FAQs

What is the Coalition?
Who can join the Coalition?
Can individuals become members?
What is a delegate, and what do delgates do?
What is the distinction between main and alternate delegates?
Is the Coalition open to non-lawyers?
What kinds of programs does the Coalition sponsor?
Can all women attorneys at the member firms attend Coalition events?
How much does it cost to join?

What is the Coalition?
The Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law Firms is a non-profit membership association comprised of representatives of law firm women’s initiatives in Chicago. Its mission is to benefit its member firms by providing positive avenues of communication, collaboration and guidance that help member groups to 1) enhance the recruitment, retention and promotion of women lawyers and 2) support the building, implementation and continued relevancy of women’s initiatives in law firms.

Who can join the Coalition?
Any law firm with a Chicago office that has a women’s initiative, or is committed to addressing issues facing women lawyers in the firm, is welcome to join the Coalition.

Can individuals become members?
No – the law firms are the members, but individuals from each law firm can become delegates. Each firm is allowed one main delegate and up to two alternates who may participate in the Coalition at any given time

What is a delegate, and what do delegates do?
Delegates represent their law firm women’s initiative at Coalition events and meetings. Delegates can also participate on or chair Coalition Committees, such as Programming, Community Outreach, Public Relations, Finance, Membership, or Policy. Click here for more information on our Committees.

What is the distinction between main and alternate delegates?
Only main delegates can run for and attain Board positions. Alternates are able to participate in and chair committees, as well as attend all events (other than Board-only events).

Is the Coalition open to non-lawyers?
No – only law firms are allowed to join the Coalition. However, we do work with consulting firms and businesses on women-related issues, and joint events and programs are occasionally held in which non-lawyers are able to attend. In addition, there are a number of sponsorship opportunities for outside entities to support the Coalition.

What kinds of programs does the Coalition sponsor?
The Coalition has a wide variety of programming designed to appeal to women attorneys with all levels of experience. Past program topics have included, “Successful programs for your women’s initiatives,” “Dealing with different generations in one law firm” and “Networking,” to name a few.

Can all women attorneys who belong to the member firms attend Coalition events?
There is at least one, if not more, special event per year that is open to all women attorneys at the member firms. Due to space considerations, however, regular programming events are open only to the main delegates or alternate delegates and occasionally an invited guest.

How much does it cost to join?
Membership dues are based on a sliding scale depending on the size of the firm’s Chicago office. Please see our membership application form for more information.

Do you prorate the dues for firms that join mid-year?
Unfortunately, we are not able to prorate dues, so those firms that join after the first of year must pay the yearly fee. The Coalition is a non-profit organization, and all of the money we generate is spent in ways that benefit the Coalition and its members.

Become a Member of the Coalition

Our coalition welcomes members of Chicago firms who would like to advance their women's initiatives. Find out more about How to Join.