Advancing Women in Law: Spotlighting Competence and Leadership

Advancing women in law isn’t a trend, a talking point, or a diversity checkbox — it’s a structural necessity for the future of municipal law and government. Earlier this month, Managing Partner James Vasselli published an op-ed in The Chicagoland Journal reinforcing a message our firm lives by: competence comes first, and every capable voice deserves to be heard.

This article builds on that message — and on why representation, access, and leadership from women strengthen every level of public-sector legal work.

Advancing Women in Law Starts with Competence First

Municipal law, zoning, government operations, public finance, and code enforcement have looked the same for decades. No sugarcoating it: these are still male-dominated spaces. Women make up half the population. They deserve opportunity, authority, and influence — without qualifiers.

At Vasselli Law, our baseline is simple: competence first. We care about the work, the strategy, and the results — not your gender. If you bring ideas that move communities forward, your voice matters. Full stop.

Why This Conversation Matters Now

As James wrote in The Chicagoland Journal, silence keeps the status quo intact. And the status quo has never elevated women on its own.

We’re a growing firm — one drop in a large ocean — but drops become currents when they move with intention. Speaking up is part of the work. Hiring differently. Promoting differently. Structuring meetings differently. That’s how you change the rooms where decisions are made.

Our Commitments

• Listen loudly. Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident — it’s designed.

• Put women in decision-making spaces. They don’t support; they lead.

• Use every platform to elevate women in law and government.

• Stay outcomes-focused. Excellence and respect are non-negotiable.

What Women Bring to the Practice of Law

There’s no singular “women’s perspective,” but the women who lead in law often demonstrate shared strengths: clarity under pressure, resilience, collaborative problem-solving, and disciplined execution.

In municipal work — where timelines are tight, scrutiny is public, and decisions impact entire communities — those traits aren’t just valuable; they’re essential.

This is why advancing women in law is not symbolic for us. It’s strategic. It improves problem-solving, strengthens governance, and leads to more defensible outcomes.

The public sector doesn’t move because someone talks the loudest. It moves because someone with discipline keeps pushing the work forward. We see that every day.

How Vasselli Law Puts This Into Practice

Roles with real authority

Women here aren’t tucked behind the scenes — they lead prosecutions, draft ordinances, negotiate redevelopment agreements, shape strategy, and represent clients in boardrooms and courtrooms.

Access, not gatekeeping

We design workflows that ensure the strongest ideas surface early, and the people closest to the work have ownership of it.

Mentorship and sponsorship that matter

Titles open doors, but sponsorship keeps them open. We share credit, make introductions, and build paths for women to take on higher-impact work.

“Competence first” isn’t gender-blind — it’s bias-aware and standards-driven. We see the imbalance. We choose to address it with structure and accountability.

Representation Strengthens Leadership

Women at Vasselli Law shape outcomes every day: guiding municipal boards, negotiating contracts, drafting policy, and advising elected officials across Illinois.

Not because they’re women — because they’re exceptional at what they do.And yes, it also matters that they are women. Representation changes expectations. It shifts how younger attorneys, students, and public servants understand what’s possible.

Competence isn’t gendered. Opportunity still is. So we don’t close doors — we keep them open and build more.

Good Government Depends on Every Capable Voice

As James wrote in his op-ed, the future of public service and municipal law depends on who we empower, who we elevate, and who we listen to.

Advancing women in law is not a public-relations concept. It’s how good government works:

• Better questions

• Better strategy

• Better outcomes

• Better communities

Competence drives progress.

Leadership demands inclusion.

Every capable voice strengthens the work.