Much Shelist Women's Initiative

Recognizing the importance of our female attorneys, the firm has an active Women's Initiative, which holds monthly meetings devoted to business development, networking, mentoring and skills training. The group also sponsors marketing events for women attorneys and their clients. The Much Shelist Women's Initiative has defined its mission as follows:

To provide a supportive forum to discuss issues facing female attorneys;
To create and implement ideas and programs designed to improve the recruitment, retention, professional development, promotion and work-life balance of the firm's female attorneys; and
To generally enhance the business development skills of the firm's female attorneys.

In addition, the firm is a founding member of the Coalition of Women's Initiatives in Law Firms and encourages membership in other women's organizations such as the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), the Chicago Bar Association Alliance for Women and the Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago.

Through the efforts of the Women's Initiative and other diversity-focused programs, Much Shelist will continue to seek new ways to maintain a dynamic work environment that is inclusive and rewarding for all personnel.

Meet the Women of Much Shelist

Caroline E. Belloff is an Associate in the firm's Business & Finance group. She focuses on assisting corporate clients with mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and other major corporate transactions. Caroline can be reached at 312.521.2785...	Shawna M. Doran is an Associate in the firm's Intelluctual Property & Technology group. Shawna represents clients in transactional matters with regard to onshore, nearshore and offshore sourcing, and information technology issues related to IT...
Marissa L. Downs, an Associate in the firm's Litigation & Dispute Resolution group, represents manufacturers, financial institutions, trustees and other clients in a broad range of complex...	Jonna Daleiden Eimer concentrates her transactional practice in mergers and acquisitions, general corporate law and health care law. Jonna represents a wide variety of organizations, from large corporate clients to smaller, entrepreneurial companies....
Juli D. Gilliam, an Associate in the firm's Wealth Transfer & Succession Planning group, advises clients who have the goal of transferring wealth and business interests in a tax efficient manner on tax planning and the integration of estate plans...	Sheryl Jaffee Halpern, a Principal in the firm's Labor & Employment group, counsels clients on a wide range of employment matters, providing clear, direct guidance designed to promote...
Julie M. Hanusa is a Principal in the firm's Business & Finance group and head of the Commercial Finance practice. She concentrates her practice in commercial finance, mergers and...	Sonja R. Johnson, Special Counsel in the firm’s Real Estate group, concentrates on tax assessment matters, providing experienced, insightful guidance in assessment valuation, tax parcel divisions and...
Bethany L. LaFlam, Special Counsel in the firm's Orange County, California office, represents clients in all aspects of business and corporate law, with an emphasis on EB-5 Counsel, private...	Katherine Bonk Lewis, an Associate in the firm's Business & Finance group, advises corporate clients on legal and business issues related to mergers, acquisitions and other transactions...
Melisande C. Loeppert has represented clients in a variety of legal matters. Meli has prosecuted violations of building, health and safety codes; negotiated settlement offers with opposing counsel; and drafted motions, briefs and proposed ordinances....	Courtney E. Mayster is a Principal in the firm's Real Estate practice group, where she focuses on commercial and multifamily residential real estate law, as well as commercial real...
Frances D. Meehan focuses her practice on the health care industry, including legal and regulatory issues affecting nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, supportive-living facilities, hospices, home health...	Melinda J. Morales, a Principal in the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution group, represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a range of complex commercial litigation matters in...
Annabelle M. Pereira, an Associate in the firm's Business & Finance group, represents clients in corporate transactions, financings, securities and restructuring matters. She can be reached...	Joanne A. Sarasin, a Principal in the firm's Litigation & Dispute Resolution group, concentrates her practice on complex commercial litigation with specific emphasis on appellate practice....
Julia A. Steinway, an Associate in the firm's Wealth Transfer & Succession Planning group, counsels clients on all aspects of estate planning, trust administration and...	Anne E. Viner heads the firm's Environmental, Regulatory & Redevelopment Law practice. She represents corporate clients in a broad range of...