Jennifer Kraft and Ellen McLaughlin Quoted in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
"Women Lawyers' Mentoring Group Calls For New Members"

Jennifer Kraft and Ellen McLaughlin were quoted in the January 26, 2010 Chicago Daily Law Bulletin article, "Women Lawyers' Mentoring Group Calls For New Members." The article reported on the Women's Mentoring Circles Program held at Seyfarth Shaw's Chicago office on January 25, 2010. Co-sponsored by the Seyfarth Women’s Network and the Chicago Bar Association’s Alliance for Women, the event brought approximately 100 women lawyers from law firms, corporations, government, organizations and solo practices together to celebrate the one year anniversary of Women's Mentoring Circles.

Jennifer explained that the intent of Women's Mentoring Circles is to organize small groups of female lawyers "from different experience levels and different practice areas... to meet and talk through professional development issues, work-life balance issues, anything to help in their career and just get a different perspective." Jennifer remarked, "I think it's definitely helpful to realize a lot of people may go through the same sort of issues that you have, and you can hear how other people have overcome those challenges. That can be an inspiration."

Ellen, National Chair of the Seyfarth Women's Network, described the benefits of the network. She explained that the network offers regular programs on business development, retention of women lawyers, how to make partner, and other relevant subjects. Ellen added that the network also supports other female lawyers' groups like the Alliance for Women. She pointed out that this year, Seyfarth named eight new partners, of whom six (75%) are women. Ellen concluded that there are probably more than 35 law firms that have such programs.