Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia

The Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia (WBA or Association) is a voluntary bar association in metropolitan Washington, D.C. The WBA has more than 800 members and was founded in 1917.

Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia
TypeBar association
Region served
Washington, D.C.
Websitehttps://wbadc.org/

Leadership and governance

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The WBA is led by a Board of Directors[1] that is elected by the general membership each year. Board Members generally serve three-year terms and officers serve one-year terms. A large part of the WBA’s programming and initiative work is carried out by its numerous Committees and Forums.[2] The Co-Chairs of the Committees and Forum organize events and networking opportunities, and support the community of women attorneys and its allies.[3]

Programming and events

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The WBA's Committees and Forums[4] develop and organize a wide variety of dynamic programming. WBA programs include discussions about substantive legal issues, practice development, career development, and matters of general concern to all women. These programs feature experts, authors, dignitaries, and government officials, many of whom are WBA members.

In July 2020, the WBA hosted an event called "Where are the Black Women Lawyers in Leadership Positions?"[5] in collaboration with he Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association (GWAC).[6]

The Annual Dinner is held each year in May at the National Building Museum.[7] Typically, more than 600 people attend from a variety of practice areas, law firms, government agencies, and other professional backgrounds. The proceeds from the evening support the ongoing efforts of the WBA and the WBA Foundation.[8]

The Stars of the Bar Fall Networking Reception hosts more than 300 people. During the event the WBA honors stars of the legal community and provides an opportunity for learning about WBA programs and services, with networking stations for each committee and forum to discuss upcoming programming in various attorney interests and fields of law.

Registration to attend WBA events is available on the WBA website.[9]

Publications

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The WBA publishes a quarterly newsletter called "Raising the Bar" that features content produced by its membership.[10]

Advocacy

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The WBA uses issue statements, endorsements, and initiatives to advance the interests of women lawyers. The issue statements are on topics ranging from equal pay to domestic violence to the Equal Rights Amendment.[11] The WBA endorses executive and judicial nominees who request the support and are then vetted by the WBA.[12]

Awards and honors

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The WBA bestows various recognition awards: Woman Lawyer of the Year;[13] Janet Reno Torchbearer Award; the Mussey-Gillett Shining Star Award[14] and Stars of the Bar.[15]

Janet Reno Torchbearer Award recipients

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Woman Lawyer of the Year Award recipients

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References

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  1. ^ "WBADC". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  2. ^ "WBADC". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  3. ^ "Event Calendar". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  4. ^ "WBADC - Committees and Forums". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  5. ^ "Where are the Black Women Lawyers in Leadership Positions? An Open Discussion on Reasons for this Lack of Diversity and an Examination of Viable Solutions – GWAC". Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  6. ^ "GWAC – A network of African-American women attorneys dedicated to the professional development of its members". Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  7. ^ "Home of the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C." National Building Museum. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  8. ^ "WBADC - Foundation". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  9. ^ "Event Calendar". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  10. ^ "WBADC Newsletter". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  11. ^ "WBADC Issue Statements". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  12. ^ "WBADC Endorsements". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  13. ^ "WBADC - Woman Lawyer of the Year". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  14. ^ "WBADC - Mussey-Gillet Shining Star Award". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  15. ^ "Awards & Recognition" Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  16. ^ "WBADC - Janet Reno Torchbearer Award". www.wbadc.org. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  17. ^ Murph, John "WBA Honors Ellen Jakovic With Woman Lawyer of the Year Award" DC Bar, May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  18. ^ "UK CIC Board of Directors" Responsible Business Initiative for Justice. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  19. ^ "June 2022 President's Letter" National Association of Women Judges. June 1, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  20. ^ "WBA Announces Woman Lawyer of the Year: Grace E. Speights, Partner, Morgan Lewis" WBA. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
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38°54′01″N 77°02′45″W / 38.900389°N 77.045734°W / 38.900389; -77.045734