Conference Guide Welcome Message From The NAWJ President Dear Friends, Welcome to NAWJ’s 38th Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud, and Justice Debra Annual Conference, FAC- Stephens, who, together with their exceptional ES OF JUSTICE, here in planning committee have worked tirelessly to verdant, beautiful Se- prepare and present this outstanding conference attle, Washington. We for all of us to enjoy. Sincere appreciation is gather together as new also due to the conference’s Friends Committee and old friends to renew Chairs attorneys Nancy Issirlis and Ellen Dial. our commitment to our Their dedicated support to NAWJ, and its mission mission and support each other as judges. Many and members, has been outstanding. of you attend NAWJ conferences each year and Please join me in extending a very special are refreshed and energized by our mutual in- welcome to the many international judges from volvement in education, programming, and proj- across the globe who have traveled far to join us ects. Our common mission compels us to share a for this conference. We are thrilled that you are commitment to improving the judiciary, to pro- here with us, and know your presence will enrich tect the rights of the most vulnerable, to strength- the conference experience for all of us. en the independence of our courts and ensure the A robust thank you to our amazing NAWJ diversity of our justice system. Staff, Executive Director Marie Komisar, our If this is your first conference, you will be partners at Calibre, Karen Roche, Patty Lovell amazed at the difference in attending an NAWJ and Yve Dinte, our conference manager, Barbara conference. You will experience cutting edge Hutchison, and Lavinia Cousin. Their careful eye educational programs led by the foremost for detail and behind the scenes efforts allows all experts in the country, meet judges from all over of us to shine. this country and the world, and enjoy exciting It has been my privilege and honor to serve as social events in and around Seattle. Topics in our President of this outstanding organization. Your educational sessions will range from challenges overwhelming devotion to NAWJ has inspired we face as an aging population, continuing me every day of this exciting year. Thank you development of our tribal courts, issues faced so much for your efforts on behalf of NAWJ and by women veterans, and sexual assault on our personally for your warmth and support. I extend college campuses, to name a few. You will also my best wishes to our incoming President, Judge make friends and develop relationships that will Diana Becton, for a wonderful year ahead. last a lifetime. NAWJ truly is a sisterhood, a family where we share ideas, diverse points of view and With warm regards, our lives. I am certain you will return again and again to NAWJ conferences, to experience the Lisa camaraderie of extraordinary women nationally and internationally. I want to extend my congratulations and heartfelt thanks to Conference Chair Justice Susan Honorable Lisa Walsh Owens, and her Co-Chairs and colleagues from NAWJ President the Washington Supreme Court, Chief Justice 11th Circuit Court, Miami-Dade, Florida Barbara A. Madsen, Justice Mary E. Fairhurst, Welcome Message From The NAWJ President Table of Contents Welcome from NAWJ President Honorable Lisa Walsh .....................Inside Front Cover Welcome from Conference Chair Honorable Susan Owens ................................ 2 NAWJ 38th Annual Conference Planning Committee ....................................... 3 Welcome from NAWJ Executive Director Marie Komisar ................................... 4 NAWJ 38th Annual Conference Sponsors .................................................. 5 Conference Schedule of Program and Events .............................................. 6 Conference Participant Biographies .....................................................14 Conference Sponsor Greetings and Advertisements ......................................27 About the National Association of Women Judges .......................................37 National Association of Women Judges Board of Directors ................................38 National Association of Women Judges Resource Board and Landmark Sponsors. .39 NAWJ Education and Outreach Programs ................................................40 Award: Joan Dempsey Klein Honoree of the Year - Hon. Judith S. Chirlin ...................41 Award: Mattie Belle Davis Award Honorees – Hon. Cheryl Gonzales, Hon. Brenda Murray and Hon. Betty J. Williams ..................42 Award: Florence K. Murray Honoree – Elizabeth M. Hernandez, Esq. and Akerman LLC .....43 Award: Justice Vaino Spencer Leadership Honoree - Hon. Karen Donohue .................43 NAWJ Membership Information .........................................................44 NAWJ 38th Annual Conference 1 Welcome Message From The Conference Chair Greetings: We all know that NAWJ Seattle’s own Judge Mark Chow and his wife Car- conferences are fabu- ol will be in charge of our more informal gather- lous! We Washington ings in the Hospitality Suite. judges have been eager- We want this time to be as fabulous for Pres- ly awaiting welcoming ident Lisa Walsh as she completes her year of you to our hosting of a service. A gigantic “thank you” to her and more fabulous conference. I kudos to my Co-Chairs, Chief Justice Barbara hope that many of you Madsen, and Justices Mary Fairhurst, Debra Ste- were able to come early (or stay a few days ex- phens, and Sheryl Gordon McCloud. Our Friends tra) to enjoy the tours and social events that our Committee Co-Chairs, Ellen Dial and Nancy Isser- Events Chair, Judge Marilyn Paja, has arranged. lis, worked tirelessly to assemble our sponsors From shopping or wine tasting to tribal history or and words cannot express my gratitude towards walking tours, there is something for all. Please them. Judge Laurel Siddoway served as our Fi- take advantage of any or all and do not hesitate nance Chair. And thanks also go to the “too many to ask for suggestions from us locals. Our Volun- to name” behind the scene folks. teer Chair, Judge Marcine Anderson, has recruit- Rain or shine, Seattle has much to offer. We ed many volunteers to assist you at every turn. are centrally headquartered to walk anywhere, Of course our main purpose to gather is to ed- but public transportation is good and there are ucate one another. Education Co-Chairs, Judges lots of cabs, Ubers, and Lyfts to supplement ev- Karen Donohue and Maggie Ross, and their hard eryone getting where you want to go. working committee have put together a cutting Welcome to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. edge schedule of diverse topics and aspirational This has been a labor of love for me. ideas. Please take advantage of these opportuni- ties to question and learn from experts in his or Very truly yours, her fields while you are in sessions. We also want you to have fun! Social events planned include a grand opening reception with a spectacular view, a dine around at some Honorable Susan J. Owens of our finest restaurants, a party at Experience Washington State Supreme Court Music Project, and, of course, our Gala Banquet! 2 NAWJ 38th Annual Conference NAWJ 38th Annual Conference Planning Committee Conference Chair Hon. Susan Owens Washington State Supreme Court Conference Co-Chairs Hon. Mary E. Fairhurst Hon. Barbara Madsen Hon. Sheryl Gordon McCloud Hon. Debra L. Stephens Washington State Washington State Washington State Washington State Supreme Court Supreme Court Supreme Court Supreme Court Education Chairs Education Member Friends Chairs Hon. Karen Donohue Hon. Margaret Vail Ross Judith M. Anderson Ellen Conedera Dial, Esq. Nancy Dykes Isserlis, Esq. Seattle Municipal Court Pierce County District Court Judicial Services Division, Perkins Coie LLP Administrative Office of the Courts Event Chair Volunteer Chair Budget Chair Hon. Marilyn Paja Hon. Marcine S. Anderson Hon. Laurel H. Siddoway Kitsap County King County District Court of Appeals, District Court Court, West Division Division II NAWJ 38th Annual Conference 3 Welcome Message From The NAWJ Executive Director On behalf of the Nation- the ‘Faces of Justice’, the 2016 conference theme. al Association of Women Discover and explore emerging and challenging Judges (NAWJ), I wel- topics affecting judges and the judiciary while come you to NAWJ’s 38th experiencing the hospitality and warmth of Seat- Annual Conference. I am tle’s personality, an exciting urban city surround- so pleased that you have ed by unmatched natural beauty. chosen to join this year’s Thank you again for attending and I hope you dynamic gathering of will have a wonderful experience while learning NAWJ members, guests and enjoying each other’s company. and dignitaries who are Best Regards. dedicated to preserving judicial independence for women, minorities and other historically dis- favored populations while increasing the number and advancement of women judges. This year, in Marie Komisar Seattle, NAWJ continues to provide judicial ed- ucation on cutting-edge issues as we examine 4 NAWJ 38th Annual Conference 38th Annual Conference Sponsors National Association of Women Judges To our sponsors for their most generous support, a very special thank you from the members of the Friends Committee. Chairs Ellen Conedera Dial, Esq., Perkins Coie LLP Nancy Dykes Isserlis, Esq. Conference Sponsors PREMIER BRONZE SUPPORTER Perkins Coie Foundation Bullivant Houser Bailey PC AokiL Law PLLC Dorsey & Whitney LLP Calibre CPA Group GOLD Gordon Tilden Thomas &