Black Women Lawyers' Association Honors Associate Deidra Norris, Firm as a Whole

On May 28, 2009, Franczek Radelet received the Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. (BWLA) President's Award for Continuous Support of Diversity and Scholarship. Firm associate attorney and Diversity Committee member Deidra A. Norris received the President's Award for Exceptional Service to BWLA, in addition to being sworn in as a Board Member at Large for the 2009-2010 Bar Year.

BWLA, which was founded in 1987, 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 area. BWLA mission is to identify and address issues and concerns unique to African-American women lawyers and judges; to improve the administration of justice by increasing the participation of African-American women and other minorities throughout the legal system; and to advance civil and human rights. BWLA services its membership, the legal community and the general public through educational programs, mentoring/networking opportunities, community outreach, scholarship awards to law students and various projects within the schools.

Franczek Radelet has frequently supported BWLA by being a sponsor of programs such as the Scholarship Awards and Reception, Corporate Counsel Committee Inaugural Dinners, and being a host for the Young Lawyers Committee meetings. Our firm recognizes that diversity makes for a broader, richer environment which produces more creative thinking, resulting in more effective business solutions for the firm and its clients. Franczek Radelet is committed to diversity and its support of organizations such as BWLA.