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Welcome to our summer edition of Alumni Access. Summer is one of my favorite times of the year, partly because it’s when we welcome our Summer Associates to Winston. This year, we have 119 summers joining us and we are thrilled to have them on board.
This issue is packed with stories about Winston’s commitment to pro bono, CSR, and DEI, as well as about alums who are making their mark in the world. I hope you will feel as inspired as I do by alum Randi Rader’s story of love and perseverance. Additionally, I am sure you will enjoy reading our Winston For Good Hero story about Veronica Major, who is Winston’s Conference Services Supervisor in Chicago and has touched the lives of so many of you.
I hope you have a wonderful summer.
All the best,
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DEBBY CUSUMANO CALDWELL
DIRECTOR OF PARTNER HIRING AND ALUMNI RELATIONS
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Alum Randi Rader is Featured in Documentary on Parenting a Child with Disabilities
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“Holding Moses,” a 17-minute documentary featuring alum Randi Rader (San Francisco, 2012-2017) and her son, offers an intimate and profoundly honest glimpse into the immense love and grit that Randi brings to parenting a child with disabilities as well as the grief and despair she initially felt after Moses was born. You can watch the award-winning short film, which was shortlisted for an Oscar nomination, here.
You are also invited to attend a virtual conversation with Randi and the director of the film on July 13 at 1:00 p.m. (ET). You can view and RSVP to the invitation here.
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Veronica Major has dedicated her life to helping others and is renowned for her kindness and generosity. She joined Winston 40 years ago as a floor clerk and today she supervises and masterfully orchestrates the impeccable delivery of conference services in Chicago. Just as important, Veronica always has a warm smile and kind word for everyone. Veronica’s positive impact extends well beyond Winston—even into prisons.
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Winston attorneys forced U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to finally comply with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request—after nearly 18 months of foot-dragging by USCIS.
The recently released USCIS documents reveal massive delays in the adjudication of applications for humanitarian parole submitted by Afghan nationals following the withdrawal of the U.S. military from Afghanistan in August 2021. The delays put thousands of Afghan nationals, many of whom supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, in grave danger of reprisal from the Taliban-controlled government.
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Seventeen diverse attorneys graduated from Winston’s innovative Sponsorship Program in May. They were the fourth class to complete the program, which is the centerpiece of the firm’s efforts to retain, develop, and promote diverse associates.
Each year, Winston pairs high-performing women, racial/ethnic minority, and LGBTQ+ associates in their fifth or sixth year of practice with a sponsor for one year. Each sponsor is drawn from Winston’s Executive Committee to ensure that Protégés have sponsors with significant influence and connections to leverage on their behalf.
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For the seventh year in a row, Winston has participated in Cycle for Survival, an annual fundraiser to help find a cure for rare cancers. This year, WinSTRONG teams represented five offices—Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley. One hundred percent of the money raised goes directly to the doctors and scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York to fund their lifesaving research.
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PAYING IT FORWARD
Tom Melsheimer Endows Fellowship at Notre Dame’s Klau Institute
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Dallas Office Managing Partner Tom Melsheimer and his wife, Michelle (Miki), recently gave a generous donation to the University of Notre Dame to establish the Melsheimer Fellows Initiative for the Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights at the Keough School of Global Affairs. The fellowship supports students pursuing national and international learning opportunities that benefit underrepresented individuals and communities.
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Andrew Foglia (New York, 2015–2020) was appointed Deputy Director of Policy and International Affairs for the U.S. Copyright office.
Brad Lerman (Chicago, 1998–2008) was named General Counsel for Starbucks Corp. in April and joined the ubiquitous coffee chain in May.
Jackie McLaughlin (Chicago, 2007–2018) joined the board of directors of Illinois Legal Aid Online.
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Welcome Back Winston Alums
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Dane Drobny (Chicago, 1993–2010) boomeranged back to Winston in February after serving as Groupon, Inc.’s Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel, and corporate Secretary. Dane is a Partner in Winston’s Chicago office and a member of the Transactions Department and Mergers & Acquisitions Practice.
Rachel Ingwer (New York, 2008–2021) rejoined Winston in May. She is a Partner in the Firm’s Tax Practice and is located in New York. She advises clients on domestic and cross-border tax issues, including both M&A and fund-related matters.
Erin (Kartheiser) Weber (Chicago, 2002–2021) has returned to Winston after serving as Senior Vice President of Total Rewards and ERISA Counsel at Reyes Holding. She is a Partner in Winston’s Chicago office and a member of the Firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice.
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Winston earned the MCCA Approved 2023 GOLD Seal for the firm’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Winston was an inaugural recipient of the award from the Minority Corporate Counsel Association.
\have been recognized with Lawdragon 500 distinction 10 or more times.
For the second year in a row, Winston was named as one of the 50 Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity by Seramount (formerly Working Mother).
Chambers USA ranked Winston as a leading law firm in 45 categories and ranked 14 attorneys in Band 1 or as Star individuals. Overall, 84 Winston attorneys were listed as leaders in 62 different practice areas.
Winston was named a top-tier firm in 4 practice areas and was recommended in 49 categories in the 2023 edition of The Legal 500 U.S.
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Follow Winston Alumni News on LinkedIn
The Winston & Strawn LLP Attorney Alumni network is an exclusive and interactive LinkedIn community where we share breaking news about Winston and its attorneys and where you can share your career and personal updates with fellow alumni. #WinstonAlumni
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Alumni Events
New York alums came together in February at alum Darwin Conner’s amazing bar and restaurant, The Elgin. Click here to view photos.
In March, Bay Area alums reconnected with old friends and former colleagues at our alumni reception held at La Mar, which is known for its amazing Peruvian seafood. You can view photos from the reception here.
Charlotte alums gathered for a cocktail reception on June 7 at Merchant & Trade, a chic rooftop bar. View photos from the event here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
London alums are invited to attend a cocktail reception on July 13 to help celebrate 20 years of Winston & Strawn in London. The event will be held at our new office space within 100 Bishopsgate.
We will host an alumni reception for Chicago alums on October 18. More details will be sent via email soon.
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Alumni Resources
CLE COURSES
As a Winston alum, you have access to a variety of continuing legal education (CLE) courses, with credit available in Illinois, California, New York, and Texas.
These courses cover legal topics ranging from incorporation and privacy law to labor and employment benefits, legal ethics, and professional responsibility. In addition, we offer CLE courses that cover diversity, equity and inclusion topics and well-being courses on managing stress and substance abuse.
When possible, we invite alums to participate in live sessions that we offer virtually. In addition, as an alum, you have 24/7 access to our on-demand CLE Library, which contains more than 250 courses.
To obtain login credentials to Winston’s CLE Library, contact Winston’s CLE Manager Lewis Marin.
JOB BOARD
Winston often hears about job opportunities from our clients and contacts at industry-leading organizations. As an alum, you have access to our list of open in-house positions, which we update monthly. You can access our Alumni Job Board here.
To submit an in-house position for our Job Board, contact Winston’s Partner Hiring & Alumni Relations Specialist Fuad Akinbiyi.
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Share Your Story Ideas with Us
If you have news to share or a story idea for future issues of Alumni Access, we’d like to hear from you. Please submit your news and story ideas here.
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