The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) is calling for nominations for its 2025 Top Women Lawyers, Legislators, and Legal Employers in Leadership Awards. The awards will be presented at the WBAI’s Top Women Lawyers and Legislators in Leadership Reception on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM at Salon 61.
The WBAI offers four categories for awards.
(1) Top Women Lawyers in Leadership Award
WBAI’s Top Women Lawyers in Leadership Award recognizes the accomplishments and diverse backgrounds of women who are making major professional contributions through their service in a leadership role. Candidates include elite women who have created growth in a given field and shown future potential or gone beyond traditional mentoring to create new pathways for women. Nominees for Top Women Lawyers in Leadership should be leading women lawyers in academia, business, entrepreneurship, general counsels, trade, labor, journalism, or the community.
(2) Top Women Legislators in Leadership Award
WBAI’s Top Women Legislators in Leadership honors leading women in public office who are also making major professional contributions to the advancement of women through their service.
(3) Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) Award
The WBAI DE&I Award recognizes a law firm, company, or legal organization that has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession. Candidates include organizations with a commitment to establishing an inclusive work environment, dedication to retaining, developing, and promoting diverse individuals in the legal profession, actively increasing opportunities for diverse individuals, and leadership on diversity issues in the legal community, with a particular focus on advancing and empowering women including women of color.
(4) Flexible Workplace Award
WBAI's Flexible Workplace Award recognizes legal employers in Illinois who exhibit commitment to work-life balance, ensuring that lawyers can take care of their families and selves while pursuing a successful career. Candidates include organizations with a commitment to attorney work-life balance including, but not limited to, part-time employment, part-time partnership, paid leave, flexible work schedules, and telecommuting.
Submission Criteria
WBAI members and our supporters are encouraged to nominate lawyer and legislator candidates for the 2025 Top Women Lawyers and Legislators in Leadership Awards. Firms, companies, and legal organizations may be nominated for WBAI’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award and WBAI’s Flexible Workplace Award. All nominations must be accompanied by a complete written submission, 750 words or less, which can be found in the Nomination Link below. Submissions are due Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
