Margaret Brent Awardee: Laura J. Schumacher

Laura J. Schumacher, vice chairman of external affairs and chief legal officer at AbbVie in North Chicago, Illinois, said of her colleagues at AbbVie “this is their award, too” due to their commitment to “real, measurable change” in the industry. She also credited their outside counsel partners “who have worked with us to advance opportunities and mentorship for both female and underrepresented attorneys within their law firms as well.” 

Schumacher said equity is “not a once and done, and it requires commitment and focus from all of us, every day.” She concluded by saying, “If I had one last call for action it would be to encourage every one of us to double-down on our own personal commitment to being the change that we want to see.”