2015 Unity Award Dinner

2015 UNITY DINNER AND ALL-BAR SWEARING IN CEREMONY AND RECEPTION

The Unity Award Dinner, is now in its thirteenth year, was held at the Chicago Hilton’s Grand Ballroom on Tuesday, December 1, 2015. The dinner included an awards presentation which recognized the tireless efforts of individuals who have made significant contributions to the legal community and who have embraced diversity within the legal profession. The Foundation also awarded 15 scholarships to law students from across the state of Illinois who have represented their dedication to diversity in the legal profession.

Unity Award Recipient: Hon. Charles E. Freeman – Justice, Illinois Supreme Court

Advocates for Diversity:
Hon. Patrice Ball-Reed – Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
Hugo Chaviano – Director, Illinois Department of Labor
Hon. Robert E. Gordon – Justice, Illinois Appellate Court, First District
Sharon A. Hwang – Shareholder, McAndrews Held & Malloy, Ltd.
Mary Meg McCarthy – Executive Director, National Immigrant Justice Center
Sailesh K. Patel – Partner, Schiff Hardin LLP

In addition to these scholarships, the DSF also awarded a scholarship to the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP). The mission of JIOP is to provide opportunities to students who are members of racial and ethnic groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the profession. The program also provides opportunities to students with disabilities, students who are economically disadvantaged, and students who identify themselves as LGBT.