DSF scholarship deadline is October 31

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation has announced that all applications for its annual scholarships must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31.

Individuals who receive scholarships must attend the DSF Unity Award Gala (date to be determined, but probably in January 2025) or forfeit the award.

All rules and regulations regarding the DSF scholarships can be found at this page of the DSF website.

The DSF has also announced that, in the Spring of 2025, it will partner with the Public Interest Law Initiative to provide a paid internship for a for a deserving law student. The application period for this internship began today, October 15. Application forms and pertinent information regarding this opportunity can be found on the PILI website at pili.org/apply.

While, presumably, most FWIW readers are no longer personally concerned with scholarships or internships, readers may know persons, perhaps in their own households, who might or should be interested. Be advised accordingly.

AABAR establishes Scholarship Fund

The Arab American Bar Association of Illinois has announced the establishment of the AABAR Scholarship Fund. The Fund is intended to assist Arab American students attending an accredited Illinois law school.

In announcing the establishment of the Fund, retired Judge Bill Haddad stated, "At this time, it is important that all peoples understand, honor, respect and abide by the Rule of Law."

Instead of raising funds at this nascent stage of the Fund's development, Judge Haddad is soliciting and collecting pledges, redeemable when the Fund secures tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) status. Pledge forms are available at this link. Instructions for the return of the pledge forms are contained thereon.

Hellenic Bar Association Foundation Scholarship Ball set for November 18

Updated 11/16/23 to advise, per this Instagram post, that this event has sold out.

The Helenic Bar Association Foundation, the charitable arm of the Hellenic Bar Association, will hold its 73rd Annual Scholarship Ball on Saturday, November 18, at the Westin O'Hare, 6100 North River Road, Rosemont. The event will begin with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m.; dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. In addition to the awards program, there will be a silent auction and dancing.

At the ball, in addition to awarding scholarships to law students of Hellenic descent, the HBAF will confer these awards on the following persons:

• Hellene of the Year - Chris Atsaves
  Senior Vice President, Weatlh Advisor, and Certified Financial Planner at UBS


• Service Award - Arlene Siavelis Kehl
  National Piloptochos President


• Lawyer of the Year - Perry Siatis
  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of AbbVie


• Rising Star - Eleni Katsoulis
  Senior Claims Counsel with Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

For additional information about the awardees, click here.

Tickets for the ball are $275 each; there is an $550 option for a 'couples ticket.' Tables of 10 may be had for $2,750. Discounted tickets for students are available for $175 each. All tickets are available at this link.

Sponsorships are also available. Persons contributing an additional $100 will be designated as Patrons of the event; persons contributing an additonal $250 will be designated as Supporters. In addition, there are the following premium sponsorship levels:

• Bronze Sponsor - $500
  Includes name or logo listed on marketing materials and website recognition before and after the event


• Silver Sponsor - $1,000
  Includes Bronze Sponsorship benefits, with Silver Sponsorship status duly noted, plus live recognition during the event


• Gold Sponsor - $2,500
  Includes Silver Sponsorship benefits, with Gold Sponsorship status duly noted, plus 2 complimentary event tickets


• Platinum Sponsor - $5,000
  Includes Gold Sponsorship benefits, with Platinum Sponsorship status duly noted, but 4 complimentary event tickets instead of two


• Grand Benefactor - $10,000
  Includes Platinum Sponsorship benefits, with Grand Benefactor status duly noted, but VIP seating and up to 6 complimentary event tickets instead of four, and premium signage at the event

To sign up for a sponsorship, or for more information about sponsorships, including a sponsorship packet, click here Silent auction prizes will be posted at this page on or about November 11.

The Hellenic Bar Association Foundation promotes various initiatives that support students of Hellenic descent. In addition to awarding scholarships, the HBAF promotes education by hosting an annual Law Day Essay Contest for elementary school children. Students from Greek-American schools in the Chicagoland area participate in this contest. The HBAF also operates a pro bono legal clinic, Hel.LAS.

Advocates planning annual scholarship fundraiser November 30, looking for silent auction donations now

Here's a great oppotunity to ditch your December Bears tickets!

OK, admittedly, that's not particularly civil. And I apolgize unreservedly for same, at least to the Advocates Society, which, after all, is trying to raise money for its Polish-American Advocates Scholarship Foundation at a November 30 dinner, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., at Maggiano's, 516 N. Clark Street.

It's just... well, I'm a White Sox fan as well as a Bears fan, and for a brief while this Summer I'd dared to hope that the abject misery of this awful White Sox season might be assuaged by an improved Bears squad....

Also, the Advocates are looking for donations for the silent auction that will be featured at the November 30 dinner. In most years, Bears tickets would be a welcome donation.

Would be. Would have been?

But perhaps you, Dear Reader, can think of something useful for the cause. Theater tickets, perhaps, or gift certificates, jewelry items, sports memorabilia -- donations are bounded only by a donor's budget, imagination, and generosity. Persons with items to donate for the event should email Eryk Wachnik, at eryk@wachniklaw.com. Donors should include a copy of their logo to be displayed with the silent auction item.

The Advocates are also trying to line up sponsors for the dinner. Sponsorships are $300 and include one dinner ticket, inclusion of the sponsor's name or logo in the program book, placement of said name or logo on the Advocates website in connection with this event, and a shout-out on social media. Potential sponsors should also contact Eryk Wachnik, at eryk@wachniklaw.com.

For the well-organized, there is also an opportunity to purchase tickets for this event at early bird prices. From now through October 31, tickets for this event are $150 each; a table of 10 may be had for $1,250. From and after November 1, tickets will be $175 each; a table of 10 will cost $1,500. All tickets are available at this page of the Advocates website.

HLAI Installation Ceremony and Awards Dinner set for September 29

The Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and HLAI Charities will hold their annual Black Tie Gala, Installation Ceremony and Awards Dinner on Friday, September 29, at the Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.

The HLAI Charities Scholarship Recipients will be recognized at the program. The HLAI will also confer its Aguila Award on Miguel A. Ruiz, a partner with Cogan & Power, P.C., at this event.

Tickets for the gala are $300 each (tickets for HLAI members and law students and nonprofit/government employees are $275 each). Sponsorships are also available, ranging from $1,000 to $7,500. The sponsorship packet can be downloaded here; tickets and additional information about sponsorships is available at this page of the HLAI website. Questions about the event, including requests for vegetarian meal options or questions about particular sponsorships, may be directed to gala@hlai.org.

Illinois Judicial Council Installation and Scholarship Awards Ceremony set for September 21

The Illinois Judicial Council will hold its Installation and Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Thursday, September 21, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Rivers Restaurant, 30 South Wacker Drive. Judge Kimberly D. Lewis, who sits in the Child Protection Division, will be installed as IJC President at this event.

Other officers to be installed at this event are:

• Hon. Allen P. Walker, President-Elect
• Hon. Maryam Ahmad, Secretary
• Hon. Sheree D. Henry, Asst. Secretary
• Hon. Kevin T. Lee, Treasurer
• Hon. Tyria B. Walton, Asst. Treasurer

Tickets are $150 each -- and sponsorships are available ($500 - Silver, $1,500 - Gold, Platinum - $2,500). Tickets and sponsorships, and additional information about the benefits appertaining to each sponsorship level, are available at this page of the IJC website. Tickets must be purchased in advance; no tickets will be sold at the door.

Friday, August 25: Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship Baseball Game

The way my beloved White Sox are playing this season, I can well understand that anyone might need a strong incentive to endure a game in person.

But some present and former attorneys in the Cook County Public Defender's Office are offering one such incentive, raising money for the Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship Fund on Friday, August 25, when the White Sox play the Oakland A's. The fund benefits volunteer law clerks in the PD's office.

The cost is $75, which includes the game ticket, including the 90s Night postgame festivities. There is no truth to the rumor that you don't have to go if you pay $150. What you pay, and what you give, is up to you, especially if you know how to use Zelle. Which I don't. Fortunately, there's an email address on the flyer above -- TreasurerLOCAL3315@gmail.com -- which probably has something to do with this Zelle business, but which probably can also be used by the technologically challenged to sort out how to pay to join the group. Or, if you know any of the persons whose names are on the flyer, perhaps one of them can steer you around this Zelle business.

Perhaps they can even explain to you how to download and use the e-ticket to the game. I've managed to get to a few games since the Sox abandoned real tickets, and I'm always amazed at how I get in with my phone alone. But I never seem to do it the same way twice.

For the "current and aspiring law students" in your life: Diversity Scholarship Foundation 2023 application period is now open

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation is accepting applications for its 2023 scholarships.

Presumably most FWIW readers have law school in their past, not their present or future, but readers may know current or aspiring law students, perhaps living under their own roofs, who might be interested.

Applications can be found at this page of the DSF website. The Foundation's scholarships are open to current law students in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin and to undergraduate students registered to take the LSAT and planning to attend law school in one of those states.

The Devil is in the details, of course, as in most things. Undergraduate students taking the LSAT can apply for a scholarship that would be sent directly to LSAT or to a law school and/or to a LSAT class provider and/or tutoring for LSAT. Second and third year law students can apply for several different scholarships, all described here. But first-year law students are not eligible. LLM students are not eligible. In addition to the requirements specified on the applications page, DSF provides an FAQ page that scholarship applicants can consult.

The due date for applications is October 20, 2023.

Scholarship winners will be announced at the Annual Unity Award Gala later this year. The Gala is the main fundraising vehicle for future DSF scholarships.

Limited tickets still remain for next Friday's PRBA scholarship fundraiser

The Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois will hold its summer scholarship fundraising party, Noche en San Juan, this coming Friday, August 11, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Mathew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center, 6100 N. Central Avenue.

Limited tickets remain available for the event.

The ticket price ($100 for PRBA members, $125 for non-members) includes a buffet dinner, dessert, drinks, and dancing. (Law students with ID can purchase tickets for $50 apiece).

Sponsorships are also available:

• $325 - Silver Sponsor - Includes one (1) event ticket or
  $200 - Silver Sponsor (NO TICKET)
  Silver Sponsors will receive verbal recognition at the event and a linked logo on event registration page.


• $500 - Gold Sponsor
  Includes two (2) attendee ticket, advertisement at the event, verbal recognition at the event, and linked logo on event and registration landing page.


• $1000 - Platinum Sponsor
  Includes three (3) attendee tickets, prominent advertisement on signage at the event, acknowledgment of sponsorship in invitations and promotions, verbal recognition at the event, linked logo and description on event and registration landing page, and social media post.

All tickets and sponsorships are available via this link. If the event is not sold out sooner, tickets will be available at the door for $150 each.

AABA Installation set for February 1; early bird pricing ends this weekend

The Asian American Bar Association will hold its 35th Annual Installation Gala on Wednesday, February 1, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the University Club of Chicago, 76 East Monroe St.

Early bird ticket sales end this weekend -- and tickets are already becoming scarce.

For the moment, tickets for those in the private sector are $120 each; tickets are $90 each for persons working in the public sector, for non-profits, or for students. Next week, tickets will be $125 each for AABA members, $150 for non-members. Registration can be accomplished through this link. And, FWIW readers will be relieved to discover, sponsorship opportunities are still available.

At this event the AABA will confer awards on Rudy Figueroa (In-House Counsel Leadership Award), Eirene Nakamura Salvi (Rising Star Award), Peter Ohr (Justice Award), and Avanti Bakane (Law Firm Partner Diversity Leadership Award).

A portion of the profits from this event will be donated to the AABA Law Foundation whose mission is to support the development of Asian Pacific American law students through the Foundation’s scholarship program.

Tickets now available for Diversity Scholarship Foundation's Annual Unity Gala

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation will hold its Annual Unity Gala on Tuesday, December 6, starting at 5:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton, 720 S. Michigan Ave.

As in past years, the event will feature all bar presidents taking an Oath of Diversity. Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans will administer the oath at this year's ceremony.

Newly installed Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis will receive the DSF's Unity Award, while the chair of her judicial screening commmittee, former Judge Patrica Brown Holmes, will receive the Justice Laura Liu Access to Justice Award at the gala. The DSF will also recognize Vivian R. Khalaf, Judge Matthew W. Jannusch, David W. Inlander, Manish K. Mehta, Angel M. Traub, and H. Patrick Morris as Advocates for Diversity.

Persons receiving the DSF scholarships will also be recognized at the event.

Tickets for the Gala are $150 each (a table of 10 is $1,500) and are available by clicking this link.

The deadline for sponsorships has passed, but interested persons or groups who missed the deadline should email dsfchicago@gmail.com as soon as possible. (The sponsorship brochure can be accessed here.) There is also an ad book for the event, with ads starting at $175. Click here for ad book information.

Justinian Society to hold its Endowment Fund Scholarship Dinner on November 17

Thursday, November 17 turns out to be a busy day for scholarship fund fundraisers.

In addition to the BWLA Scholarship Fund event, the Justinian Socity of Lawyers will hold its Endowment Fund Scholarship Dinner at the Rosebud, 1500 W. Taylor St., on Thursday, November 17, with cocktails starting at 6:00 p.m., and a family style dinner (with wine included) following at 7:00 a.m.

Hard choices may have to be made... although it may just be possible to hit one for the appetizers, then head over for dinner at the other. The venues are only about 1.3 miles apart. Depending on the timing, the truly ambitious, or determined, may even make it back to the first venue in time for the wine tasting.

Anything for the next generation of lawyers, right?

Tickets for the JSEF Scholarship Dinner are $65 for Justinian members, $75 for non-members, and $55 for students. All are available at this link.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Justinian Society of Lawyers Endowment Fund, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization. Contributions are deductible to the extent allowed by law.

BWLA Scholarship Fund Board announces Sips for Scholarships on November 17

The Black Women's Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. Scholarship Fund Board will present its annual Sips for Scholarships event on Thursday, November 17, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., at the Nych Art Gallery, 2025 S. Laflin St.

The event will feature a beer-and-wine open bar, appetizers, and wine tastings featuring a Black and female-owned winery. There will also be raffle prizes and a silent auction. The winners of the Scholarship Fund's Fall Book Award and Bar Review Scholarships will be announced.

Tickets for the event are $65 each for BWLA members, $85 for non-members, and are available at this link.

Persons with items to donate to the silent auction are urged to contact administrator@bwla.org.

Advocates Society Annual Scholarship Fundraiser set for September 8

The Advocates Society, the Association of Polish-American Attorneys, will hold its Annual Scholarship Fundraiser on Thursday, September 8, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., at Maggiano's Little Italy, 516 N. Clark Street.

The event will feature a family-style, sit-down dinner starting at 7:00 p.m., with beer and wine included. The program and live auction will begin at 8:00 p.m. There will also be a silent auction, which closes at 9:00 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Polish-American Advocates Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization.

The theme of this year's fundraiser is "A Salute to Polish Judges" and the Advocates will confer its President's Award on former Judge Joan Smuda (pictured at right) at the event.

Early bird tickets for the event are available (until August 26) for $150 apiece. After August 26, tickets will cost $175 apiece. To obtain tickets, visit this page of the Advocates website.

And, of course, there are sponsorship opportunities.

For $250 a sponsor receives one ticket, mention in the program book (name or logo), a logo placement on the Advocates website, a "shout-out on social media," and "verbal recognition" at the event. Click here to register as a sponsor. Persons looking to donate an item for the silent auction should complete this form and return it as directed. To just make a straight donation to the scholarship fund, click here. Questions about the event should be sent to advocatessociety@gmail.com.

It is unlikely that any regular FWIW readers would be eligible to apply

But some FWIW readers may know people with whom this information may be profitably shared:

All the details are available at this page of the Diversity Scholarship Foundation website; conveniently, the application begins on that page as well. Here are some of the requirements:

• Applicants must have completed two semesters of law school coursework to qualify for a scholarship unless applying for the LSAT scholarship as an undergraduate student.
• Failure to be present during the December 1 award presentation and through the end of the program will result in forfeiture of the scholarship.
• As part of the application, prospective scholarship recipients will will have to provide a résumé and a school transcript.
• Individuals who have previously received a scholarship from DSF may not be eligible, but applications will be accepted for consideration.

The deadline for scholarship applications is 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 30. Questions not answered by the website may be addressed to dsfchicago.scholarships@gmail.com.

DSF announces award winners for upcoming Unity Gala; tickets now on sale

The Diversity Scholarship Foundation's annual Unity Gala will be online again this year.

The event is set for Tuesday, November 30, starting at 5:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are priced from $150.

The DSF has announced winners of several awards to be conferred at the Unity Gala.

Illinois House Speaker Emmanuel "Chris" Welch will receive the organization's Unity Award. State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (17th) will receive the Hon. Laura Liu Access to Justice Award. The following individuals will be recognized as Advocates for Diversity:

• Erica N. Byrd, Senior Attorney, Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel,


• Hon. Megan Goldish, Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County,


• Antonio M. Romanucci, Founding Partner, Romanucci Blandin Law,


• Jennifer L. Rosato-Perea, Dean and Professor of Law, DePaul College of Law,


• Marvet Sweis Drnovsek, Founder, MSD Injury Lawyers, and


• Adam M. Zebelian, Associate, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck.

In addition, the DSF will bestow scholarships on 21 students attending area law schools.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available on this page of the DSF website; more information may be obtained by emailing dsfchicago@gmail.com.

Advocates Society accepting applications for law school scholarships until November 15

While, presumably, for most FWIW readers, law school is but a happy (or unhappy... maybe even largely suppressed) memory, readers may know of students who might be interested....

The Advocates Society, the Association of Polish-American Attorneys, is accepting applications for its annual scholarships to students attending law school in Illinois. The deadline for applications is November 15, 2021.

All the details, and a financial aid application, may be found at this page of the Advocates website. In general, however, full-time students enrolled at fully accredited U.S. colleges or universities are eligible to apply. Here are some of the other basic requirements and criteria announced by the Advocates:

1. Seniors at the undergraduate level may apply if they have been accepted at an accredited law school (students deferring acceptance will forfeit any scholarship, but may reapply at a later date);


2. Graduate students pursuing a juris doctorate degree may also apply;


3. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen of Polish heritage or documented legal alien of Polish heritage or affinity;


4. Applicants must be in good academic standing and document financial need;


5. Applicants cannot be a member, family member, substantial contributor or a family member of a substantial contributor of the Polish-American Advocates Scholarship Foundation;


6. Applicants must be a resident of the Chicago Metro area for at least 4 years prior to application (proof required); and


7. Applicants must be able to attend an interview in late November VIA ZOOM and an Awards Presentation Ceremony in mid-December of 2021.

Judges' groups provide scholarship opportunities for aspiring lawyers

While a lot of FWIW readers (most of 'em, at this point in the election cycle) long ago realized their ambitions of becoming lawyers, some readers may know young people just embarking on their law school careers. Some of these may wish to notify some of those about scholarship opportunities offered by the Illinois Judges Foundation and the Alliance of Illinois Judges.

The deadline to apply for the AIJ scholarship is June 4. Any LGBTQ+ law student who will be attending any accredited Illinois law school during the 2021-2022 school year is encouraged to apply. For details, including how to submit an application, visit this page of the AIJ website.

The IJF scholarship application deadline is June 21. Applicants must not be closely related to a judge, must be enrolled in an Illinois law school, with at least one more year to go (incoming first year law students are not eligible), a record of pro bono service, and financial need. For more information, including how to submit an application, visit this page of the IJF website.

Annual fundraiser for Women Everywhere Chicago set for Thursday, May 13

This year's annual Women Everywhere: Partners in Service fundraising reception will be held virtually on May 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

MSNBC analyst Jill Wine-Banks will be the keynote speaker at the event. Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans will also be a guest speaker. The organization will bestow service and leadership awards on retired Judge Kathleen Panozzo and the late Judge Diane Gordon Cannon. There will be a silent auction and a performance by Hubbard Street Dance.

Tickets for the event are $50 each and may be obtained by clicking here. A link to the event will be provided to all ticket purchasers 24 hours before the event begins.

Proceeds from this event go directly to fund the 2021-2022 scholarship program.

Women Everywhere: Partners In Service Project (WE) bills itself as "a non-profit organization driven by the volunteer efforts and goodwill of attorneys, judges, bar associations and others in the Chicagoland legal community. WE volunteers are dedicated to creating opportunities for women and children in need through education and community service. WE hosted young women virtually this year for education days, providing a prospective into the legal profession. WE again will offer scholarships to college-bound young girls."

Diversity Scholarship Foundation Unity Dinner set for December 1

The 2016 Diversity Scholarship Foundation Unity Dinner and All-Bar Swearing In Ceremony and Reception is set for December 1 in the Grand Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton, 720 South Michigan Avenue. The Reception begins at 5:00 p.m.; the dinner and program follows at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets are $150 each (a table of 10 costs $1,500) are available at this link (there is a small service charge).

Persons interested in sponsoring the event are invited to email dsfchicago@gmail.com.

Persons to be honored at the dinner as Advocates for Diversity are Chasity Boyce, Diversity & Inclusion Projects Manager, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Hon. William J. Haddad (Ret.); Tiffany Harper, Associate Counsel, Grant Thornton LLP; Cecilia Horan, Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP; and Hon. Jorge L. Ortiz, Chief Judge, Circuit Court of Lake County. An Access to Justice Award will be presented, in memoriam, to the late Appellate Court Justice Laura C. Liu. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White will receive the Unity award and scholarships will be presented to 20 law student award recipients.