The women attorneys at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C., were nationally recognized this week for a unique initiative allowing professional women to build their businesses while simultaneously providing support for underrepresented women and children in the community.
Women Helping Women is a 2017 winner of the IDEA (Innovation, Development, Engagement and Advancement) Awards sponsored by the Association of Legal Administrators. The annual honor recognizes one-of-a-kind programs, services and events that enrich the legal community and advance the business of law.
Michelle Schadler, chief operating officer at Chuhak & Tecson and one of the visionaries for Women Helping Women, accepted the award for the firm April 5 in Denver, Colo. With 14 Women Helping Women gatherings under their belts the group has seen attendance nearly double since the early days.
“We’ve designed an event for women that works for the demands on women’s time,” Schadler said. “Women play a lot more roles in life than men do, and they need time to focus on networking, business development and philanthropy. We’ve figured out how to do all that in two hours.”
Women Helping Women blends networking and business building with charitable service in a single, two-hour event known as Mix-and-Mingle. Local women business leaders, entrepreneurs and strategic partners come together to develop relationships over wine and hors d’oeuvres, then sit back for a brief presentation by a selected charitable partner organization providing services to women and/or their children.
Each agency chosen to be a charity partner is feted with in-kind gifts from the women in attendance. Chuhak & Tecson also looks for other ways to add value to the organization—helping to develop their website, for example, or providing legal assistance.
“When we partnered with Jewish Child & Family Services,” said Lindsey Paige Markus, a principal at Chuhak & Tecson, “we collected more than 250 multicultural and diverse ability dolls. These were meant to help children with trauma therapy and comfort those entering the foster care system. To walk into the Mix-and-Mingle that night and see the hundreds of dolls guests had brought was just incredibly moving.”
At another event, when the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network was the charity partner, attendees filled goody bags with personal hygiene items one needs when fleeing their home, wrote inspiring notes for the women who would be receiving the bags, and attached donated pieces of jewelry to each bag.
Women Helping Women provided school supplies for the Young Women’s Leadership Charter School, hosted a baby shower for New Moms, and showered clothing on women emerging from homelessness and sex trafficking. They collected pajamas and slippers for newly released female prisoners, teddy bears for children affected by disaster, and art supplies for children with disabilities.
“From my perspective, the number one key to building a successful book of business rests on building relationships,” Markus said. “But there seems to be a unique recipe for success based on the underlying purpose of giving back. There’s something about this mix of professional women coming together not only to grow and develop their business but also make a difference for the charity that produces an incredible energy in the room. It’s not all about us.”
Besides the obvious benefits to the community agencies and to the business builders, there have been unanticipated outcomes from Women Helping Women. Primarily, the events have further built on the firm’s a culture of firm-wide community service—implemented by the founders 30 years ago—that has led to more firm-sponsored service projects, including 25 separate initiatives during Chuhak & Tecson’s 25th year.
“The Women Helping Women events are motivational and stirring,” Schadler said. “People are giving help, and people are receiving help. The fact that all these different women continue coming together to connect with each other and build on opportunities together is exactly what we envisioned—and it never stops being awe-inspiring.”
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From L to R: Kevin Hamilton (Territory Account Manager, Nutanix), Charlie Altenbach (Chief Information Officer, Chuhak & Tecson), Bill Bauling (Sales Engineer, Nutanix) and Sheldon DeWees (End User Education and Support Specialist, Chuhak & Tecson)
Nearly 50 attorneys of Chuhak & Tecson assembled 18 bicycles that were donated to West Town Bikes, a non-profit youth bicycle learning center. Its mission is to use bicycles as a tool to help build community through learning workshops, bike-mechanic training, youth programs and special events that foster workforce development and community leadership. Boys and girls from elementary grade to high school go to the bike shop after school on Mondays and Fridays.
“When you work for something and earn something, you appreciate it more,” said Lebster Pabon, West Town Bikes’ youth program instructor. “Participating in Bike Club and becoming familiar with the tools and parts leads up to apprenticeships – and from apprenticeships, internships.”
Chuhak & Tecson continues to prioritize community service for organizations like West Town Bikes in order to promote character development, job training and health.
Nutanix, a software vendor for the firm, donated $500 to West Town Bikes on behalf of Chuhak & Tecson. A check was presented to Alex Wilson, executive director at West Town Bikes.
In addition to 18 bicycles and the $500 donation, Chuhak & Tecson wanted to take it a step further. For President’s Day, the firm hosted Jeans Day. Employees of Chuhak & Tecson showcased their jeans around the office if they made a donation to West Town Bikes, adding $500 to the amount donated. In total, Chuhak & Tecson raised $2,100.
“Chuhak & Tecson is excited to be supporting the great work that West Town Bikes does in promoting the employment, education and health of the youth of our community,” said Andrew P. Tecson, the firm’s president.
Chuhak & Tecson celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with an educational focus, aligning with West Town Bikes’ mission to build a stronger community through learning workshops. The firm continues to seek new opportunities to increase community outreach by aiding local organizations that help under-resourced neighborhoods.
Chuhak & Tecson, P.C., marks its 30th anniversary this year with a special emphasis on one of the things it does best—educating audiences on a wide-ranging variety of legal topics.
Attorneys are available to give presentations and seminars not only to clients but also to business and community groups. Speaking opportunities, along with topics of interest in the form of articles, columns and alerts authored by attorneys, will be highlighted in the law firm’s new online newsletter, Three Decades.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our clients,” said Andy Tecson, president. “Sharing information, insights and strategies at seminars is one of the many ways we like to give back to the community.”
Thomas Chuhak and Joseph Tecson opened the firm in 1987 with nine other attorneys and their legal assistants. Three decades later, Chuhak & Tecson retains 68 attorneys in a dozen practice groups and more than 75 staff members and paraprofessionals. In 2015, the firm expanded geographically as well as exponentially, launching a New York City office in addition to its primary location in Chicago.
“We have steadily grown over three decades because we are passionate about living out the values of our founders: responsive service; creative collaboration; and exceptional value,” Tecson said.
Although many laws have changed over the years, many things have not. Chuhak & Tecson continues to enjoy the solid reputation its founders established and remains committed to providing top-quality legal services, opportunities for diversity in employment and meaningful community service.
Pictured from left, All God’s People President Doreen DeBoer and Chuhak & Tecson Attorney Elizabeth Osborne at the 2016 WHW Mix-and-Mingle.
Not having nice clothes to wear isn’t an issue when dealing with the President of All God’s People, Doreen DeBoer. As the leader of an organization that helps women get back on their feet after they’ve been trafficked or prostituted or homeless, most people come to DeBoer with just the clothes on their backs.
On Nov. 3, over 140 women business leaders and entrepreneurs gathered at Lloyd’s Chicago—bags of donated clothing in hand—to support The Boutique of All God’s People, an organization that ministers to the needs of women in Chicago that are trying to start anew by providing them with outfits for job interviews, funerals or special occasions. Everything is given away, nothing is sold.
DeBoer and her niece, attorney Elizabeth Osborne, spoke on behalf of The Boutique and Chuhak & Tecson, P.C., to highlight the significance of choosing to partner with one another for the 2016 Fall Mix-and-Mingle.
“After years of watching my aunt give her everything to help people, it’s great to have all of these women come together and contribute to her cause,” said Osborne. “The amount of donations we received regularly would have taken months to collect. It was a very successful event.”
Hosted by the women attorneys of Chuhak & Tecson, Women Helping Women (WHW) is an after-hours networking group that offers professional women the opportunity to build their businesses while participating in charitable services at the same time. While enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres, each Mix-and-Mingle highlights a different nonprofit agency serving women or women and their children.
Through this event there were hundreds of dress pants, blouses, sweaters, blazers, shoes, purses and more collected that will be put together as outfits and provided to women in need. But it is much more than that, each outfit has the chance to provide the feeling of confidence and self-importance that every woman deserves.
“I have met wonderful women through The Boutique and many of them talk about how nice the clothes make them feel,” DeBoer said. “Your outfit is oftentimes the first thing people notice. Women know that and a nice outfit can really spike their confidence. We will be able to give a lot of women confidence with the donations from this event, we are so very thankful for this experience.”
The confidence that a nice, complete outfit along with toiletries, haircuts and other freebies can give a woman on the journey to reestablish herself is one of the many reasons why Chuhak & Tecson is pleased to support The Boutique of All God’s People.
If you would like information on Chuhak & Tecson’s WHW event, contact Jane La Grassa at jlagrassa@chuhak.com.
When you need to look good for a job interview, a wedding, a night out, it’s not enough just to have nice clothes to wear. As any woman knows, it’s all about how each piece coordinates with all the others. For women trying to make a new life after they’ve been trafficked or prostituted or homeless, it’s doubly hard—even when they are able to find decent clothing, it’s a daunting task to achieve that pulled-together look.
That’s what Doreen DeBoer, president of All God’s People, was hearing from people who were coming to the organization’s distribution sites—the free clothing they get there is wonderful, but it’s hard to put the pieces together to make an outfit work. So DeBoer, a woman of faith who thrives on a worthy challenge, created a special program called The Boutique.
Along with clothing items, foods, toiletries, haircuts and other freebies, the under-resourced also can get matched ensembles suitable for work or dressy occasions. All God’s People maintains a south side warehouse where people can “shop” throughout the week, but once a month, 40 volunteers bring the goods to a plaza at the corner of State and Van Buren streets.
“It doesn’t matter the temperature or conditions,” DeBoer said, “we set up a store for 500 to 700 people. Everything is given away; nothing is actually sold. We bring in The Boutique on rolling carts and tables. It’s a respect thing for them that they get to pick the clothes they like.”
With much respect for the work DeBoer is doing, Women Helping Women (WHW) has chosen The Boutique as the charity partner for its 2016 Mix-and-Mingle on Thursday, Nov. 3, at Lloyd’s Chicago.
An after-hours networking group hosted by the women attorneys of Chuhak & Tecson, P.C., WHW offers professional women the opportunity to build their businesses and participate in charitable service at the same time. Over wine and hors d’oeuvres, each Mix-and-Mingle highlights a different nonprofit agency serving women or women and their children and invites attendees to come alongside them in practical ways.
Women who attend the Nov. 3 event are encouraged to bring new or gently used clothing of any size—pants, dresses, skirts, jackets, vests, blouses, shells, etc.—plus shoes, boots, scarves, jewelry and purses. If possible, whole outfits can be brought already assembled.
DeBoer will be on hand to talk about All God’s People and The Boutique. She will be introduced by her niece, Elizabeth Osborne, an attorney with Chuhak & Tecson who remembers how these outreaches were inspired.
“Years ago when I was little, my aunt and uncle and cousins would go downtown and bring brown paper bags with food to hand out to people on Lower Wacker Drive,” Osborne said. “Over the years, people found out what she was doing and started giving her more stuff to take down there.
“It just kept growing, but it’s so personal. She knows everybody by name. For her, helping goes beyond seeing people every month just to give them clothes and food. She builds ongoing relationships with the people who come.”
That includes hundreds of homeless and under-resourced persons, but The Boutique also partners with Reclaim 13, an organization that rescues and brings healing to sex-trafficked children, and New Name, an organization that reaches out to women in prostitution.
“A girl who came in last week was just seven when she was first trafficked, and now she’s 15,” DeBoer said. “It just breaks your heart. She’s a sweet girl; she wanted clothes for church.”
Osborne appreciates that DeBoer likes to say she won’t give out clothing she wouldn’t wear herself.
“She wants to boost a sense of dignity in everyone,” Osborne said. “All of the volunteers really care about that.”
Women Helping Women is unique in the way it boosts professional camaraderie, Osborne said.
“When you get together with a group of women with a spirit of generosity behind it, you come in the door already feeling good,” she said. “It’s a nice backdrop for building business.
“I think this event in particular will have an especially personal feel to it. Chuhak & Tecson participated in the September distribution at State and Van Buren, one of the biggest ever for All God’s People, and we’re going to be displaying photos from that.”
If you would like to receive an invitation to Mix-and-Mingle, please contact Jane LaGrassa at (312) 201-3447 or jlagrassa@chuhak.com.
In addition to charitable planning, Markus’ legal practice focuses on assisting business owners and families with their estates, protecting assets, transferring wealth and minimizing taxation. She works closely with clients to formulate succession plans, and advise on business formation, wealth preservation and gift and estate taxation.
In November 2015, Markus combined her passion for volunteering with her work at Chuhak & Tecson as the host of the firm’s annual Women Helping Women (WHW) event. Held by the women attorneys of Chuhak & Tecson, WHW is an after-hours group offering professional women the opportunity to network, build business alliances and accomplish charitable service at the same time. Each event spotlights a different nonprofit agency serving women, or women and their children, and identifies practical ways that participants can help. Markus successfully endorsed Jewish Child and Family Services as the featured charity partner for November’s event. Guests supported the organization’s Child Welfare program and Counseling and Child Development programs by donating more than 250 culturally diverse dolls to children of all faith throughout Chicago.
“My grandparents set wonderful examples of making tzedakah (charity) a way of life. Their sacrifices and hard work have provided my generation with opportunities they could not have imagined. With success and opportunity comes a responsibility for me – to not just continue our family tradition of caring and doing for others but to enhance my participation in giving,” Markus said. “Being involved with the Jewish community has provided me with an opportunity to carry on their legacy and make a meaningful difference.”
Markus is involved with several other nonprofit organizations, including Between Friends and the Advocate Charitable Foundation as a member of the Gift Planning Advisory Committee.
Operation Backpack is an annual event sponsored by Volunteers of America, a not for profit organization that focuses on empowering people of all ages and backgrounds while providing community based human service programs. Operation Backpack collects a wide range of supplies that schoolchildren require in order to start off their new school year right—from pencils to calculators and from art supplies to the backpacks themselves. Items are then distributed to children in foster care throughout Chicagoland.
Today our firm received this lovely thank-you card from some of the children—all so special and all so deserving—that we want to share this with you, the visitors to our site.
Winning the lottery sounds spectacular, but there are many financial implications that you should be aware of. Watch Lindsey Paige Markus on Good Day Chicago to learn more about how you should manage your winnings responsibly.