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 2016 WOMEN’S BAR ASSOCIATION NEWLY ADMITTED ATTORNEYS RECEPTION MARCH 24, 2016

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

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

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

Closing Remarks Pattye Comfort, Executive Director, Women’s Bar Association

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

WBA Staff Pattye Comfort, Executive Director Maura Bastarache, Membership & Communications Manager Kimberly Phillips, Operations Manager Elizabeth Yows-Johnson, Administrative Assistant TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome ...... 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

1 WELCOME The 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 representation 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-making, 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.

2 LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR SENATOR 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 current 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.

3 SPECIAL THANKS TO THE WBA’S CORPORATE PARTNERS

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4 2015-2016 WBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Kimberly Dougherty | Janet, Jenner & Suggs, LLC

President-Elect Kristin W . Shirahama | Bowditch & Dewey, LLP

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

Vice President, Operations Heather Engman | Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Treasurer Marie Chafe | Cornell & Gollub

Secretary Bronwyn Roberts | Duane Morris LLP

5 WBA EMERITUS BOARD

Pamela Berman Elaine Epstein Sarah McClean Beth Boland Hon . Wendie Gershengorn (Ret .) Patricia McGovern Lisa Brodeur-McGan Hon . Nancy Gertner (Ret .) Joan Meschino Judith Olans Brown Monica Halas Mary K . Ryan Martha Coakley Julia Huston Sandra Shapiro Kathy Jo Cook Ellen Kearns Jayne Tyrrell Hon . Judith Nelson Dilday (Ret .) Hon . Carol Kenner (Ret .) Dorothy Varon Deborah DosSantos Karen Kepler Kimberly Winter Leigh-Ann Durant Toni Wolfman

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THE FAMILY LAW PROJECT FOR BATTERED WOMEN

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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 relations attorneys. Join the WBF community of lawyers.

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6 WBA PAST PRESIDENTS

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

Elaine Epstein ...... 1979-1980. Beth I .Z . Boland ...... 1998-1999

Maureen M . Phillips ...... 1980-1981. Hon . Antoinette E .M . Leoney ...... 1999-2000

Terry Jean Seligmann ...... 1981-1982 Lisa Brodeur-McGan ...... 2000-2001

Melinda Milberg ...... 1982-1983. Leigh-Ann Durant ...... 2001-2002

Sarah Wald ...... 1983-1984 Gretchen Van Ness ...... 2002-2003

Mary K . Ryan ...... 1984-1985 Patricia Rapinchuk ...... 2003-2004

Sandra Shapiro ...... 1985-1986. Marianne C . LeBlanc ...... 2004-2005

Martha Coakley ...... 1986-1988 Pamela E . Berman ...... 2005-2006

S . Beville May ...... 1988-1989.. Kathleen O’Connor ...... 2006-2007

Karen J . Kepler ...... 1989-1990 Julia Huston ...... 2007-2008

Hon . Judith Nelson Dilday ...... 1990-1991. Kathy Jo Cook ...... 2008-2009

Hon . Patricia E . Bernstein ...... 1991-1992 Michelle R . Peirce ...... 2009-2010.

Jamie Ann Sabino ...... 1992-1993 Deborah DosSantos ...... 2010-2011

Jane Tewksbury ...... 1993-1994 Nancy M . Cremins ...... 2011-2012

Sally J . Greenberg ...... 1994-1995 Andrea Kramer ...... 2012-2013

Jane E . Sender ...... 1995-1996 Lurleen Gannon ...... 2013-2014

Sarah McClean ...... 1996-1997 Kara DelTufo ...... 2014-2015

7 WBA LIFETIME PATRON & LIFETIME MEMBERS LIFETIME PATRON Mindee Wasserman Mindee Wasserman JD CFP

WBA Lifetime Patron Mindee Wasserman promotes arts fan, especially photography, dance, movies and theater. financial independence and education of women. Her Mindee is a Boardmember/Treasurerof the NY Hilton Club. practice includes general financial planning and portfolio Mindee has a J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of management using mutual funds and stock selection focus- Law. She has also earned an M.B.A. from the University of ing on three major industries: financial services, healthcare, Chicago Booth School of Business, where she was coordina- and media-telcom-technology-internet. tor of the Alumni Financial Services Roundtable. Mindee is In addition to general business law, Mindee is interested a Certified Financial Planner and a member of the Financial in civil rights law. She is active in her Temple. She is an avid Planning Association.

LIFETIME MEMBER Stefanie A. Balandis Associate Director, Northeast Legal Aid

Stefanie Balandis is the Associate Director of North- She is a long-time supporter of the WBA. She has served east Legal Aid, a civil legal aid office serving the low-in- on the WBA’s Board of Directors since 2007, and is a past come communities of Lowell, Lawrence and Lynn. Her Vice President for Operations. She currently co-chairs career has focused on legal services for the poor. For the WBA’s Awards, Appointments and Endorsements almost two decades, she was a housing litigator for Committee, which works to promote women’s candidacy Greater Boston Legal Services. Stefanie is a graduate of for the judiciary. She is also a member of the WBA’s Rosa Wellesley College (’88) and of Harvard Law School (’93). Parks Committee.

LIFETIME MEMBER Mary S. Block Vice President & Senior Counsel

LIFETIME MEMBER Windy Rosebush Catino Deputy General Counsel | Randstad Professionals

Before beginning her legal practice, Windy served Women’s Bar Association and joined the WBA’s Ap- as a law clerk in the United States Attorney’s office and pointments, Awards & Endorsements Committee. From to the Justices of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, 2008-2012, she was actively involved in the nomination where she was mentored and inspired by strong female process for the Lelia J. Robinson Award. She also served role models. In private practice and now as in-house as the moderator for the WBA’s program Planting the counsel, Windy has defended employers since 1998 Seeds to Success: What every new lawyer should know against employment claims brought before human in order to obtain a fulfilling career, and was an active rights agencies, as well as in the state and federal court. participant in the WBA’s initiative to support qualified She has also prosecuted and defended cases involving female lawyers seeking appointment to the bench. complex business disputes and tried a variety of bench In the spirit of the WBA, Windy has passed on the and jury trials throughout her career. mentoring tradition by continuing to mentor more In 2008, she became a Lifetime Member of the junior lawyers.

8 LIFETIME MEMBER Elaine M. Epstein Partner | Todd & Weld LLP

Elaine practiced for almost 20 years in Brockton before chusetts Bar Foundation and Massachusetts Continuing joining Todd & Weld LLP in 1994 to direct the firm’s Do- Legal Education, as well as a member of the Massachusetts mestic Relations and Probate Litigation practices with Gary Lawyers Weekly Board of Editors. She has been active on Owen Todd. Elaine has tried dozens of cases in the Probate numerous bar-related committees and is a frequent lecturer & Family courts and resolved hundreds more short of trial, and commentator on domestic relations law and trial prac- ranging from substantial asset divisions to contested paren- tice. She is a long time Sustaining Member of the Women’s tal rights and novel issues involving the property rights of Bar Foundation. non-married cohabitants and the rights of non-biological In 1999, Elaine received the Women’s Bar Association’s parents. She has litigated complex jurisdictional issues and Lelia J. Robinson Award in recognition of outstanding actions involving numerous cutting edge issues in the Pro- accomplishments and contributions to women in the legal bate & Family, Superior, Federal and Appellate Courts. profession. In 2013, Elaine was the recipient of a Lawyers Elaine was one of the founders and the first President of Weekly Top Women of Law Award and in 2015 was induct- the Women’s Bar Association and is a past President of the ed into its Circle of Excellence. In 2015, Elaine received the Massachusetts Bar Association. In 2015, she was appointed President’s Award from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation. to the Judicial Nominating Commission by Governor Bak- She has been repeatedly named in the Best Lawyers in er. She has been appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court America, a “Massachusetts and New England Super Law- to the Board of Bar Overseers, its Advisory Committee on yer” by Boston Magazine in family law, and in Boston and the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Massachusetts New England “Top Rated Lawyers” by the Boston Globe and IOLTA Committee. She has been a Trustee of the Massa- Wall Street Journal.

LIFETIME MEMBER Julia Huston Partner | Foley Hoag LLP

Julia Huston is a Partner in Foley Hoag LLP’s Intel- justice and professional excellence in the law, Julia lectual Property Department. She is the Chair of the has also held leadership positions in several other firm’s Trademark, Copyright and Unfair Competition civic, professional and charitable organizations. She Practice Group and the Co-Chair of the firm’s Advertis- is the immediate past president of the Boston Bar ing and Marketing Practice Group. She is well-known Association, a past president of the Greater Boston for her high-profile victories in trademark, copyright Legal Services, and past chair of the Equal Justice and false advertising cases. Julia’s practice includes Coalition. She has also chaired committees for the litigation, counseling and strategy in the areas of trade- International Trademark Association and the Intel- marks, copyrights, trade secrets, internet commerce, do- lectual Property Owners Association. main name piracy, false advertising, unfair competition, Julia has received many honors, including the and patents. Julia has obtained several multi-million highest peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. In dollar IP judgments and settlements, including a $20.7 various publications, she has been named as one of the million verdict in a false advertising case. In the context top 100 lawyers in New England and one of the top 50 of corporate transactions, Julia has led due diligence female lawyers in Massachusetts. She received the Lelia teams that have investigated and evaluated intellectual Josephine Robinson Award from Boston University property rights, and provided comprehensive advice School of Law Women’s Law Association in 2008 for concerning the protection of intellectual property in exemplary leadership in the community, was selected licensing and assignment transactions. by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly for a “Woman of Julia served as President of the WBA from 2007- Justice” award in 2009, and received the Dow-Gardin- 2008. During her five years on the WBA board, Julia er-Landrum Award from Greater Boston Legal Services focused on various initiatives to advance women in for outstanding commitment to legal services for the the legal profession. A committed advocate for social poor in 2011.

9 LIFETIME MEMBER Tamsin R. Kaplan Davis, Malm & D’Agostine, P C. .

Tamsin R. Kaplan is a shareholder at the Boston law civil litigation matters. Tamsin works with clients in a firm of Davis, Malm & D’Agostine, P.C. She practices wide variety of industries, including education, health in the Business Law, Employment, and Litigation areas. care, manufacturing, technology, and service industries. Tamsin has extensive experience representing business- Tamsin is a former Board Member of the Women’s es, executives and other high-level professionals on a full Bar Association. She serves on the Expedited Commercial range of employment-related issues, including recruit- Panel of the American Arbitration Association, the Massa- ment, hiring, discrimination, negotiation of employment chusetts Bar Association’s Business Law Section Council, agreements, breach of contract, non-competes, disci- and on the Labor and Employment Curriculum Advisory pline, termination, and reduction in force. Tamsin regu- Committee for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education. larly litigates business and employment cases in federal Tamsin also serves on the Board of the Belmont Media and state courts and agencies. She frequently conducts Center, and she is a member of The Boston Club and Wom- workplace investigations and trainings on diversity, enade Boston. She is recognized in The Best Lawyers in harassment, and other topics, as well as writes and AmericaÒ, by Chambers USA as a Recognized Practitioner, lectures in the complex field of employment law. She also and by Massachusetts Super Lawyers. Tamsin earned a J.D. provides alternative dispute resolution services to parties (cum laude) from Boston College Law School and a B.A. involved in business and employment disputes and other (magna cum laude) from Tufts University.

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

In 2015, Michelle Keith was appointed as a Commis- jury instructions. sioner on Bristol County’s Massachusetts Commission on Michelle completed law school in December 2009 and the Status of Women. Ms. Keith served as WBA Regional passed the Massachusetts Bar Exam in February 2010. Ms. Director for New Bedford/Fall River, 2011-2015. During Keith also earned a Master of Business Administration her first term, she helped organize the monthly “View from (MBA) with specialization in Finance from University of the Bench” series for the WBA at UMass Law broadcasting Massachusetts Boston. At Bentley University, she earned a the series on Dartmouth Community Television. In March Bachelor of Science in Marketing along with Associate in 2014, she graduated from University of London (UOL) Science degrees in Accounting, Management, and Paralegal earning her Master of Laws (LL.M) degree with a special- Studies. ization in Public International Law focusing, in particular, Prior to law school, Michelle has worked as a legal on Women’s Rights. At graduation, she was invited to a assistant. In particular, she is especially proud of helping to private reception by UOL and asked to present flowers to win a protracted chapter 93A lawsuit. Ms. Keith has also and meet the current UOL Chancellor Her Royal High- worked at the Massachusetts Bay ness,The Princess Royal Anne who is a keen supporter of Transportation Authority ensuring EEO/AA compli- advancing women’s rights. From 2010-2011, she served as ance with federal and state civil rights laws, Title VI, a Law Fellow to the Justices of the Massachusetts Superior VII, 151b, and ADA. Born in Boston, Ms. Keith currently Court assisting the Justices in all phases of civil and crimi- resides in Dartmouth, Massachusetts with her nal litigation. As a Law Fellow, she worked extensively with husband and two sons. She joined the WBA in August the Justices on trials, hearings and motion sessions, and 2007 when she attended the inaugural meeting of prepared draft decisions, legal memoranda and proposed the New Bedford/Fall River Committee.

10 LIFETIME MEMBER Michelle Menken The Law Office of Michelle Menken

Michelle Menken is an appellate practitioner concen- before various administrative agencies and disciplinary trating on criminal cases in the Massachusetts and First bodies as well. Circuit courts of appeal. She serves on both the CPCS Attorney Menken joined Rankin & Sultan after grad- post-conviction panel for indigent appellants in state court, uating from Northeastern University School of Law in and the First Circuit’s CJA appellate panel for indigent 1999. While in law school, Michelle’s internship employers appellants in federal court. She is also available to other included the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under attorneys to consult on issue-preservation at the trial level, Law, the CPCS Youth Advocacy Project, and the law firm of and for research and writing assignments involving com- Stern, Shapiro, Weissberg and Garin. plex or novel issues. Attorney Menken is a member of the Massachusetts Prior to opening her own office in January 2016, Attor- Bar, the U.S. District Court Bar, and the Bar of the U.S. ney Menken was a partner at Rankin & Sultan, a criminal Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. She belongs to the litigation and appellate law firm. She appeared regularly in Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers state trial courts, in state and federal appellate courts, and and is a lifetime member of the Women’s Bar Association.

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

For over 18 years, Ms. Perini-Hegarty has counseled a an accreditation given by NASBITE International and is a wide spectrum of multi-national companies based both in licensed real estate broker in Massachusetts. and outside the United States. She has experience assist- Recognition received by Perini-Hegarty & Associates ing clients in every context in which an international or includes Cross Border Law Firm of the Year in MA by ACQ domestic business law issue may arise and has successfully Finance Magazine Law Awards in 2012, 2013, 2014, and negotiated a wide variety of complex transactions in these International/Cross-Border Law Firm of the Year in MA areas. by Corp Intl Magazine in 2012 and 2013. In addition, Ms. In addition to her focus on international business law, Perini-Hegarty is the recipient of the ILO Client Choice Ms. Perini-Hegarty has grown the residential and commer- Award for Trade & Customs awarded by ILO in London, cial real estate practice of the firm by providing represen- England in 2013 as well as the Alumni Achievement Award tation for buyers and sellers as well as partnering with key by UMASS Law Dartmouth in 2012. banks to provide real estate closing services. Prior to founding Perini-Hegarty & Associates, Ms. Ms. Perini-Hegarty is licensed to practice in Massa- Perini-Hegarty was the Vice President of Contracts for chusetts and before the U.S. Court of International Trade Fidelity Stock Plan Services where she was responsible for as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. overseeing all contractual legal and business matters for the She is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP), company’s domestic and international service offerings.

11 LIFETIME MEMBER Rebecca G. Pontikes Pontikes Law LLC

Rebecca G. Pontikes, the principal owner of Pontikes of the WBA’s liaisons to the Massachusetts Equal Pay Co- Law LLC, has been a passionate advocate for the rights of alition, an association of advocacy groups lobbying for the employees, particularly women, since 1997. bill to Establish Pay Equity. Pontikes Law LLC is a proud Rebecca focuses her work on gender related issues, business supporter of the bill. particularly sex and pregnancy discrimination, accommo- In addition to her work lobbying for the passage of the dation for pregnant women, and family responsibilities bill to Establish Pay Equity, Rebecca uses her expertise in (caregiver) discrimination. pregnancy accommodation and is the Legislative Policy Since becoming a lawyer in 1997, she has dedicat- Committee’s liaison to a coalition, led by MotherWoman, ed most her bar association involvement to the WBA. lobbying to pass a Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act (PWFA) Rebecca currently serves on the WBA’s Board of Direc- in Massachusetts. tors and co-chaired the Solo and Small Firm Committee Rebecca is also an active member of the Massachusetts for a decade. Under her leadership, the Solo and Small Chapter of the National Employment Lawyer’s Association firm Committee received the 2011 Outstanding Member (MELA). A graduate of the University of Michigan Law Program Award from the National Conference of Women’s School and Tufts University, Rebecca has repeatedly been Bar Associations for its Fee Circles program. selected by her peers as a “SuperLawyer,” was named a She is also active with the WBA’s Legislative Policy Top Woman of Law by Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly in Committee. In 2013, she began taking a lead role in the 2012, and was named one of the top 50 women lawyers by WBA’s efforts lobbying the state legislature to amend the SuperLawyers in 2015. Massachusetts Equal Pay Act. She currently serves as one

Join the WBA TODAY!

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

 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

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

12 WBA FIRM MEMBERSHIP The WBA Firm Membership Program is ideal for law firms neys that it shares their goals for improving society and helping and other legal employers interested in making a strong com- them succeed in the profession. WBA Firm Members show that mitment to advancing women in the legal profession. This they understand the need for women professionals to have access program provides a way for organizations to enroll all Massachu- to strong networks in the legal profession as well as in relevant setts-based women attorneys as WBA members at a discount- business groups. WBA Firm Membership works for a firm of ed membership rate. Firm members are recognized regularly any size and can serve as an external complement to its women’s in WBA advertising materials, through special articles in our initiative. publications, and on the WBA website. Each woman who is part With the WBA as a respected voice on policy issues and a of a firm membership receives an enhanced listing in our online hub of networking opportunities for women professionals, the referral directory. membership exposes women attorneys to important business While the discounts and publicity no doubt provide firms development opportunities and opportunities for helping others. with value on their own, there is also an important cultural Because the WBA assists its members in building their practic- benefit to firms that demonstrate a willingness to provide WBA es and advancing their careers, the WBA places a premium on memberships to all women attorneys. By committing to the offering leadership opportunities to even its newest members, WBA as a Firm Member, a law firm, government agency, or cor- giving each one a chance to hone the very skills that are import- porate legal department makes a statement to its women attor- ant to professional success.

Thank you to our current Firm Members:

Office of the Attorney General Kimball Brousseau LLP Bowditch & Dewey, LLP Krokidas & Bluestein LLP Burns & Levinson LLP Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office City of Boston Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford, LLP Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP Donoghue Barrett & Singal, P .C . Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P .C . Duane Morris LLP OSRAM Sylvania, Inc . Egloff & Wood, LLP Pierce Atwood LLP Fish & Richardson P .C . Project Citizenship Foley Hoag LLP Riemer & Braunstein LLP Foley & Lardner LLP Ruberto, Israel & Weiner, P .C . Gesmer Updegrove LLP Seyfarth Shaw LLP Greater Boston Legal Services Stone, Stone & Creem Hartley Michon Robb LLP Sugarman and Sugarman, P .C . Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen, P .C . Israel, Van Kooy & Days, LLC Sunstein Kann Murphy & Timbers LLP Janet, Jenner & Suggs, LLC Todd & Weld LLP

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.

13 LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT The WBA’s Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is the legislative arm of the Women’s Bar Association. Its dedicated mem- Women’s Health: The WBA developed An Act Establish- bers track the development of priority legislation, identify new ing Civil and Criminal Penalties for Female Genital Mutilation issues that require the WBA’s support, and share information (S1116/H1530), which would protect girls in Massachusetts about the legislative process with attorneys across the state. from female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM involves removing part or all of a girl’s external sex organs and surrounding tissue WBA Action -- 2015-2016 Legislative Session for non-medical reasons, which can result in adverse health Every year the LPC recommends which bills the WBA Board consequences, death in childbirth, and lifelong trauma. FGM is should prioritize. The WBA testifies at the hearings scheduled recognized by the UN as a human rights violation. Ms. Dough- by legislative committees and takes additional action as needed erty testified on the WBA’s behalf before the Committee on the during the session. For other bills that we are monitoring, the Judiciary on December 1, 2015. For International Day of Zero WBA submits letters to the relevant committees. In addition, Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (February 6, 2016) all the WBA hosts a legislative breakfast each year to highlight its 50 legislative co-sponsors of the FGM bills received a WBA letter legislative agenda to legislators. asking them to contact the Judiciary committee to ask that S1116/ What follows is a summary of our priority bills, their current H1530 be voted favorably out of committee and brought to the status, and the legislative action taken during this session. floor for a vote this session. Legal Services Funding: The annual budget item 0321-1600 2015-2016 Priority Legislation provides funding for legal services, the Battered Women’s Legal Employment: An Act to Establish Pay Equity (S2119 – for- Assistance Project, a Medicare advocacy program, and a Disabili- merly S983/H1733) would protect employees’ freedom of speech ty Benefits Project. On June 5, 2015, a WBA letter urged the Bud- regarding pay, eliminate the use of salary history in the hiring get Conference Committee to keep the $17M budget allocation, process, and require compensation to be based on comparable and a July 8, 2015, letter to Governor Baker urged the same. For skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions. The bill’s the FY2017 budget, the WBA supports the BBA Task Force’s call approach is business-friendly because it has little to no cost to to increase the budget item 0321-1600 funding to $27M. implement, allows employers to gradually achieve pay equity, and builds on other diversity and pay equity efforts already in place. Other Bills We Are Currently Monitoring On July 21, 2015, President Kim Dougherty testified on behalf of the WBA before the Committee on Labor & Workforce The WBA sent letters of support (or opposition) to the Development. The bill was favorably reported to the Senate Ways appropriate legislative committees for their hearings on the & Means at the end of August. In late January 2016, the WBA following bills. submitted a letter to Senators urging passage. The Senate passed the bill unanimously on January 28, 2016, and as of this writing, Equal Rights Amendment: The WBA supportsAn Act Pro- it is before the House Ways & Means. The WBA is one of the viding Equitable Coverage in Disability Insurance (H784), which founding members of the Massachusetts Equal Pay Coalition would prohibit gender discrimination in disability insurance advocating for the bill. policies. An Act Establishing the Mass. Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H1769) amends MGL ch.151B § 4, to cover women (pregnant Health: An Act to Protect Access to Confidential Healthcare & nursing) who need minor accommodations. Board member (S2138) would establish mechanisms to ensure that when mul- Rebecca Pontikes testified for the WBA before the Committee on tiple people are on the same insurance plan, confidential health Labor & Workforce Development on July 30, 2015, and the bill care information is not shared with anyone other than the was favorably reported to House Ways & Means just days later. patient. This would protect victims of domestic violence, young adults under 27, or minors seeking medical or counseling care. Transgender Civil Rights: The 2011Act Relative to Gender Identity added non-discrimination laws for gender identity in the Health Education: An Act Relative to Healthy Youth areas of employment, housing, K-12 public education, and credit. (H3754), mandates age-appropriate, medically accurate sex An Act Relative to Gender Identity and Nondiscrimination (S735/ education. The required curriculum includes education on H1577) would add public accommodations to the list of areas in relationships and sexuality. President-Elect Kristin Shirahama which transgender people cannot be discriminated against. Ms. testified at the Education Hearing on June 3, 2015. Dougherty testified for the WBA before the Committee on the Judiciary on October 6, 2015. On February 24, 2016, the WBA Probate: An Act Improving Spousal Elective Share (S748), joined MassNOW in a letter delivered to all legislators on behalf which was jointly drafted by the WBA, Massachusetts Bar of 15 women’s groups and the Freedom Massachusetts coalition, Association and Boston Bar Association, updates property pointing out that this bill will not make bathrooms and locker rights of surviving spouses. This legislation would rewrite the rooms unsafe for women and that women are not in fear of it. existing statutory law on forced elective share by significantly The WBA is a member of the Freedom Massachusetts Coalition increasing the size of the elective estate and clarifying proce- advocating for the bill. Continued on page 15

14 2015-2016 Priority Legislation Continued from 14 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 (From Left) Nicole Forbes, State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, and Krina Patel . anti-abortion “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” from providing inaccurate information. The WBA opposes bills that 2016 LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST purport to increase health safety by imposing medically unnecessary and At its annual Legislative Breakfast on February 3, 2016, the WBA shared its burdensome licensing requirements 2016 legislative agenda at the Massachusetts State House. WBA President Kimberly that are intended to make it harder Dougherty provided an overview of the WBA’s advocacy efforts over the past year. for women to access an abortion if Co-Chairs of the LPC, Nicole Forbes and Krina Patel, introduced three of four and when one is needed. Such bills WBA priorities for 2016: include An Act to advance the safety of women seeking to terminate a Equal Pay: Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah Goldberg spoke about her office’s Pregnancy (H2039), which requires efforts to help close the wage gap, and the importance of passing An Act to Establish excessive state-scripted “counseling” Pay Equity (S. 2119). at least 24-hours prior to an abortion. Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: WBA Board member Rebecca Pontikes and Welfare: An Act to Promote bill sponsor Representative Ellen Story (D-Amherst) spoke about An Act Establish- Employment (S107/H1698) would ing the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H. 1769). Alejandra Duarte, a help unemployed parents on TAFDC Massachusetts resident and former industrial laundry worker, graciously shared her receive the education and training personal story about how she lost her baby at 19 weeks when her employer denied needed to obtain and maintain her health accommodations. Ms. Duarte urged legislators to pass the bill to prevent employment. other women from suffering such tragedy.

Child Custody: The WBA wrote Transgender Civil Rights: Bill sponsors Representative Denise Provost (D- a letter July 15, 2015 to members of Somerville) and Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Jamaica Plain) spoke about An Act the Judiciary Committee opposing Relative to Transgender Anti-Discrimination (S.735/H.1577). Provost decried the S834/H1207 an Act relative to bill’s opponents who claim that it would endanger women and children and in- Child-Centered Family Law. The structed women lawyers that they are instrumental to help demolish these specious bill prioritizes the desires of the arguments against the bill. Referencing the fight for public desegregation in the parents over the needs of the 1950s and 60s, Chang-Diaz emphasized how equal access to public accommoda- children. In particular, it replaces tions are a fundamental part of achieving civil rights equality. the Commonwealth’s longstanding custody standard which focuses on LPC Co-Chair Ann Hartner outlined the other bills the WBA is monitoring, the best interests of the children with and urged legislators to advance the WBA’s priority bills, including funding for civil language that focuses on a “right to legal aid. parent.”

15 WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE 2015-2016

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 .

In September 2015, the WBA kicked off its fourth annual and inspired for the upcoming year and the opportunity to de- Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), a program that brings velop meaningful relationships with their host members. together senior women attorneys and up and coming stars of the In November, the members of the WLI met with Supreme legal profession for mentoring and leadership development. The Judicial Court Justices Fernande R.V. Duffly and Barbara A. Lenk program is chaired by longtime WBA leaders Marie Chafe of for an inspiring conversation about their paths to the bench. The Cornell & Gollub, Sherley Rodriguez of Suffolk University Law justices encouraged the WLI class to be open to opportunities School, and Kimberly Winter of White, Freeman & Winter, LLP. and to surround themselves with mentors and colleagues who The WLI was launched in 2009 by former WBA Presi- will support them and help them reach their career goals. dent Kathy Jo Cook of KJC Law Firm LLC and led by Michele The WLI kicked off 2016 with a panel discussion facilitated Whitham of Locke Lord LLP and Nancy Shilepsky of Sherin and by Elizabeth Munnell, of EHMunnell, a business development Lodgen LLP. The program has always had a clear objective: to consultant and career coach for lawyers, along with Pamela help women succeed in the legal profession. Berman of Bowditch & Dewey, LLP and Carol A. Starkey of Following the model of successful programs in other commu- Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford LLP, about the secrets nities, the WBA provides participants with large-scale network- of their success and how to navigate obstacles that may arise ing, group mentoring, and one-on-one career development throughout one’s legal career. Attorneys Munnell, Berman, and opportunities. Each event leverages the experiences of accom- Starkey spoke honestly and frankly about lessons learned, un- plished women attorneys in Massachusetts interested in cultivat- expected triumphs, and critical moments that determined their ing the next generation of women leaders. From no-holds barred career paths. Q&A sessions to events introducing participants to leaders in the This spring, the WLI will continue to provide networking Massachusetts legal and business communities, the WLI provides and career development opportunities, including a social media participants with opportunities to work with their role models boot camp that will teach members how to maximize their social and one another, build their networks, and further their careers. presence to develop professional networks and establish their Before meeting with their host members, the 2016 WLI class professional narrative and programs that engage networking and of rising stars kicked off the program by focusing on their per- business consultants, in-house counsel, and senior rainmakers. sonal and professional goals for the year. The women shared why The year will wrap up with an alumni reception that will allow they chose to participate in the WLI and how they hoped the this year’s class to meet previous class members. Alumni will program would support them as they transition into leadership share insights into how the experiences and networks developed roles, take on new responsibilities, and consider next steps in through the WLI helped to advance their careers and put them their careers. By the end of the evening, the group was energized on the path to becoming leaders in the legal community.

16 Members of the 2015-2016 Women’s Leadership Initiative are: Sabrina L. Acloque Suzanne M. Elovecky Lisa S. Maki City of Cambridge Human Rights Commission Todd & Weld LLP City of Boston Law Department Mairead C. Blue Heather M. Gamache Rachel E. Morse Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP Prince Lobel Tye, LLP Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Lindsay Manning Burke Lizbeth Ginsburg Anne Paruti Kenney & Sams P.C. Greater Boston Legal Services Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Kate Moran Carter Gwen Nolan King Jenna Ventorino Dain, Torpy, Le Ray, Wiest & Garner, P.C. Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen, P.C. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP Amy DeCloux, Ph.D. Kristy A. Lavigne Torrey K. Young Sunstein Kann Murphy & Timbers LLP Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Bureau Foley & Lardner LLP

Host Committee members who have committed to serve as mentors are: Michele Liu Baille Tamsin Kaplan Maureen Mulligan North Shore Patents, PC Davis, Malm & D’Agostine Peabody & Arnold LLP Pamela Berman Andrea Kramer Pauline Quirion Bowditch & Dewey, LLP Mass. Attorney General’s Office, Civil Division Greater Boston Legal Services Jessica Block Connie McGrane Nancy Shilepsky Block & Roos, LLP Mass. Commission Against Discrimination Sherin and Lodgen LLP Sarah Elisabeth Curi Joan Meschino Carol A. Starkey Curi Law Candidate for State Senate Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford, LLP Deborah DosSantos Jennifer Grace Miller Jayne Tyrrell Lahey Health System Office of Senate Counsel Massachusetts IOLTA Leigh-Ann Durant Michele Whitham EMD Serono, Inc. Foley Hoag LLP

17 2015 SUMMER ASSOCIATE, LAW CLERK, AND INTERN RECEPTION

One 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, generously 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 (from left) Shaneka Davis, Patricia Mann, Maayan Landy, and Sarah Kim . Dougherty and WBA Executive Director Pattye Comfort, who each shared their perseverance. She also shared specific attendees enjoyed an evening of network- thoughts on the great benefits of involve- ideas for eliminating the wage gap from ing and socializing. ment in the WBA. Treasurer Goldberg a top to bottom approach. After her We hope many more will join us in fu- gave an inspirational speech about how address, she generously entertained ques- ture years to welcome the next generation women can find success through grit and tions from the attendees. Thereafter, the of women lawyers and leaders.

2015 TRIALS FACING WOMEN LITIGATORS AND TIPS FOR SUCCESS

On June 30, 2015, the WBA and the Women’s Caucus of the Office in Boston. Panelists covered many topics including client Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (“MATA”) co-hosted development, tips for establishing professional credibility early the annual panel discussion entitled Trials Facing Women Liti- in one’s career, strategies for handling difficult relationships with gators and Tips for Success at the Moakley Federal Courthouse. opposing counsel, partners, judges or others, the pros and cons More than one hundred attorneys and law students attended of when to become a mother and the attendant challenges of the lively discussion about the challenges women litigators face. balancing family obligations while practicing law. The panel also The event was co-chaired by Kate Isley, Christina Graziano, and discussed how to balance participation in bar associations or oth- Lauren Barnes. Lauren Barnes moderated the event. O’Brien & er organizations with billing and other job requirements, shared Levine Court Reporting sponsored the event. what they view as the advantages women have in the courtroom, The panel was comprised of esteemed women litigators from and offered a piece of career advice each panelist had relied on the judiciary, small firms, large firms, and the government: throughout her career. Justice Margot Botsford of the Massachusetts Supreme Judi- The discussion was engaging and panelists gave personal cial Court, Charlotte Glinka, a partner at Keches Law Group, examples as they answered questions. Immediately following the Sarah Frederick, a partner at Goodwin Procter LLP, and Giselle event, participants enjoyed a reception and networking session at Joffre, an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the United States Attorney’s the Daily Catch.

18 THE BENEFITS OF WBA MEMBERSHIP

There is no question that the WBA is the premier networking, members. Group members use the LinkedIn platform to share social activism, and professional development resource for women information, seek referrals, and post other information of interest lawyers in Massachusetts. Our members make lifelong connections to the group. If you are on LinkedIn, we would love for you to join and find that their professional satisfaction grows as a result of their our group. involvement in such a meaningful organization. We, too, are grow- And, not to be left out of the world of hashtags and tweets, the ing and adding more and more ways to connect with members and WBA also has a Twitter feed. The WBA uses this microblogging the broader legal community. We invite you to join us! site to share information about the organization and retweets other Social-ize with the WBA posts of interest to its followers. If you are on Twitter, please follow Social media is impacting a variety of fields and its value as a us - @WBAofMA. networking and advocacy tool can’t be underestimated. The WBA The Women’s Bar Review – What Matters to Women Lawyers understands the important role social media has in organizational communication and can be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, and The Women’s Bar Review is the WBA’s bi-annual source of Twitter! current legal and social issues important to women lawyers as well The WBA uses Facebook to connect with members and others as news on the organization. From networking tips and rainmak- who support the WBA and its mission, providing information ing anecdotes to updates on our advocacy efforts, the WBR covers about upcoming events, sharing photos from programs, and post- the issues that matter most to our members. As always, the WBR is ing information and articles of interest. If you are on Facebook, sent electronically to members and is available on the WBA website please “like” the WBA of MA to become a part of our Facebook - enjoy it from your desktop in a green alternative! If you’d like to community. be part of our editorial staff or have an article idea, contact Edi- The WBA LinkedIn Group is another great resource for tor-in-Chief Brianna Sullivan at [email protected].

WBA’s Expanded Member Benefits If 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. 2 Places at 1 Time, Inc. This provider not Dependable Cleaners. A percentage off The Kids Place, Inc. A variety of child care only runs errands for customers, it also offers the dry cleaning bill will help attorneys options are available at a 5% discount through discounts on leading jewelry, floral, travel, gift, manage both their professional and personal this provider . vacation, automotive and car rental services . wardrobes . Lisa’s Hands of Time Personal Concierge. For Amaci Salon. Amaci Salon is recognized as one Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc. WBA members who wish they could get a hand with of Boston’s top hair salons specializing in color, members receive discounted court some personal errands, this provider offers a highlights and design cuts .WBA members reporting services when they mention their discount and that assistance . receive a discounted rate on products and visits . membership . MWI Mediation Services. MWI offers 10% Boston Portrait Company. If you are in need eLuminate Client Management Software. off negotiation and mediation training of a business portrait, your WBA membership entitles you to a discount on a sitting with this eLuminate offers a 10% discount for one programs . downtown Boston photographer . year and a free two-month trial on client One Shot Couriers. Need to get something management software . Brooks Brothers. As a Brooks Brothers Corporate somewhere in a pinch? If you also want 10% Member, WBA members receive a 15% discount EMK Consulting Group, LLC. EMK Consulting off, let One Shot Couriers know you are a WBA every day . Group offers a 10% discount on Business member when you call for help . Development Coaching . Cooking From the Heart. For busy lawyers Renta Yenta. This personal assistant and interested in delivery of healthy meals, Cooking Healthworks & Republic Fitness. Members concierge service offers a discount to WBA From the Heart offers a discounted rate on enjoy a $75 initiation fee and $10 off monthly members eager to get some tasks accomplished getting some nourishment . membership . outside the office .

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. .

19 WOMEN’S BAR FOUNDATION

By Rachel B . Biscardi, Director of Pro Bono Projects

Thank you to the Women’s Bar Association for providing me the oppor- At least one in four women will suffer domestic violence tunity to write about its sister organization, the Women’s Bar Foundation, in their lifetime. Many of these women face significant 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 health problems while they are recovering from the abuse people a year with their legal issues. including: physical injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, migraines, depression, and anxiety. Moreover, women who The first time we spoke to her, “Jane” could not talk suffer abuse are often disempowered by the legal system about the domestic violence she had endured during her exacerbating the utter loss of control imposed by their marriage. Eventually, she opened up about the reason she abusive partner. left her husband; he had physically assaulted her until one “My husband told me that he would ruin me if I tried of her children had to step in to protect her. His lawyer to leave him; he would wipe the floor with me in court” served her with divorce papers seeking custody of the two “Mary”, WBF Client. children. She was shocked as her husband never spent The WBF is unique in providing one-to-one mentorship time with the children during the marriage. Jane was for its volunteer attorneys. Our mentors are the seminal worried that she would break down in court if she had to practitioners in their respective fields of practice. For a talk about her private life. We matched her with one of our lawyer who has never met individually with a client, argued volunteer lawyers. Jane’s lawyer explained to the judge all in a motion session, or drafted a separation agreement of the abuse that she had suffered. Jane obtained full custo- or a will, the WBF provides an opportunity to “get one’s dy of her children, with an equitable division of assets, and feet wet” with a safety net (and malpractice coverage!). an order of child support. Volunteer attorneys often cite their relationship with their These types of cases, with clients like Jane, are the rea- mentors as a huge benefit of volunteering with the WBF. son why the Women’s Bar Association created the Women’s Volunteering with the WBF, like joining the WBA, is an Bar Foundation (WBF) in 1993. Their missions dovetail: excellent way for attorneys to network, make connections, the WBA fights for equality in the legal profession and the and develop their own law practice. WBF combats inequality in the legal system by providing For more information, please contact Rachel Biscardi, lawyers, one case at a time, for low-income litigants. 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 volunteer attorneys and paralegals each year and handling 1,500 phone calls annually. The FLP has two primary missions. The first is to empower 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’ questions 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.

20 WBA COMMITTEE REPORTS 2016 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT The Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee will discuss The mission of the Business Development Committee is to issues facing women attorneys in the alternative dispute resolu- promote the success of women in the law by creating an open tion arena, including mediation, arbitration, and other forms of environment to understand and build the skills necessary to de- conflict management. In addition, the ADR Committee will serve velop business. The Committee arises, in part, from studies cit- as a resource for WBA members to expand their understanding ing business development as one of the key obstacles to women’s of all ADR techniques and effective dispute resolution advocacy. progression as equity partners in law firms. Since rainmakers are ADR is an increasingly important component of every lawyer’s decision-makers in firms, in order to effect positive change such practice and can contribute to practice building. The ADR Com- as promoting work-life balance, it is the Business Development mittee will work to further advance women in the field. Committee’s goal to help all women develop business in order Co-Chairs: Merriann Panarella, Conna Weiner 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- AMICUS ating a network of contacts. In addition, the Committee works The Amicus Committee writes and supports amicus briefs to analyze, explore, and address the unique challenges facing on various issues affecting women and the law. The Amicus women lawyers in the area of business development. Committee’s goal is to provide the Supreme Judicial Court, as Chair: Marie Chafe 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 CAPE COD AND ISLANDS fulfillment of the WBA mission, the Committee evaluates and The Cape Cod and Islands Committee was created in re- responds to requests from individuals and organizations that sponse to the vibrant community of women attorneys who live or approach the WBA requesting amicus support. Consistent with work on Cape Cod or the Islands. The Committee hosts meet- the WBA’s mission, the WBA has filed briefs in cases involving ings and programs to provide networking opportunities, promote alimony, child support, domestic violence, domestic relations, business development, and share ideas for the advancement of employment, discrimination, sexual harassment, gender equal- women in the profession. ity, spousal elective share, reproductive rights, and reproductive Chair: Camala Richardson 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- CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS ments that will articulate the position and concerns of the WBA The Central Massachusetts Committee provides WBA mem- as an organization. bers residing or practicing in Worcester County and surrounding Co-Chairs: Rachel Biscardi, Elizabeth Brusie, Afton Templin towns 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 APPOINTMENTS, AWARDS AND that shares the experiences, challenges, and the particular professional needs of the WBA members in this geographic location. ENDORSEMENTS Chair: Donna Truex The Appointments, Awards and Endorsements Committee (“AA&E Committee”) actively encourages and supports women interested in elevation to the bench by organizing educational EMPLOYMENT ISSUES programs concerning the judicial nominating process, pair- The Employment Issues Committee is concerned with ing nominees with judicial mentors who can supply advice and workplace issues affecting women lawyers, such as part-time encouragement through the selection process, and providing work, compensation issues, the evaluation process, and the so- other support to qualified candidates through the confirmation called “glass ceiling.” Since 2000, the Committee has issued two process. The AA&E Committee also encourages and supports groundbreaking reports. The first, More Than Part-Time: The women attorneys seeking elected office and other appointments Effect of Reduced-Hours on the Retention, Recruitment, and Suc- in partnership with other organizations. In addition, the AA&E cess of Women Attorneys in Law Firms, explored reduced hours Committee makes recommendations to the WBA concerning arrangements at the 100 largest law firms in Massachusetts. The awards that recognize the contributions of women lawyers to the second, Where Are We Now? A Report on the Occupational Status legal profession and society, and promotes nominations of nota- of Women Attorneys in Massachusetts, is a statistical study of the ble women attorneys for prestigious awards in the profession and gender distribution of Massachusetts attorneys among various community. employer types and the gender distribution of active, inactive, Co-Chairs: Stefanie Balandis, Marianne LeBlanc, Michelle and retired attorneys in Massachusetts. Now, the Committee Peirce seeks to move beyond its quantitative work to understand why Continued on page 22

21 WBA COMMITTEE REPORTS 2016 Continued from 21 women attorneys make certain professional choices. It is the frank, robust discussion and ideas of concrete action for all sec- Committee’s hope that this information will help us better under- tors of the legal system to take to advance women and attorneys stand and address remaining gender inequity in the profession. of color. Action items for law firms include training all attorneys Co-Chairs: Jennifer Belli, Laura Unflat, Kimberly Winter on unconscious bias, business development, leadership skills, and project management. Co-Chairs: Jody Newman, Bronwyn Roberts GOVERNMENT LAWYERS The Government Lawyers Committee was created to address issues of importance to women working in public service, LAW STUDENT including all branches of local, state, and federal government. The Law Student Committee is designed to meet the needs Committee members meet monthly for lunch to network and of female law students. The Committee sponsors its signature socialize, and invite a speaker to each committee meeting to Mentoring Circle Programs at area law schools throughout the discuss their career paths, how to succeed in government service, academic year. These Circles are candid, informal question and and experiences working in the public sector. Past speakers have answer sessions with panelists who are practicing attorneys, often included women from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s alumnae of the law school. In addition, the Committee holds Office, the Legislature, and the City of Boston. The Committee is bi-monthly meetings that cover topics of interest to law stu- looking forward to developing many more large and small-scale dents. The Committee also hosts social events periodically and a events and discussions to promote women lawyers in govern- popular speed-networking event each spring. Students from all ment practice. area law schools are welcome to get involved by attending one or Co-Chairs: April English, Kristy Lavigne, Amy Nable more Committee events. Co-Chairs: Kate Isley, Rachel Morse GREATER BOSTON The Greater Boston Committee was created to provide new LEGISLATIVE POLICY opportunities to the growing community of women attorneys The Legislative Policy Committee (“LPC”) plays a key role in who live or work in Greater Boston. The Committee hosts meet- carrying out the WBA’s mission as a voice for social justice. The ings and programs aimed at networking, business development, Committee develops and monitors the WBA Legislative Agenda, and to serve as a forum for women in the region to discuss what prepares testimony for hearings, and drafts letters to elected offi- we all can do to promote women in the profession. cials on the bills and issues the organization supports or oppos- Chair: Lesley Leonessa 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 IN-HOUSE COUNSEL organization with legislators and to discuss the progress of key Recognizing that women are represented in a variety of bills. Additionally, the LPC sponsors periodic “State House 101” non-traditional practice settings, the In-House Counsel Commit- programs to educate members about the legislative process. The tee serves a dynamic group of WBA members who work outside WBA honors a Legislator or Public Official of the Year at the -or the traditional law firm environment. From general counsel, ganization’s Annual Meeting. The LPC welcomes new members, to corporate counsel, to J.D.s who work in a corporate setting, regardless of their level of experience. this Committee addresses the needs and concerns of in-house Co-Chairs: Nicole Forbes, Ann Morse Hartner, Krina Patel 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 METROWEST years, this Committee offers networking and educational pro- The MetroWest Committee provides an opportunity for wom- grams that are of interest to you. en attorneys who live or work in the MetroWest region to form Co-Chairs: Meredith Ainbinder, Kimberly Nuzum, Deanna unique connections. The Committee’s events are intended to Sheridan provide opportunities for women to network with one another, share strategies for success, and bring the great assets of the WBA to their hometowns. LAW FIRM ADVANCEMENT Co-Chairs: Daintria McClure, Lisa Murphy 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 MIDDLESEX COUNTY in response to recent data showing that despite almost 25 years The Middlesex County Committee serves as a networking, of women graduating law school in equal proportion to men, information, and support resource for WBA members working women lawyers in Massachusetts comprise only 17.9% of equity or living in Middlesex County. The Committee meets for lunch partner ranks. The Committee convened a summit of law firm on the second Friday of each month, at noon, at the Yangtze Riv- managing partners and in-house counsel, which generated a Continued on page 23

22 WBA COMMITTEE REPORTS 2016 Continued from 22 er Restaurant in Lexington Center. The Middlesex Committee is NORTH OF BOSTON the first and oldest of the WBA’s regional committees. Members The North of Boston Committee is comprised of women include women at all stages of their careers and spanning the full attorneys and related professionals who work or live in the area breadth of practice areas. Many are solo and small-firm practi- north of the Greater Boston area. The Committee is a diverse tioners. Committee members share information about business group – members range from those who have just been admitted trends, practice tips, current and upcoming events, and career to those who have been lawyers for more than fifteen years – development opportunities that may be of interest to the group. providing educational, social, and networking opportunities for The Committee also hosts special events once or twice a year. All women looking for the resources and benefits of the WBA in this interested WBA members are encouraged to join the monthly geographic region. networking lunches and special events. Co-Chairs: Sheryl Bourbeau, Deborah Eliason, Teresa M. Co-Chairs: Marianne Brown, Karla Mansur, Veronica Zolina Harkins La Vita, Teresa Reade

MOTHERS’ FORUM PUBLIC RELATIONS The Mothers’ Forum Committee seeks to provide a forum The Public Relations Committee is dedicated to promoting for women to discuss issues related to balancing the challenging the organization’s public presence. The Committee allows mem- work of an attorney with home and family commitments. The bers to tap into any communications activity that piques their in- Committee has long been a valuable resource for women in need terest. Activities on the agenda include: media outreach, drafting of advice, strategies, and information about how to succeed on press releases and articles, overseeing member communications, a number of fronts. The Mother’s Forum Committee also seeks launching the organization’s social media initiatives, creating ways for our profession to include, accommodate, and advance advertising and marketing materials, developing networking mothers within its ranks. The group encourages the involvement relationships between the WBA and other legal and business of expecting, new, and seasoned parents, and others who are organizations, and planning programs around media issues. trying to balance their family and work lives. Co-Chairs: Krina Patel, Brianna Sullivan Co-Chairs: Melissa McCarthy, Eliza Minsch ROSA PARKS NEW BEDFORD/FALL RIVER AREA The Rosa Parks Committee, named for a key leader in civil The New Bedford/Fall River Area Committee provides WBA rights and social justice, addresses the concerns of members who members residing or practicing in Southeastern Massachusetts dedicate themselves to the public good. It is a key network for with a forum to meet, network, share ideas, and participate in lo- legal services attorneys, bar advocates, public counsel, and other cal programming. The Committee seeks to support the personal attorneys working in the non-profit and non-traditional law firm and professional goals of members in this geographical location settings that focus primarily upon the representation of indigent through social and educational events. and low-income clients, civil rights, and activism and advocacy Chair: Sharon Sullivan-Puccini to bring about positive social change. The Rosa Parks Commit- tee regularly holds events that emphasize the importance of the NEW LAWYERS WBA’s mission and connect the organization to the greater public interest community. The New Lawyers Committee seeks to provide a forum for Co-Chairs: Rachel Benedict, Lydia Edwards, Sarah McClean, new women lawyers to share their experiences, draw on each Jesse White other’s knowledge, provide advice on rising in the ranks, finding the right career path, and to meet similarly situated professionals. The Committee is among the most active committees SENIOR PRACTICE in the WBA. Its members meet monthly for a variety of social, The Senior Practice Committee is aimed at women in practice networking, and professional development programs. The Com- for fifteen years or more. The Senior Practice Committee con- mittee helps women practicing between one and ten years ad- cerns itself with issues that are of interest and concern to women dress both the challenges inherent in being new to the practice attorneys who have reached a level of seniority and expertise in of law as well as those that face women in professional settings their legal fields or workplaces. The group holds regular lunch generally. The New Lawyers Committee also provides new meetings to discuss substantive topics such as leadership and lawyers with the opportunity to assume leadership roles in the communication skills, business development, the evolving role Committee and the WBA as a whole. of women in the workplace, and opportunities for experienced Co-Chairs: Margaret Caulfield, Shaina Rasmussen, Caitlin practitioners to assist with the development of tomorrow’s lead- Peale Sloan 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 Continued on page 24

23 WBA COMMITTEE REPORTS 2016 Continued from 23 SOLO AND SMALL FIRM associates and partners in both small and large firms. The WBA The Solo and Small Firm Committee is made up of women is currently looking to identify new co-chairs for its Western Massachusetts Committee. If you are interested in a leadership who work for themselves or at small law offices. The Committee opportunity and either live or practice in Western Massachusetts, understands how crucial peer-to-peer support is for the solo and please contact Pattye Comfort at [email protected]. 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 WOMEN IN THE COURTROOM and programming, members get advice on substantive areas of The Women in the Courtroom Committee was newly created law, client management, office administration, work-life balance, this year in response to women lawyers who are drawn to litiga- and guidance on many other issues facing women who work in tion both by – and in spite of – the power dynamic of often being the solo and small firm setting. In 2010 and 2011, the Commit- the only woman at a crowded motion session or deposition. It tee held group meetings called Fee Circles, through which solo is the goal of the Committee to provide a forum and opportu- and small firm practitioners across Massachusetts came together nity for women litigators to share war stories and memoranda, to discuss how to set client hourly rates, the pros and cons of plights and insights, and camaraderie with women of varying various fee agreements, and fee collections. The Fee Circles pro- levels of experience who practice in the courts. Recognizing that grams won the 2011 Outstanding Member Program Award from women litigators have more in common than first meets the eye, the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations. the Committee welcomes civil litigators, prosecutors and public Co-Chairs: Aimee Bonacorsi, Cheryl Garrity, Chiara defenders, legal services lawyers, family lawyers, and everyone LaPlume 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 SOUTH SHORE networking, informal mentoring, education, and information The newly revitalized South Shore Committee was created to sharing. provide networking and support to WBA members residing or Co-Chairs: Christina Miller, Tara Myslinski working the South Shore area. The Committee hosts meetings to provide networking opportunities, promote business development, and share ideas for the advancement of women in the WOMEN OF COLOR profession. It is the goal and mission of the Women of Color Commit- Chair: Michelle Troiano 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 WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS women of color and attorneys by profession, strive to publicize The Western Massachusetts Committee of the Women’s Bar their diverse cultures. An important goal of the Committee is Association provides WBA members residing or practicing in the to ensure that its contributions to the community will increase state’s four western counties with a forum where they may meet, the number and strength of women of color in the profession. network, share ideas, and participate in local programming. The This Committee, made up of women who are also caregivers, Committee establishes a firm link with the organization as a teachers, breadwinners, role models, and cultural leaders, fulfill whole, acting as the voice that shares the experiences, challenges, a vast range of duties and celebrate all women. The Women of and the particular professional needs of WBA members in its Color Committee is the host of some of the WBA’s most exciting geographical location. Members range from seasoned attorneys programs, including those recognizing women of color in the to law students and come from diverse practice areas ranging judiciary. from in-house counsel, solo practitioners, and public servants, to Chair: Kanasha Herbert

24 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:

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

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