Founding Sponsors
Platinum Founding Sponsor
About Schiff Hardin LLP
Schiff Hardin is a general practice law firm representing clients across the United States and around the world. We have offices located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Lake Forest, New York, San Francisco and Washington. Our attorneys are strong advocates and trusted advisers — roles that contribute to many lasting client relationships.
Schiff Hardin has strong capabilities in most legal disciplines and a total dedication to client service. We have helped shape the law in a number of cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal, and state appellate courts, including landmark decisions in the fields of utility rate jurisdiction, intellectual property, product liability, animal law, class actions and many other areas.
Commitment to Work-Life Balance
At Schiff Hardin, we believe that people are most effective when their work and personal lives are in harmony. We put that ideal into practice with benefits and policies like:
- Health care benefits to same-sex domestic partners
- Flexible, part-time arrangements to lawyers along with maternity and parental leave programs
- A parenting group for attorneys to help working parents within the firm network with one another, share referrals and discuss parenting-related issues
- A leave-of-absence policy that includes attorneys and staff who are the primary caregiver for the adoption of a child
- Alternative partnership tracks that support attorneys who choose a reduced work-load commitment
To learn more, please visit http://www.schiffhardin.com/Careers-Law_Students-Work-Life_Balance.htm.
Women Attorneys at Schiff Hardin
Established in 1998, the Schiff Hardin Women's Networking Group (WNG) welcomes all women attorneys at our firm, from the newest of associates to our most senior women partners, as well as women clients and friends of our firm to participate in mentoring and networking activities.
In addition to in-house mentoring activities, the WNG often hosts seminars and networking events designed to serve the needs of the increasing number of women professionals among our client base.
To learn more, please visit http://www.schiffhardin.com/Womens_Networking_Group.htm
Gold Founding Sponsor
Valorem (meaning “value” in Latin) was formed in January 2008 by BigLaw refugees who are helping clients experience something revoluntary--high quality representation, results-driven, non-billable-hour fee options, and the use of business tools to make your job easier. They saw the writing on the wall before most lawyers even saw the wall! They listened to what clients needed and designed their firm accordingly -- unlike the BigLaw firms who are pretending to jump on the "alternative fee" bandwagon now, when it's convenient to do so.If you want lawyers who boil the ocean to make a cup of tea, well, wrong website, wrong firm. If you want lawyers who focus on the values you care about instead of their monthly hours targets, you are in the right place. And if you don’t feel they have made your life easier or focused on your end-goals, you should take advantage of the Value Adjustment Line included on every invoice. Does your current firm invite you to evaluate their fee with your value?
Here are a few reasons behind Valorem's leading law firm status:
- Nicole Auerbach is named one of the Top 50 Women Attorneys in Illinois by SuperLawyers magazine
Gold Founding Sponsor
McDermott Will & Emery is a premier international law firm with a diversified business practice. Numbering more than 1,000 lawyers, we have offices in Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Düsseldorf, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, Munich, New York, Orange County, Rome, San Diego, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. Extending our reach to Asia, we have a strategic alliance with MWE China Law Offices in Shanghai.
McDermott has marked 75 years of serving a broad range of client interests. Established in 1934 as a tax practice in Chicago, Illinois, McDermott has grown 75 Years of Serviceits core practices and offices around the globe. The expansion of our international platform has supported numerous cross-border transactions and litigation matters, while providing the experience necessary to offer corporate and commercial, international and domestic tax, labor and benefits, competition, intellectual property and regulatory counsel to clients across all industries.
We understand the issues faced by corporate decision makers because many of our lawyers have held key government and in-house positions. We understand how economic, social and political issues affect operations because our lawyers have navigated the complex business and regulatory environment themselves. Outstanding client service is a cornerstone of our practice that has withstood the test of geography, economy and time. We are proud of the recognition we have received from our clients for our commitment to service, and we value their satisfaction as the best measure of our success.
Here are a few reasons behind McDermott Will & Emery's leading law firm status:
- Ranked among best Chicago law firms for women to work in 2007 (Flex Time Lawyers and Working Mothers)
- Has numbers such as 34% of their attorneys are women and 23% of their partners are women
- Established the Women's Leadership Series that hosts women's mentoring and leadership events
- Participated as a leading signatory in the Chicago Bar Association's CTA (Call to Action)
Gold Founding Sponsor
Much Shelist is a full-service, Chicago-based business law firm focused on the middle market. Since our founding in 1970, and as we have grown to approximately 85 attorneys, we have nurtured a collaborative culture that emphasizes sophisticated, senior-level attention to client matters, combined with a collegial, creative atmosphere that allows us to deliver the highest level of service to every client. In addition, we are firmly committed to remaining independent, thus creating an environment of stability for our clients and our attorneys.
We serve as trusted advisors by becoming deeply vested in each client’s culture, goals, values and long-term vision. Blending legal acumen with real-world business knowledge, Much Shelist attorneys are ideally suited to offer strategic advice on a wide range of legal and business issues.
We also work hard to continuously earn our reputation for providing insightful legal counsel at rates that are attractive to organizations seeking high value. To that end, we carefully staff matters with the goal of delivering optimal representation while controlling costs.
Much Shelist Women's Initiative
Recognizing the importance of our female attorneys, the firm has an active Women's Initiative, which holds bi-monthly meetings devoted to business development, networking, mentoring and skills training. The group also sponsors marketing events for women attorneys and their clients. The Much Shelist Women's Initiative has defined its mission as follows:
- To provide a supportive forum to discuss issues facing female attorneys
- To create and implement ideas and programs designed to improve the recruitment, retention, professional development, promotion and work-life balance of the firm's female attorneys
- To generally enhance the business development skills of the firm's female attorneys
In addition, the firm is a founding member of the Coalition of Women's Initiatives in Law Firms and encourages membership in other women's organizations such as the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), the Chicago Bar Association Alliance for Women and the Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago.
Silver Founding Sponsor
About Katten Muchin Roseman LLP
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 600 attorneys in locations across the United States and an affiliate in London. We strive to be a firm of first choice for clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services nationally and globally. While Katten offers an extensive range of legal services across numerous industries, our core areas of practice are corporate, financial services, litigation, real estate, commercial finance, intellectual property and trusts and estates. Among our clients are a wide range of public and private companies, including a third of the Fortune 100, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.
The firm has a uniquely flexible and entrepreneurial culture that fosters partnerships with our clients. Knowing the law is not enough. We understand our clients’ business objectives and address their legal needs in a manner that is consistent with the “big picture.” We have earned a reputation for being trusted business advisors, and we demonstrate our value every day in the successful results we achieve.
Katten further understands the advantage of diversity within the firm, and is consistently honored for its diversity and women’s programming. We value the talents and perspectives of our diverse teams of attorneys, which enhance our ability to successfully serve our clients. We are dedicated to the achievement of diversity within the firm and in the broader legal community. We actively promote a diverse culture at Katten through our recruitment, mentoring, professional development and public service programs.
Honors and Recognitions
- Human Rights Campaign Foundation Corporate Equality Index (CEI) and Best Places to Work 2010 Survey rating of 100 percent
- Working Mother magazine’s 100 Best Companies (2007–2009)
- Working Mother magazine & Flex-Time Lawyers’ 50 Best Law Firms for Women (2007–2009)
- MultiCultural Law magazine’s Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity and Top 100 Law Firms for Women (2008–2010)
The Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) supports the strategic retention and advancement of women attorneys at the firm through mentoring and professional development programs designed to assist them with managing their careers, augmenting their skills and dealing with issues faced by women generally.
Platinum Founding Sponsor
The Coalition of Women's Initiatives in Law Firms
The Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law Firms is a non-profit membership association bringing together women’s initiatives in law firms of all sizes across the Chicago area. Their goal is to promote a dialogue and support network among women in these programs, further their career advancement and professional development, and help fuel the continued growth of women’s initiatives.
Here are a few reasons behind the Coalitions Platinum Founding Sponsor status:
- Committed to providing relevant and informative programming related to women’s issues and women’s initiatives in law firms
- Comprised of 32 member firms with almost 80 representative delegates
- Sponsor the Women Lawyers Reception in conjunction with the ABA Annual meeting and the NCWBA Annual Summit
- Launched the Coalition’s website www.thewomenscoalition.com in 2008
- Partner with Step Up Women’s Network, a non-profit dedicated to strengthening community resources for women and girls
- Introduced their new Associates Committee, where members hope to focus on professional advancement by helping women associates understand and take strides toward the path to partnership, developing their own businesses, and other specific associate issues.
Gold Founding Sponsor
Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. is positioned squarely by your side. Chuhak & Tecson offers more than just solutions. Here you will find a collaborative team of legal advisors who share a genuine interest in your success—professionals whose entrepreneurial spirit and vision is compatible with your own. Since 1987, we have served as valued partners with our clients. We are self starters who maintain a holistic view of our clients’ goals. This inspires us to be creative in our solutions, and drives us to always be a step ahead and move our clients’ needs forward.
Women Helping Women As peer professionals, Chuhak & Tecson recognizes the competing demands on a woman's time, so the firm created a group that understands a woman's need to serve her community, build her business, and network—and attend to all three areas without taking away from her work and personal commitments. Women Helping Women was launched in November 2009 by the women attorneys of our firm to bring women entrepreneurs, decision makers and potential strategic partners together from all industries for networking opportunities, business development and service work. The uniqueness of this group is the opportunity members have to accomplish all three simultaneously—without carving out extra hours in a woman’s already-busy schedule. Members are free to opt-in, opt-out, and then opt back in as their schedule allows. Mix-and-Mingles are held at convenient Loop locations, with each gathering benefiting charitable organizations that serve women only, or women and children.
Did you know?
- Fifty percent of our women attorneys are principals.
- Fifty percent of our attorney elevations since 2008 have been women.
- This year, our second woman attorney has been accepted into Leading Lawyers.
- Twenty-five percent of our women attorneys are 2010 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
Amicus Court Reporters, Inc. Websites: http://www.amicusreporters.com http://www.amicuslink.com
Beautiful conference rooms at a downtown location – guest attorney offices – high definition video conferencing – experienced and professional reporters and videographers. Amicus is a full service local legal support company, owned and operated as a family business for almost thirty years. The Amicus Reporters difference is our concierge-style service in over 50 affiliated physical offices across the United States and Canada. We are not just an 800 number call center or internet website pretending to have a local office. When your legal matters really matter – you should trust the team of people you hire to understand the demands of your practice. We provide comprehensive services, from covering your important assignments with our easy online booking process to hosting free MCLE classes in our spacious Loop office. Amicus offers : • Reporting for depositions, hearings, arbitrations and meetings • Visual and Audio Services including legal videography, animation, graphics and illustrations • High Definition multipoint video conferencing • Jury Consulting/Focus Groups with on-site observation rooms • Transcription Service • Meeting/Conference rooms • Notary Service
Tour our office at:
300 West Adams Street Suite 800 Chicago, Illinois 60606
Call us: Toll free at 888/641-3550 or locally at 312/641-3500
Visit our website at: www.amicusreporters.com
E-mail us at: info@amicusreporters.com
Schedule with us at: schedule@amicusreporters.com
Gold Founding Sponsor
Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with more than 900 attorneys among 14 offices in Beijing, Charlotte, Chicago, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, New York, Newark, Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C. Our firm serves the needs of enterprises of all types and sizes, in both the private and the public sector. The exceptional depth and geographic reach of our resources enable Winston & Strawn to manage virtually every type of business-related legal issue. We understand that clients are looking for value beyond just legal expertise. With this in mind, we work hard to understand the level of involvement our clients want from us. We take time to learn about our clients’ organizations and their business objectives. And, we put significant emphasis on technology and teamwork in an effort to respond quickly and effectively to our clients’ needs. In addition, Winston & Strawn is consistently regarded as one of the most diverse large law firms in the country, and our efforts have been recognized by numerous organizations. Notably, we support women attorneys through the firm’s Women to Women initiative (W2W). W2W hosts formal and informal programs so female associates have a chance to develop stronger relationships with female partners. The formal programs have included panel discussions on business development, networking, and leadership, as well as outside speakers. Informal mentoring lunches provide opportunities for female associates to meet with female partners to discuss work-related issues. Our women’s initiatives also reach out in much broader ways to bring together our attorneys, clients, and business colleagues. Taking our women’s initiative program one step further, the firm has organized targeted women’s events that allow our attorneys to meet new contacts, create opportunities to become better acquainted, and have a chance to learn more about our clients’ business needs.
Gold Corporate Sponsor
At COUNTRY Financial, we help families protect what they have, save for a comfortable future and achieve financial security. Our 45 Chicago financial representatives work one-on-one with families and businesses to develop tangible financial plans. COUNTRY offers a full range of insurance and financial products and services from auto, home and life and disability income insurance to retirement planning, investment management and trust services. We have a history of giving back to the communities we serve. COUNTRY is the presenting sponsor of the Chicago Farmers Markets and also partners with Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago. During the last three years, we have given $225,000 through our Count on COUNTRY grant program to 10 nonprofit organizations, who promote financial security for families.
COUNTRY Fast Facts
- 3rd largest auto and home insurer in Illinois
- In business for 86 years
- Represented by more than 2,000 COUNTRY financial representatives
- Serves more than 1 million households and businesses in the U.S.
- Licensed in more than 40 states
- Headquartered in Bloomington, IL
- $3.1 billion annual revenue
- Ranked 624 on the Fortune 1000 listing
For more information about COUNTRY and the Chicago North Agency Manager Vicki Nygren, please visit http://www.countryfinancial.com/vicki.nygren.
