2025 Summit
2025 Summit
Women bar leaders and law students from across the nation gathered at the historic Greenbrier Resort for the NCWBA’s Annual Bar Leadership Summit, an energizing two-day event designed to inspire, connect, and equip women leaders in the legal profession. This year’s Summit welcomed attendees from 17 states and two national bar organizations for a weekend of insight, empowerment, and community.
An Inspiring Start: Ladder Down at the Schoolhouse Hotel
The Summit opened Thursday evening with one of NCWBA’s hallmark Ladder Down programs at the Schoolhouse Hotel. The panel, moderated by Ashley Pack, featured three trailblazing women:
- The Honorable Haley Bunn, Justice, West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
- Susan Brewer, Interim Dean, West Virginia University College of Law, and former CEO, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
- Zelda Wesley, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Northern District of West Virginia
In a lively and candid conversation, panelists shared lessons from their own career journeys—touching on mentorship, risk-taking, and resilience in the face of setbacks. The evening concluded with hors d’oeuvres, wine, and local cider, setting a warm and collegial tone for the next day’s programming.
Leadership Summit: Practical Tools for Bar Leaders
Friday’s full-day Summit began with welcoming remarks from West Virginia attorney, 2025–2026 NCWBA President, and Summit Co-Chair Jamison Cooper. The morning keynote, delivered by Kellie Dunaway and Mollie Farrell Khazaeli, the St. Louis-based co-founders of Aspire, focused on one of the most pressing challenges facing women’s bar associations today—how to attract, engage, and retain new members. Their dynamic presentation offered actionable insights on fostering authentic connection and leadership within organizations.
Throughout the day, participants had the option to attend a robust lineup of interactive, small-group workshops addressing both the practical and personal aspects of leadership. Sessions included:
- Today’s Student: A Preview of the Next Generation of Bar Members
- Girl, Get Out of Your Way: The Impact of Imposter Syndrome on Your Organization
- The Impact of the Current DEI Climate on the Future of Women’s Bar Associations
- Using AI in Your Organization
- Harnessing the Power of a Five-Generation Workforce
- Fundraising Strategies That Actually Work
- Failing Up: Flipping the Script on Disappointments
- Planning Signature Events that Get People Engaged
- Building Engagement and Authority through Book Publishing
- Engage Your Audience
- To Speak or Not to Speak: Best Practices for Responding to Statement Requests
- And Why Should I Care? How to Recruit New Members, Engage the Existing Ones, and Convince them All that Bar Association Membership is Relevant
Celebrating Excellence: NCWBA Annual Awards
During the luncheon program, attendees came together to honor the outstanding achievements of NCWBA’s member organizations.
- The 2025 Public Service Award was presented to the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York for their “Women in Law” project, in which 170 women attorneys throughout the state coordinated to bring nearly 1000 students to courtrooms throughout the state to hear from a broad variety of professionals in the legal field.
- The 2025 Outstanding Member Program Award was awarded to the Dallas Women Lawyers Association for their work in creating the documentary “A Law Unto Themselves: How Women Lawyers of Dallas Transformed Law and Community – Together.” The documentary reflects the rich history of perseverance, strength, and success that characterizes women lawyers in Texas through the personal accounts of trailblazers in the industry, and preserves that history for future generations.
- The 2025 Women’s Law Student Association Award was awarded to the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers Law Student Division – William H. Bowen School of Law at University of Arkansas Little Rock for their work on “ Women’s Week” – a week-long series of events that blend professional development, advocacy, community service, and fundraising—all driven by the leadership and energy of women law students.
With Gratitude
NCWBA extends its heartfelt thanks to our outstanding speakers for sharing their time, expertise, and wisdom: Jennifer Powell, Christine Chambers Goodman, Melissa Romano, Sheila Abron, Tami Munsch, Ashley Odell, Jessie Pellant, the Honorable Kellie Hogan, Kristen Wheeler, Jennifer Hill, Kim Sporrer, Melanie Herschorn, Vanessa Shaw, Jennifer Crompton, Manisha Patel, Kellie Dunaway, and Mollie Farrell Khazaeli.
NCWBA also extends its gratitude to our generous sponsors and strategic partners – thank you for your investment in women’s bar leadership!
Thank you to our 2025 Summit Sponsors!
2025 NCWBA Summit Ruby Sponsors
2025 NCWBA Summit Bronze Sponsors
2025 NCWBA Summit Supporters
Myra K. Morris
Jeanne Marie Clavere
2025 NCWBA Summit Friend
2025 NCWBA Strategic Partners
Support the advancement of women in the legal profession by sponsoring the NCWBA Annual Women’s Bar Leadership Summit! This premier event brings together women bar leaders from across the country for a day of learning, networking, and leadership development. As a sponsor, your organization will gain valuable visibility among influential legal professionals while demonstrating your commitment to fairness, access, inclusion, and representation in the legal community. Sponsorship opportunities offer a range of benefits, including branding, speaking opportunities, and direct engagement with decision-makers shaping the future of women’s bar associations. Join us in bridging the engagement gap and making a lasting impact!
For more information on NCWBA Sponsorship opportunities please review the 2025 Sponsorship Packet. Ready to become a NCWBA Sponsor? Complete the 2025 Sponsorship Sign-Up Form today!