2022 Summit

Our annual Women’s Bar Leadership Summit was held in Chicago August 4-5, 2022. 

 

The theme for the Summit was “Reconnecting for Excellence” with programming designed to motivate women in leadership positions and connect them to the tools necessary for success.

 

Keynoting the event was Helen Wan, Attorney, DEI Consultant, and author of The Partner Track which is currently being produced by Netflix! Ms. Wan realized the importance and need for a realistic account of a woman of color’s perspective of “trying to figure it all out.”

 

In addition to Ms. Wan’s keynote address, the 2022 Summit featured a GOOD Guys program, programming on recruiting members, engaging membership and maximizing their potential, leadership tips, networking opportunities, and ways for member organizations to use the support that NCWBA provides.  

 

We are grateful for the support of our many generous sponsors. Click here for links to our supporters. 

 

2022 Summit Schedule of Events

Thursday, August 4

3:00 GOOD Guys Program  (Separate registration required. Click here for more information and to register.)
Location: Chicago Bar Association and also available via Zoom
Presentation Topic: The Rewards of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
Speakers: Steve Velkei (Velkei Law) and Sheryl Axelrod (The Axelrod Firm)
GOOD Guys Panel: Michael Sachs (Major Lindsey Africa), Craig Thedwall (CDR, JAGC, USN, Commanding Officer, Region Legal Service Office Midwest), Dennis Garcia (Assistant General Counsel, Microsoft), moderated by Teresa Beck, Shareholder and Co-chair of DEIB for Klinedinst PC, and NCWBA President-Elect

5:00 Welcome Networking Cocktail Reception
Location: Chicago Bar Association

(GOOD Guys events are co-hosted by the Chicago Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, and the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession. CLE for IL lawyers provided by the Chicago Bar.)

Friday, August 5

8:30 – 9:00 Check-In to Connect to your Colleagues
Location: Jenner & Block
Check-In and Networking

9:00 – 9:25 Welcome: Connecting with NCWBA
Welcome, Annual Meeting and Elections by Shiloh Theberge, 2021-2022 NCWBA President

9:25 – 9:30 Food from the Bar: Connecting to the Community
NCWBA SIGNATURE PROGRAM: FOOD FROM THE BAR – Angel Zimmerman
Learn how to connect to the community by bringing a Food from the Bar program to your city. Food from the Bar is a friendly competition within local legal communities to support local food banks.

9:30 – 10:30 SESSION 1 Connecting Organizational Leaders
Topic: Connecting Organizational Leaders to the Organization’s Mission
Speakers: Paulette Brown, Eileen Letts, Natalie Loeb, Tracey West 
Content: Discussion regarding inclusive leadership and what leadership skills are needed to bring your organization’s mission and goals to fruition.   

10:30 – 10:40 Break: Connecting to Networking

10:40 – 11:10 SESSION 2: Connecting with Tech
Topic: Connect with Tech
Speaker: Lindsay Marty, Above the Bar
Content: Member databases, collecting money, using social media, best practices. 

11:10 – 12:00: Reconnecting for Mentorship
MENTORING CIRCLES with NCWBA BOARD MEMBERS
Interactive session for attendees to participate in two Mentoring Circles led by experts on topics of your choice.
Topic 1: Reconnecting to Lead (incoming presidents and leadership for your year) 
Topic 2: Connecting to Match Organizational Mentors and Mentees
Topic 3: Connecting to Effective Administration
Topic 4: Reconnecting to Membership Development

12:00 – 1:45 SESSION 3 Awards Luncheon
Awards Luncheon and Presentation
Keynote Topic: Connecting the Dots for Success
Keynote Speaker: Helen Wan – Attorney, DEI Consultant, and Author of The Partner Track which is currently being produced by Netflix! Ms. Wan realized the importance and need for a realistic account of a woman of color’s perspective of “trying to figure it all out.” She will share her knowledge and help us all Connect the Dots for Success!
2022-2023 Board Induction and Remarks by Judge Olga Alvarez, San Diego Superior Court, and Judge Peter Reyes, Minnesota Court of Appeals, and Member, ABA Commission on Women

1:45 – 1:50 GOOD Guys: Reconnecting the X to the Y – Teresa Beck 
NCWBA SIGNATURE PROGRAM: GOOD Guys Program brief intro
GOOD Guys is a program designed to break the impasse in women’s advancement by engaging people who have been missing from the conversation for too long – the GUYS! It is a model program designed for replication by member organizations and other groups.

1:50 – 2:10 SESSION 4:  Reconnecting to Engage
Topic: Showcasing engaging programs from bar associations across the country.
Speakers: NCWBA Award Winners, Kyleen Hinkle, and Judge Kellie Hogan     
Content: Best practices, event planning, program ideas.

2:10 – 2:20 Break: Reconnecting to Networking

2:20 – 3:05 SESSION 5: Reconnecting with your Power Panel
Topic: Reconnecting with your Power (connecting organization’s talent to achieve the bigger picture)
Speakers: Jessica Brown, Lauren Tucker McCubbin, Sheila Willis, Angel Zimmerman

3:05 – 3:30 Closing: Reconnecting with NCWBA 
Induction of 2022-2023 NCWBA President and Remarks by Judge Wendy Behan, San Diego Superior Court,  and Judge John A. Houston, Senior United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California
Summit Closing Remarks by Teresa Beck, 2022-2023 NCWBA President     

Click here for a printable copy of the Summit agenda.

 

 

 

At each Summit, attendees have the opportunity to learn about successful programs and services of other women’s bar groups. Even if you couldn’t attend the Summit, take a look at these programs to see if they might work for your own association:

 

Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia: WBA Career Toolkit

 

Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia: Protection of Women’s Constitutional Reproductive Rights Advocacy

 

Women Lawyers Association of Michigan: WLAM Leadership Class

 

Women Lawyers Forum, Canadian Bar Association: Madam Justice Project