Fifteen bar groups assembled Wednesday to recognize members who promote diversity and access to justice.The Vanguard Award ceremony, now in its 21st year, started in 1998 with four groups.At each year’s awards, the participating groups each name a person or organization to honor for their work in the community.Steven M. Elrod, president of The Chicago Bar Association, lauded the nearly fourfold increase in participants over the years at the ceremony inside CBA headquarters.“This luncheon has become a highlight …