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
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.
Susan Valentine Panelist on Financial Poise Webinar Entitled, "Persuasive Brief Writing 2021"
VAB shareholder Susan Valentine was be one of the five panelists who presented on the subject of persuasive brief writing on Thursday at 1:00 PM CST.
Other panelists included Robert Michaels (Environmental Law & Policy Center); Stephen Brodsky (Kaufman Dolowich Voluck LLP); and Gerald Meyer (MoloLamken LLP).
The Financial Poise Webinar was described as:
“Unclear and unpersuasive legal writing often comes from undeveloped analysis and undisciplined organization. This webinar explores best practices for structuring and organizing briefs, including how to most effectively frame and sequence arguments, use authority, and find a winning theme. It also takes 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.”
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.
