WCDBA

WCDBA CLAIM and Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) merged in June 2014 with CLAIM becoming a program of CGLA. Stay Tuned!

The Women's Criminal Defense Bar Association aims to promote and advance the position of women criminal defense attorneys engaged in the private practice of law while supporting the communities in which we live and work. The functions of the Women's Criminal Defense Bar Association include the following:

- to promote and advance the position of women criminal defense attorneys in the community;


- to foster communication among these women attorneys;
- to encourage more active participation relative to the status of women and opportunities available to women practicing criminal defense law
- to provide opportunities for attorneys to connect, learn, and grown through camaraderie and community engagement

We have supported these local organizations through our philanthropic endeavors:

- Grace House - a residential program providing interim housing, emotional and spiritual support, and professional counseling to women who are exiting the Illinois prison system.

- Dress for Success Greater Chicago - an organization empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

- Leslie’s Place - a long running ministry providing housing and support for women just released from prison.

- National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) Chicago - an organization dedicated to ensuring human rights protections and access to justice for all immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

- Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM) - an organization providing advocacy and legal support services for incarcerated mothers. For membership questions, committee involvement, and more information, please email us at [email protected]

Website Under Construction!

On Sunday, March 1, 2026, The Diversity Scholarship Foundation will once again take the plunge at Polar Plunge® Chicago ...
02/27/2026

On Sunday, March 1, 2026, The Diversity Scholarship Foundation will once again take the plunge at Polar Plunge® Chicago in support of Special Olympics Illinois. Ready to brave the chilly waters of Lake Michigan to help individuals with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities? Support the DSF team by donating or joining DSF for the plunge!
🌊❄️ https://diversitychicago.org/bar-presidents-polar-plunge-for-special-olympics/ 🎖️

We’re back for year two! ❄️

On Sunday, March 1, 2026, our team will once again take the plunge at Polar Plunge® Chicago in support of Special Olympics Illinois. We’re ready to brave the chilly waters of Lake Michigan to help individuals with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities.

❄️ Support our team by donating or joining us for the plunge! Link in Bio

02/18/2026

Criminal defense lawyers are tracking when the Justice Department appears to rely on irregular charging practices, including aggressive legal theories and possible political retribution.

Join Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - IACDLIllinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - IACDL an...
11/20/2025

Join Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - IACDLIllinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - IACDL and IACDL's First Vice President, Kulmeet "Bob" Galhorta tomorrow for 1.5 ETHICS CLE Credit Hours!

TOPIC: Not Their Tools, Not Their Rules: An Ethical Selection Tookit for Defenders

Participants will:

Identify key questions to ask to ensure compliance with the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct and the ABA Model Rules—protecting client confidentiality and the attorney-client privilege when adopting AI tools
Assess and mitigate vendor risks through informed vetting of technology partners
Examine critical considerations including automated analysis, conflicts of interest, data breaches, and access control safeguards
Understand the ethical pitfalls of choosing vendors that support law enforcement/prosecutors
Learn about Reduct, a tool for managing digital evidence built for the defense community that is a thought leader in this space

IACDL Members: Free; Non-IACDL Members: $50
Not a member? JOIN: https://www.iacdl.net/?pg=MembershipBenefits

Those ethics hours aren't easy to come by! Register now! https://www.iacdl.net/?pg=IACDlEvents&evAction=showDetail&eid=312995&evSubAction=listAll

06/14/2025
Register or purchase your ticket for a fun summer kickoff! Just a few days away from Judge's Night at Pompei Taylor Stre...
05/19/2025

Register or purchase your ticket for a fun summer kickoff! Just a few days away from Judge's Night at Pompei Taylor Street!

Join the Women's Criminal Defense Bar Association (WCDBA) and Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - IACDL as we honor the hard work and dedication of the judiciary. The event will take place this Thursday, May 22, 2025. We will gather at the iconic Pompei Restaurant at 5:30 pm!

All judges, attorneys, colleagues, and students welcome!

Sitting Members of the Judiciary - Complimentary - Please RSVP for your complimentary ticket through Eventbrite!

Regular Tickets - $100 - Admission to Judge's Night (buffet and open bar). Each ticket includes a one-year membership to WCDBA and an option for discounted IACDL membership rates (only available to members of the criminal defense bar).

Come enjoy delicious food and great company while showing our gratitude for the judges serving our communities!

RSVP and purchase tickets here:

Join the WCDBA & IACDL for Judge's Night 2025! Get ready for a night of networking and fun celebrating the legal community!

March 25! Don't miss out! Register and join Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - IACDL
03/19/2025

March 25! Don't miss out! Register and join Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - IACDL

The Northwest Suburban Bar Association Employment Law Committee, HLAI - Serving the Hispanic Lawyers of Illinois, and th...
01/28/2025

The Northwest Suburban Bar Association Employment Law Committee, HLAI - Serving the Hispanic Lawyers of Illinois, and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois invite you to a
Sexual Harassment Prevention and Training CLE

Event Details:
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025
Virtual Event via Zoom
12:00 - 1:15 PM
Register at: https://www.nwsba.org/events/register.aspx?id=1918293

01/10/2025

📢 Save the Date! 🗓️⚖️
Join us for HLAI’s Annual Judicial Reception as we celebrate the judiciary and foster meaningful connections within our legal community. ✨

🗓️ February 6, 2025
📍 Details to follow – stay tuned!

We look forward to seeing you all there. 🙌🏼

01/10/2025

📢 Join HLAI’s Young Lawyers Committee for our next Lunch & Learn session!

🌟 We’re thrilled to host Andrea Belard, Supervising Attorney at the Legal Aid Society, as she shares insights on Non-Profit Lawyering.

📅 Date: January 13, 2025
⏰ Time: 12 PM
📍 Location: Zoom

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the rewarding field of non-profit lawyering from an expert in the field.

💡 Lunch & Learn meetings happen every second Monday of the month—mark your calendars!

For more details and to join, please email [email protected].

01/10/2025

🌟 Together, We’re Building a Brighter 2025.
With your support, WJC is ready to take bold steps in 2025:
• Expanding juvenile record relief.
• Growing Community Navigator programs.
• Providing critical legal support for families.
Every donation helps us rewrite the rules for justice.
💙 Continue your support: westsidejustice.org/donate

See link in Bio to donate today!

Address

1016 W. Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL
60607

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