Building a Network of Women Lawyers

President Teresa Schiller gave a version of these remarks at the 2006 Summer Program on July 19, 2006:

Thank you very much. We of the New York Women’s Bar Association are pleased to co-sponsor today’s program, “What It’s (Really) Like to Practice Law in NYC as a Woman.”

As a woman who is not from New York, who did not work as a summer associate in New York, and who is the first person in her family to become a lawyer, I would have benefited from this program had I known about it when I was starting out. Each of you learned about this program because you have become part of a network – a network that includes women lawyers. As you embark on your legal careers, building a network of women lawyers is important.

When I came to New York, I knew only one or two women lawyers. Now I know hundreds.

I am reminded of the summer I first set my sights on New York. It was during law school at the University of Chicago when I saw some of my friends heading off to New York for summer jobs. Although I had summered at Chicago organizations my first two years, I took a chance in my third year and interviewed with New York firms. To potential employers, it was a bit hard to justify the move because I had no network in New York. I was not having much luck until I interviewed with one Chicago alumna. Although I felt that the interview had gone well, I did not hear from the law firm. I figured that no news was good news, and I decided to take a chance. I called the interviewer and told her, “If your law firm gives me an offer, I will definitely accept it.” Not only did the firm give me an offer, but the interviewer, Lori Martin, became a mentor to me during my junior years, giving me complex assignments and advising me about networking at the firm. As a result, ten years later, I am still with the same firm -- Clifford Chance.

The importance of building a network of women lawyers in my life continued. As a litigation associate, I wanted the opportunity to go to court. Although most of my practice involved work in the office, I got a shot at seeking a temporary restraining order in court as a relatively junior associate. The catch? It was during the Christmas holiday, a time when others in the office were preoccupied with end-of-year festivities. Although I had plans to go home to Texas, I set them aside and quickly learned the facts of my new case, drafting papers for a new lawsuit and a TRO. When I went to court on Christmas Eve by myself, I was very nervous, feeling the weight of my client’s needs on my shoulders and knowing the weaknesses in our stance. Instead of making an appearance in a large courtroom, I found myself in a small office, sitting across from a woman judge to make my argument. She went through my papers and asked questions, weighing the equities and ultimately granting the ex parte order. I could not have received a better Christmas gift. Years later, I was pleased to see that my path crossed hers again, when I served on the Women’s Bar board with her. The judge -- Justice Phyllis Gangel-Jacob – is still an active member of our board.

I came to the Women’s Bar as a result of my need to network. I was actually trying to build a women lawyers’ network in a particular practice area – antitrust law. For those of you who are interested in antitrust law, there is a group of women antitrust lawyers who meet every month or so to listen to speakers and discuss cutting edge issues in the field. This was the first women lawyers’ group of which I was a part, and I looked forward to those meetings as a bonding experience and a chance to build my practice. Coincidentally, it turned out that leaders of that group, such as Martha Gifford, were also leaders of the New York Women’s Bar Association. As a result, I eventually became involved in the Women’s Bar. Several years later, I am embarking on a year as president, and I have the pleasure of networking with you. One thing I have learned is that once you make networking your goal, often it just expands naturally.

You can start a network of women lawyers here just by joining the New York Women’s Bar Association. We are a non-profit organization devoted to improving the status of women in society, educating women lawyers, assisting in professional development and advancement, and promoting the fair and equal administration of justice. This year marks our 72nd Anniversary. We are affiliated with the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York, in which there are thousands of members.

Finally, my message today is, “To help ALL women lawyers, let us all broaden the women’s network, whatever the practice area, whatever the affiliation.” But for you, today is a prime opportunity to broaden YOUR OWN network. Good luck, and thank you very much.

Archives

July 2006

In her inaugural President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of community. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

Spring 2006

In her President's column in the Spring issue, President Christina Kallas discussed how women continue to lag behind men when it comes to earning power, and suggests that this is one more item for the legislature to address as it considers 'no-fault' divorce legislation. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2006

For Women's History Month, Christina Kallas reflected upon how far we have yet to go. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2006

In her column for February President Christina Kallas asked us to consider what it is we pay attention to in our culture. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2006

In her column for January President Christina Kallas asked, "Do we (still) need a women's bar association?" To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2005

In her column for December President Christina Kallas discusses the Mental Health Court initiative. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2005

In her column for November President Christina Kallas asked us all to honor the memory of Ms. Rosa Parks by making one change. To view the President's message in full, click here.

October 2005

In her column for October in honor of Mediation Settlement Month, President Christina Kallas discusses whether mediation is an underused tool in a lawyer's toolbox. To view the President's message in full, click here.

September 2005

In her column for September, President Christina Kallas reflected upon the changes in our country since September 11th. To view the President's message in full, click here.

June 2005

In her column for June, President Christina Kallas discusses change and continuity. To view the President's message in full, click here.

April 2005

In her column in April, President Elizabeth Bryson talked about sexual politics and "women's work." She took issue with Harvard President Lawrence Summers' recent remarks implying that women are innately less suited to pursing careers in science or engineering. Such retrograde thinking is self-defeating. Mr. Summers had to apologize, and Harvard is now actively address the status of women in academia. Ms. Bryson also discussed upcoming events, including the Association's Annual Meeting, a CLE program on "Evolving Opportunities for Women' Lawyers," the Foundation's next fundraising breakfast, the WBASNY Convention, and of course our fantastic 70th Anniversary celebration on June 1st. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2005

In her column in February, President Elizabeth Bryson talked about matters of life and death. She related the experiences of a friend fighting breast cancer and her mother and family addressing the loss of two brothers to AIDS several years ago, and how each circumstance, though very different, teaches us once again the importance of choosing to live life to its fullest every day. By contrast, she considers the proposal in the NYS Legislature to reinstate the death penalty, and WBASNY's brave stance in opposition. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2005

In her column in January, President Elizabeth Bryson discussed the importance of taking steps to ensure that judges in New York have the appropriate qualifications and integrity to ensure the fair and equal administration of justice. She discusses pending legislation and proposed amendments to the Rules of Judicial Conduct that would have an influence on the method of selecting state court judges and the rules that would apply to candidates for judicial office in New York. Ms. Bryson was honored to chair a WBASNY Task Force to look at the proposed legislation and rule changes, and she discusses the process and proposals. She also describes the recent gala celebration WBASNY's 25 Anniversary and the wonderful presentation of the inaugural "Betty Weinberg Ellerin Mentoring Award" to Justice Ellerin. Finally, she reminds everyone of the importance of ensuring that their membership is renewed by January 31, 2005. New members are also welcome, and they can join for half-price dues starting in January! To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2004

In her column in December, President Elizabeth Bryson discussed the importance of speaking out and being heard. She demonstrated the value of the Association's screening of candidates for judicial office, particularly now, when the integrity of the judiciary is under attack. Because many of our members practice in solo and small firm settings, Ms. Bryson recommended that members appear before the Commission on Solo and Small Firm Practice, which is holding hearings and looking for comments, concerns and suggestions to make the lives of attorneys in these settings and their clients easier. Members should also plan to join us at several upcoming events that promise to be very exciting, including the NYWBA Foundation's Breakfast Series Speaker Event, a fundraiser scheduled for December 1st, WBASNY's 25th Anniversary Gala on December 2nd that will pay tribute to our own past President, the Honorable Betty Weinberg Ellerin, for her nearly 50 years of mentoring and service to women attorneys and judges throughout New York and across the country, and the New York Women's Agenda's Star Breakfast on December 7th. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2004

In her column in November, President Elizabeth Bryson celebrated all the wonderful programs and events that happened this fall, including our Annual Membership Reception. She also discussed the recent controversy with respect to screening the qualifications of candidates for judicial office in New York County, which became the subject of an article in the New York Law Journal. To view the President's message in full, click here.

September 2004

In her column in September, President Elizabeth Bryson asked members to join her in celebrating the Association's 70th Anniversary year (2004-05). Coincidentally, it was also the 25th anniversary year for the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY), which is the umbrella organization for all 16 women's bar associations across New York State. The NYWBA and its past President Joan Ellenbogen were instrumental in the formation of WBASNY, and it is a joy to see that it is flourishing. This is Beth's second term as President, and in her column she discussed the excitement of continuing programs begun last year and new programs that will begin this year. She also congratulated everyone who was involved in the wonderful year-end festivities, including our Annual Dinner and the WBASNY Convention. To view the President's message in full, click here.

April 2005

In her column for April, President Elizabeth Bryson congratulated several women who make history every day, including the 11 honorees designated for Women's History Month by the National Women's History Project and the New York City Commission on Women. She provided an update on the proposed rules that we have supported to allow asylum for women who are victims of domestic violence or other brutality that is directly or indirectly endorsed by their country's governments. Ms. Bryson also highlighted numerous upcoming events, including the NYWBA Annual Meeting and the Annual Ethics Forum, both in April, and the Women's Bar Convention in New Orleans and the NYWBA Annual Dinner, both in May. To view the President's message in full, click here. .

March 2004

In her March 2004 column, Ms. Bryson notes that NYWBA's membership has increased by over 33 percent from last year, and nearly 50% from two years ago. She praises the terrific work of NYWBA members, Officers, Board members, Committee Chairs, and others who worked on our membership drive and demonstrate why our bar association is so important, strong and vital. She also salutes two people who may not be lawyers but whose contributions are absolutely invaluable to the Association and the NYWBA Foundation - Executive Director Marta Toro and NYWBA Foundation member Denise Coleman. "Our Association is blessed with so many wonderful women and men who contribute their talents." To view the President's message in full, click here.

February 2004

In her February 2004 column, Ms. Bryson discussed the importance of mentoring and networking, especially for women attorneys. She also announces that the Association's Annual Meeting will be on April 28, 2004, when the 2004-05 officers and directors will be elected. Our gala Annual Dinner will be on May 26, 2004. At that event, awards will be presented to Linda Greenhouse, Pulitzer Prize winning author and New York Times reporter covering the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Hon. Jacqueline Silbermann, Administrative Judge of the NY County Supreme Court and Chief Administrative Judge for NYS Matrimonial Courts. To view the President's message in full, click here.

December 2003

In her December 2003 column, NYWBA President Elizabeth Bryson profiled important issues for our military, including the incidents of rape and sexual harassment at our military academies, the scourge of domestic violence, and the shameful track record of "don't ask, don't tell." She also discussed our exciting membership drive and the Reception Honoring Newly Elected and Appointed Judges. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2003

In her November 2003 column, NYWBA President Elizabeth Bryson discusses the importance and benefits of membership, as well as the recent visit of distinguished attorneys from Malaysia who were invited by the U.S. State Department to meet with NYWBA representatives. To view the President's message in full, click here.