VAB Sponsors and Attends the BWLA Spring Fundraiser Luncheon

VAB was proud to celebrate the "Enduring Legacy" of leadership in Chicago at the BLACK WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION OF GREATER CHICAGO INC Spring Fundraiser Luncheon. It was an honor to see nearly $50K in scholarships awarded to six incredible law students—congratulations to the next generation of legal talent!

We were especially proud to cheer on friend of the firm and Chief Legal Officer of Nobel Schools Gina B. Lawrence as she accepted the 2026 Enduring Legacy Award.

Representing hashtag#VABLaw were Scholarship Fund Board Member Deborah Imafidon, BWLA Member Hilary Allen, and Reena Sikdar. We are proud to continue our support of this essential organization and its mission.

Lydia Bueschel Elected to Serve as Vice-Chair of NAMWOLF Board of Directors

Big news! Lydia Bueschel has been elected Vice-Chair of the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) Board!

From her first NAMWOLF meeting in 2017 to this well-deserved leadership role today, Lydia has been passionate about this organization and its mission. We couldn’t be prouder!

VAB Supports 2026 Project Law Track

VAB is proud to support the 2026 Project Law Track!

This March, we joined the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana to help inspire girls to pursue careers in law. A huge shoutout to our own Erica Byrd for co-chairing the event and Amy Sorenson for volunteering!

Seeing the talent and passion in these future lawyers was the highlight of our weekend.

Our local ABC News affiliate did a great job reporting on the event. Check that out here: https://lnkd.in/gzEJ7NAx

VAB Attends and Presents at the 2026 NAMWOLF Spring Meeting

That’s a wrap on another engaging National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) Meeting!

Team VAB was out in full force, with Lydia Bueschel, Hilary Allen, Lance Willoughby-Hudson, Jennifer Novoselsky, and Sandy Morris all in Nashville to represent the firm.

Thank you to The Emerging Leaders Initiative, which asked Lydia to share her expertise on their panel discussing the vital skills of giving and receiving feedback.

To everyone who made this meeting so meaningful, THANK YOU. We’re already looking forward to the Annual Meeting in our very own Chicago!

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VAB Supports Black Futures

This month VAB Law is proud to highlight the work our team members are doing in the community to support Black women embarking on bright futures:

Our very own Deborah Imafidon is a dedicated member of the BLACK WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND Board and recently co-chaired their gala, which provides vital financial support to aspiring Black women law students.

We also want to celebrate LaWanda May, MSHR’s commitment to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., where she is a member (pictured here with her daughter, Nia, who is a youth affiliate of the Sorority). LaWanda has been dedicated to their mission of enhancing the quality of life within the community through service and education for 26 years!

Happy Black History Month and here's to Black Futures!

VAB Sponsors the 2026 Diversity Scholarship Foundation NFP's Unity Gala and Award Ceremony

VAB Law was honored to sponsor the 2026 Diversity Scholarship Foundation, NFP’s Unity Gala and Award Ceremony. The DSF's mission is to promote the goal of advancing diversity within the legal community. To fulfill its mission, DSF seeks to financially assist underprivileged and under-represented minorities in attending law school by offering them scholarships. DSF’s reach goes outside of the Chicago area helping aspiring students in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa. We are especially proud of VAB Partner, Erica Byrd's work as Co-Chair of the Scholarship Committee! VAB Shareholder, Aurora Austriaco also helps to support the cause by serving on the Board of DFS. We were excited to bring as our guests Sarah Vehlow of Wintrust Bank Chicago and Suhana Patel, an aspiring law student. In addition to Erica and Aurora and our wonderful guests, VAB team members Susan Valentine, Reena Sikdar, Jennifer Novoselsky, Lance Willoughby-Hudson, Jack Casey and LaWanda May, MSHR were there to support this worthy cause and celebrate the recipients. Congratulations to all of the 2026 recipients of the DFS scholarships!

VAB Partners Erica Byrd & Jen Novoselsky CLE Panelists at the NAMWOLF Annual Meeting in Los Angeles

#VABLaw is excited to sponsor, attend, and present at the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. Two of our hashtag#VABulous Partners will serve on CLE panels during the conference. Erica Byrd's session, "Boilerplate Provisions & Hidden Risks in Asset-Based Lending Agreements," will provide an in-depth examination of key contractual clauses, common pitfalls, and best practices for structuring ABL agreements that minimize lender exposure. Jennifer Novoselsky's session entitled "Hot Topics in Antitrust Law" will discuss significant recent changes in the practice area. We look forward to seeing you in L.A.!

Aurora Austriaco Co-Hosts 2nd Annual Asian Women's Summit

We would like to congratulate Aurora Austriaco, Susan Patel & Michelle Lura White on hosting the 2nd Annual Asian Women's Summit last month!

The attendance was remarkable, with participants from both within Illinois and out of state! The speakers were amazing and spoke on topics ranging from Doing Business with the Government, Challenges and Opportunities in the Food and Restaurant industry, Understanding the Next Gen, Business and Serial Entrepreneurs, Navigating Corporate America, Quantum Computing and a keynote discussion on Board Readiness.

Aurora Austriaco Speaker at the 2025 CBA Alliance for Women

We are honored to have our very own Aurora Austriaco in a line up that includes these exceptional women who served as past CBA Presidents as they share their thoughts on how to be the best leader and best attorney you can be.

Aurora Austriaco Panelists at the Onyx Strategic Partners’ Women’s Power Luncheon

Aurora Austriaco was invited to be one of four panelists at the Onyx Strategic Partners’ Women’s Power Luncheon. The powerful panel also included Marie Lynn Miranda Arielle Johnson, MPA and was moderated by Heather Ireland Robinson. There were a wealth of knowledge shared regarding career growth, effective leadership and believing in yourself. Audrey Boyle shared insights on the importance of self-branding in today’s marketplace. The day featured committed leaders like Sharif Walker, MAOL Chartay Robinson Darlene Oliver Hightower Pier Rogers, PhD Tamara Reed Tran Dee Atkins Hiba Anjum Angila M. Faison Susan Doig Mary Beth Johnson Barbara Deer Marty Gutierrez Vincent Price Kimberly Casey Blue Pacheco-Cornejo Cynthia Withers Turnquest Katrina Waddy Bianca Cotton Mironda Ross Maya Green MD, MPH, HIVMA, AAHIVS, FACHE Karen Calloway Melanie L. Brown Eddie Francisco Kristina Hamilton Elizabeth Fulmer Stephanie Glover-Douglas.

VAB Hosted NAMWOLF Gathering at Adler Planetarium

You're all stars in our book! A big thanks to The Adler Planetarium for presenting at the informal gathering of Chicago-area National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) law firms and supporters that VAB hosted last night. It was a great way to see our NAMWOLF friends, celebrate all that Chicago (and the universe!) has to offer, and hear about the out-of-this-world work that the Adler is doing. Thank you Michelle B. Larson, PhD, President and CEO of the Adler Planetarium, Ryu Mizuno, Chief Revenue Officer, and Nancy Gerrie, Vice Chair of the board of Trustees.

Aurora Austriaco Panelist at Women's Power Luncheon

VAB Law is so proud that Aurora Austriaco will be one of four esteemed panelists for the Women's Power Luncheon presented by Onyx Strategic Partners on October 28th at the Griffen-Bourdeau Design Center.  Speaking alongside are Arrielle Johnson, CEO of Business Leadership Council, Heather Ireland Robinson, Executive Director of the Jazz Institute of Chicago and Marie Lynn Miranda, Chancellor of the University of Illinois Chicago.

VAB Sponsors Reception and Reena Sikdar Panelist at NAMWOLF 2024 Annual Meeting

We are so excited to continue our support of National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) and its events as an In-House Cocktail Reception Sponsor for the 2024 Annual Meeting. Our own Reena Sikdar was on an Ethics CLE panel discussing "When the Government Gets Involved" with esteemed co-panelists John Amberg, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer at Northern Trust, Nekia Hackworth Jones, Regional Director for the Atlanta Regional Office for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Aaron Moore, Regional Counsel for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Alison Donahue Kehner Partner at DTO Law.

VAB Law Supported and Attended the 1st Asian Women's Summit

VAB Law was so excited to be a part of the First Annual Asian Women’s Summit! This event was put together to celebrate National Women's HERstory/History/Future Month! Our very own Aurora Austriaco co-hosted along with Mark Hands and Clarita Santos. The Summit will took place on Friday, March 22, 2024 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

This 4.5 hour event featured speakers: Grace Hou-Ovnik: Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services, Office of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker; Aileen Kim: Deputy General Counsel, Office of the Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias; Anna Ninoyu, AIA: Owner/Principal/Co-founder, METIS Design; Clarita Santos: Executive Director of Corporate and Civic Partnerships, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC); Danielle Austriaco: Associate Attorney, Johnson and Bell, Ltd.; Erikka Wang: Owner & Co-founder, AKIRA; Kristy Gonowon: Corporate Counsel, Lowe’s, Megan Nakano: Executive Director, Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (AACCIL); Melanie Matias, Assistant States Attorney, Cook County State's Attorney's Office; Michelle Lura White: Women's Business Development Manager (Illinois’ liaison to women-owned businesses and future women entrepreneurs), Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO); Sandra Yamate: President & CEO, Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession (IILP); and Susan Patel: CEO, South Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (SAACCIL) | Founder & Owner, Suuprah.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who attended and played a part in making the Summit a resounding success. Your support, enthusiasm, and dedication are what make events like these so impactful.

Aurora Speaker at Chicago United Annual Meeting

Aurora Austriaco was joined by Mary Smith, President, American Bar Association; and Maurice Grant, Principal, Grant Austin, LLC; for a featured discussion; The Attack on DE&I at Chicago United’s 2024 Annual Meetings. The paanel was moderated by Tiffany Hamel Johnson, President and CEO, Chicago United.

VAB Supports I AM ABLE LAW FOUNDATION

In celebration of Black History Month, VAB Law proudly contributed to the I AM ABEL LAW FOUNDATION, an organization that provides mentorship and resources to undergraduate and high school students from underrepresented communities who seek guidance on how to enter the legal profession.

Learn more and donate by visiting: https://lnkd.in/dxER3Upa

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 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.