Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia

We're more than just an organization for networking and social events – we are advocates for change on the issues that matter to us. Take a stroll down memory lane to review our attached 2023 report on our advocacy work, highlighting how we developed our committee and the specific issues we’re focusing on. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn the history of our advocacy committee ahead of our 2024 Town Hall on Wednesday, July 17th--which you can still register for at the link in the comments. Don't miss this chance to engage with our community and drive meaningful change together! #promotingwomenlawyers #advocacy #missiondriven

As you approach the final weeks of your summer associate role, remember this is the perfect time to broaden your network and deepen your understanding of the legal profession. ✅ Reach Out: Connect with colleagues in your organization that you haven't yet had the chance to meet. Ask them about their roles, what they do, and what they enjoy most about their work. Ask them out to coffee or meet in a common space. ✅ Connect on Social Media: Ensure you connect with these colleagues (and everyone else you've met this summer) on social media so you can continue and deepen these connections after you leave this role. ✅ Maintain Relationships: Periodically reach out to your connections throughout the school year to share updates as you're job-searching, writing articles, or attending conferences. This is how you build a strong professional community that can yield a mentor, sponsor, or personal board of directors. Remember too to explore other communities in the legal industry, like ours, for ongoing support and networking opportunities. It's nice to have a community of people you can turn to throughout your career for advice and a different perspective. Make these last few weeks count—start building your future today! #community #networking #mentoringmatters

One week away! You do not want to miss the Future of Work Speaker Series on Leveraging Tech, Data and AI for DEI on July 18th at 12PM. This panel discussion includes pioneering corporate executives, thought leaders and tech entrepreneurs from both sides of the Atlantic who will discuss how data analytics can be used to tackle gender, ethnicity, disability and other pay inequity issues. Speakers Gabrielle Kohlmeier, Market General Counsel - Verizon, Amy Yeung, former Deputy General Counsel, Sallie Mae Bank, and Zara Nanu, Serial entrepreneur - Top 100 UK Women In Tech will explore the opportunities created and the challenges posed by the digital age, with a particular focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. This virtual event is presented by the WBA Professional Development Committee and the National Association of Women Lawyers and is FREE (registration is required). Register today: https://lnkd.in/g3Vp_QgM #promotingwomenlawyers #Tech #Data #AI #Law #DEI

There is still time to register for the Advocacy Town Hall: Annual Update on Thursday, July 17th at 4:00 pm ET. The Advocacy Committee is eager to share its Annual Report with the WBA membership and hear from you about opportunities, strategies, and concerns. So that we can have the most participation of membership possible, we are making this a Zoom Town Hall. Please join us and discuss 2023-2024 and thoughts and concerns for going forward into the new Bar year! Speakers: Candace Beck (Co-Chair), Founder of Heart Prescription Retreats; Immediate Past-President of the WBA Upnit Bhatti - Senior Associate, Orrick; WBA Board Member Rachel Hardwick (Co-Chair), Corporate Attorney, AARP Services; WBA Foundation Past President and Board Member Cost: Members- Free (Registration Required) Non-Members - $10 Students Members - Free Location: Zoom Register: https://lnkd.in/eYJwm8PY #promotingwomenlawyers #legaladvocacy

One of the main goals of our community is to lift up and celebrate each other's achievements. This month, we have so many special shoutouts for our members' accomplishments: * Board member Bridget Richardson, who was selected to participate in ACC National Capital Region's Leadership Academy; * Energy, Environment & Science Law Forum CoChair Kathryn Caballero, who was honored by the D.C. Bar for her leadership of their Environment, Energy, & Natural Resources community. Our organization is more than just a network—it's a sisterhood that provides support, empowerment, and camaraderie. Seeing our members excel and thrive in their professional journeys fills us with immense pride. We're thrilled to celebrate our sisters' accomplishments! #promotingwomenlawyers #lawyers #community

The strength of our community lies in the contributions of our many talented members who work in all segments of the legal industry. Recently, we held our 2024 Co-Chair retreat, where the women who lead our committees came together to plan our year. At the retreat, they brainstormed programs they'll present this year, highlighting our theme of Strong Communities, Strong Careers. They were especially excited to plan more in-person programming to bring our community together for education, networking, and support. True strength lies in unity, collaboration, and appreciating the diverse talents we bring to the table. We're excited to start sharing the amazing programs we plan for this year. Be sure to sign up for our mailing list here so you don't miss our upcoming programs: https://lnkd.in/exRYAXH9 #promotingwomenlawyers #community #leadership #collaboration

As we prepare to celebrate July 4th, despite recent disappointing Supreme Court decisions impacting reproductive rights and other critical issues, let's remember that our country is a place where we can unite to fight for our rights. Uniting and renewing our commitment to justice and equality during challenging times is crucial. In times like these, it is more important than ever to be part of a strong, supportive community like our Women's Bar Association. Our mission is clear: ⚖️ Maintaining the honor and integrity of the profession ⚖️ Promoting the administration of justice ⚖️ Advancing and protecting the interests of women lawyers ⚖️ Promoting their mutual improvement ⚖️ Encouraging a spirit of friendship By working alongside our fellow members, we advocate for and fight for the issues that matter most to us. Sign up at the link in our comments to register for our annual Advocacy Town Hall, coming up on July 17th, to hear about our work this year and how you can help drive the changes you want to see. Let's reaffirm our belief in the strength of our collective voice. Together, we can overcome obstacles and continue to push for equal opportunities for all. #July4th #promotingwomenlawyers #independence #equality #ourhistory

Ever wondered how applying a "feminist data ethics" framework can be a solution to gender biases in AI? Or how we can use data analytics to tackle gender, ethnicity, disability and other pay inequity issues? Join us at 12PM on July 18th for the Future of Work Speaker Series on Leveraging Tech, Data and AI for DEI, featuring pioneering corporate executives, thought leaders and tech entrepreneurs from both sides of the Atlantic! Speakers Gabrielle Kohlmeier, Market General Counsel - Verizon, Amy Yeung, former Deputy General Counsel, Sallie Mae Bank, and Zara Nanu, Serial entrepreneur - Top 100 UK Women In Tech will explore the opportunities created and the challenges posed by the digital age, with a particular focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. This virtual event is presented by the WBA Professional Development Committee and the National Association of Women Lawyers and is FREE (registration is required). Register today: https://lnkd.in/g3Vp_QgM #promotingwomenlawyers #Tech #Data #AI #Law #DEI

Did you know that approximately 13% of Americans have a disability, yet in a 2023 study of law firms by the National Association of Law Placement, only 1.99% of lawyers identified as having a disability? This includes both visible and invisible disabilities, impacting many of our colleagues in the legal field. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of lawyers disclose their disabilities, often due to fear of stigma. This month, we celebrate the incredible contributions of lawyers with disabilities and promote greater inclusion within our profession; it's important to recognize and support the diverse experiences and talents they bring to our bar. Let's work together to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all lawyers. Here are a few ways we can make a difference: * Educate Ourselves: Learn about the challenges faced by lawyers with disabilities and the resources available to support them. * Advocate for Accessibility: Ensure our workplaces and events are accessible to everyone. *Foster Open Dialogue: Encourage conversations about disability and inclusion within our legal community. Together, we can build a more diverse and inclusive legal industry. #DisabilityPrideMonth #promotingwomenlawyers #equity