Annual Diversity Scholarship Foundation Unity Gala goes virtual for 2020

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation has announced that its Annual Unity Gala will be a virtual event.

The event is set for Tuesday, December 8. A "Virtual Networking Reception" will begin at 5:00 p.m. The program will follow at 6:00 p.m.

The DSF will confer its Unity Award on outgoing Supreme Court Justice Tom L. Kilbride. According to the Foundation's announcement, "This award is presented to a superlative individual who has tirelessly promoted diversity and inclusion in our profession and worked toward uniting diverse communities through action."

Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke will recieve the Hon. Laura Liu Access to Justice Award. The Foundation says that this award "celebrates an outstanding individual who has actively promoted access to justice and worked towards a more equal and transparent system of justice."

The Foundation will also recognize six individuals as "Advocates for Diversity," persons who have "actively advocated and promoted diversity and inclusion in the legal profession." The six persons chosen for this honor are Pamela Sakowicz Menaker, Alejandro Menchaca, Circuit Court Judge Lewis Nixon, incoming Circuit Court Judge Jill Rose Quinn, Associate Judge Rouhy Shalabi, and Abigail Sue.

The annual administration of the DSF's Oath of Unity will be given to all bar presidents by Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. And, of course, the DSF will confer 21 scholarships to law students throughout the 7th Circuit.

The Unity Gala is the principal means by which the Foundation raises money for its scholarship program. Tickets to attend the event are $150 each and may be obtained at this link. A Bronze Sponsorship may also be obtained at that same link, for $1,500. Many additional sponsorship opportunities are also available. A brochure explaining these opportunities can be accessed from the link in this sentence.