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.
The women attorneys at Schiff Hardin have a long history of planning and hosting events that help us support each other. From informal gatherings at the homes of women attorneys in the 1970s and 1980s, to our current monthly lunch meetings, the group works together to advance professional development for women attorneys and enhance our services to clients. It has been a great opportunity for our women clients and contacts to meet each other and share ideas.
WINGs — The WNG Newsletter
The Women's Networking Group publishes a quarterly newsletter, WINGs, which highlights the acheivements and activities of professional women within Schiff Hardin. Back issues are listed below.
| Issue Number / Date |
Contents |
Number 7
Spring 2011 |
Feature — Why I Do What I Do: A Discussion with Schiff Hardin's Women Environmental Lawyers
PLUS:
Ways Your Lawyer Can Help You or Your Business Lower Environmental Impact (or Perceived Environmental Impact)
The Chicago Area Waterway System: How Do We Get Over Separation Anxiety?
The Potential Pitfalls of Being "Green"
...and more!
|
Number 6
Winter 2011 |
Feature — Making Work Work
PLUS:
My Sister's Keeper
Patricia Brown Holmes On Point
In the Cloud: Seeking a Clearer View of Cloud Computing
...and more!
|
Number 5
Fall 2010 |
Feature — Helping Hands
PLUS:
Chicago Bears Care About National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Theresa M. H. Marx Works to End Blood Cancer
Estate Planning Checklist
...and more!
|
Number 4
Summer 2010 |
Feature — From WNG to the Chicago Network: Meet Kate Bensen
PLUS:
Women Everywhere: Partners In Service Project
WINGs Turns One
A High-Powered Deal
...and more!
|
Number 3
Spring 2010 |
Feature — My Friend Sonya Sotomayor: Patricia Pileggi Reminisces
PLUS:
Everybody Wins! Atlanta Office Volunteers "Do Lunch" and Promote Literacy
Women Partners at Schiff Hardin Among Those Recognized as Top 50 Women Super Lawyers
"Indubitably Holmes: How Patricia Brown Holmes Beat Death"
...and more!
|
Number 2
Winter 2010 |
Feature — Former Georgia Chief Justice Starts a New Chapter
PLUS:
Finding the Law in...Fairy Tales
Renee Cipriano Named to Illinois Legislative Commission on CO2
Lawyers' Take on Social Networking
...and more!
|
Number 1
Fall 2009 |
Feature — Illinois Governor's Cemetery Investigation Task Force Chaired by Schiff Hardin Partner
PLUS:
Networking With Your Family
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Hires New Deputy General Counsel
American Civil Liberties Union Honors Schiff Hardin Partner
...and more!
|
WNG Activities
In-House Mentoring Program
WNG organizes regular in-house mentoring programs, with such topics as:
- "Achieving Work-Life Balance"
- "Top Ten Tips for Getting and Staying Organized"
- "The One Thing I Wish I'd Known When I Started Work As A Lawyer"
- "How to Network More Effectively"
- "How I Chose My Practice Area"
- "How to Work Effectively With Your Administrative Assistant"
WNG also holds informal luncheon and cocktail events aimed at helping our women attorneys share their experiences and support one another.
Networking Events
Additionally, WNG sponsors a series of seminars and networking events designed to serve the needs of the increasing number of women professionals among our client base, including women from the law departments and the business divisions of companies based in the Chicago area and Northern Indiana.
Topics addressed at our WNG events have included personal finance and estate planning issues, networking, community outreach and moral support.
Our past networking programs are listed under "News and Events" at left.
Women Everywhere: Partners in Service Project, Inc.
Schiff Hardin is an active participant in the Women Everywhere: Partners in Service Project, in which women attorneys from several law firms and minority bar organizations team up with community organizations on educational and community service projects to assist high school girls as well as women and children in need.
Women Everywhere traditionally plans two events each year. The Community Service Day allows male and female volunteers to give back to their community by volunteering their time to nearly 30 local service agencies dedicated to helping women and children in need. The Educational Program invites high schools girls from around the area to tour trial or appellate courts, while encouraging them to aspire to interesting and challenging careers. Additionally, they sponsor the "Women Everywhere College Scholarship" to provide financial assistance to two enthusiastic college-bound high school girls who want to make a difference.
Schiff Hardin Partner, Patricia C. Slovak serves on the organization's Board of Directors.
For more information about this organization, visit their Web site: http://www.wechicago.org/.
National Recognition and Awards
The Schiff Hardin Women's Networking Group is proud to be a two-time Legal Marketing Association Your Honor Awards winner for its business development programs.
WNG received its first award for its two-part networking program in 2001 — An Introduction to Art and Antiques Collecting. The second award was received for its two-part networking program in 2003 — Act 1, Connections Behind the Curtain: Backstage at Steppenwolf, and Act 2, Connections and Comedy: Backstage at Second City.
Other Related Organizations
Our attorneys are active in many other organizations that seek to promote greater diversity in the legal profession and opportunities for women, including:
- National Association of Women Lawyers
- The Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago
- The Bronx Women's Bar Association
- Commercial Real Estate Executive Women of Chicago/CREW Chicago
- The Women's Council on Energy and the Environment
- Women in Finance
- Georgia Association for Women Lawyers
- The Legal Balance
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