As sponsors of the 2021 NAMWOLF Virtual Annual Meeting, VAB's Susan Valentine was asked to participate in a video social media campaign where she was asked what the best piece of professional advice she's ever received.
Len Rubin Joins the VAB Team!
We are thrilled to announce that E. Leonard Rubin has joined the #VAB team as Of Counsel!
Len concentrates his practice in copyright, trademark, defamation, trade secret, privacy, and entertainment law. After serving as Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for Playboy Enterprises (PLBY Group, Inc.) for more than 13 years, Len returned to private practice and has led the entertainment law groups of nationwide law firms, and later his own firm. For decades, Len has taught Entertainment Law at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly The John Marshall School of Law) and at other law schools. He also had a 35-year run of directing and co-authoring “Christmas Spirits,” the annual social and political musical satire show produced by The Chicago Bar Association.
Len has had many industry leadership roles such as past Trustee and immediate past President of the Midwest Chapter of The Copyright Society of the United States and has volunteered his time to Lawyers for the Creative Arts for over three decades.
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.
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.
Aurora Austriaco is White House Virtual Eviction Prevention Summit Facilitator
VAB shareholder Aurora Austriaco, through her role as the President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP), recently served as a facilitator in the first-of-its-kind White House Virtual Eviction Prevention Summit. This summit was held to develop community-specific solutions to provide vulnerable families access to counsel, divert evictions, and connect renters and landlords to available resources.
For more information on this summit visit: https://lnkd.in/dGVKSKn
Erica Byrd and Andrea Mireles Join the VAB team!
We are so excited to welcome Erica Byrd and Andrea Mireles to the #VAB team!
Erica joins us as a Sr. Attorney who focuses her practice on real estate and commercial litigation. As a former law clerk in the mortgage foreclosure division of the Circuit Court of Cook County for the Hon. Judge Pamela H. Gillespie and the Hon. Judge Laura C. Liu, Erica is uniquely qualified to navigate all aspects of state court practice, and has significant federal court experience as well. Erica is a longtime supporter of the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana and an active member of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois.
Andrea joins us as an Associate who focuses on investigating and litigating management-side employment matters arising under both state and federal laws. As a bilingual attorney, Andrea is well-suited to work on a wide range of matters. She is an active member of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and The Chicago Bar Association. Andrea graduated from the Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology in 2020 with a Certificate in Labor and Employment. She enjoys volunteering her time to law-related nonprofits and projects, most recently to the Minority Legal Educational Resources (MLER), serving as a Tutor.
Sandy Morris Participated in a Roundtable at the May DRI Employment and Labor Law Seminar Where They Discussed, "When do we get back to the New Normal? And What is the New Normal anyway?T
VAB Of Counsel Sandy Morris participated in a roundtable at the May DRI Employment and Labor Law Seminar. Sandy co-led the discussion, "When do we get back to the New Normal? And What is the New Normal anyway?" during which she and colleagues Harvey Cooper and David Renner discussed the latest news for employers as we recover from COVID.
As the DRI Cares chair, Sandy was delighted to be the inspiration to support the Pipeline to Practice Foundation, Inc. for this year's fundraiser. This organization seeks to diversify the legal profession by cultivating exceptional legal talent. Collectively, the attendees contributed $2,500 exceeding their original goal of $2,000. If you would like to donate to the vital mission of P2P you can do so via their GoFundMe or PayPal. Literally, every dollar you contribute is invested into their students.
P2P GoFundMe: https://lnkd.in/dW2Ai9G
P2P Paypal: https://lnkd.in/dv25WSb
A special thank you to Seminar Chair Stacy Moon and Vice-Chair Eric Kinder, who led the seminar planning!
Aurora Austriaco Mentioned in Law.com Article
VAB shareholder Aurora Austriaco was honored to be credited as a key mentor to Ray J. Koenig III of Clark Hill Law in the Special Report "How I Made It" published by Law.com. Ray was highlighted in their May issue: "How I Made Office Managing Partner and Group Co-Chairman". According to Ray, "Aurora has been a big supporter, advocate, friend, mentor, and an inspirational example of how hard work and the right attitude will get you anywhere. She is the first Asian American president of the Chicago Bar Association and is a true embodiment of the American success story"
Aurora Austriaco Featured by Illinois Comptroller, Susan Mendoza during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Thank you to Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza for featuring VAB shareholder Aurora Austriaco during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Ms. Mendoza highlighted Aurora's incredible leadership efforts in the Asian-American community and in the community generally. View her post here.
Lydia Bueschel Panelist at Diverse Talent Career Fair
VAB shareholder Lydia Bueschel spoke on a panel with fellow #namwolflawfirmmembers Amanda Alexander Taylor and Sekou Campbell on a session moderated by National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) CEO Leslie Davis on Trends in the Legal Industry at the Diverse Talent Career Fair on April 29, 2021.
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
Susan Valentine Panelist on NAMWOLF Trials PAC CLE Discussing Witness Prep Dos and Dont's
VAB shareholder Susan Valentine and fellow litigation experts, Barry Parsons, Howard Rosenblum, Lisa Messner and Rovin Rozario walked participants through how to identify the right expert witness, when the process should start, how to prepare an expert, and how to challenge the other side’s expert. This webinar was hosted by the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) and organized by the Trials Practice Area Committee.
Aurora Austriaco Panelist on UCAN's Women's Leadership Forum
Aurora Austriaco was honored to participate in this reflective conversation with amazing trailblazing women Kenya Key, Psy.D., CCHP-MH Tanya Menon Alex Cleveland Lourdes Gonzalez Kimberly Casey on March 19. And thank you Uhlich Childrens Advantage Network for hosting this!
Aurora Austriaco Moderator of the 1st Ever NAAAP Leadership Series on Building Allyship
VAB shareholder and National Board of Directors Member of NAAAP (National Association of Asian American Professionals) Aurora Austriaco moderated the first event of the Inaugural Inclusive Leadership Series that will focused on "Building Allyship." Aurora and panelists Lauren Garces, Samson Lee, Junann Lopez and Christie Sithiphone will discussed how they build community partnerships with other professional affinity groups of color. They shared best practices, significance and benefits of these partnerships.
Aurora Austriaco Participant on All-Star Panel of CBA Women Presidents
VAB shareholder, past President of The Chicago Bar Association, and current President of the NCBP Aurora Austriaco was honored to be included on an "All Star Panel of CBA Women Presidents." This webcast was focused on important issues facing women in the law and on celebrating achievements in recognition of #WomensHistoryMonth.
Lydia Bueschel Moderator of NAMWOLF Fireside Chat with the CEO, Incoming CEO and Board Chair
VAB shareholder Lydia Bueschel was honored to moderate today's fireside chat with #NAMWOLF's Incoming CEO Leslie Davis, current CEO Joel Stern, and Board Chair John M. Murdock discussing their future vision for the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF). VAB is excited for NAMWOLF's future and looking forward to seeing all of you in-person as soon as possible.
Susan Valentine Co-Presenter on Panel Discussing Persuasive Brief Writing on the topic of "Style"
Susan Valentine co-presenting part II of the Financial Poise and West LegalEdcenter™ “Persuasive Brief Writing” webinar series, entitled "Style." This webinar explored best practices for structuring and organizing briefs, including how to most effectively frame arguments, use authority and find a winning theme. It also took a fresh look at an old law school war horse -- : I(ssue) R(ule) (A)nalysis C(onclusion) – one of the few rules in life from which there’s virtually never cause to deviate.
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 in Her Role as the NCBP President Introduces the 2021 Fellows Award Winner at the Midyear Meeting
VAB Shareholder and National Conference of Bar Presidents (“NCPB”) Aurora Austriaco will introduce the 2021 Fellows Award Winner at the NABE & NCBP Virtual Midyear Meeting on February 3, 2021 at 1:00 PM ET.
About the Meeting
The National Association of Bar Executives (NABE) and the NCBP are coming together again to provide bar association officers and professional staff another virtual, educational experience. Please join us for the 2021 NABE & NCBP Virtual Midyear Meeting - Facing the Future Together! This exciting opportunity is scheduled for February 1-4, 2021. Together, NABE and NCBP are enhancing programming and networking in an online space that will allow you to connect with your peers. The meeting will include a variety of plenaries, breakout sessions and even more time to socialize with attendees, speakers and sponsors. Let's come together to learn and create a brighter future for our bar associations! #NABEFutureTogether #NCBPFutureTogether
About the Award
Award Purpose
The National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP) established the NCBP Fellows Award at its 2005 annual meeting to honor an outstanding past president of a bar association.
Criteria
To qualify for a nomination, an individual must meet the following criteria:
Must be a past president of a bar association
Must have demonstrated a continuing commitment to leadership, service, the work of the organized bar and the purpose of the NCBP
Must have demonstrated a lifetime of achievement or exceptional service to lawyers or the public
An individual need not be a dues paying member of the NCBP for consideration
Current members of the NCBP Executive Council are not eligible
