WOMEN'S NETWORKING GROUP

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.

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 include:

  • Part two of our "Fabulous Fashion" series was held at the new Trump International Hotel & Tower. The event showcased the City of Chicago Fashion Incubator, as well as the Chicago Fashion Foundation. Many designer members of the Foundation and the Incubator showed and sold their wares, and a portion of the proceeds was donated to the Bottomless Closet and the Foundation's scholarship fund. The event was a resounding success; with 191 attendees, it was our largest WNG event to date. (Autumn 2008)

  • Part one of our "Fabulous Fashion" series, "Updating the Basics..." was held at Nordstrom's on Michigan Avenue. Highlighting Nordstrom's work with local designers and Schiff Hardin's fashion industry team, attendees learned exciting ways to update fashion basics for work and evening, and new ideas for expressing your individual fashion flair. All attendees also gained an early access pass to preview the legendary Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and its significant savings. (Spring 2008)
     
  • Part two of our "Sweet Success" series was a behind-the-scenes tour of the World's Finest® Chocolate Factory. A long-time Schiff Hardin client, World's Finest Chocolate prides itself on being one of nine American companies that manufactures chocolate directly from the bean. (Autumn 2007)

  • Part one of our "Sweet Success" series was held at the Schiff Hardin Chicago offices. Our speakers were three entrepreneurial women who created innovative businesses that allow others to indulge in life's pleasures: Valerie Black, president of Chicago Chocolate Tours; Sarah Levy, founder of Sarah's Pastries & Candies; and Margaret Hlavaty, wine consultant. (Spring 2007)

  • Part two of our "Women in the Arts" series — "Building an Arts Community and Building an Art Collection" — was held at the River East Art Center (http://www.rivereastartcenter.com/). Mikki Markowicz, President and Founder of the River East Art Center and Madeline Murphy Rabb, president of Murphy Rabb, Inc., a comprehensive fine art advisory firm presented. (Autumn 2006)

  • Part one of our "Women in the Arts" series featured a visit to the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum (http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/) and presentation by Elizabeth Smith, the James W. Alsdorf Chief Curator and Deputy Director for Programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Chicago. (Spring 2006)

  • Part two of our "Behind the Scenes" financial series featured a speech and reception featuring Mellody Hobson, President of Ariel Capital Management, LLC and a regular financial contributor on ABC's Good Morning America and World News Tonight. (Autumn 2005)

  • Part one of our "Behind the Scenes" financial series featured a behind-the-scenes look at long-time Schiff Hardin client the Chicago Board Options Exchange(CBOE) (http://www.cboe.com/) and presentations by Joanne Moffic-Silver, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, CBOE and Veda Levin, Senior Vice President, ABN AMRO Sage Futures & Options. (Spring 2005)

  • Part two of our "Behind the Scenes" real estate series featured a tour of the newly constructed McCormick Tribune Campus Center at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) (http://www.iit.edu/) and presentation by Mary Ann Smith, Vice President and General Counsel at IIT, and Donna Robertson, Dean of the College of Architecture. (Autumn 2004)

  • Part one of our "Behind the Scenes" real estate series featured a behind-the-scenes look at the newly renovated Soldier Field (http://www.soldierfield.net/) and presentations by Alice Hoffman, P.E., a representative of the developer for the planned the project, and Karen Murphy, Chief Financial Officer of the Chicago Bears Football Club. (Spring 2004)

  • Part two of our "Backstage at the Theatre" series featured a discussion on the history of The Second City (http://www.secondcity.com/) and a some basic training in improv techniques and ways to use those skills in the business world. (Autumn 2003)

  • Part one of our "Backstage at the Theatre" series featured backstage tours of Steppenwolf Theatre (http://www.steppenwolf.org/) and a presentation by Martha Lavey, Steppenwolf's Artistic Director and an Ensemble Member. (Spring 2003)

  • Part two of our "Growing Entrepreneurship" series featured a panel discussion on "Conquering the Marketplace: Success Stories of Women Entrepreneurs." Ruth Friedman, President of Respite Care; Phyllis McCullough, Chairman of the Board of Cook Incorporated and Executive Vice President of Operations of Cook Group Incorporated; and Peggy Smedley, President and Editorial Director of Specialty Publishing, Inc. participated. (Autumn 2002)

  • Part one of our "Growing Entrepreneurship" series — "Supporting the Entrepreneurial Spirit of Women" — featured successful women who exhibited entrepreneurial spirit in their careers and nourished their professional journeys. Suzanne Israel Tufts, President and CEO of the American Woman's Economic Development Corporation (AWED), and Lisa Morrison Butler, President of the Board of Directors of Bottomless Closet, participated. (Summer 2002)

  • Part two of our "Art of Art and Antiques Collecting" series — "Hidden Treasures: How to Recognize and Value Your Own Art, Antiques and Collectibles" — featured presentations by Leslie Hindman, a consultant specializing in the search, acquisition, appraisal and auction of works of art, furniture, decorative arts, jewelry, rare books and manuscripts. It also featured a discussion of Schiff Hardin's art collection and allowed attendees to bring in their own "treasures" to be appraised. (Autumn 2001)

  • Part one of our "Art of Art and Antiques Collecting" series — "An Introduction to Art and Antiques Collecting" — featured a visit to Sotheby's. Experts from world-famous Sotheby's offered tips on collecting art and antiques. Participants learned about the different ways you can begin a collection, how auctions work and were able to preview one of the last in-person, local fine art and antiques auctions before Sotheby's discontinued live auctions in Chicago. (Autumn 2001)

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.women-everywhere.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

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Schiff Hardin LLP is a general practice law firm representing clients across the United States and around the world. We have offices located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Lake Forest, New York, San Francisco and Washington. Our attorneys are strong advocates and trusted advisers — roles that contribute to many lasting client relationships.