to the Board of Chicago United and on being the recipient of this year's Chicago United “Toni Cornelius Special Recognition” Award!
VAB thanks Chicago United for the honor to serve on the Board and for this incredible recognition. Congratulations, as well, to the other award recipients.
Aurora Austriaco Selected as the 2021 ABA Difference Maker Award Recipient
We are so excited that our very own Aurora Austriaco was selected by the ABA GPSolo Committee as their 2021 Difference Maker Award recipient!
We can't think of a more aptly named award for Aurora. Her professional and personal career have focused on public service by serving on not for profit, corporate and school boards and heading organizations that focus on improving access to justice, equity and inclusion and serving the community at large.
Aurora Austriaco is Named Board Member of the Month by Illinois Institute for Continuing Education
VAB shareholder Aurora Austriaco is honored to be recognized as the Board Member of the Month by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Education (IICLE). She proudly serves on the board of this outstanding organization as they are the premier provider of continuing legal education throughout the State of Illinois.
Congratulations to out 2021 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
We are excited to announce that VAB attorneys have been included on the Illinois Super Lawyers (or Rising Star) list for 2021. Congrats to Susan Valentine (Business Litigation), Aurora Austriaco (Real Estate: Business), Lydia Bueschel (General Litigation), Sandy Morris (Business Litigation & Employment Litigation: Defense), and Elisa Wesche (Business Litigation). Super indeed! #VABulous
Aurora Austriaco Makes the Leading Lawyers Top 10 List
VAB shareholder Aurora Austriaco was included on the Leading Lawyers Top 10 list for Women: Real Estate Related category. #realestatelaw #leadinglawyers #VABulous
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
Diversity & the Bar Magazine Features State Farm's Rising Star Academy that Included Lydia Bueschel
Shareholder Lydia Bueschel was selected to participate in State Farm’s inaugural Rising Star Academy, which was recently featured in Diversity & the Bar, the flagship publication of the Minority Corporate Counsel association. This academy is part of State Farm’s continued commitment to increasing diversity in the legal profession, and it exposed a talented pool of outside counsel to State Farm’s business and culture while further developing their leadership skills and business acumen.
For the original source of photos and to view the article visit: https://issuu.com/mcca10/docs/db_2020winter_final/76?ff
Aurora Austriaco was named one of the “Top 20 Global Women of Excellence”
Congratulations to VAB shareholder Aurora Austriaco was named one of the “Top 20 Global Women of Excellence” by Illinois’s 7th Congressional District Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force. A gala was held on International Women’s Day 2020 to honor the awards winners.
Lydia Bueschel Named to NAMWOLF Board of Directors
Firm shareholder Lydia Bueschel has been elevated to the Board of Directors for the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (“NAMWOLF”).
Aurora Austriaco Recipient of the Judge Laura Cha-Yu Liu Trailblazer Award
Chicago, 23 May 2019 – As part of the celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, two distinguished Filipino-Americans were recognized by Illinois State Secretary Jesse White for their achievements in their respective fields. One of which was VAB Shareholder, Aurora Austriaco who was honored with the Judge Laura Cha-Yu Liu Trailblazer Award.
Reda more here: http://www.chicagopcg.com/pr51-19.pdf
Aurora Austriaco is Chair of the Asian American Lunar New Year Gala
Aurora Austriaco is Chair of the Asian American Lunar New Year Gala, the largest Asian American gathering in the Midwest.
https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20190108/asian-american-coalition-of-chicago-hosting-its-36th-annual-lunar-new-year-galahttps://patch.com/illinois/chicago/announcements/a/68337/asian-american-coalition-of-chicago-hosting-its-36th-annual-lunar-new-year-gala
Aurora Austriaco Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame "Excellence in Public Service" Award
Read more here: http://www.viatimes.net/?p=2861
Aurora Austriaco Recipient of the 2015 Global FWN 100 Women Builders Award
In 2015 Shareholder Aurora Autriaco was awarded the Filipina Women’s Network, "2015 Global FWN 100 Women Builders" award.
https://filipinawomensnetwork.org/global-fwn100-2015/
