Chicago attorney Laurel Bellows in line to
head ABA
April 13, 2010
BY SHIA K.
Crain's Chicago Business
Chicago business attorney Laurel Bellows is running unopposed to lead the American Bar Assn., putting her in line to be the first ABA president from Illinois since 1975.
Owner of the Bellows Law Group--she and Joel Bellows practiced law together for 25 years--counsels executives on employment matters.
The ABA is the largest voluntary professional association in the world, with more than 400,000 members. It provides members with law-school accreditation, legal education and other assistance.
In Ms. Bellows, the ABA has found a master networker. She's a past chair of the Chicago Network (a women's networking association) and various law organizations.
"No one gets to the top of the flagpole alone," Ms. Bellows told me.
Maybe with that in mind, she hosted a spring party at her Gold Coast home Saturday for some 50 notable friends and colleagues from the business, government and legal communities — "women who make it a priority to pull other women up the ladder," she said.
She noted the achievements of a few in the room, including U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who worked behind the scenes for passage of health care legislation, and Bridget Gainer, a new Cook County Board commissioner.
Ms. Bellows then took the spoons at the end of the buffet table and served up chicken salad to each of her guests. "This way I can talk to each of them," she said, in between chatting with guests who lingered by the table.
Other attendees included Carrie Hightman, chairwoman of the Illinois Board of Higher Education; Elaine Leavenworth, vice-president of global affairs at Abbott Laboratories; and Barbara Levy Kipper, owner of Chas Levy magazine distribution company.
She's seeking the office of president unopposed. The winner takes the title next year.
