WBA Committees, Subcommittees & Forums

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Advocacy Committee

The Advocacy Committee, established in June 2021, was created to consider how the WBA could more consistently and effectively advocate on behalf of its members within the tenets established in the WBA mission statement.  The overall goals of the Advocacy Committee are to ensure effective synergy of advocacy channels and recommend programming to promote progress for women.

Co-Chairs: Mary Blatch
Email: advocacy at wbadc.org

Subcommittees

The Sign-on Subcommittee supports the law that promotes issues important to women.

Co-Chairs: Kandis Gibson, Aisha Smith, Allison Perry

Email: amicus@wbadc.org

Co-Chairs: Linda Goldwyn, Rachel Hardwick
Email: legislative @ wbadc.org

Co-Chairs: Rachel Davakis

Email: outreach@wbadc.org

Co-Chairs: Upnit Bhati, Erica McJimpsey
Email: strategic@wbadc.org

Diversity Committee

The Diversity Committee promotes greater inclusion of ethnically, religiously, LGBTQIA, and culturally diverse women attorneys at all levels of the legal profession by offering programs to address issues related to real and perceived barriers to advancement, and the unique challenges that diverse women attorneys face daily. We will accomplish this through heightening awareness and promotion of the intrinsic value that women from diverse backgrounds offer.

Co-Chairs: Aisha Smith
Email: diversity at wbadc.org

Subcommittees

Co-Chairs: Joi Nelson, Francesca Gross, Elizabeth Paige White, Erika McJimpsey, Shaunakay Forrester

Email: womenofcolor @ wbadc.org

Co-Chairs: Joi Nelson
Co-chair: Renée-Lauren Ellis
Email: beingantiracist @ wbadc.org

Endorsements Committee

The Endorsements Committee makes recommendations for endorsements to the WBA Board following a complete investigation of candidates seeking endorsement by the WBA. The WBA’s principal goal in endorsing qualified candidates for executive positions in the District of Columbia and federal governments and in bar associations is to increase the number of qualified women in those positions. Click here to learn more.

Co-Chairs: Rachel Hardwick
Email: endorsements@wbadc.org

Membership Engagement Committee

The Membership Engagement Committee is responsible for developing and implementing recruitment and retention campaigns, and to ensure WBA members have avenues for engagement with the association.

Board Chair: Ana Jara
Board Members: 
Michelle Webster (board)
Emily Lagan (board)
Sasha Hodges-Wren (board)
Sarah Mugmon (board)
Christina Bonanni (board)
Co-Chairs: Rachel Lesser, Emmanuela St. Jean
Email: engagement@wbadc.org

Subcommittees

Professional Development Committee

The Professional Development Committee focuses on networking, career enhancement, career alternatives, and job search techniques. The Committee focuses on providing career-enhancing opportunities and information.

Co-Chairs: Dina Broydo, Lisa Park
Email: professionaldevelopment@wbadc.org

Subcommittees

The Community Projects Forum provides a vehicle for attorneys to assist local community organizations through fundraising and volunteer service efforts.

Co-Chairs: Alexandra Strollo, Allison Simkins
Email: communityprojects@wbadc.org

The Leadership Development Committee supports the growth and advancement of WBA-DC members by creating programs, resources, and trainings that build leadership skills and prepare members for leadership roles within the WBA and the broader legal community. The committee develops leadership-focused
initiatives that strengthen and sustain the pipeline of women leaders.

Co-Chairs:
Email: leadershipdevelopment@wbadc.org

The Mentorship and Fellowship Committee fosters professional growth and connection by organizing mentorship opportunities and leading the WBA-DC Fellowship Program. The committee organizes fellowship programming and events that support relationship-building, career development, and engagement
across the WBA-DC community.

Co-Chair:
Email: mentorshipandfellowship@wbadc.org

Co-Chairs:
Email: wellbeing@wbadc.org

The Raising the Bar Blog Committee develops and curates timely, engaging written content that highlights issues impacting women in the legal profession and amplifies the voices of WBA-DC members. Committee members author original blog posts and seek out, support, and coordinate articles from member
contributors, elevating diverse perspectives that advance the organization’s mission.

Co-Chairs:
Email: raisingthebarblog@wbadc.org

Forums

This forum plans programs to advance the professional development of practitioners in the substantive areas of corporate and antitrust law as
well as to inform and educate them, or those who wish to practice in these areas, on related litigation, regulatory developments and client counseling.

Co-Chairs:  Monica Zhong
Email: antitrust@wbadc.org

Co-Chairs: Jacqueline Cadman, Paulette M. Pagán
Email: criminallaw@wbadc.org

The Employment and Labor Law Forum plans programs to advance the professional development of practitioners in the substantive areas of labor, employment and employee benefits law, as well as to educate them on litigation practice and procedure issues.

Co-Chairs:  Erin Schiffman

Email: employmentlaw@wbadc.org

The Energy, Environment & Science Law Forum plans programs to advance the professional development of practitioners in the substantive areas of environmental law and to educate them on environmental litigation, regulatory counseling, and enforcement. The Forum also provides informational programs on energy laws, regulations, and policies. This committee provides WBA members working in these areas an opportunity to share topical information, participate in substantive presentations, and create and expand a social and professional network.

Co-Chairs: Christina Bonanni, Kathryn Caballero, Cathy Pagano, Laura Yaffe
Email: energyenvironmentlaw@wbadc.org

The Government Attorneys Subcommittee is intended to promote the discussion of issues that are of interest to female attorneys who work for Federal, state, and local governments, including employees of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The forum offers government attorneys opportunities to discuss pertinent issues, professional development, educational programs about government employment and benefits, and informational sessions for attorneys interested in government employment.

Co-Chairs:
Email: governmentattorneys@wbadc.org

The Health Law Forum connects members interested in health and life sciences law through substantive programming and networking opportunities. The forum organizes events and discussions focused on current issues, trends, and developments in health law, policy, and healthcare-related issues affecting industry stakeholders.

Co-Chairs: 

Email: healthlaw@wbadc.org

The In-House Counsel Forum is responsible for planning programs to help advance in-house practitioners in their professional roles and provide informational programs on corporate matters. This Committee provides WBA members working in in-house roles an opportunity to share best practices, participate in substantive presentations, and create and expand a social and professional network. The Subcommittee also provides venues to help answer questions that other WBA members interested in transitioning to the in-house role might have. 

Co-chairs:

Email: inhouse@wbadc.org

The Intellectual Property Forum plans substantive programming and networking opportunities for members interested in intellectual property law. The forum focuses on current issues and trends across the IP landscape, including patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and international trade law.

Co-chairs:

Email: intellectualproperty@wbadc.org

The International Law Forum plans programs to advance the professional development of practitioners in the substantive areas of both public and private international law, as well as to educate them on alternative methods of international dispute resolution and international rule and policy making. The Forum also provides opportunities to foster international collaboration and mentorship. This committee provides WBA members working in these areas an opportunity to share topical information, participate in substantive presentations, and create and expand a social and professional network.

Co-Chairs: Allison Perry, Nudrat Piracha, Jessica Kileen

Email: internationallaw@ wbadc.org

The Judicial Pathways Forum supports members interested in pursuing or advancing judicial careers by providing education, guidance, and access to resources about the judicial selection and appointment process. The committee organizes programs, conversations with judges, and practical resources to help members explore judicial pathways, prepare for future service on the bench, and strengthen relationships with the judiciary.

Co-chairs:

Email: judicialpathways@wbadc.org

The Law, Technology, and AI Forum plans programs to advance the professional development of practitioners in the areas of data and legal technology.  This Forum promotes discussion and learning relating to changes in technology that will impact the future of law. The mission of the Forum is to educate our members about developments in legal technology while strengthening the connections of our members.

Co-Chairs:
Email: lawtechnology@wbadc.org

The Litigation Forum offers programs designed to develop the skills of both novice and experienced litigators and to provide opportunities to socialize with members of the judiciary and other attorneys. Programs address topics such as effective discovery techniques, trial preparation, and practice, the use of jury consultants, computer technology for litigation, and issues facing women litigators.

Co-Chairs: Serafina Concannon, Kavya Nagumotu, Eileen Weiss

Email: litigation@wbadc.org

The Nonprofit Attorneys Forum promotes the discussion of issues that are of interest to attorneys who represent non-profit organizations and attorneys who serve as in-house counsel for the organizations. The mission of the sub-committee is to address the often-unique legal needs of the many non-profits in the DC area-which range from large educational institutions, to business trade groups, to charitable foundations. The forum offers substantive programs on the legal issues affecting non-profits and also offers networking opportunities for lawyers who work for or represent clients in the non-profit sector.

Co-chairs:

Email: nonprofitorgs@wbadc.org

The Solo and Small Practice Subcommittee offers its members an opportunity to network with others who have similar professional interests. Activities include a Referral/Resource List, programs on how to get started in a solo practice, how to move a new practice from your home to an office, how to develop your client base, how to organize an office, how to hire an assistant, and much more.

Co-chairs:

Email: solosmall@wbadc.org

The Women in Politics Forum encourages and educates women regarding the opportunities that are available in the public arena. The Subcommittee’s prior programs have included panel discussions about leadership and career development, the Presidential appointment process, and how to survive the highs and lows of running for political office.

Co-chairs:

Email: womeninpolitics@wbadc.org

The Young Lawyers and Law Students Forum is committed to fostering connections amongst the WBA’s junior members. The Subcommittee’s networking events and informative programs are aimed at providing an environment for young women lawyers to form relationships and gain skills that are particularly useful in the early years of their legal careers.

Co-chairs:

Email: younglawyers@wbadc.org