Ten of the 20 largest firms in Illinois — including five of the top 10 — have women as managing partner, partner-in-charge or co-managing partner of their Chicago offices. But those numbers aren’t reflected down the line, according to the results of Chicago Lawyer magazine’s 2019 Diversity Survey of the 100 largest firms in Illinois.
In the not so distant past, general counsels were thought of as strictly the “company lawyer,” largely responsible for litigation and doling out reactive legal advice. But in today’s ever more complex and sophisticated regulatory, technological, global and social landscapes, corporate legal leaders, including chief legal officers and general counsel, have leveraged their skills beyond the legal department into the C-suite and boardroom.
As its subtitle implies, “Miracle,” a Royal George Theater stage production about the 2016 Chicago Cubs World Series-winning season set as the backdrop, is “A Musical 108 Years in the Making.” For William Marovitz, the Cubs’ triumph came right on time for “Miracle.”
Elaine Sit isn’t just an attorney. She’s a community woman, a volunteer, a mentor and a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from Chicago Volunteer Legal Services. “The law students and some of the other lawyers will call me Auntie Elaine,” she said. “Because I know how to make people feel comfortable so they can ask me questions and come to me for advice.”
Since its move to 151 N. Franklin St. in spring 2018, the Chicago office of Hinshaw & Culbertson has led the path in technological and design innovation for the firm’s 20 other locations — essential considering the amount of change that was necessary for the move.
Women in Law 2018Chicago Lawyer is proud to present the 2018 Women in Law special section.