Attorneys Evan N. Claditis and James R. Shilobrit of Hupy & Abraham , S.C.
The Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers (WAAL) held their annual “VelanDale” Scholarship Award Dinner Thursday, June 3, 2010 at the Italian Community Center in downtown Milwaukee . Representatives from Hupy & Abraham , S.C. were in attendance along with other noted dignitaries and community leaders. United States Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Representative of the Fourth District of Wisconsin delivered the keynote address.
WAAL is an association of African-American attorneys primarily in Milwaukee who are dedicated to encouraging the participation of African- American attorneys in the legal profession. They are working collectively with diversity partners and corporate supporters to achieve greater inclusion and diversity in the legal profession. Hupy & Abraham , S.C. is committed to excellence in the legal community and proud to support this fantastic scholarship fund again this year with a generous donation.
WAAL established a scholarship in 1990 in the name of the late W. Dale Phillips. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial support to African-American law students at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison . In 2004 the scholarship was renamed “VelanDale” Scholarship to include Vel and Dale Phillips in recognition of their enormous accomplishments in the legal profession.
In the early 1950’s both Vel and Dale Phillips received their law degrees from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and went on to make significant legal contributions to the Milwaukee community. Both active in civil rights, they opened a law practice, Phillips & Phillips in Milwaukee . They were the first husband and wife team admitted to the United States , Eastern District of Wisconsin to practice law.
The 2010 “ValenDale” Scholarship recipients are Sierra Beckles, Truscenialyn Brooks and Juanita Davis all law students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.