For almost forty (40) years, the Cook County Bar Association has been working to bridge the employment gap for minority law students through its annual Minority Law Student Job Fair (“Job Fair”).  This event has evolved over the years to become the oldest, largest, and most well-respected professional employment event of its kind in the United States.  In that time, the CCBA Job Fair has provided the best means of securing quality legal experience ranging from legal internships to post-graduate employment for diverse students.The Job Fair has provided the opportunity for minority law students to interview with top law firms, corporations, government agencies, and public interest organizations from across the country.  We only invite students from fully accredited law schools that are ranked among the top thirty (30) as determined by U.S. News and World Report, law schools at historically black colleges and universities, and law schools located in the Midwest according to NALP.

The volume of employers and students participating in the Job Fair has increased dramatically in recent years.  The growth of the Job Fair is attributed to the growing demand for a diverse workforce by law firms and their clients.  Year after year, scores of the nation’s most talented minority law students convene in Chicago for the Job Fair to be matched with employers that are specifically seeking them.  As a result, years of diverse hires can be found among the ranks of elite law firm, Fortune 500, government, and premier public-interest organization rosters today.  And many of our long-time participating employers regard the Job Fair as the single greatest source for minority legal talent nationwide.

In 2021, approximately 1000 students interviewed with more than 90 employers, including law firms, corporations, government, and public interest organizations.  The success of the Job Fair is encouraging and speaks well for the continued success of minority lawyers and employers’ commitment to diversity in hiring.  The size of the Job Fair, however, requires a location capable of accommodating such a large-scale event.  This year, the Job Fair will be returning to an in-person event and held on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at the Embassy Suites Hotel- Downtown/Lakefront, 511 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60611.  Naturally, the venue expenses associated with a job fair of this size significantly increases the cost of the entire event.

This year, Chapman & Cutler LLP has already committed to again being a Platinum Sponsor, the Office of the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General has committed to again being a Silver Sponsor, and McGuireWoods has committed to being a Patron Sponsor, and we hope that your organization will join the ranks of our generous, long-time sponsors, and contribute to this important and worthwhile event.

Therefore, I am writing to your organization to personally request that it become a sponsor for the 39^th Annual CCBA Minority Law Student Job Fair.  In doing so, this will ensure the continued success and growth of the Fair.  As indicated on the enclosed sponsorship form, there are several levels of sponsorship available to assist us with this great endeavor.  Each ascending level of sponsorship has layers of value added to meet your organization’s marketing needs.

Please take this opportunity to review the attached materials which detail the different levels of sponsorship available.  With your organization’s support, the CCBA can continue to grow and expand the Job Fair while providing continued employment opportunities for talented minority law students.

In the event that you have questions or should require any additional information, please to contact me directly at (405) 802-8282 or raymondrushing@gmail.com or LeDeidre Turner at (773) 550-9747 or ledeidre.turner@gmail.com.  In advance, thank you for thoughtful consideration and support.