Women's Bar Association of Illinois, 98th Annual Installation Dinner

n June 7, 2012, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) will kick off a new term of office with its 98th Annual Installation Dinner at the Chicago Hilton Towers, located at 720 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. with a private President’s Reception, followed by cocktails at 5:00 p.m. and a formal dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The WBAI’s Annual Installation Dinner is one of the largest annual celebrations within the Chicago legal community, with over 700 judges, attorneys, corporate supporters and prominent community leaders attending the event each year. Participants and speakers this year include keynote speaker Colonel Jill Morgenthaler (Ret.), Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis, Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans and the Honorable Gino L. DiVito (Ret.). Incoming President, Karina Zabicki DeHayes, a partner in the Chicago law firm Tabet DiVito & Rothstein LLC, will detail the goals for her term and unveil her mission for the upcoming year, “Women and Men Partnering for Excellence.”

At the Dinner, Colonel Morgenthaler will be presented with the Women With Vision Award, given by the WBAI to women who have demonstrated visionary approaches to their professional endeavors and who have made a contribution to the well-being and empowerment of women. Overcoming many obstacles in her career, Colonel Morgenthaler is an award-winning speaker who assists women and men in not only surviving but also thriving as leaders. Colonel Morgenthaler is a woman of many firsts. She was one of the first women to enter ROTC and to train as an equal with men. She was the first female company commander in the Army Security Agency Group Korea; she was the first woman battalion commander in the 88th Regional Support Command; and she was the first woman brigade commander in the 84th Division, commanding hundreds of soldiers across six states. In Illinois, she was the first woman to lead homeland security as the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety and Homeland Security Advisor. Colonel Morgenthaler worked extensively in command centers in Korea, Berlin, Bosnia, and Iraq; handled disaster recovery during the San Francisco earthquake of 1989 and evacuation operations for Kosovar refugees. She led the entire strategic communications and public affairs for the commanding general in Iraq in 2004. The Army has awarded her the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. As a woman of many firsts, she paved her own path, and she also received the support of men who assisted her in achieving her goals.

Also at the Dinner, Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Kilbride will be presented with the Mary Heftel Hooton award, given by the WBAI to women and men who enhance the reputation and acceptance of women lawyers. Chief Justice Kilbride has been an ardent supporter of the WBAI and its members.

In addition, at the Dinner, the WBAI will honor Olivia Clarke, Editor of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, and Diana J. Joseph, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Barrington Strategic Wealth Management Group LLC, with Service Awards for their dedication and service to the WBAI.

The WBAI is proud to honor Colonel Morgenthaler, Chief Justice Kilbride and its Service Award Honorees, and to present its new officers and directors, alongside incoming President Karina Zabicki DeHayes, at the 98th Annual Installation Dinner.
The WBAI is still accepting sponsors for this extraordinary event. More information regarding the benefits of sponsorship is available at www.wbaillinois.org.

Since 1914, the mission of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois has been to promote and foster, advance and protect the interests and welfare of women lawyers; to encourage a spirit of friendship and mutual helpfulness among its members; to aid in the enactment of legislation for the common good and the administration of justice; and to promote and protect the interests and rights of women.

To receive more information on the WBAI or the Annual Installation Dinner, to become a sponsor of this event, or to purchase individual tickets, please contact the WBAI office at (312) 341-8530.