We were excited to attend and sponsor Chicago United's Bridge Awards celebration on November 16th!
This event recognizes outstanding leaders and organizations that are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Chicago business community. We are honored to have VAB's Aurora Austriaco serving on the Board of Chicago United and contributing to this important work.
Through the Bridge Awards, we celebrate the individuals and organizations who actively bridge divides and drive change, creating a more inclusive and equitable business landscape for all. We applaud their relentless dedication to advancing diversity and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone.
Together, we can bridge divides and build a brighter future.
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 Law is pleased to welcome our new Chief Operating Officer, LaWanda May, MSHR! LaWanda brings deep experience in managing and operating businesses and serving in human resource roles.
As VAB Law’s new COO, LaWanda will oversee the firm’s daily operations and work closely with our shareholders as we grow the firm.
We are thrilled to have you on our team, LaWanda!
Aurora Austriaco Moderated 2 Panels at Business Smart Week
Aurora Austriaco, Partner at VAB Law moderated two panels on the topic of “Facing Frontal Divides: Challenges and Opportunities for Minority Businesses” and “Managing Frontal Divides: Solutions to Minority Business Challenges” at the 2023 Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Business Smart Week. The theme this year was “Business Equity: Inclusion-The Pathway Forward.”
Lydia Bueschel on the Board of Directors of the IL Equal Justice Foundation
Congratulations to #VABLaw Shareholder Lydia Bueschel on joining the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation Board of Directors. IEJF works to ensure equitable and easy access to the civil justice system in Illinois, and VAB is proud to have Lydia serving in furtherance of this critical mission.
Over the past 20 years, IEJF has helped keep families housed during the foreclosure crisis, recovered millions in funds for seniors victimized by scams, led the creation of legal self-help centers across the state, and developed three statewide legal aid networks. To support their crucial efforts, please donate by visiting: https://lnkd.in/gyiv875h
Sandy Morris Presents at the DRI Employment and Labor Law Seminar in New Orleans
VAB employment pro Sandy Morris presented at the DRI Employment and Labor Law Seminar in New Orleans on May 4th. Her session "Don’t Save Damages for Last" discussed the ins and outs of employment case damage calculations and was co-presented with Dr. Abby Turner of Charles River Associates. Sandy was joined at the #DRI seminar by fellow Chicago lawyer Stacey Austin of Wang Austin, who did some tax issue spotting for employment lawyers in her session "Tax Primer for Employment Attorneys."
VAB Has a New Address!
Erica Byrd Promoted to Partner!
VAB is pleased to announce that Erica Byrd has been elevated to partner. We couldn’t be more pleased to have Erica continue her leadership within the firm, and…
VAB Sponsors the BEDS Plus Care 2023 Soup & Bread Event
VAB’s 2023 Super Lawyers
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 Welcomes Deborah Seriki
VAB Law welcomes Deborah M. Seriki as Associate! Deborah comes to VAB with a wide range of experience representing government entities in Administrative Hearings and
VAB Welcomes Reena Sikdar
VAB welcomes Reena Sikdar as Special Counsel! Reena returns to private practice after serving two years in state and local government during the onset and height of the pandemic,
VAB Chosen NAMWOLF 2022 Law Firm MVP
VAB was thrilled to receive the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) most valuable player award for its service and was honored to have presented the Diversity Initiative Achievement Award to Kim Metrick, Vice President, Employment Law, Legal Operations and Investigations for Walgreens Boots Alliance who accepted the award on behalf of Walgreens.
Additionally, we’d love to send a big congratulations to both Emery Harlan Founder of #NAMWOLF and Equity Partner at MWH Law Group LLP on receiving the inaugural NAMWOLF Trail Blazers Award and Theos McKinney Assistant General Counsel at Constellation Energy Generation on winning the 2022 Outstanding Service by an Advisory Council Member Award!
Aurora Austriaco Attends the White House's 4th of July Celebration
Aurora Austriaco was honored to be invited to the Presidential 4th of July celebration as we celebrated 246 years of independence! She even made it into the White House’s official Instagram feed alongside colleagues including Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Patricia Brown Holmes and Donovan Pepper, She was even able to get a couple of selfies with President Biden and Vice President Harris.
Tevin Bowens Joins the VAB Team!
VAB welcomes Tevin Bowens as Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel, P.C.’s newest associate! Tevin brings broad knowledge of the bankruptcy process, honed during his time serving as a law clerk in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Tevin is poised to provide VAB’s clients with practical advice to protect creditors’ rights in a wide range of bankruptcy and commercial litigation matters.
Lydia Bueschel honored by Women Employed
Congratulations to VAB Shareholder Lydia Bueschel, who was honored today for her years of Board service and advocacy on behalf of working women at Women Employed ‘s annual gala the Working Lunch!
Aurora Austriaco Panelist at ABA Tort TIPS Annual Section Conference
VAB Law Shareholder and American Bar Association, IL, State Delegate Aurora Austriaco was honored to participate as a panelist during the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) Annual Section Conference last week. Aurora's session was entitled, "Moving the Needle – What Corporations Are Doing in Real Time to Affect Diversity in Their Legal Spending and Why It Matters to Your Firm." Among the topics discussed were how companies reprioritize relationship when law firms fail to use diverse talent and how organizations like National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) make hiring diverse firms a breeze.
Aurora Austriaco Recipient of this Year's Chicago United “Toni Cornelius Special Recognition” Award
Congratulations to VAB Shareholder, Aurora Austriaco on her election to the Board of Chicago United and on being the recipient of this year's Chicago United “Toni Cornelius Special Recognition” Award!
VAB thanks Chicago United for the honor to serve on the Board and for this incredible recognition. Congratulations, as well, to the other award recipients.
Aurora Austriaco Panelist at Pennsylvania Bar Association's Commission on Women in the Profession, International Women's Day Program
VAB Law Shareholder, Past President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, and Past President of The Chicago Bar Association, Aurora Austriaco spoke on a panel at the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Commission on Women in the Profession, International Women's Day Program via Zoom.
