LAGBAC - Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association

10/06/2026

What a great day at our 2026 Board Retreat!

Please join us in congratulating our reelected Executive Board and our newly elected Board of Directors members—Holly Lanchantin, Nikki Marcotte, and Marcell Taylor!

We’re energized, inspired, and ready for another year of meaningful initiatives, strong leadership, and continued commitment to our incredible bar association. Here’s to another successful year together!

Executive Board

President - Vincent Rizzo
Vice President - Marion Moore
Secretary - Azar Alexander
Treasurer - Phillip Rutherford
Historian - Giuliana Martinez
Communications Director - Nishá N. Dotson
Immediate Past President - Adam Miel Zebelian

09/30/2026

You are cordially invited to join an important community conversation focused on hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents affecting LGBTQ+ communities across Cook County.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Hate Crimes Unit, in partnership with the Center on Halsted, is hosting this roundtable discussion with the goal to establish open lines of communication and strengthen a collaborative response to hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents affecting LGBTQ+ communities across Cook County.

📅 Tuesday, October 20, 2026
🕘 9:30–11:00 AM
📍 Center on Halsted | 3656 N. Halsted St.

RSVP here: https://www.centeronhalsted.org/events/lgbtq-community-safety-roundtable

Your voice matters. Let’s come together to strengthen safety, communication, and support for LGBTQ+ communities across Cook County.

We hope to see you there!

09/30/2026

You are cordially invited to attend the Alliance of Illinois Judges (AIJ) upcoming National Coming Out Day Reception!

📍 Panchos Rooftop Cantina
🗓️ Thursday, October 15, 2026 | 5–7 PM
🎟️ RSVP at http://www.theaij.com/events-membership

We hope to see you there in support of our fellow LGBTQ+ judges and legal community!

09/27/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our first “Meet The Bar” of the season! We had an incredible time connecting and networking with so many wonderful members of our legal community!

A very special thank you to our amazing sponsor, Established Sartorial! We truly appreciate your support!

We look forward to seeing everyone again next time!

09/18/2026

“MEET THE BAR” IS BACK!

Enjoy networking and cocktails with LAGBAC - Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association members and LGBTQ+ lawyers and legal professionals!

📅 Friday, September 25, 2026
⏰ 6:00–8:00 P.M.
📍 Sidetrack The Video Bar

Members | FREE
Non-members | $25

This “Meet the Bar” is sponsored by Established Sartorial. Get your tickets at https://lagbac.org/product/meet-the-bar-september-25-2026.

We hope to see you there!

09/16/2026

Join us for an evening of community, connection, and celebration as LAGBAC - Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s Trans+ Committee presents our LGBTQ+ History Month Celebration!

📅 Monday, October 19, 2026
🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Nobody’s Darling | 1744 W. Balmoral Ave.

Come celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with fellow LAGBAC members and friends. The evening will feature q***r Chicago archives highlighted by Ge**er Hart Library and Archives LGBTQ+ Library & Archives, along with pizza, a cash bar, and great company.

Members: Free
Non-members: $20

Please RSVP/purchase tickets at www.lagbac.org/product/lgbtq-history-month-celebration and join us for this special evening celebrating our history and our community.

We hope to see you there!

09/14/2026

What an incredible evening celebrating diversity, inclusion, and the meaningful work of the LAGBAC - Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association Foundation at this year’s Lawyers for Diversity Celebration! We are so grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening such a wonderful success!

A special thank you to our keynote speaker, Justice Sanjay T. Tailor, for sharing his perspective and inspiring us. Congratulations as well to this year’s LAGBAC Foundation Advocate Award recipient, Aurora Austriaco, on this well deserved honor.

Since its inception, Lawyers for Diversity has helped advance equality while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Chicago organizations doing vital work in our community. The impact of this event extends far beyond the celebration. Proceeds support the LAGBAC Foundation Scholarship Program, which provides opportunities for local law students interning with LGBTQ+ community organizations and government agencies.

We also want to express our sincere appreciation to our generous sponsors. Your continued support makes these scholarships possible and helps empower the next generation of advocates and leaders committed to equality and justice.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support this important work and the mission of the LAGBAC Foundation!

09/05/2026

We are incredibly grateful to our generous sponsors for our upcoming Lawyers for Diversity Celebration! We hope to see everyone this Thursday, September 10!

​This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor, and we will present the LAGBAC Foundation Advocate Award to Aurora Austriaco, Shareholder at Valentine Austriaco and Bueschel, P.C.

​Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM | Program begins at 6:30 PM
Location: Sidetrack The Video Bar | 3349 N. Halsted St.
Admission: Free for LAGBAC members | $50 for non-members | Includes open bar and Mediterranean-style BBQ

​RSVP and PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY as TICKETS ARE GOING FAST! Visit https://lagbac.org/product/2026-lawyers-for-diversity-celebration.

08/27/2026

Tickets are going fast! Don’t forget to RSVP or purchase your tickets at https://lagbac.org/product/2026-lawyers-for-diversity-celebration! We’ll see you soon!

Join LAGBAC - Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association for our annual Lawyers for Diversity Celebration!

​This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor, and we will present the LAGBAC Foundation Advocate Award to Aurora Austriaco, Shareholder at Valentine Austriaco and Bueschel, P.C.

​Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM | Program begins at 6:30 PM)
Location: Sidetrack The Video Bar | 3349 N. Halsted St.
Admission: Free for LAGBAC members | $50 for non-members | Includes open bar and Mediterranean-style BBQ

​RSVP and purchase tickets at https://lagbac.org/product/2026-lawyers-for-diversity-celebration.

08/21/2026

Join LAGBAC - Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association for our annual Lawyers for Diversity Celebration!

​This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor, and we will present the LAGBAC Foundation Advocate Award to Aurora Austriaco, Shareholder at Valentine Austriaco and Bueschel, P.C.

​Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM | Program begins at 6:30 PM)
Location: Sidetrack The Video Bar | 3349 N. Halsted St.
Admission: Free for LAGBAC members | $50 for non-members | Includes open bar and Mediterranean-style BBQ

​RSVP and purchase tickets at https://lagbac.org/product/2026-lawyers-for-diversity-celebration.