CLE Programming Committee
LAGBAC’s Programming and Events Committee plans and coordinates all of our educational and social events. It also develops and organizes LAGBAC’s Continuing Legal Education (CLE) events, including obtaining MCLE credit for members who attend these events. The committee also partners with other diverse organizations and bar associations to give LAGBAC members access to other opportunities for networking and professional growth. Check out our Calendar of Events to see what’s coming up next.
Communications and Website Committee
The Communications/Website Committee is responsible for developing, updating and monitoring the organization’s website, email, and social networking accounts (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) This committee also finds alternative media means by which to communicate with members and promote continuous involvement.
Community Outreach Committee
LAGBAC’s Community Outreach Committee offers several ways for our members to engage in the broader Chicago LGBTQ+ community, including workshops, volunteer work and pro bono opportunities. Whether you are a solo practitioner or an attorney at an international law firm, or someone in between, if you have an interest in providing legal, charitable or volunteer services to the community, get in touch – we’d love to have your participation in one of our many opportunities!
Corporate General Counsel Committee
LAGBAC’s Corporate General Counsel Committee provides programming and networking opportunities for attorneys and legal professionals who work in, or may desire to work in, a corporate setting such as in a general counsel’s office.
Judicial Evaluation Committee
LAGBAC’s Judicial Evaluation Committee collaborates with VoteforJudges.org, a non-partisan group whose sole purpose is to educate the voting public about judicial elections and retention races in Cook County, Illinois. To learn more about judicial races in Illinois and to find judicial evaluations/recommendations from Chicago-area legal, professional and media organizations, go to: www.voteforjudges.org. You can also contact LAGBAC’s JEC members at jec@lagbac.org
Law School and Mentorship Committee
LAGBAC’s Law School and Mentorship Committee provides invaluable resources to students and legal professionals throughout the Chicagoland area. Primarily, the Committee organizes LAGBAC’s Mentorship Program, which provides mentorship opportunities to both students and attorneys, offering CLE credit for the latter. Throughout the year, LAGBAC’s Mentorship Program hosts events connecting students, attorneys, judges and more to promote networking, business development, professional responsibility, and scholarship/employment opportunities. The Program’s annual Meet the Bench series provides unprecedented access to judges from all levels of the judiciary, allowing students and attorneys to meet and learn from some of the highest ranking members of the legal profession. No matter how young, old, or experienced, everyone can benefit from being involved in LAGBAC’s Mentorship Program.
Membership Committee
LAGBAC’s Membership Committee is responsible for maintaining and building a diverse membership base, which is the lifeblood of the organization. The Membership Committee works with all the committees to ensure the organization reaches every member of the legal community, including outreach to and engagement with area law schools.
Nominating Committee
The LAGBAC Nominating Committee is tasked with calling for nominations for the LAGBAC Board of Directors and the LAGBAC Executive Board of Directors. Members of the Board serve for 2-year terms, and such terms are staggered so that only a subset of the board is elected in any given year. Members of the Executive Board are elected every year. If there are more qualified candidates that open seats on the Board of Directors, an election is conducted by the Nominating Committee, and the nominations are presented to the entire LAGBAC membership for review. Terms run from July 1st and end two years later on June 30th. If an election is warranted, the election typically occurs in late June. The Executive Board is elected by the Board of Directors in the Autumn at the annual board retreat. From time to time, a board seat may become vacant, if appropriate, the Nominating Committee may review nominations to fill such a vacancy and present those nominations to the Board of Directors.
Special Events Committee
This committee plans, organizes and promotes social and networking experiences for LAGBAC members. Each affair provides a meaningful and fun opportunity for law students, attorneys and judges to strengthen their connection to each other and the Chicago legal community. Recurring events include a monthly “Meet the Bar” or “Evening Docket” happy hour, an annual Lawyers for Diversity fundraiser and summer festivities during Pride and Market Days. The Special Events Committee also hosts several “Dinners With” each year, which offer members the chance to have an intimate dinner and conversation with someone of significance to the LGBTQ+ legal community. Past “Dinner With” guests of honor have included judges, renowned activists, and plaintiffs and attorneys involved in prominent litigation impacting LGBTQ+ civil rights.
Diversity Committee
LAGBAC’s Diversity Committee focuses issues particularly relevant to making LAGBAC a more diverse and inclusive association. It organizes semi-annual events with other Chicago-area legal, professional and community groups where LAGBAC members can network with other leaders and professionals.