Chicago Women in IP

02/19/2026

🚨📚🗓️ New date!! The next meeting of the ChiWIP Book Club has been rescheduled to April 8th at 7:30PM. We will be discussing The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. We apologize for any inconvenience. Register at the link in our bio! And if you previously registered, don't worry, your registration will carry over. (If you are no longer able to attend, please contact Kristine Bergman at [email protected].)

02/19/2026

With only hours left to purchase tickets for ChiWIP’s Annual Progressive Dinner, we’re excited to share this year’s theme!

🖤🤍 Black & White 🤍🖤

We encourage you to dress in business casual attire while incorporating the classic black-and-white theme. Make sure to secure your ticket before time runs out!

Get your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chiwips-annual-progressive-networking-dinner-tickets-1980120684270?aff=oddtdtcreator

02/16/2026

In need of a laugh? Looking to celebrate women? Then join us on March 5 as we kick off Women's History Month with a show at Second City: March!

March! is described as "From the team behind Yas, And!, Slay!, and Qu**rs & Fears comes a brand-new sketch comedy r***e that spotlights the bold, hilarious, and unapologetically q***r voices of the women, femme-identifying, and gender expansive performers that make this community shine. Expect whip-smart writing, fearless performances, and a celebration of the humor, heart, and heat that define q***r femininity. Whether it’s marching toward love, chaos, or self-discovery, March! takes every step with pride — heels optional."

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chiwip-womens-history-month-celebration-at-second-city-tickets-1980527783916?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/20/2026

Please join ChiWIP and members for an afternoon at the Dress for Success boutique, where we will assist with sorting of merchandise and boutique maintenance. Dress for Success is a global nonprofit organization that provides professional attire for low-income women, to help support their job search and interview process.

RSVP by sending an email to Amy Adler ([email protected]) by February 23, 2026.

01/15/2026

✨✨✨Join us for ChiWIP's Annual Progressive Networking Dinner on Wednesday, February 25th at 167 Events, 167 North Green Street, Chicago, IL. ✨✨✨

Register at the link below today!

We are eagerly looking forward to ChiWIP's progressive dinner this year, which everyone has come to know and love. Our past dinners have brought together individuals from a wide array of backgrounds, including private and public corporations, academia, and law firms, to engage in dialogue and build relationships with one another.

ChiWIP's progressive dinner format means that you don't sit only with the people you came with or mingle with people you already know. Instead, each participant receives table assignments for the family style meal. At the end of the first course, you switch to your second table for the meal's second course. The dessert course is open networking. Table assignments are strategically assigned to ensure that you meet new faces. Moderators are provided with table topics to help break the ice and facilitate conversation. By the end of the night, you will have made a number of new connections, and hopefully learned something useful for your practice along the way.

Agenda:

Registration & Cocktail Hour: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Progressive Dinner: 6:30 pm
Dessert: 8:15 pm

We encourage all attendees to bring a minimum of 30 business cards to the event (or have your LinkedIn QR code handy!) to be exchanged with other attendees during the cocktail hour and dinner.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chiwips-annual-progressive-networking-dinner-tickets-1980120684270?aff=oddtdtcreator

12/18/2025

Please join us in making a positive community impact by helping to repack donated food while connecting with fellow ChiWIP members. If you are interested in signing up, please contact Lisa Furby ([email protected]) for further information about the sign up process. Spots to volunteer are first come-first serve, so please reach out as soon as possible.

11/24/2025

Last call! Come get wrapped up in the holiday spirit with us next week. Learn how to wrap gifts beautifully this holiday season at this gift-wrapping workshop hosted by woman-owned and Chicago-based business, Rooted Living. Light bites, drinks, and gift wrapping supplies will be provided. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chiwip-holiday-gift-wrapping-workshop-tickets-1916474770629

11/04/2025

🪙Join us on November 12 from 3-5 PM for the first part of two empowering financial sessions led by Jen Dawson, CFP, who specializes in educating women lawyers and professionals on planning for their financial future. Jen will lead an engaging Professional Development session covering essential financial and tax planning topics for lawyers and legal professionals with a particular focus on what new law firm partners need to know as they navigate this professional milestone. Also be sure to join us for Part 2, a virtual follow-up session with Mentoring Circles that will offer a more personal space to ask questions and share experiences.

Participants will gain practical strategies and confidence around managing cash flow, creating long-term financial plans, and avoiding common pitfalls, leaving them inspired and better equipped to take charge of their financial future.

RSVP for Part 1 (hybrid) here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/financial-planning-for-legal-professionals-part-1-tickets-1829987555039?aff=oddtdtcreator

RSVP for Part 2 (virtual) here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/financial-planning-for-legal-professionals-part-2-tickets-1830003833729?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/24/2025

Join the ChiWIP Community Involvement Committee on October 23 as we prepare a delicious meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, allowing families an opportunity to eat together without the stress of cooking or the expense of dining out. A group of up to 12 volunteers will work together to create the meal led by one of RMHC's chefs.

Please reach out to Lisa Furby ([email protected]) if you are interested in volunteering.

09/22/2025

Parenting is HARD WORK. Join our next mentoring circles discussion as we discuss opportunities to support yourself and your colleagues through early parenthood, having school aged children, and supporting older children while balancing your career. This conversation is for women at all stages of parenthood and their careers, whether looking to provide support for those planning for or raising their families, seeking information about parenthood and navigating careers, or wanting to gain insight to support colleagues. RSVP here by October 19:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1693950675069?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/18/2025

📣 Calling all law students! Apply now to become a ChiWIP ambassador and help us better engage with local law students.

One student from each law school will be selected to act as a liaison between ChiWIP and prospective and current students and the faculty of the law school attended by the Student Ambassador. The role runs from October 2025 through June 2026. Ambassadors will have valuable networking opportunities with members of ChiWIP through participation in the program.

To be eligible, interested students must be 2L or 3L (or 4L if part-time/WJD) law students currently enrolled and have an interest in intellectual property law. Responsibilities primarily include participating in ChiWIP events and meetings, supporting outreach efforts, assisting with event planning, and contributing to member communications.

This program is focused on students from local law schools, including Northwestern, DePaul, University of Illinois Chicago, Loyola, University of Chicago, and Chicago-Kent, Marquette, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Notre Dame.

If interested, please reach out to Hannah Dawson at [email protected] for an application. The deadline for application submissions is Friday, October 3, 2025, by 5PM CDT.

09/05/2025

Did you get your ticket yet? September 17 will be here before you know it! We are excited to welcome Vaishali Udupa and cover topics ranging from overcoming gender-related barriers, to redefining success with work-life balance, mentorship and sponsorship, to the evolving USPTO landscape. Don't miss out on the chance to join this inspiring conversation led by Nikki Little with a lively networking session to follow.

Register here:

ChiWIP is thrilled to host Vaishali Udupa, former Commissioner of Patents at the USPTO, for a fireside chat on September 17th.