National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations

2010 Women’s Bar Leader Summit

August 6, 2010

Golden Gate University School of Law

Notes Abstracted from “Best Practices” Session

 

Networking/Education

The divide between rural areas of the state and cities, and the schism between geographic regions within a state were often mentioned as barriers to networking and member service. 

Wisconsin doesn’t have a statewide women’s bar, so Milwaukee-based Association for Women Lawyers’ challenge is thinking about its role in coordinating with the other two women’s bar groups in the state.   In the next few years Texas Women Lawyers would like to get more active in Northeast Texas and the Panhandle.

Young attorneys of the Women’s Section of the Alabama State Bar came up with the idea of meeting for drinks once a month.  They invite senior women lawyers to come and talk informally about various topics.  They meet at various downtown bars.   The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles’ Young Lawyers Section also has held meetings in bars.  

A  fun and effective means of  networking and education of the Women’s Section of the Alabama State Bar was having a retreat—a “slumber party”’ at a 4H camp.  After a day of CLE programs and business meetings, it is so rustic and secluded that there isn’t much to do in the evening except to get to know each other.  Rooms are shared and meals are share in the cafeteria.  The event brings together women attorneys and judges from around the state.

Lawyers Club of San Diego had a “speed networking” event, patterned after the concept of speed dating.  It’s a fun, low-commitment way of networking—you spend five minutes with someone, then move to the next person. 

Queen’s Bench (San Francisco) has an annual LEAADD Dinner  bringing together women lawyers, engineers, accountants, architects, doctors and dentists for no-host cocktails followed by a dinner.

Women Lawyers of Sacramento has had programs on career advancement and retention.  They hold brown bag lunches every other month with speakers on topics such as leadership, mentoring and office management.  These luncheons have proven to be a great way to bring in new members. Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers (Florida) also holds well-attended monthly lunches. 

The Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia has found that their series of initiatives on the Advancement and Retention of Women (in 2006, 2008 and 2010) has enabled them to do outreach on various topics and to get input which they might not otherwise have obtained.  A day-long Summit on the initiative included male bar leaders, second and third year law students and new lawyers. 

Minnesota Women Lawyers has eliminated its judicial fitness committee and has redirected its efforts to education on how to become a judge.   They are also emphasizing development and support of women leaders in a variety of areas.  They recently partnered with Twin City Women on Boards.   In a similar vein, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers partnered with the Atlanta Women’s Foundation for training for women looking at positions on boards.  They kept the price low and had a long waiting list.

Arizona Women Lawyers Association offers training for those interested in judicial positions, either through merit selection or election.  The use of mock interviews is one of their training strategies.

California Women Lawyers’ popular “So, You Want to Be a Judge” program is offered in various parts of the state.  Insights are given into “the people who screen the people who screen.”  [The program won the NCWBA Public Service Award in 2009.]

The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) has 18 chapters and recently celebrated 30 years of “women, wisdom and wellness” at its annual convention in Sarasota Springs.

The Women’s Law Section of the Maine State Bar emphasizes wellness with lunchtime walks and a “winter break” program with women physicians from the Maine Medical Association on substance abuse and depression. 

Women Lawyers of Alameda County will be celebrating its 30th anniversary on October 21 with a gala, including dinner, awards and a silent auction.

The Canadian Bar Association National Women Lawyers Forum will have a leadership development conference January 28 and 29, 2011 in Toronto. 

In the past, Kansas Women Attorneys Association has held one big conference.  This year, they held a spring conference in the Kansas City Power & Light District, emphasizing career development.  There will also be a fall conference in Wichita.

Oregon Women Lawyers has had success with its mentoring circles—small groups which meet monthly for about a year.  The groups center around one of for topics:  litigation, judiciary, family law and mediation.

South Carolina Women Lawyers Association has partnered with North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys to put on some very well-received CLE programs.  Speakers have included Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor.

Women in the US Navy JAG Corps are proud of the first female Deputy  Judge Advocate General  Rear Admiral  Nanette DeRenzi.   The Navy has a task force on Life/Work Balance and a sabbatical program.

 

 

Foundations/Public Service

Arizona Women Lawyers Association has formed a foundation which will be the charitable arm of the organization.  They are in the process of working towards recognition by the Internal Revenue Service as a § 501 (c) (3) organization.  A silent auction fundraiser will be held at the annual convention. 

Fresno County Women Lawyers has worked through Project First Step to recruit and train lawyers to represent victims of domestic  violence at limited scope contested restraining order hearings.   The program partners with Legal Aid, the local District Attorney’s office and shelters. 

Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers (FL) has partnered with groups in the community to participate in such projects as Habitat for Humanity, “Paint Your Heart Out” (a once- yearly painting project for the homes of the disabled and elderly), “Dress for Success,” “Kinship Care,” providing legal  assistance to grandparents regarding visitation or issues resulting from raising their grandchildren, and the “Cinderella Project. “  The latter is a program which outfits needy girls for their proms. 

Mississippi Women Lawyers had also partnered with “Dress for Success. “  They are also active with a program called “inspiring Readers” in which they purchase “summer reading list” books for school children.

Lawyers Club of San Diego sponsors  the “Women’s Resource Fair,” which brings together women in need of various kinds of assistance, including jobs and education, with lawyers and other professionals who can be of assistance to them.  [This project received the 2001 NCWBA Public Service Award .]  Their “Fund for Justice” donates to organizations that advance their mission. 

Women Lawyers of Sacramento Foundation’s big annual fundraiser is “ArtFest,” which brings together local artists, a silent auction, a live band, catered buffet and hosted wine. 

Queen’s Bench (San Francisco) continues its “Juvenile Hall Project,” in which volunteers meet twice a month for companionship, enrichment activities and mentoring for pre-teen and teenage girls in “lockup.”  [This program won the NCWBA Public Service Award in 2007.]

Organizational Membership/Outreach/Long-Range Planning/Technology

Many of the groups (including Mississippi, Texas and Los Angeles) reported an increase in membership this year—an impressive accomplishment given the recession.    The membership of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles was aging.  When they started a Young Lawyers Section, membership increased.  A lawyer who got involved right out of law school was instrumental in energizing the group.    Queen’s Bench (San Francisco) has flourished since 1921 because it is flexible and has programs which are sustainable. 

Colorado Women Lawyers has been able to fundraise for a lobbyist who can advocate in the legislature on key issues for women and children.

Minnesota Women Lawyers is “souping up” its technology to do an online webcast of its annual meeting.  The Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts has revamped its website and is now using association management software by ClubExpress.

Oregon Women Lawyers is emphasizing “branding.”  Past presidents have been sent special nametags.  Board members are encouraged to shake hands with people at meeting to make sure people know who they are representing.  Last year, for the first time, the group had a co-presidency.  This is being followed by a move to create a more active role for the vice president, who is meeting weekly or biweekly with the president and executive director.

Starting in its 13th year, New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association recognized the need for a formalized, long-range plan—one with a listing of what needs to be done, who would do it and timelines for accomplishments.  They hired a neutral facilitator to assist in the process.  She received written materials for review in advance of a formal strategic planning event in June.   Four major areas of growth were targeted:  1) membership development—up to 15% increase; 2) networking events throughout the state; 3) increased number of CLES—professional development and leadership series; 4) office—working towards having a part-time executive director, eventually a full-time executive director and an office.  Very specific deadlines were set.  There is an ongoing relationship with the facilitator, who will be coming in every few months to meet with them.  Minnesota Women Lawyers, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, also saw the value of a new strategic plan and is now streamlining its efforts rather than trying to be “all things to all people.”  Committees were reduced from 19 to 11.  Texas Women Lawyers has completely revamped its website, and is active on Facebook and Twitter.