The Women In Law Section offers an effective platform for women lawyers to advocate on behalf of women in the legal profession. In seeking to improve the standard of excellence in the practice of law, we:
Secure the full participation of women in the justice system and the legal profession
Empower women to excel by providing effective mentoring, training and support
Provide networking opportunities for women lawyers
Assist law firms and organizations in their efforts to attract and retain women lawyers
Provide women lawyers an avenue to return to the active profession of law
We do this by providing the necessary support, resources, training and networking to women lawyers as well as our male colleagues, and by partnering with other advocacy organizations.
The Committee Council is aligned with the objectives of the Section, which are (1) mentoring; (2) networking; (3) professional and community leadership; and (4) advocacy.
Please click here to view the 2011 Women in Law Section Leadership team.
Advocacy
The Advocacy Committee will continue the initiative to advocate for the advancement of women in the legal profession. It will use the research and statistics generated during recent years to determine an action plan for moving women in the Cleveland legal community upward. Examples of past programming include the Diversity Networking Conference and Best Practices Summit, "Attract, Retain and Promote Women and Minority Attorneys." Another area of emphasis this year will be discussing balancing family obligations outside of the workplace.
CLE
The Professional and Community Leadership Committee will focus on programming designed to develop and enhance leadership skills within the law firm environment and in the community at large. Examples of programming include continued co-sponsorship of the events with the YWCA's Women's Leadership Initiative.
Food for Thought
Membership
3Rs/Justice for All
The Justice for All Committee is the liaison to the CMBA's Justice for All and Public Service Programming Committee. This Committee will support the CMBA/CMBF initiatives.
Communications
The Communications Committee is the voice of the Section. The Committee maintains the WIL Section website as an interactive forum that provides up-to-date information about section activities and an opportunity for our members to connect with one another outside of Section meetings. The committee will also support the Section's Committees in their communication efforts to promote section events, increase membership and coordinate submissions for the CMBA Journal.
Networking/Mentoring
There are two goals of the Networking/Mentoring Committee: mentoring as well as social and professional networking, both internally and externally driven. Internal networking opportunities will be geared towards introducing members of the Women in the Law Section and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association to one another. External networking opportunities include events to connect with those outside our region or our profession. The second goal will focus on professional and personal development of women of all generations. Programs such as Food for Thought and Lunch with the Judiciary are geared towards providing opportunities for mentoring and relationship development among women lawyers from all generations and types of law practice.
Law School Liaisons
The Law School Liaisons will ensure that the WIL Section is providing opportunities for law students to engage with members of our Section. The Liaisons will work with the Section to present a panel discussion and networking session for both local law schools.