BWLA Judicial Reception 2026
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm CT
Taft Stettinius and Hollister
111 E Wacker Dr #2600
Chicago, Illinois 60601, United States (US)
About the Event
BWLA is proud to invite you to its 2026 Judicial Reception, an evening dedicated to honoring distinguished members of the judiciary and trailblazing leaders whose work continues to shape and impact those in Chicago and beyond. This year’s theme, Enduring Legacy: Building a Legacy That Shapes Chicago, celebrates leadership, service, and impact that transcend generations.
✨ 2026 Honorees✨
- The Honorable Andrea M. Buford, Presiding Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County – Child Protection Division
- Julieanna L. Richardson, Founder & President, The HistoryMakers
- Jackie Taylor, Founder & CEO, Black Ensemble Theater
- BWLA Founder and Past President the Honorable Patrice Ball-Reed (Ret.), Circuit Court of Cook County
- BWLA Past President the Honorable Sybil C. Thomas (Ret.), Circuit Court of Cook County – Child Protection Division
The Judicial Reception will take place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at the offices of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, located at 111 East Wacker Drive in Chicago. Guests will enjoy an evening of recognition, connection, and celebration in honor of leaders whose enduring legacies continue to shape our city and profession.
Join BWLA for an inspiring evening as we honor leaders whose impact extends far beyond the bench and into the future of our communities.
Location
Taft Stettinius and Hollister
111 E Wacker Dr #2600
Chicago, Illinois 60601, United States (US)
Date and Time
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm CT
Sales Ended
Refund Policy
No refunds offered.
Organizer
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. (BWLA)
Founded in 1987, the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. (“BWLA”) is one of the fastest growing bar associations in Illinois. BWLA is representative of African-American female attorneys, judges, law professors and law students in the Chicago metropolitan area and across the Midwest. BWLA is committed to serving our membership, the greater legal community and the general public through educational programs, mentoring/networking opportunities, community outreach, scholarship awards to law students and various educational pipeline programs and initiatives. BWLA has recognized and rewarded notable African-American women attorneys and other civic leaders for their achievements and contributions to the legal community and society. Despite the hard-won achievements of some, barriers still exist for African-American women lawyers. African-American female lawyers still face the challenges brought on by the intersection of race and gender, including professional isolation, pay inequities, sexual harassment, and the glass ceiling. BWLA has been diligent and uncompromising in its commitment to addressing important issues that affect the lives of minority practitioners in the profession. BWLA is committed to promoting excellence in the profession and encouraging the inclusion of African-American attorneys in law firms, the judiciary, governmental agencies and corporations. BWLA recognizes that we live in an America that does not always embrace our differences. It is with this recognition that BWLA has committed its time and resources to encourage programming that supports diversity.Drawing upon the expertise and backgrounds of its membership, BWLA has developed programs and workshops to advance and assist African-American female lawyers in public and private practice, the judiciary and academia. Through building coalitions with other organizations, BWLA not only aims to address and combat the challenges that African-American female lawyers face in the profession, but through its programming and diversity initiatives, BWLA also brings about positive change in the legal workplace.
Organizer
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. (BWLA)
Founded in 1987, the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. (“BWLA”) is one of the fastest growing bar associations in Illinois. BWLA is representative of African-American female attorneys, judges, law professors and law students in the Chicago metropolitan area and across the Midwest. BWLA is committed to serving our membership, the greater legal community and the general public through educational programs, mentoring/networking opportunities, community outreach, scholarship awards to law students and various educational pipeline programs and initiatives. BWLA has recognized and rewarded notable African-American women attorneys and other civic leaders for their achievements and contributions to the legal community and society. Despite the hard-won achievements of some, barriers still exist for African-American women lawyers. African-American female lawyers still face the challenges brought on by the intersection of race and gender, including professional isolation, pay inequities, sexual harassment, and the glass ceiling. BWLA has been diligent and uncompromising in its commitment to addressing important issues that affect the lives of minority practitioners in the profession. BWLA is committed to promoting excellence in the profession and encouraging the inclusion of African-American attorneys in law firms, the judiciary, governmental agencies and corporations. BWLA recognizes that we live in an America that does not always embrace our differences. It is with this recognition that BWLA has committed its time and resources to encourage programming that supports diversity.Drawing upon the expertise and backgrounds of its membership, BWLA has developed programs and workshops to advance and assist African-American female lawyers in public and private practice, the judiciary and academia. Through building coalitions with other organizations, BWLA not only aims to address and combat the challenges that African-American female lawyers face in the profession, but through its programming and diversity initiatives, BWLA also brings about positive change in the legal workplace.
