HR0271 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0271 LRB103 31834 LAW 60459 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Whitney K. Siehl on her installation as President of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI); and

WHEREAS, The WBAI was first established in 1914 by nine women lawyers practicing in the Chicago metropolitan area; it is one of the oldest and largest bar associations in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The WBAI serves as an influential voice in promoting the interests and welfare of women in the law, offering mentorship and networking opportunities, career advice, and events that promote and empower women leaders; and

WHEREAS, Whitney Siehl is an associate attorney with Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, LLP, serving as a plaintiffs' litigator focused on class actions in the areas of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, antitrust, mass torts, consumer protection, environmental, and sports law; her notable settlements include an over $17 million fund for survivors of Harvey Weinstein's sexual abuse, a $215 million fund for USC student survivors of sexual abuse by gynecologist Dr. Tyndall, and millions of dollars for college students in contract disputes and children with birth injuries; she also represents college students and consumers in COVID-19 refund litigation, workers in wage-fixing antitrust matters, and athletes in concussion litigation, among other cases; and

WHEREAS, Whitney Siehl previously worked as a legal aide to Ohio State Representative Teresa Fedor, working on H.B. 262, the Safe Harbor for Child Victims of Human Trafficking legislation, which was signed into law in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Whitney Siehl earned her Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law, where she was a member of the 2013 Sutherland Cup National Champion Constitutional Law Moot Court Team and served as president of the Women's Legal Society; she graduated from Northwestern University and was a member of the women's golf team; she was named an NCAA Academic All-American with the Miami University women's cross country and track teams; and

WHEREAS, Whitney Siehl has chaired the WBAI Annual Golf Outing since 2015 and hosts numerous clinics teaching women to golf; she enjoys volunteer marathon pace coaching and has completed numerous triathlons and marathons; and

WHEREAS, Every year since 2019, Whitney Siehl has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Illinois; prior to that, she received an Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Whitney Siehl is honored to serve the WBAI, and her persistent focus on justice for women has enhanced her ability to advocate for WBAI's members every day; her theme for the 2023-2024 bar year is Together We Succeed, with a strong focus on mentoring and collaboration; and

WHEREAS, Whitney Siehl will be installed as the 2023-2024 President of the WBAI at its 109th Annual Installation Dinner and Awards Gala at The Field Museum on May 31, 2023; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Whitney K. Siehl on her installation as President of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois and wish her all the best in her new position; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Whitney Siehl as an expression of our esteem and respect.