Building off last year’s Women in Law Summit, join us for a full-day of programming, skill building, networking, and group discussion designed with the goal of advancing women in the legal profession. With over 5 hours of CLE applied for, including 1 hour of Mental Health/Substance Abuse CLE credit, and breakfast, lunch, and a cocktail reception included – this is an event you won’t want to miss. Men and women are invited to join us for this event as we work together to create change.

April 5, 2019

8:30AM-6:00PM

John Marshall Law School
315 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL

Full Day

Members: $100 // Government or Non-Profit Members: $85

Non-Members $110 // Government or Non-Profit Non-Members: $95

 

Half-Day

Members: $65 // Government or Non-Profit Members: $45

Non-Members: $75 // Government or Non-Profit Non-Members: $55

Attendees can register for the full or half day session, both of which include lunch. CLE credit will be awarded on a per program basis for those who cannot attend the entire day of programming. 

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AM Block – 8:30 am to 1:00 pm (Continental Breakfast and Lunch included)
PM Block – 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm (Lunch, Afternoon snacks and Cocktail Networking hour included)

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Continental Breakfast and Check-In
8:30-9:00am

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Welcome Remarks
9:00-9:15am

Kathryn Conway, Powers Rogers & Smith, LLP
Sarah King, Clifford Law Offices
Elizabeth Winiarski, Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Courtney O. Wylie, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

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Workshop:It’s Not You, It’s the Workplace
9:15-10:30am

Alton B. Harris, Partner, Nixon Peabody, and co-author of Breaking Through Bias: Communication Techniques for Women to Succeed at Work
Andrea S. Kramer, Partner, McDermott Will & Emery LLP, and co-author of Breaking Through Bias: Communication Techniques for Women to Succeed at Work

As reflected in their upcoming book, It’s Not You, It’s the Workplace: Women’s Conflict at Work and the Bias that Built It, Andie Kramer and Al Harris will lead a discussion that examines why women’s workplace relationships are often difficult and the circumstances that give rise to these work environments. In an interactive discussion, they will explore actionable steps to overcome and avoid workplace conflict and build on the positive aspects of women working with women so that participants can leave with strategies and tools to succeed regardless of the environment.

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Break
10:30-10:45am

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The Art of Self-Promotion – Making the Ask
10:45-11:45am

Moderator:
Elizabeth Winiarski, Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP

Panelists:
Susan C. Levy, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Northern Trust
Yondi K. Morris-Andrews, Founding Partner, Knight, Morris & Reddick Law Group
Judith E. Reich, Executive Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath
Nubia Willman, Supervising Attorney, Legal Assistance Foundation

Self-promotion for lawyers can be tricky. Few lawyers feel entirely comfortable with the idea of promoting themselves, their skills, or their business – despite the hard work that led them there. For women, self-promotion can seem even more fraught with peril. Do it too often or aggressively and you might turn people off. Don’t do it enough and you could lose out on opportunities. Our expert panelists will talk about strategies women lawyers can use to be successful in the how, when, and why of making the ask.

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Lunch
11:45am-1:00pm

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Political IQ: Your Secret Career Weapon
1:00-2:00pm

Amy M. Gardner, Apochromatik

Many people hear “high political IQ” and imagine a person who can recite the name of every member of Congress. But having a high political IQ means you have the combination of political skills and will that help some professionals become more successful than the rest. These political skills aren’t kissing babies and raising money; in the legal field, networking, developing your executive presence, and building your self-awareness are all political skills that can help you build you build the career you want. Every lawyer can strengthen her executive presence, networking skills, and self-awareness, which in turn build your influence and increase your political IQ. Participants will identify specific skills they want to build, and pragmatic and practical steps to do so.

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Break
2:00-2:15pm

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Harnessing Your Inner Critic*
2:15-3:30pm

Courtney O. Wylie, Professional Development & Well-Being Specialist, Drinker Biddle & Reath

We all have inner critics that can be full of doubt, frustration, or disapproval. This can hinder our ability to think creatively, take risks, manage stress and approach difficult situations with confidence and ease. For lawyers, and particularly women and minority lawyers, this critic can be overly active. We will practice identifying negative or self-defeating thought patterns and explore the research behind working with negative thought patterns, such as neuroscience, cognitive behavior, mindfulness, and positive psychology. Participants will gain practical tools to help harness their inner critic, manage stress more effectively, and improve their overall well-being and legal practice.

*1 Hour of Mental Health/Substance Abuse CLE credit has been applied for.

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Break
3:30-3:45pm

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#TogetherChangeComes – How Men and Women Create Change
3:45-4:45pm

Moderator:
Peter Bensinger, Bartlitt Beck

Heidi Hennig Rowe, Deputy Practice Group Leader, Construction, Schiff Hardin LLP
Patrick A. Salvi II, Managing Partner, Salvi Schostok & Pritchard
Kal K. Shah, Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group, Co-Chair, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP

In some legal organizations, increasing diversity and inclusion is considered to be the responsibility of a specific person or group—the diversity committee, the women’s committee, or the diversity director. Enlightened organizations, however, know that it is everyone’s responsibility. In particular, white men need to be engaged and involved, since they often account for a large part of these organizations’ leadership. Our panelists will talk about how to get men involved in the discussion to create change, what they can do every day to start moving the needle, and the importance of working together as allies.

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Closing Remarks
4:45-5:00pm

Kathryn Conway, Powers Rogers & Smith, LLP
Sarah King, Clifford Law Offices
Elizabeth Winiarski, Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Courtney O. Wylie, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

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Networking & Reception
5:00-6:00pm