Judicial Reception

Breaking the Glass Gavel

Please join the Women's Bar Association of Illinois at its 27th Annual Judicial Reception as we honor excellence in the judiciary and celebrate this year’s recipients of the Myra Bradwell Woman of Achievement Award and the Mary Heftel Hooton Award.

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Event Details

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Registration for this event is not yet open.

Thursday, March 5, 2026
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

The Chicago Cultural Center
78 E Washington Street
Chicago, Illinois

Tickets
Members $175 | Non-Members $220 | Government Attorneys $125 | Students & New Lawyers < 2 years $95 | Sitting Judges Complimentary

Questions? Please contact wbai@wbaillinois.org.

Myra Bradwell Woman of Achievement Award Honorees

Congratulations to the honorees of the Myra Bradwell Woman of Achievement Award! The Myra Bradwell Woman of Achievement Award, the WBAI's highest honor named for the first woman to pass the Illinois bar, celebrates exceptional attorneys who illuminate their respective fields with outstanding prowess and dedication.

Honorable Virginia M. Kendall

Chief Judge of the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Honorable Bonnie M. Wheaton

Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court of DuPage County

Mary Heftel Hooton Award Honorees

Congratulations to the honorees of the Mary Heftel Hooton Award! In Judge Mary Heftel Hooton's memory, the WBAI established the Mary Heftel Hooton Award to honor judges who advance the cause of women lawyers. The WBAI honors these recipients for their exceptional leadership, professionalism, and efforts in advancing women in the law.

Honorable Charles S. Beach

Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County

Honorable Daniel L. Kennedy

Chief Judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Will County

Honorable Daniel B. Shanes

Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Lake County

Honorable Robert K. Villa

Chief Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Kane County

Sponsorship Opportunities

We invite you to join us in making the 2026 Judicial Reception the best one yet. Click the button below to explore sponsorship opportunities and to register your company’s sponsorship.

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