Krista Whitaker, Bears executive vice president of legal and business affairs & chief legal officer, is well-recognized in the sports legal space for her leadership, mentorship and transformative impact across multiple organizations.
Most recently, Whitaker was honored by the Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago at their annual spring fundraiser luncheon for being a trailblazing leader "whose enduring legacy of excellence, service, and impact continues to shape the legal profession and inspire generations to come."
Several of her Bears colleagues including senior advisor of legal and business affairs Andy Zopp, associate counsel Elaena Harris, vice president & associate general counsel Luke Mansour, strategic executive partner - office of the President & CEO Noor Davis, President & CEO Kevin Warren and Whitaker's husband, attorney Darryl Long, attended the luncheon to offer support.
BWLA was founded in 1987 and has grown into one of Illinois' most dynamic legal bar associations, its membership including Black women attorneys, judges, law professors and law students across Chicagoland and nationwide.
"Being honored by BWLA means feeling seen in a meaningful way for who I am and how I show up and reflecting on the responsibility that comes with this recognition," Whitaker said.
For Whitaker, accepting her honor in front of other BWLA members was a special moment, yet being able to connect with and learn about other women in the room who are making an impact of their own was even more rewarding. Whitaker was recognized alongside Gina Lawrence, chief legal officer of Noble Schools, Just the Beginning—A Pipeline Organization and the Chicago Urban League.
Previously recognized through honors such as the National Bar Association's 40 Under 40, Legal 500's GC Powerlist, SBJ's New Voices Under 30 and Law360's Rising Star in Sports, Whitaker has long been working to make her own mark on the sports legal business while also making time to mentor and lead the next generation of law professionals.
Now heading into her third season with Bears, after having worked for Proskauer Rose and the Miami Heat since she earned her law degree from Stanford Law School, Whitaker is pouring deeper into Chicagoland and remains dedicated to helping break barriers, create opportunity and serve as a voice for Black women and other underrepresented communities.
"I want to do for others what was done for me," Whitaker shared, "but more importantly, I want to create opportunities for others that were once thought impossible."
