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Women’s Bar Association 2015 Annual Report Committed to Achieving the Full and Equal Participation of Women in the Legal Profession and in a Just Society 27 School Street, Suite 500 | Boston, MA 02108 | 617.973.6666 | www.womensbar.org
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Page 1: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

Women’s Bar Association

2015 Annual Report

Committed to Achieving the Full and Equal Participation of Women in the Legal Profession and in a Just Society

27 School Street, Suite 500 | Boston, MA 02108 | 617.973.6666 | www.womensbar.org

Page 2: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

2016 WOMEN’S BAR ASSOCIATION NEWLY ADMITTED ATTORNEYS RECEPTION

MARCH 24, 2016Welcome

Justice Fernande R.V. Duffly, Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts

Legislator of the YearSenator Daniel A. Wolf, Cape & Islands District

President’s RemarksKristin W. Shirahama, WBA President, Bowditch & Dewey, LLP

Closing RemarksPattye Comfort, Executive Director, Women’s Bar Association

Annual Report EditorBrianna Sullivan, Plaistow Public Library and On Point Legal Solutions

WBA StaffPattye Comfort, Executive Director

Maura Bastarache, Membership & Communications ManagerKimberly Phillips, Operations Manager

Elizabeth Yows-Johnson, Administrative Assistant

Page 3: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

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TABLE OF CONTENTSWelcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Legislator Of The Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Special Thanks To The WBA’s Corporate Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2015-2016 WBA Board Of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

WBA Emeritus Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

WBA Past Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

WBA Lifetime Patron & Lifetime Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

WBA Firm Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Legislative Policy Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2016 Legislative Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Women’s Leadership Initiative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

2015 Summer Associate, Law Clerk, and Intern Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

2015 Trials Facing Women Litigators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

The Benefits Of WBA Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Women’s Bar Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

WBA Committee Reports 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

WBA Male Member Initiative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inside back cover

Page 4: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

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WELCOMEThe Honorable Fernande R.V. Duffly

Fernande R.V. Duffly, Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, was born in Indo-nesia on December 10, 1949. She received her B.A. from the University of Connecticut  in 1973, and her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1978. Justice Duffly began her legal career in 1978 as an attorney in the litigation department of the Boston law firm then known as Warner and Stackpole.

Justice Duffly served on the Probate and Family Court from 1992-2000; the Massachu-setts Appeals Court from 2000 to 2011; and was appointed as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court on February 1, 2011, by Governor Deval Patrick.

As an attorney, she provided pro bono legal services to indigent clients through the Volunteer Lawyers Proj-ect. She has served on the Boston Bar Association’s committees on pro se litigation and attorney volunteerism; the Probate and Family Court’s committee on pro se access to the courts; the ABA subcommittee on representa-tion of children; and the Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Committee on substance abuse.

She is a member and past President of the National Association of Women Judges. A member of the Amer-ican Bar Association, she is NAWJ’s delegate to the House of Delegates and has been appointed as a Commis-sioner serving on the ABA’s Commission on the Status of Women in the Profession.

Justice Duffly has written articles and taught seminars on various topics, including appellate decision-mak-ing, family law, trusts, and parental rights. A frequent speaker, she often speaks on topics related to ensuring access to justice and increasing diversity in the courts. Justice Duffly has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Probate Judge’s Association; the Distinguished Jurist Award from the Massachusetts Associa-tion of Women Lawyers; and the Trailblazer Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. She has also been recognized as a Diversity Hero by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and was named a 2008 Woman of Justice, an award co-sponsored by Lawyers Weekly, the Women’s Bar Association and Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers. In 2011, the ABA Business Law Section through its subcommittee Women Business Advocates presented Justice Duffly with its annual award honoring a female judge who has contribut-ed to the advancement of women in the legal profession.

Page 5: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

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LEGISLATOR OF THE YEARSENATOR DAN WOLF

Each year, the Women’s Bar Association recognizes a legislator who has demonstrated a commitment to public service and support of the advancement of women in the legal profession and society with our Legislator of the Year Award. This year, we are proud to recognize Senator Dan Wolf.

Senator Wolf is a third-term Massachusetts State Senator representing the Cape and Islands District. He is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Cape Air in Hyan-nis, Massachusetts.

After graduating from Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, he moved to Cape Cod to earn his private and commercial pilot licenses. He has worked as a community and union organizer in the Boston area and managed the Chatham Municipal Airport, where he also worked as a flight instructor and aircraft mechanic.

In 1988, Senator Wolf and a handful of others founded Cape Air and Nantucket Airlines. They began with six employees and one airplane flying one route. Cape Air is currently one of the largest independent regional airlines in the country, serving dozens of communities and hundreds of thousands of passengers annually in regions as diverse as Key West, rural Missouri, upstate New York, and Guam. Cape Air employs nearly 1,000 people and is one of the largest employers in the region. Senator Wolf is acting CEO and continues to stay cur-rent with his Air Transport Pilot license, flying as a pilot for Cape Air when his schedule permits.

Within the Massachusetts Senate, Senator Wolf serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. Last legislative session, he actively worked on the state’s historic minimum wage and unemployment insurance reforms, one of the nation’s first Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, and legislation to strengthen the enforcement of Massachusetts wage laws.

As a business and community leader, Senator Wolf has served on many of the region’s most important non-profit and civic organizations, including the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce (as President for one term), the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, Housing Assistance Corporation, the executive committee of the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, the Federal Reserve Bank’s board of advisers, and many others. Under his leadership, Cape Air has received recognition for being one of the most philan-thropic companies in southeastern Massachusetts. Moreover, in line with his business vision and community values, Cape Air is now partly employee-owned.

He and his wife, Heidi Schuetz, live in Harwich, Massachusetts.

Page 6: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

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SPECIAL THANKS TO THE WBA’S CORPORATE PARTNERS

DEPOSITIONS - TRIALS - ARBITRATIONS - HEARINGS - AUDIO TRANSCRIPTIONS

888.825.3376court-reporting.com

LITIGATION HAPPENS.BE PREPARED.

Leverage court reporting technology to reduce costs, save time, and avoid

complicated logistics.

Page 7: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

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2015-2016 WBA BOARD OF DIRECTORSPresident

Kimberly Dougherty | Janet, Jenner & Suggs, LLC

President-ElectKristin W . Shirahama | Bowditch & Dewey, LLP

Vice President, Membership & Statewide OutreachMichele Liu Baillie | North Shore Patents, P .C .

Vice President, OperationsHeather Engman | Massachusetts Department of Public Health

TreasurerMarie Chafe | Cornell & Gollub

SecretaryBronwyn Roberts | Duane Morris LLP

Board of Directors Meredith Ainbinder | Osram Sylvania Stefanie Balandis | Northeast Legal Aid Nancy Cremins | Gesmer Updegrove LLP Kara DelTufo | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Stesha Emmanuel | Todd & Weld LLP Nicole Forbes | Gesmer Updegrove LLP Julie Lynch | Law Office of Julie A . Lynch, P .C . Danielle McCourt | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Krina Patel | athenahealth Michelle Peirce | Donoghue Barrett & Singal, P .C . Rebecca Pontikes | Pontikes Law LLC Patricia Rich | Duane Morris LLP Camala Richardson | The Law Office of Camala A . Richardson Jamie Ann Sabino | Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Jennifer Saubermann | Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Victoria Spetter | Law Firm of Victoria C . Spetter Brianna Sullivan | Plaistow Public Library and On Point Legal Solutions Donna Truex | Bowditch & Dewey, LLP Raquel Webster | National Grid

Page 8: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

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WBA EMERITUS BOARD

Pamela Berman

Beth Boland

Lisa Brodeur-McGan

Judith Olans Brown

Martha Coakley

Kathy Jo Cook

Hon . Judith Nelson Dilday (Ret .)

Deborah DosSantos

Leigh-Ann Durant

Elaine Epstein

Hon . Wendie Gershengorn (Ret .)

Hon . Nancy Gertner (Ret .)

Monica Halas

Julia Huston

Ellen Kearns

Hon . Carol Kenner (Ret .)

Karen Kepler

Sarah McClean

Patricia McGovern

Joan Meschino

Mary K . Ryan

Sandra Shapiro

Jayne Tyrrell

Dorothy Varon

Kimberly Winter

Toni Wolfman

THE FAMILY LAW PROJECT FOR BATTERED WOMEN The FLP recruits, trains, and mentors volunteer attorneys to represent low-income domestic violence survivors in their family law cases. Taking a case allows attorneys to hone their courtroom skills, develop case strategies, and work directly with clients.

No prior family law or litigation experience is required. The FLP conducts in-depth trainings for pro bono attorneys. Every volunteer who accepts a case is assigned a mentor, an experienced family law practitioner who guides a volunteer attorney through his or her first case. Volunteers also receive a comprehensive training manual and have access to the legal resources at the WBF including advanced seminars on specific family law issues. Come learn family law from judges and successful domestic rela-tions attorneys. Join the WBF community of lawyers. Contact Rachel Biscardi, Director of Pro Bono Projects for

more information at [email protected].

Page 9: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

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WBA PAST PRESIDENTSThe Women’s Bar Association owes its existence, in large part, to the women who have dedicated their time and energy to serve as President over the last three decades . Their talent, creativity, and vision have made the WBA a powerful resource and advocate for women lawyers and for equality .

With much appreciation, we salute:

Hon . Wendie Gershengorn, President Pro Tem . . .1978-1979

Elaine Epstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1979-1980

Maureen M . Phillips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1980-1981

Terry Jean Seligmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1981-1982

Melinda Milberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1982-1983

Sarah Wald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1983-1984

Mary K . Ryan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1984-1985

Sandra Shapiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1985-1986

Martha Coakley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1986-1988

S . Beville May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1988-1989

Karen J . Kepler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1989-1990

Hon . Judith Nelson Dilday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1990-1991

Hon . Patricia E . Bernstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1991-1992

Jamie Ann Sabino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1992-1993

Jane Tewksbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1993-1994

Sally J . Greenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1994-1995

Jane E . Sender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1995-1996

Sarah McClean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1996-1997

Ellen C . Kearns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1997-1998

Beth I .Z . Boland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1998-1999

Hon . Antoinette E .M . Leoney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1999-2000

Lisa Brodeur-McGan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2000-2001

Leigh-Ann Durant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2001-2002

Gretchen Van Ness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2002-2003

Patricia Rapinchuk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2003-2004

Marianne C . LeBlanc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2004-2005

Pamela E . Berman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2005-2006

Kathleen O’Connor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2006-2007

Julia Huston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007-2008

Kathy Jo Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008-2009

Michelle R . Peirce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2009-2010

Deborah DosSantos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2010-2011

Nancy M . Cremins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2011-2012

Andrea Kramer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2012-2013

Lurleen Gannon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2013-2014

Kara DelTufo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014-2015

Page 10: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

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LIFETIME PATRONMindee WassermanMindee Wasserman JD CFP

WBA Lifetime Patron Mindee Wasserman promotes financial independence and education of women. Her practice includes general financial planning and portfolio management using mutual funds and stock selection focus-ing on three major industries:  financial services, healthcare, and media-telcom-technology-internet.

In addition to general business law, Mindee is interested in civil rights law.  She is active in her Temple. She is an avid

arts fan, especially photography, dance, movies and theater.  Mindee is a Boardmember/Treasurerof the NY Hilton Club. 

Mindee has a J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.  She has also earned an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she was coordina-tor of the Alumni Financial Services Roundtable. Mindee is a Certified Financial Planner and a member of the Financial Planning Association.

LIFETIME MEMBER Stefanie A. BalandisAssociate Director, Northeast Legal Aid

Stefanie Balandis is the Associate Director of North-east Legal Aid, a civil legal aid office serving the low-in-come communities of Lowell, Lawrence and Lynn. Her career has focused on legal services for the poor. For almost two decades, she was a housing litigator for Greater Boston Legal Services. Stefanie is a graduate of Wellesley College (’88) and of Harvard Law School (’93).

She is a long-time supporter of the WBA. She has served on the WBA’s Board of Directors since 2007, and is a past Vice President for Operations. She currently co-chairs the WBA’s Awards, Appointments and Endorsements Committee, which works to promote women’s candidacy for the judiciary. She is also a member of the WBA’s Rosa Parks Committee.

LIFETIME MEMBER Mary S. BlockVice President & Senior Counsel

LIFETIME MEMBER Windy Rosebush CatinoDeputy General Counsel | Randstad Professionals 

Before beginning her legal practice, Windy served as a law clerk in the United States Attorney’s office and to the Justices of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, where she was mentored and inspired by strong female role models. In private practice and now as in-house counsel, Windy has defended employers since 1998 against employment claims brought before human rights agencies, as well as in the state and federal court. She has also prosecuted and defended cases involving complex business disputes and tried a variety of bench and jury trials throughout her career.

In 2008, she became a Lifetime Member of the

Women’s Bar Association and joined the WBA’s Ap-pointments, Awards & Endorsements Committee. From 2008-2012, she was actively involved in the nomination process for the Lelia J. Robinson Award. She also served as the moderator for the WBA’s program Planting the Seeds to Success: What every new lawyer should know in order to obtain a fulfilling career, and was an active participant in the WBA’s initiative to support qualified female lawyers seeking appointment to the bench.

In the spirit of the WBA, Windy has passed on the mentoring tradition by continuing to mentor more junior lawyers.

WBA LIFETIME PATRON & LIFETIME MEMBERS

Page 11: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

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LIFETIME MEMBER Elaine M. EpsteinPartner | Todd & Weld LLP

Elaine practiced for almost 20 years in Brockton before joining Todd & Weld LLP in 1994 to direct the firm’s Do-mestic Relations and Probate Litigation practices with Gary Owen Todd. Elaine has tried dozens of cases in the Probate & Family courts and resolved hundreds more short of trial, ranging from substantial asset divisions to contested paren-tal rights and novel issues involving the property rights of non-married cohabitants and the rights of non-biological parents. She has litigated complex jurisdictional issues and actions involving numerous cutting edge issues in the Pro-bate & Family, Superior, Federal and Appellate Courts.

Elaine was one of the founders and the first President of the Women’s Bar Association and is a past President of the Massachusetts Bar Association. In 2015, she was appointed to the Judicial Nominating Commission by Governor Bak-er. She has been appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court to the Board of Bar Overseers, its Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Massachusetts IOLTA Committee. She has been a Trustee of the Massa-

chusetts Bar Foundation and Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, as well as a member of the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Board of Editors. She has been active on numerous bar-related committees and is a frequent lecturer and commentator on domestic relations law and trial prac-tice. She is a long time Sustaining Member of the Women’s Bar Foundation.

In 1999, Elaine received the Women’s Bar Association’s Lelia J. Robinson Award in recognition of outstanding accomplishments and contributions to women in the legal profession. In 2013, Elaine was the recipient of a Lawyers Weekly Top Women of Law Award and in 2015 was induct-ed into its Circle of Excellence. In 2015, Elaine received the President’s Award from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation. She has been repeatedly named in the Best Lawyers in America, a “Massachusetts and New England Super Law-yer” by Boston Magazine in family law, and in Boston and New England “Top Rated Lawyers” by the Boston Globe and Wall Street Journal.

LIFETIME MEMBER Julia HustonPartner | Foley Hoag LLP

Julia Huston is a Partner in Foley Hoag LLP’s Intel-lectual Property Department. She is the Chair of the firm’s Trademark, Copyright and Unfair Competition Practice Group and the Co-Chair of the firm’s Advertis-ing and Marketing Practice Group. She is well-known for her high-profile victories in trademark, copyright and false advertising cases. Julia’s practice includes litigation, counseling and strategy in the areas of trade-marks, copyrights, trade secrets, internet commerce, do-main name piracy, false advertising, unfair competition, and patents. Julia has obtained several multi-million dollar IP judgments and settlements, including a $20.7 million verdict in a false advertising case. In the context of corporate transactions, Julia has led due diligence teams that have investigated and evaluated intellectual property rights, and provided comprehensive advice concerning the protection of intellectual property in licensing and assignment transactions.

Julia served as President of the WBA from 2007-2008. During her five years on the WBA board, Julia focused on various initiatives to advance women in the legal profession. A committed advocate for social

justice and professional excellence in the law, Julia has also held leadership positions in several other civic, professional and charitable organizations. She is the immediate past president of the Boston Bar Association, a past president of the Greater Boston Legal Services, and past chair of the Equal Justice Coalition. She has also chaired committees for the International Trademark Association and the Intel-lectual Property Owners Association.

Julia has received many honors, including the highest peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. In various publications, she has been named as one of the top 100 lawyers in New England and one of the top 50 female lawyers in Massachusetts. She received the Lelia Josephine Robinson Award from Boston University School of Law Women’s Law Association in 2008 for exemplary leadership in the community, was selected by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly for a “Woman of Justice” award in 2009, and received the Dow-Gardin-er-Landrum Award from Greater Boston Legal Services for outstanding commitment to legal services for the poor in 2011.

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LIFETIME MEMBER Tamsin R. KaplanDavis, Malm & D’Agostine, P .C .

Tamsin R. Kaplan is a shareholder at the Boston law firm of Davis, Malm & D’Agostine, P.C. She practices in the Business Law, Employment, and Litigation areas. Tamsin has extensive experience representing business-es, executives and other high-level professionals on a full range of employment-related issues, including recruit-ment, hiring, discrimination, negotiation of employment agreements, breach of contract, non-competes, disci-pline, termination, and reduction in force. Tamsin regu-larly litigates business and employment cases in federal and state courts and agencies. She frequently conducts workplace investigations and trainings on diversity, harassment, and other topics, as well as writes and lectures in the complex field of employment law. She also provides alternative dispute resolution services to parties involved in business and employment disputes and other

civil litigation matters. Tamsin works with clients in a wide variety of industries, including education, health care, manufacturing, technology, and service industries.

Tamsin is a former Board Member of the Women’s Bar Association. She serves on the Expedited Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association, the Massa-chusetts Bar Association’s Business Law Section Council, and on the Labor and Employment Curriculum Advisory Committee for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education. Tamsin also serves on the Board of the Belmont Media Center, and she is a member of The Boston Club and Wom-enade Boston. She is recognized in The Best Lawyers in AmericaÒ, by Chambers USA as a Recognized Practitioner, and by Massachusetts Super Lawyers. Tamsin earned a J.D. (cum laude) from Boston College Law School and a B.A. (magna cum laude) from Tufts University.

LIFETIME MEMBER Michelle KeithAttorney at Law, M .B .A ., L .L .M . Candidate

In 2015, Michelle Keith was appointed as a Commis-sioner on Bristol County’s Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Ms. Keith served as WBA Regional Director for New Bedford/Fall River, 2011-2015. During her first term, she helped organize the monthly “View from the Bench” series for the WBA at UMass Law broadcasting the series on Dartmouth Community Television.  In March 2014, she graduated from University of London (UOL) earning her Master of Laws (LL.M) degree with a special-ization in Public International Law focusing, in particular, on Women’s Rights. At graduation, she was invited to a private reception by UOL and asked to present flowers to and meet the current UOL Chancellor Her Royal High-ness,The Princess Royal Anne who is a keen supporter of advancing women’s rights.  From 2010-2011, she served as a Law Fellow to the Justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court assisting the Justices in all phases of civil and crimi-nal litigation. As a Law Fellow, she worked extensively with the Justices on trials, hearings and motion sessions, and prepared draft decisions, legal memoranda and proposed

jury instructions.Michelle completed law school in December 2009 and

passed the Massachusetts Bar Exam in February 2010. Ms. Keith also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with specialization in Finance from University of Massachusetts Boston.  At Bentley University, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing along with Associate in Science degrees in Accounting, Management, and Paralegal Studies.

Prior to law school, Michelle has worked as a legal assistant. In particular, she is especially proud of helping to win a protracted chapter 93A lawsuit. Ms. Keith has also worked at the Massachusetts Bay

Transportation Authority ensuring EEO/AA compli-ance with federal and state civil rights laws, Title VI, VII, 151b, and ADA.  Born in Boston, Ms. Keith currently resides in Dartmouth, Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.  She joined the WBA in August 2007 when she attended the inaugural meeting of the New Bedford/Fall River Committee. 

Page 13: 2015 Women's Bar Association Annual Report

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LIFETIME MEMBER Michelle MenkenThe Law Office of Michelle Menken

Michelle Menken is an appellate practitioner concen-trating on criminal cases in the Massachusetts and First Circuit courts of appeal. She serves on both the CPCS post-conviction panel for indigent appellants in state court, and the First Circuit’s CJA appellate panel for indigent appellants in federal court. She is also available to other attorneys to consult on issue-preservation at the trial level, and for research and writing assignments involving com-plex or novel issues.

Prior to opening her own office in January 2016, Attor-ney Menken was a partner at Rankin & Sultan, a criminal litigation and appellate law firm. She appeared regularly in state trial courts, in state and federal appellate courts, and

before various administrative agencies and disciplinary bodies as well.

Attorney Menken joined Rankin & Sultan after grad-uating from Northeastern University School of Law in 1999. While in law school, Michelle’s internship employers included the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the CPCS Youth Advocacy Project, and the law firm of Stern, Shapiro, Weissberg and Garin.

Attorney Menken is a member of the Massachusetts Bar, the U.S. District Court Bar, and the Bar of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. She belongs to the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is a lifetime member of the Women’s Bar Association.

LIFETIME MEMBER Stephanie Perini-HegartyPresident and Managing Attorney | Perini-Hegarty & Associates, P .C .

For over 18 years, Ms. Perini-Hegarty has counseled a wide spectrum of multi-national companies based both in and outside the United States. She has experience assist-ing clients in every context in which an international or domestic business law issue may arise and has successfully negotiated a wide variety of complex transactions in these areas.

In addition to her focus on international business law, Ms. Perini-Hegarty has grown the residential and commer-cial real estate practice of the firm by providing represen-tation for buyers and sellers as well as partnering with key banks to provide real estate closing services.

Ms. Perini-Hegarty is licensed to practice in Massa-chusetts and before the U.S. Court of International Trade as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP),

an accreditation given by NASBITE International and is a licensed real estate broker in Massachusetts.

Recognition received by Perini-Hegarty & Associates includes Cross Border Law Firm of the Year in MA by ACQ Finance Magazine Law Awards in 2012, 2013, 2014, and International/Cross-Border Law Firm of the Year in MA by Corp Intl Magazine in 2012 and 2013. In addition, Ms. Perini-Hegarty is the recipient of the ILO Client Choice Award for Trade & Customs awarded by ILO in London, England in 2013 as well as the Alumni Achievement Award by UMASS Law Dartmouth in 2012.

Prior to founding Perini-Hegarty & Associates, Ms. Perini-Hegarty was the Vice President of Contracts for Fidelity Stock Plan Services where she was responsible for overseeing all contractual legal and business matters for the company’s domestic and international service offerings.

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LIFETIME MEMBER Rebecca G. PontikesPontikes Law LLC  

Rebecca G. Pontikes, the principal owner of Pontikes Law LLC, has been a passionate advocate for the rights of employees, particularly women, since 1997.  

Rebecca focuses her work on gender related issues, particularly sex and pregnancy discrimination, accommo-dation for pregnant women, and family responsibilities (caregiver) discrimination.  

Since becoming a lawyer in 1997, she has dedicat-ed most her bar association involvement to the WBA. Rebecca currently serves on the WBA’s Board of Direc-tors and co-chaired the Solo and Small Firm Committee for a decade.  Under her leadership, the Solo and Small firm Committee received the 2011 Outstanding Member Program Award from the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations for its Fee Circles program.  

She is also active with the WBA’s Legislative Policy Committee. In 2013, she began taking a lead role in the WBA’s efforts lobbying the state legislature to amend the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act. She currently serves as one

of the WBA’s liaisons to the Massachusetts Equal Pay Co-alition, an association of advocacy groups lobbying for the bill to Establish Pay Equity. Pontikes Law LLC is a proud business supporter of the bill.

In addition to her work lobbying for the passage of the bill to Establish Pay Equity, Rebecca uses her expertise in pregnancy accommodation and is the Legislative Policy Committee’s liaison to a coalition, led by MotherWoman, lobbying to pass a Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act (PWFA) in Massachusetts.

Rebecca is also an active member of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Employment Lawyer’s Association (MELA). A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and Tufts University, Rebecca has repeatedly been selected by her peers as a “SuperLawyer,” was named a Top Woman of Law by Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly in 2012, and was named one of the top 50 women lawyers by SuperLawyers in 2015. 

Join the WBA TODAY!

Join one of our 28 committees, ranging from Alternative Dispute Resolution to Legislative Policy to Business Development and more!

Join one of our regional mentoring circles

Enjoy member benefits such as Brooks Brothers, EMK Consulting Services, and Healthworks

Attend a WBA program throughout the year

In addition to connecting with women attorneys throughout Massachusetts, WBA members can:

For more information, contact Maura Bastarache, Membership & Communications Manager, at [email protected].

27 School Street, Suite 500 • Boston, MA 02108 • 617.973.6666 • www.womensbar.org

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Office of the Attorney GeneralBowditch & Dewey, LLPBurns & Levinson LLPCity of BostonConn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford, LLPDonoghue Barrett & Singal, P .C .Duane Morris LLPEgloff & Wood, LLPFish & Richardson P .C .Foley Hoag LLPFoley & Lardner LLPGesmer Updegrove LLPGreater Boston Legal ServicesHartley Michon Robb LLPHirsch Roberts Weinstein LLPIsrael, Van Kooy & Days, LLCJanet, Jenner & Suggs, LLC

Kimball Brousseau LLPKrokidas & Bluestein LLPMiddlesex County District Attorney’s OfficeMorgan, Brown & Joy, LLPNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLPOgletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P .C .OSRAM Sylvania, Inc .Pierce Atwood LLPProject CitizenshipRiemer & Braunstein LLPRuberto, Israel & Weiner, P .C .Seyfarth Shaw LLPStone, Stone & CreemSugarman and Sugarman, P .C .Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen, P .C .Sunstein Kann Murphy & Timbers LLP Todd & Weld LLP

WBA FIRM MEMBERSHIPThe WBA Firm Membership Program is ideal for law firms

and other legal employers interested in making a strong com-mitment to advancing women in the legal profession. This program provides a way for organizations to enroll all Massachu-setts-based women attorneys as WBA members at a discount-ed membership rate. Firm members are recognized regularly in WBA advertising materials, through special articles in our publications, and on the WBA website. Each woman who is part of a firm membership receives an enhanced listing in our online referral directory.

While the discounts and publicity no doubt provide firms with value on their own, there is also an important cultural benefit to firms that demonstrate a willingness to provide WBA memberships to all women attorneys. By committing to the WBA as a Firm Member, a law firm, government agency, or cor-porate legal department makes a statement to its women attor-

neys that it shares their goals for improving society and helping them succeed in the profession. WBA Firm Members show that they understand the need for women professionals to have access to strong networks in the legal profession as well as in relevant business groups. WBA Firm Membership works for a firm of any size and can serve as an external complement to its women’s initiative.

With the WBA as a respected voice on policy issues and a hub of networking opportunities for women professionals, the membership exposes women attorneys to important business development opportunities and opportunities for helping others. Because the WBA assists its members in building their practic-es and advancing their careers, the WBA places a premium on offering leadership opportunities to even its newest members, giving each one a chance to hone the very skills that are import-ant to professional success.

Thank you to our current Firm Members:

To learn more about Firm Membership, contact Michele Liu Baillie, Vice President of Membership and State-wide Outreach at [email protected] or Maura Bastarache, the WBA’s Membership & Communications Manager at [email protected]. The WBA will always work with firm members to customize the right package of membership and benefits for their particular organizations.

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LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE REPORTThe WBA’s Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is the legisla-

tive arm of the Women’s Bar Association. Its dedicated mem-bers track the development of priority legislation, identify new issues that require the WBA’s support, and share information about the legislative process with attorneys across the state.

WBA Action -- 2015-2016 Legislative Session Every year the LPC recommends which bills the WBA Board

should prioritize. The WBA testifies at the hearings scheduled by legislative committees and takes additional action as needed during the session. For other bills that we are monitoring, the WBA submits letters to the relevant committees. In addition, the WBA hosts a legislative breakfast each year to highlight its legislative agenda to legislators.

What follows is a summary of our priority bills, their current status, and the legislative action taken during this session.

2015-2016 Priority Legislation Employment: An Act to Establish Pay Equity (S2119 – for-

merly S983/H1733) would protect employees’ freedom of speech regarding pay, eliminate the use of salary history in the hiring process, and require compensation to be based on comparable skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions. The bill’s approach is business-friendly because it has little to no cost to implement, allows employers to gradually achieve pay equity, and builds on other diversity and pay equity efforts already in place.

On July 21, 2015, President Kim Dougherty testified on behalf of the WBA before the Committee on Labor & Workforce Development. The bill was favorably reported to the Senate Ways & Means at the end of August. In late January 2016, the WBA submitted a letter to Senators urging passage. The Senate passed the bill unanimously on January 28, 2016, and as of this writing, it is before the House Ways & Means. The WBA is one of the founding members of the Massachusetts Equal Pay Coalition advocating for the bill.

An Act Establishing the Mass. Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H1769) amends MGL ch.151B § 4, to cover women (pregnant & nursing) who need minor accommodations. Board member Rebecca Pontikes testified for the WBA before the Committee on Labor & Workforce Development on July 30, 2015, and the bill was favorably reported to House Ways & Means just days later.

Transgender Civil Rights: The 2011 Act Relative to Gender Identity added non-discrimination laws for gender identity in the areas of employment, housing, K-12 public education, and credit. An Act Relative to Gender Identity and Nondiscrimination (S735/H1577) would add public accommodations to the list of areas in which transgender people cannot be discriminated against.  Ms. Dougherty testified for the WBA before the Committee on the Judiciary on October 6, 2015. On February 24, 2016, the WBA joined MassNOW in a letter delivered to all legislators on behalf of 15 women’s groups and the Freedom Massachusetts coalition, pointing out that this bill will not make bathrooms and locker rooms unsafe for women and that women are not in fear of it. The WBA is a member of the Freedom Massachusetts Coalition advocating for the bill.

Women’s Health: The WBA developed An Act Establish-ing Civil and Criminal Penalties for Female Genital Mutilation (S1116/H1530), which would protect girls in Massachusetts from female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM involves removing part or all of a girl’s external sex organs and surrounding tissue for non-medical reasons, which can result in adverse health consequences, death in childbirth, and lifelong trauma. FGM is recognized by the UN as a human rights violation. Ms. Dough-erty testified on the WBA’s behalf before the Committee on the Judiciary on December 1, 2015. For International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (February 6, 2016) all 50 legislative co-sponsors of the FGM bills received a WBA letter asking them to contact the Judiciary committee to ask that S1116/H1530 be voted favorably out of committee and brought to the floor for a vote this session.

Legal Services Funding: The annual budget item 0321-1600 provides funding for legal services, the Battered Women’s Legal Assistance Project, a Medicare advocacy program, and a Disabili-ty Benefits Project. On June 5, 2015, a WBA letter urged the Bud-get Conference Committee to keep the $17M budget allocation, and a July 8, 2015, letter to Governor Baker urged the same. For the FY2017 budget, the WBA supports the BBA Task Force’s call to increase the budget item 0321-1600 funding to $27M.

Other Bills We Are Currently MonitoringThe WBA sent letters of support (or opposition) to the

appropriate legislative committees for their hearings on the following bills.

Equal Rights Amendment: The WBA supports An Act Pro-viding Equitable Coverage in Disability Insurance (H784), which would prohibit gender discrimination in disability insurance policies.

Health: An Act to Protect Access to Confidential Healthcare (S2138) would establish mechanisms to ensure that when mul-tiple people are on the same insurance plan, confidential health care information is not shared with anyone other than the patient. This would protect victims of domestic violence, young adults under 27, or minors seeking medical or counseling care.

Health Education: An Act Relative to Healthy Youth (H3754), mandates age-appropriate, medically accurate sex education. The required curriculum includes education on relationships and sexuality. President-Elect Kristin Shirahama testified at the Education Hearing on June 3, 2015.

Probate: An Act Improving Spousal Elective Share (S748), which was jointly drafted by the WBA, Massachusetts Bar Association and Boston Bar Association, updates property rights of surviving spouses. This legislation would rewrite the existing statutory law on forced elective share by significantly increasing the size of the elective estate and clarifying proce-

Continued on page 15

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dures necessary to the election of the spousal share.

Reproductive Rights: An Act to Improve Healthcare for Young Women (H2070) would allow minors under 16 to receive an abortion without written consent from a legal guardian or judge. Instead, they may receive an abortion if they alone have written consent from an authorized individual who has counseled them on alternative options to abortion.

An Act Promoting Access to Accurate Medical Information (S1232/H2082) would mandate any reproductive health services to provide medically accurate, non-directive reproductive health care information. This would restrict anti-abortion “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” from providing inaccurate information.

The WBA opposes bills that purport to increase health safety by imposing medically unnecessary and burdensome licensing requirements that are intended to make it harder for women to access an abortion if and when one is needed. Such bills include An Act to advance the safety of women seeking to terminate a Pregnancy (H2039), which requires excessive state-scripted “counseling” at least 24-hours prior to an abortion.

Welfare: An Act to Promote Employment (S107/H1698) would help unemployed parents on TAFDC receive the education and training needed to obtain and maintain employment.

Child Custody: The WBA wrote a letter July 15, 2015 to members of the Judiciary Committee opposing S834/H1207 an Act relative to Child-Centered Family Law. The bill prioritizes the desires of the parents over the needs of the children. In particular, it replaces the Commonwealth’s longstanding custody standard which focuses on the best interests of the children with language that focuses on a “right to parent.”

2016 LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST At its annual Legislative Breakfast on February 3, 2016, the WBA shared its

2016 legislative agenda at the Massachusetts State House. WBA President Kimberly Dougherty provided an overview of the WBA’s advocacy efforts over the past year. Co-Chairs of the LPC, Nicole Forbes and Krina Patel, introduced three of four WBA priorities for 2016:

Equal Pay: Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah Goldberg spoke about her office’s efforts to help close the wage gap, and the importance of passing An Act to Establish Pay Equity (S. 2119). 

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: WBA Board member Rebecca Pontikes and bill sponsor Representative Ellen Story (D-Amherst) spoke about An Act Establish-ing the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H. 1769). Alejandra Duarte, a Massachusetts resident and former industrial laundry worker, graciously shared her personal story about how she lost her baby at 19 weeks when her employer denied her health accommodations. Ms. Duarte urged legislators to pass the bill to prevent other women from suffering such tragedy.

Transgender Civil Rights: Bill sponsors Representative Denise Provost (D- Somerville) and Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Jamaica Plain) spoke about An Act Relative to Transgender Anti-Discrimination (S.735/H.1577). Provost decried the bill’s opponents who claim that it would endanger women and children and in-structed women lawyers that they are instrumental to help demolish these specious arguments against the bill. Referencing the fight for public desegregation in the 1950s and 60s, Chang-Diaz emphasized how equal access to public accommoda-tions are a fundamental part of achieving civil rights equality.

LPC Co-Chair Ann Hartner outlined the other bills the WBA is monitoring, and urged legislators to advance the WBA’s priority bills, including funding for civil legal aid.

2015-2016 Priority LegislationContinued from 14

(From Left) Nicole Forbes, State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, and Krina Patel .

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In September 2015, the WBA kicked off its fourth annual Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), a program that brings together senior women attorneys and up and coming stars of the legal profession for mentoring and leadership development.  The program is chaired by longtime WBA leaders Marie Chafe of Cornell & Gollub, Sherley Rodriguez of Suffolk University Law School, and Kimberly Winter of White, Freeman & Winter, LLP.

The WLI was launched in 2009 by former WBA Presi-dent Kathy Jo Cook of KJC Law Firm LLC and led by Michele Whitham of Locke Lord LLP and Nancy Shilepsky of Sherin and Lodgen LLP. The program has always had a clear objective:  to help women succeed in the legal profession.

Following the model of successful programs in other commu-nities, the WBA provides participants with large-scale network-ing, group mentoring, and one-on-one career development opportunities. Each event leverages the experiences of accom-plished women attorneys in Massachusetts interested in cultivat-ing the next generation of women leaders. From no-holds barred Q&A sessions to events introducing participants to leaders in the Massachusetts legal and business communities, the WLI provides participants with opportunities to work with their role models and one another, build their networks, and further their careers.

Before meeting with their host members, the 2016 WLI class of rising stars kicked off the program by focusing on their per-sonal and professional goals for the year. The women shared why they chose to participate in the WLI and how they hoped the program would support them as they transition into leadership roles, take on new responsibilities, and consider next steps in their careers. By the end of the evening, the group was energized

and inspired for the upcoming year and the opportunity to de-velop meaningful relationships with their host members.

In November, the members of the WLI met with Supreme Judicial Court Justices Fernande R.V. Duffly and Barbara A. Lenk for an inspiring conversation about their paths to the bench. The justices encouraged the WLI class to be open to opportunities and to surround themselves with mentors and colleagues who will support them and help them reach their career goals.

The WLI kicked off 2016 with a panel discussion facilitated by Elizabeth Munnell, of EHMunnell, a business development consultant and career coach for lawyers, along with Pamela Berman of Bowditch & Dewey, LLP and Carol A. Starkey of Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford LLP, about the secrets of their success and how to navigate obstacles that may arise throughout one’s legal career. Attorneys Munnell, Berman, and Starkey spoke honestly and frankly about lessons learned, un-expected triumphs, and critical moments that determined their career paths.

This spring, the WLI will continue to provide networking and career development opportunities, including a social media boot camp that will teach members how to maximize their social presence to develop professional networks and establish their professional narrative and programs that engage networking and business consultants, in-house counsel, and senior rainmakers. The year will wrap up with an alumni reception that will allow this year’s class to meet previous class members. Alumni will share insights into how the experiences and networks developed through the WLI helped to advance their careers and put them on the path to becoming leaders in the legal community.

Back Row: (from left) Lisa Maki, Connie McGrane, Pauline Quirion, Sabrina Acloque, Mairead Blue, Lindsay Manning Burke, Heather Gamache, Jessica Block, Shirley Rodriguez, Anne Paruti, and Suzanne Elovecky . Front Row: Kimberly Winter, Lizbeth Ginsburg, Gwen Nolan King, Rachel Morse, Kristy Lavigne, Justice Fernande R .V . Duffly, Justice Barbara A . Lenk, Michele Liu Baillie, Kate Moran Carter, and Torrey Young .

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE2015-2016

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Sabrina L. AcloqueCity of Cambridge Human Rights Commission

Mairead C. BlueMorgan, Brown & Joy, LLP

Lindsay Manning BurkeKenney & Sams P.C.

Kate Moran CarterDain, Torpy, Le Ray, Wiest & Garner, P.C.

Amy DeCloux, Ph.D.Sunstein Kann Murphy & Timbers LLP

Suzanne M. EloveckyTodd & Weld LLP

Heather M. GamachePrince Lobel Tye, LLP

Lizbeth GinsburgGreater Boston Legal Services

Gwen Nolan KingSugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen, P.C.

Kristy A. LavigneOffice of the Attorney General, Criminal Bureau

Lisa S. MakiCity of Boston Law Department

Rachel E. MorseMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Anne ParutiMiddlesex District Attorney’s Office

Jenna VentorinoWilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP

Torrey K. YoungFoley & Lardner LLP

Members of the 2015-2016 Women’s Leadership Initiative are:

Host Committee members who have committed to serve as mentors are:

Michele Liu BailleNorth Shore Patents, PC

Pamela BermanBowditch & Dewey, LLP

Jessica BlockBlock & Roos, LLP

Sarah Elisabeth CuriCuri Law

Deborah DosSantosLahey Health System

Leigh-Ann DurantEMD Serono, Inc.

Tamsin KaplanDavis, Malm & D’Agostine

Andrea KramerMass. Attorney General’s Office, Civil Division

Connie McGraneMass. Commission Against Discrimination

Joan MeschinoCandidate for State Senate

Jennifer Grace MillerOffice of Senate Counsel

Maureen MulliganPeabody & Arnold LLP

Pauline QuirionGreater Boston Legal Services

Nancy ShilepskySherin and Lodgen LLP

Carol A. StarkeyConn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford, LLP

Jayne TyrrellMassachusetts IOLTA

Michele WhithamFoley Hoag LLP

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2015 SUMMER ASSOCIATE, LAW CLERK, AND INTERN RECEPTIONOne of the WBA’s signature annual

events is its Summer Associate, Law Clerk, and Intern Reception, during which women already practicing law in the Commonwealth meet with soon-to-be women attorneys.  This year’s event was held in Boston on July 9, 2015, gen-erously hosted by Duane Morris LLP and chaired by WBA board member Bronwyn Roberts, an employment partner at the firm.

The event provided attendees with the opportunity to meet practicing lawyers, socialize with peers, and hear an inspirational keynote address.  The event drew 85 guests, including two members of our judiciary, Judge Alli-son Burroughs (U.S.D.C. D. Mass.) and Judge Heidi Brieger (Superior Court).  The guests were greeted by Ms. Roberts and welcomed by WBA President Kim Dougherty and WBA Executive Director Pattye Comfort, who each shared their thoughts on the great benefits of involve-ment in the WBA.  Treasurer Goldberg gave an inspirational speech about how women can find success through grit and

perseverance.  She also shared specific ideas for eliminating the wage gap from a top to bottom approach.  After her address, she generously entertained ques-tions from the attendees.  Thereafter, the

attendees enjoyed an evening of network-ing and socializing. 

We hope many more will join us in fu-ture years to welcome the next generation of women lawyers and leaders.

(from left) Shaneka Davis, Patricia Mann, Maayan Landy, and Sarah Kim .

2015 TRIALS FACING WOMEN LITIGATORS AND TIPS FOR SUCCESS

On June 30, 2015, the WBA and the Women’s Caucus of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (“MATA”) co-hosted the annual panel discussion entitled Trials Facing Women Liti-gators and Tips for Success at the Moakley Federal Courthouse. More than one hundred attorneys and law students attended the lively discussion about the challenges women litigators face. The event was co-chaired by Kate Isley, Christina Graziano, and Lauren Barnes. Lauren Barnes moderated the event. O’Brien & Levine Court Reporting sponsored the event.

The panel was comprised of esteemed women litigators from the judiciary, small firms, large firms, and the government: Justice Margot Botsford of the Massachusetts Supreme Judi-cial Court, Charlotte Glinka, a partner at Keches Law Group, Sarah Frederick, a partner at Goodwin Procter LLP, and Giselle Joffre, an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the United States Attorney’s

Office in Boston. Panelists covered many topics including client development, tips for establishing professional credibility early in one’s career, strategies for handling difficult relationships with opposing counsel, partners, judges or others, the pros and cons of when to become a mother and the attendant challenges of balancing family obligations while practicing law. The panel also discussed how to balance participation in bar associations or oth-er organizations with billing and other job requirements, shared what they view as the advantages women have in the courtroom, and offered a piece of career advice each panelist had relied on throughout her career.

The discussion was engaging and panelists gave personal examples as they answered questions. Immediately following the event, participants enjoyed a reception and networking session at the Daily Catch.

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THE BENEFITS OF WBA MEMBERSHIPThere is no question that the WBA is the premier networking,

social activism, and professional development resource for women lawyers in Massachusetts. Our members make lifelong connections and find that their professional satisfaction grows as a result of their involvement in such a meaningful organization. We, too, are grow-ing and adding more and more ways to connect with members and the broader legal community. We invite you to join us!Social-ize with the WBA

Social media is impacting a variety of fields and its value as a networking and advocacy tool can’t be underestimated. The WBA understands the important role social media has in organizational communication and can be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter!

The WBA uses Facebook to connect with members and others who support the WBA and its mission, providing information about upcoming events, sharing photos from programs, and post-ing information and articles of interest. If you are on Facebook, please “like” the WBA of MA to become a part of our Facebook community.

The WBA LinkedIn Group is another great resource for

members. Group members use the LinkedIn platform to share information, seek referrals, and post other information of interest to the group. If you are on LinkedIn, we would love for you to join our group.

And, not to be left out of the world of hashtags and tweets, the WBA also has a Twitter feed. The WBA uses this microblogging site to share information about the organization and retweets other posts of interest to its followers. If you are on Twitter, please follow us - @WBAofMA.The Women’s Bar Review – What Matters to Women Lawyers

The Women’s Bar Review is the WBA’s bi-annual source of current legal and social issues important to women lawyers as well as news on the organization. From networking tips and rainmak-ing anecdotes to updates on our advocacy efforts, the WBR covers the issues that matter most to our members. As always, the WBR is sent electronically to members and is available on the WBA website - enjoy it from your desktop in a green alternative! If you’d like to be part of our editorial staff or have an article idea, contact Edi-tor-in-Chief Brianna Sullivan at [email protected].

2 Places at 1 Time, Inc. This provider not only runs errands for customers, it also offers discounts on leading jewelry, floral, travel, gift, vacation, automotive and car rental services .

Amaci Salon. Amaci Salon is recognized as one of Boston’s top hair salons specializing in color, highlights and design cuts . WBA members receive a discounted rate on products and visits .

Boston Portrait Company. If you are in need of a business portrait, your WBA membership entitles you to a discount on a sitting with this downtown Boston photographer .

Brooks Brothers. As a Brooks Brothers Corporate Member, WBA members receive a 15% discount every day .

Cooking From the Heart. For busy lawyers interested in delivery of healthy meals, Cooking From the Heart offers a discounted rate on getting some nourishment .

Dependable Cleaners. A percentage off the dry cleaning bill will help attorneys manage both their professional and personal wardrobes .

Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc. WBA members receive discounted court reporting services when they mention their membership .

eLuminate Client Management Software. eLuminate offers a 10% discount for one year and a free two-month trial on client management software .

EMK Consulting Group, LLC. EMK Consulting Group offers a 10% discount on Business Development Coaching .

Healthworks & Republic Fitness. Members enjoy a $75 initiation fee and $10 off monthly membership .

The Kids Place, Inc. A variety of child care options are available at a 5% discount through this provider .

Lisa’s Hands of Time Personal Concierge. For members who wish they could get a hand with some personal errands, this provider offers a discount and that assistance .

MWI Mediation Services. MWI offers 10% off negotiation and mediation training programs .

One Shot Couriers. Need to get something somewhere in a pinch? If you also want 10% off, let One Shot Couriers know you are a WBA member when you call for help .

Renta Yenta. This personal assistant and concierge service offers a discount to WBA members eager to get some tasks accomplished outside the office .

WBA’s Expanded Member BenefitsIf you are reading the Annual Report, you already know that the WBA is a leader in advocating for women’s issues and a great

resource for women interested in professional networking and career advancement. What you might not realize is that the WBA also works to help its members manage their own personal and professional resources by making discount programs available. In the last few years, we have expanded these offerings and now proudly offer members the opportunity to save on everything from office products to dry cleaning. The WBA thanks its providers and looks forward to finding new ways to help members find value in their membership.

More information is available at www .womensbar .org .

If you know of a business that would be interested in offering WBA member discounts, please contact WBA Vice President of Membership & Statewide Outreach Michele Liu Baillie at mlb@nspatents .com .

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WOMEN’S BAR FOUNDATIONBy Rachel B . Biscardi, Director of Pro Bono Projects

Thank you to the Women’s Bar Association for providing me the oppor-tunity to write about its sister organization, the Women’s Bar Foundation, and the work that we do. With only three staff members and an extensive pool of hardworking volunteers, the WBF assists nearly 2,000 low-income people a year with their legal issues.

The first time we spoke to her, “Jane” could not talk about the domestic violence she had endured during her marriage. Eventually, she opened up about the reason she left her husband; he had physically assaulted her until one of her children had to step in to protect her. His lawyer served her with divorce papers seeking custody of the two children. She was shocked as her husband never spent time with the children during the marriage. Jane was worried that she would break down in court if she had to talk about her private life. We matched her with one of our volunteer lawyers. Jane’s lawyer explained to the judge all of the abuse that she had suffered. Jane obtained full custo-dy of her children, with an equitable division of assets, and an order of child support.

These types of cases, with clients like Jane, are the rea-son why the Women’s Bar Association created the Women’s Bar Foundation (WBF) in 1993. Their missions dovetail: the WBA fights for equality in the legal profession and the WBF combats inequality in the legal system by providing lawyers, one case at a time, for low-income litigants.

At least one in four women will suffer domestic violence in their lifetime. Many of these women face significant health problems while they are recovering from the abuse including: physical in juries, post-traumatic stress disorder, migraines, depression, and anxiety. Moreover, women who suffer abuse are often disempowered by the legal system exacerbating the utter loss of control imposed by their abusive partner.

“My husband told me that he would ruin me if I tried to leave him; he would wipe the floor with me in court” “Mary”, WBF Client.

The WBF is unique in providing one-to-one mentorship for its volunteer attorneys. Our mentors are the seminal practitioners in their respective fields of practice. For a lawyer who has never met individually with a client, argued in a motion session, or drafted a separation agreement or a will, the WBF provides an opportunity to “get one’s feet wet” with a safety net (and malpractice coverage!). Volunteer at torneys often cite their relationship with their mentors as a huge benefit of volunteering with the WBF. Volunteering with the WBF, like joining the WBA, is an excellent way for attorneys to network, make connections, and develop their own law practice.

For more information, please contact Rachel Biscardi, Director of Pro Bono Projects at [email protected].

A snapshot of the WBF’s pro bono projects:The Family Law Project for Battered Women (FLP) is the largest project at the WBF, drawing over 150 new volun-

teer attorneys and paralegals each year and handling 1,500 phone calls annually. The FLP has two primary missions. The first is to em power domestic violence victims by giving them a voice in their abuse prevention order and family law cases through recruiting, training, and mentoring volunteer attorneys to represent them. The FLP’s second mission is to engage lawyers in pro bono service, making them stakeholders on issues involving domestic violence and poverty.

The Elder Law Project (ELP) recruits and trains volunteer attorneys to draft end of life documents including, wills, health care proxies, durable powers of attorney, and living wills for low-income elders. Visits occur at a senior center providing a comfortable and convenient setting for elders to discuss issues that are vital to their peace of mind.

The Framingham Project for Incarcerated Women provides civil legal information to women involved in the correc-tions system. In teams of two or three, volunteer attorneys hold group educational seminars, answering inmates’ ques-tions on a broad range of topics including family law, housing, benefits, and CORI. The Framingham Project operates at MCI-Framingham, South Bay House of Correction in Suffolk County, and Kingston House.

At the Women’s Lunch Place, the WBF’s volunteer lawyers share legal information and resources with the guests on topics including: disability, CORI, family law and restraining orders under MGL c. 209A, immigration, criminal law, housing and eviction rights.

The Hampden County Housing Court Project provides legal services for low-income families facing either eviction or loss of their home. This lawyer-for-the-day program takes place in the Western Division Housing Court every Thurs-day (known as “Eviction Day”) to assist those facing imminent homelessness.

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WBA COMMITTEE REPORTS 2016ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee will discuss issues facing women attorneys in the alternative dispute resolu-tion arena, including mediation, arbitration, and other forms of conflict management. In addition, the ADR Committee will serve as a resource for WBA members to expand their understanding of all ADR techniques and effective dispute resolution advocacy. ADR is an increasingly important component of every lawyer’s practice and can contribute to practice building. The ADR Com-mittee will work to further advance women in the field.

Co-Chairs: Merriann Panarella, Conna Weiner

AMICUS The Amicus Committee writes and supports amicus briefs

on various issues affecting women and the law. The Amicus Committee’s goal is to provide the Supreme Judicial Court, as well as other Commonwealth courts and federal courts, with well-written and researched briefs that support the positions and concerns of the WBA as an organization.  In order to ensure fulfillment of the WBA mission, the Committee evaluates and responds to requests from individuals and organizations that approach the WBA requesting amicus support. Consistent with the WBA’s mission, the WBA has filed briefs in cases involving alimony, child support, domestic violence, domestic relations, employment, discrimination, sexual harassment, gender equal-ity, spousal elective share, reproductive rights, and reproductive technology. The WBA seeks senior attorneys who can provide expertise in a particular area of law, experienced appellate writ-ers, and new attorneys with an interest in crafting legal argu-ments that will articulate the position and concerns of the WBA as an organization.

Co-Chairs: Rachel Biscardi, Elizabeth Brusie, Afton Templin

APPOINTMENTS, AWARDS AND ENDORSEMENTS

The Appointments, Awards and Endorsements Committee (“AA&E Committee”) actively encourages and supports women interested in elevation to the bench by organizing educational programs concerning the judicial nominating process, pair-ing nominees with judicial mentors who can supply advice and encouragement through the selection process, and providing other support to qualified candidates through the confirmation process.  The AA&E Committee also encourages and supports women attorneys seeking elected office and other appointments in partnership with other organizations.  In addition, the AA&E Committee makes recommendations to the WBA concerning awards that recognize the contributions of women lawyers to the legal profession and society, and promotes nominations of nota-ble women attorneys for prestigious awards in the profession and community.

Co-Chairs: Stefanie Balandis, Marianne LeBlanc, Michelle Peirce

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT The mission of the Business Development Committee is to

promote the success of women in the law by creating an open environment to understand and build the skills necessary to de-velop business. The Committee arises, in part, from studies cit-ing business development as one of the key obstacles to women’s progression as equity partners in law firms. Since rainmakers are decision-makers in firms, in order to effect positive change such as promoting work-life balance, it is the Business Development Committee’s goal to help all women develop business in order to promote their financial independence and expand available career options. The Committee aims to provide women with the skills necessary to develop business while simultaneously cre-ating a network of contacts. In addition, the Committee works to analyze, explore, and address the unique challenges facing women lawyers in the area of business development.

Chair: Marie Chafe

CAPE COD AND ISLANDS The Cape Cod and Islands Committee was created in re-

sponse to the vibrant community of women attorneys who live or work on Cape Cod or the Islands. The Committee hosts meet-ings and programs to provide networking opportunities, promote business development, and share ideas for the advancement of women in the profession.

Chair: Camala Richardson

CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS The Central Massachusetts Committee provides WBA mem-

bers residing or practicing in Worcester County and surrounding towns with a forum where they may meet, network, share ideas, and participate in local programming. The Committee establish-es a firm link with the organization as a whole, acting as the voice that shares the experiences, challenges, and the particular profes-sional needs of the WBA members in this geographic location.

Chair: Donna Truex

EMPLOYMENT ISSUESThe Employment Issues Committee is concerned with

workplace issues affecting women lawyers, such as part-time work, compensation issues, the evaluation process, and the so-called “glass ceiling.” Since 2000, the Committee has issued two groundbreaking reports. The first, More Than Part-Time: The Effect of Reduced-Hours on the Retention, Recruitment, and Suc-cess of Women Attorneys in Law Firms, explored reduced hours arrangements at the 100 largest law firms in Massachusetts. The second, Where Are We Now?  A Report on the Occupational Status of Women Attorneys in Massachusetts, is a statistical study of the gender distribution of Massachusetts attorneys among various employer types and the gender distribution of active, inactive, and retired attorneys in Massachusetts. Now, the Committee seeks to move beyond its quantitative work to understand why

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women attorneys make certain professional choices. It is the Committee’s hope that this information will help us better under-stand and address remaining gender inequity in the profession.

Co-Chairs: Jennifer Belli, Laura Unflat, Kimberly Winter

GOVERNMENT LAWYERSThe Government Lawyers Committee was created to ad-

dress issues of importance to women working in public service, including all branches of local, state, and federal government. Committee members meet monthly for lunch to network and socialize, and invite a speaker to each committee meeting to discuss their career paths, how to succeed in government service, and experiences working in the public sector. Past speakers have included women from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the Legislature, and the City of Boston. The Committee is looking forward to developing many more large and small-scale events and discussions to promote women lawyers in govern-ment practice.

Co-Chairs: April English, Kristy Lavigne, Amy Nable

GREATER BOSTON The Greater Boston Committee was created to provide new

opportunities to the growing community of women attorneys who live or work in Greater Boston. The Committee hosts meet-ings and programs aimed at networking, business development, and to serve as a forum for women in the region to discuss what we all can do to promote women in the profession.

Chair: Lesley Leonessa

IN-HOUSE COUNSEL Recognizing that women are represented in a variety of

non-traditional practice settings, the In-House Counsel Commit-tee serves a dynamic group of WBA members who work outside the traditional law firm environment.  From general counsel, to corporate counsel, to J.D.s who work in a corporate setting, this Committee addresses the needs and concerns of in-house practitioners, and helps connect the women who work in-house with each other and with other members of the WBA. Whether you have just made the transition, or you have been in-house for years, this Committee offers networking and educational pro-grams that are of interest to you.

Co-Chairs: Meredith Ainbinder, Kimberly Nuzum, Deanna Sheridan

LAW FIRM ADVANCEMENT The goal of the Law Firm Advancement Committee is to

help women and law firms advance women into partnerships and management positions.  The Committee has held programs in response to recent data showing that despite almost 25 years of women graduating law school in equal proportion to men, women lawyers in Massachusetts comprise only 17.9% of equity partner ranks.  The Committee convened a summit of law firm managing partners and in-house counsel, which generated a

frank, robust discussion and ideas of concrete action for all sec-tors of the legal system to take to advance women and attorneys of color.  Action items for law firms include training all attorneys on unconscious bias, business development, leadership skills, and project management.

Co-Chairs: Jody Newman, Bronwyn Roberts

LAW STUDENTThe Law Student Committee is designed to meet the needs

of female law students.  The Committee sponsors its signature Mentoring Circle Programs at area law schools throughout the academic year.  These Circles are candid, informal question and answer sessions with panelists who are practicing attorneys, often alumnae of the law school.  In addition, the Committee holds bi-monthly meetings that cover topics of interest to law stu-dents.  The Committee also hosts social events periodically and a popular speed-networking event each spring.  Students from all area law schools are welcome to get involved by attending one or more Committee events. 

Co-Chairs: Kate Isley, Rachel Morse

LEGISLATIVE POLICY The Legislative Policy Committee (“LPC”) plays a key role in

carrying out the WBA’s mission as a voice for social justice.  The Committee develops and monitors the WBA Legislative Agenda, prepares testimony for hearings, and drafts letters to elected offi-cials on the bills and issues the organization supports or oppos-es.  The WBA meets with legislators and other groups concerned about issues on the Legislative Agenda.  The LPC organizes the WBA’s Annual Legislative Breakfast to connect members of the organization with legislators and to discuss the progress of key bills. Additionally, the LPC sponsors periodic “State House 101” programs to educate members about the legislative process. The WBA honors a Legislator or Public Official of the Year at the or-ganization’s Annual Meeting.  The LPC welcomes new members, regardless of their level of experience.

Co-Chairs: Nicole Forbes, Ann Morse Hartner, Krina Patel

METROWESTThe MetroWest Committee provides an opportunity for wom-

en attorneys who live or work in the MetroWest region to form unique connections.  The Committee’s events are intended to provide opportunities for women to network with one another, share strategies for success, and bring the great assets of the WBA to their hometowns.

Co-Chairs: Daintria McClure, Lisa Murphy

MIDDLESEX COUNTY The Middlesex County Committee serves as a networking,

information, and support resource for WBA members working or living in Middlesex County. The Committee meets for lunch on the second Friday of each month, at noon, at the Yangtze Riv-

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er Restaurant in Lexington Center. The Middlesex Committee is the first and oldest of the WBA’s regional committees. Members include women at all stages of their careers and spanning the full breadth of practice areas. Many are solo and small-firm practi-tioners. Committee members share information about business trends, practice tips, current and upcoming events, and career development opportunities that may be of interest to the group. The Committee also hosts special events once or twice a year. All interested WBA members are encouraged to join the monthly networking lunches and special events.

Co-Chairs: Marianne Brown, Karla Mansur, Veronica Zolina

MOTHERS’ FORUM The Mothers’ Forum Committee seeks to provide a forum

for women to discuss issues related to balancing the challenging work of an attorney with home and family commitments. The Committee has long been a valuable resource for women in need of advice, strategies, and information about how to succeed on a number of fronts. The Mother’s Forum Committee also seeks ways for our profession to include, accommodate, and advance mothers within its ranks. The group encourages the involvement of expecting, new, and seasoned parents, and others who are trying to balance their family and work lives.

Co-Chairs: Melissa McCarthy, Eliza Minsch

NEW BEDFORD/FALL RIVER AREA The New Bedford/Fall River Area Committee provides WBA

members residing or practicing in Southeastern Massachusetts with a forum to meet, network, share ideas, and participate in lo-cal programming. The Committee seeks to support the personal and professional goals of members in this geographical location through social and educational events.

Chair: Sharon Sullivan-Puccini

NEW LAWYERS The New Lawyers Committee seeks to provide a forum for

new women lawyers to share their experiences, draw on each other’s knowledge, provide advice on rising in the ranks, find-ing the right career path, and to meet similarly situated profes-sionals.  The Committee is among the most active committees in the WBA.  Its members meet monthly for a variety of social, networking, and professional development programs.  The Com-mittee helps women practicing between one and ten years ad-dress both the challenges inherent in being new to the practice of law as well as those that face women in professional settings generally.  The New Lawyers Committee also provides new lawyers with the opportunity to assume leadership roles in the Committee and the WBA as a whole.  

Co-Chairs: Margaret Caulfield, Shaina Rasmussen, Caitlin Peale Sloan

NORTH OF BOSTON The North of Boston Committee is comprised of women

attorneys and related professionals who work or live in the area north of the Greater Boston area. The Committee is a diverse group – members range from those who have just been admitted to those who have been lawyers for more than fifteen years – providing educational, social, and networking opportunities for women looking for the resources and benefits of the WBA in this geographic region.

Co-Chairs: Sheryl Bourbeau, Deborah Eliason, Teresa M. Harkins La Vita, Teresa Reade

PUBLIC RELATIONS The Public Relations Committee is dedicated to promoting

the organization’s public presence.  The Committee allows mem-bers to tap into any communications activity that piques their in-terest.  Activities on the agenda include: media outreach, drafting press releases and articles, overseeing member communications, launching the organization’s social media initiatives, creating advertising and marketing materials, developing networking relationships between the WBA and other legal and business organizations, and planning programs around media issues.

Co-Chairs: Krina Patel, Brianna Sullivan

ROSA PARKS The Rosa Parks Committee, named for a key leader in civil

rights and social justice, addresses the concerns of members who dedicate themselves to the public good. It is a key network for legal services attorneys, bar advocates, public counsel, and other attorneys working in the non-profit and non-traditional law firm settings that focus primarily upon the representation of indigent and low-income clients, civil rights, and activism and advocacy to bring about positive social change. The Rosa Parks Commit-tee regularly holds events that emphasize the importance of the WBA’s mission and connect the organization to the greater public interest community.

Co-Chairs: Rachel Benedict, Lydia Edwards, Sarah McClean, Jesse White

SENIOR PRACTICE The Senior Practice Committee is aimed at women in practice

for fifteen years or more. The Senior Practice Committee con-cerns itself with issues that are of interest and concern to women attorneys who have reached a level of seniority and expertise in their legal fields or workplaces. The group holds regular lunch meetings to discuss substantive topics such as leadership and communication skills, business development, the evolving role of women in the workplace, and opportunities for experienced practitioners to assist with the development of tomorrow’s lead-ers. The Committee also holds networking events and sponsors substantive programs as well. Women from all practice areas and work environments are welcome.

Chair: Diane Saunders

WBA COMMITTEE REPORTS 2016Continued from 22

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SOLO AND SMALL FIRM The Solo and Small Firm Committee is made up of women

who work for themselves or at small law offices.  The Committee understands how crucial peer-to-peer support is for the solo and small firm practitioner, and focuses resources on developing and maintaining a network among its members to provide support and guidance to each other.  Through the Committee’s listserv and programming, members get advice on substantive areas of law, client management, office administration, work-life balance, and guidance on many other issues facing women who work in the solo and small firm setting.  In 2010 and 2011, the Commit-tee held group meetings called Fee Circles, through which solo and small firm practitioners across Massachusetts came together to discuss how to set client hourly rates, the pros and cons of various fee agreements, and fee collections.  The Fee Circles pro-grams won the 2011 Outstanding Member Program Award from the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations.

Co-Chairs: Aimee Bonacorsi, Cheryl Garrity, Chiara LaPlume

SOUTH SHOREThe newly revitalized South Shore Committee was created to

provide networking and support to WBA members residing or working the South Shore area. The Committee hosts meetings to provide networking opportunities, promote business devel-opment, and share ideas for the advancement of women in the profession.

Chair: Michelle Troiano

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS The Western Massachusetts Committee of the Women’s Bar

Association provides WBA members residing or practicing in the state’s four western counties with a forum where they may meet, network, share ideas, and participate in local programming. The Committee establishes a firm link with the organization as a whole, acting as the voice that shares the experiences, challenges, and the particular professional needs of WBA members in its geographical location. Members range from seasoned attorneys to law students and come from diverse practice areas ranging from in-house counsel, solo practitioners, and public servants, to

associates and partners in both small and large firms. The WBA is currently looking to identify new co-chairs for its Western Massachusetts Committee.  If you are interested in a leadership opportunity and either live or practice in Western Massachusetts, please contact Pattye Comfort at [email protected].

WOMEN IN THE COURTROOMThe Women in the Courtroom Committee was newly created

this year in response to women lawyers who are drawn to litiga-tion both by – and in spite of – the power dynamic of often being the only woman at a crowded motion session or deposition. It is the goal of the Committee to provide a forum and opportu-nity for women litigators to share war stories and memoranda, plights and insights, and camaraderie with women of varying levels of experience who practice in the courts. Recognizing that women litigators have more in common than first meets the eye, the Committee welcomes civil litigators, prosecutors and public defenders, legal services lawyers, family lawyers, and everyone else who finds herself in adversary proceedings from any side for all or part of her practice, including mediators and judges. The Women in the Courtroom Committee offers opportunities for networking, informal mentoring, education, and information sharing.

Co-Chairs: Christina Miller, Tara Myslinski

WOMEN OF COLOR It is the goal and mission of the Women of Color Commit-

tee to promote women of color in the legal profession for their multitude of successes and to honor them for their personal and professional accomplishments.  Members of the Committee, as women of color and attorneys by profession, strive to publicize their diverse cultures.  An important goal of the Committee is to ensure that its contributions to the community will increase the number and strength of women of color in the profession.  This Committee, made up of women who are also caregivers, teachers, breadwinners, role models, and cultural leaders, fulfill a vast range of duties and celebrate all women.  The Women of Color Committee is the host of some of the WBA’s most exciting programs, including those recognizing women of color in the judiciary.

Chair: Kanasha Herbert

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WBA MALE MEMBER INITIATIVE

Are you one of the GOOD (Guys Overcoming Obstacles to Diversity) Guys? One of the ways you can demonstrate your support for diversity in the legal profession is by becoming a member of the WBA!

Thanks to these GOOD guys who have become WBA members:

Stephen Adams | Office of the Attorney General

David Belfort | Bennett & Belfort, PC

Todd Bennett | Bennett & Belfort, PC

Justin Brogden | Brogden Legal

Thomas Caldwell | Office of the Attorney General

David Clayton | Office of the Attorney General

Jared Correia | Law Office Management Assistance Program

Brian Flynn | Greater Boston Legal Services

Peter Georgiou | Law Offices of Peter Georgiou

Andrew Glincher | Nixon Peabody LLP

Michael Gottfried | Duane Morris LLP

John Graff | Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP

James Hanrahan | Bowditch & Dewey LLP

Steven Hoffman | Office of the Attorney General

Todd Kaplan | Greater Boston Legal Services

Andrew Lee | Janet, Jenner & Suggs, LLC

Israel Lim | Ernst & Young

Richard Loftus | Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP

Robert Patten | Office of the Attorney General

Max Perlman | Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP

Shayak Sarkar | Greater Boston Legal Services

David Scheffler | Office of the Attorney General

Steven Sharobem | Office of the Attorney General

Bruce Singal | Donoghue Barrett & Singal, P.C.

Matthew Solomon | Israel, Van Kooy & Days, LLC

R. Newcomb Stillwell | Ropes & Gray LLP

Cody Thornton | Attorney at Law

Gabriel Thornton | Office of the Attorney General

John Torvi | Herbert H. Landy Insurance Agency, Inc.

David White, Jr. | Breakstone, White & Gluck, P.C.

If you are interested, join online at www.womensbar.org or contact Maura Bastarache, Membership & Communications Manager, at [email protected].

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