Ice Miller attorney Heather Adams has been selected to serve on the planning committee for Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization’s 2020 National Conference, which will be held September 17-20 in Chicago.
The National Conference brings together students, attorneys and judges to engage in dialogue about diversity in the legal profession, recognize trailblazing judges and attorneys, provide scholarships to law students and support the next generation of lawyers and leaders. JTB-APO’s 2020 National Conference will celebrate the legacy of the Honorable George N. Leighton and feature U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
For over 25 years, JTB-APO has been dedicated to developing and nurturing interest in the law among young persons from socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds underrepresented in the legal profession. JTB-APO’s pipeline programs are 100% free and provide JTB-APO Scholars with opportunities that support their academic growth and legal aspirations.
JTB-APO began as a celebration of the integration of the Federal Judiciary on September 19, 1992, in Chicago, IL. The celebratory event entitled, “Just The Beginning – A Celebration of Integration of the Federal Judiciary” honored Judge James Parsons, the first African-American United States District Court Judge. Inspired by the events of that weekend, Just The Beginning Foundation (JTBF) was founded as a not-for-profit organization of judges, lawyers and other citizens dedicated to developing educational programs to inspire and foster careers in the law among students of color and from other underrepresented groups, from middle school through law school. Today, JTB-APO (formerly JTBF) continues this mission by offering pipeline programs directly aimed at inspiring young students and increasing diversity in the legal profession and judiciary.
This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. The reader should consult with legal counsel to determine how laws or decisions discussed herein apply to the reader’s specific circumstances.
Heather first became involved with the organization as a student in JTB-APO’s Jumpstart program as she was entering her 1L year at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. Jumpstart is a preparation program designed to help students develop the academic and interpersonal skills to navigate law school and become successful legal professionals. The program helped Heather learn such skills as preparing for law exams, work/life balance and writing legal memos. This year, Heather was asked if she would be interested in serving on the committee, where she would assist with logistics and fundraising for the conference.
The success of JTB-APO relies heavily on volunteers and in 2017, Heather returned to JTB-APO to volunteer her time during the Summer Legal Institute, a week-long immersion program, which provides exposure to the legal profession to students from underrepresented backgrounds. As a volunteer, Heather shared her story with students over lunch and participated in a speed networking session with students, allowing them to hone their professional etiquette skills. Heather also assisted in recruiting attorneys to volunteer during this event and has proven her commitment to JTB-APO’s mission. To learn more about JTB-APO, please visit their website.
Heather Adams is of counsel in Ice Miller’s Labor and Employment Group. She is a business-oriented labor and employment attorney who regularly advises and represents clients in high-stakes whistleblower actions and various other areas of employment law before the United States Supreme Court, state and federal appellate courts, federal district courts, and administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and various other state employment and labor agencies.
This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. The reader should consult with legal counsel to determine how laws or decisions discussed herein apply to the reader’s specific circumstances.