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 Featured in Chicago United's 2022 Year in Review
Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel, P.C. was excited to be featured in Chicago United's 2022 Year in Review for both, Aurora Austriaco's new Board position and for the firm's new status as a Member Company.
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/
Susan Valentine Shares Her Best Professional Advice with NAMWOLF
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.
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 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"
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
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.
Aurora Austriaco Speaker at the 2021 NAAAP National Leadership Academy
On January 29, 2021 VAB Shareholder Aurora Austriaco was honored to serve as the Day 1 National Board Chat speaker during the 2021 National Association of Asian American Professionals (“NAAAP”) National Leadership Academy.
About the NAAAP
At NAAAP, our leaders are built through professional networking and educational events, trainings, community service programs, and celebrations of Asian American excellence. For 38 years we have inspired, developed, and connected thousands of leaders across 30 chapters internationally with a reach of more than 25,000+ professionals.
About the National Leadership Academy
Our National Leadership Academy is an advanced skills-building boot camp for new and returning NAAAP national and chapter leaders. The interactive program provides workshops designed to reinvigorate, educate, and guide, with opportunities to network and collaborate with current and upcoming leaders as well as National Board members.
Aurora Austriaco Featured in Jacksonville Daily Record Article on Bar Leadership Challenges in 2021
On January 14, 2021 Aurora Austriaco, VAB Shareholder and President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, was the virtual guest speaker at joint membership meeting for The Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association and the Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association.
Her contribution to the discussion on gender and minority equity in the legal profession, as well as her personal background, were featured in a January 26, 2021 article put out by the Jacksonville Daily Record. You can read that article in its entirety here.
In the article, Aurora was quoted several times. Here we’ve highlighted a couple of our favorites:
“Be honest. Be flexible and involve your members to find creative solutions. Face the challenges because another curveball could be thrown.”
“Refer business to each other. That’s the best compliment you can give a colleague,”
Aurora Austriaco Speaker on NCBP 21st Century Lawyer Virtual webinar panel, "A Conversation with Women Bar Leaders"
Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel, P.C. Shareholder Aurora Austriaco will be speaking on the NCBP 21st Century Lawyer Virtual webinar panel, "A Conversation with Women Bar Leaders." Fellow bar leaders and panelists include: Elia Diaz-Yaeger, CK HOFFLER, Karen Morris, Thomasina Real Bird, Patricia Lee Refo, Bonnie Lee Wolf, and moderator Johanna Schiavoni. Join them on December 3rd from noon to 1:30 p.m. Central for a 90 minute conversation where women leaders of seven bar associations will share their personal journeys to leadership, discuss strategies for developing a pipeline of diverse leaders coming up behind them, and provide their perspective on the biggest challenge or opportunity coming in the next six months along with their ideas to meet those challenges and opportunities. We also will provide an opportunity for our bar leader audience to ask questions of these amazing leaders. To register and for other information visit: https://lnkd.in/dTCjCQV
Sandy Morris Co-Hosts DRI Cares Event During Employment & Labor Law Virtual Seminar
VAB attorney, Sandy Morris co-hosted the DRI Cares networking event at this year’s DRI Employment & Labor Law Virtual Seminar. During this event, Sandy and co-host, Fred Mitchell, VP of Development at UNCF, spoke about how the nation’s largest minority education organization fulfills its mission to build a robust and nationally-recognized pipeline of under-represented students and ensure that its network of member institutions is a respected model of best practice in moving students to and through college. Seminar attendees raised more than $2,700 to advance UNCF's important mission.
VIDEO: Aurora Austriaco Hosts Fireside Chat with Keynote Speaker Sen. Tammy Duckworth during #NAMWOLFWeek
VAB shareholder Aurora Austriaco was honored to facilitate this fireside chat-style session with Keynote Speaker Sen. Tammy Duckworth at this year’s #NAMWOLF Week Virtual Meeting. This session was a crowd favorite during the week-long event.
Lydia Bueschel co-hosts the Law Firm Cross-Marketing Committee session during #NAMWOLFWeek
VAB shareholder Lydia Bueschel co-hosted the Law Firm Cross-Marketing Committee session during this year’s Virtual Annual Meeting. During the session, members got interact directly with other law firm members, got a quick review of the best practices for cross-marketing at National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) and played a few, fun musical rounds of Legal Shazaam in order to win PRIZES!
VAB Supports NAMWOLF's Virtual Annual Meeting as In-House Cocktail Sponsor
The National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firm held their first ever virtual annual meeting this September. It was a huge success. VAB was honored to participate in multiple ways and to support this conference as their In-House Cocktail Sponsor.
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
