Save the Date for the 16th annual Brown Forum for Women in the Law Conference
Friday, May 3, 2024
This dynamic gathering draws women from every level of professional development and accomplishment, providing career guidance, unparalleled professional development advice and networking. Women from across the country join us every year for this special day dedicated to empowerment, enrichment and enlightenment. Join us on Friday, May 3, for this memorable experience with ample opportunities to build your network.
Our 2024 theme is...
Women, Media and the Law: Impacting Elections 2024
Never has the power of the media been more evident — with fake news popping up by the second, polarized news channels and public TV and radio under fire, it’s absolutely vital to find reputable news sources. This year’s Brown Forum for Women in the Law Conference will focus on women, the media and the law with an eye to upcoming elections on every level and a lens on issues critical to women’s health and to voters. We will explore the power of the media, state officials, women lawyer news contributors and how it is vital to do your own vetting, sourcing and listening to balanced news sources.
Special Presenter:
Juliette Kayyem
Belfer Senior Lecturer in International Security and Faculty Chair Homeland Security Project and Security and Global Health Project, Harvard Kennedy School
National Security Analyst, CNN
Weekly Featured Analyst, GBH
2024 Conference Chairs
Amy Carlin ’00
Director, In-House Counsel Recruiting, Major, Lindsey & Africa
Umi Grigsby ’15
Chief of Policy, City of Chicago
Geri Haight ’97
Member, Mintz
Sponsored by:
PLATINUM LEVEL
GOLD LEVEL
SILVER LEVEL
Join the Conversation
Join us in conversations by adding #WIL2024 to your tweets, Instagram pictures and Facebook posts!
We gratefully acknowledge the efforts of our
2024 Women in the Law Advisory Group:
Professor Emerita Judy Brown
Vanessa Candela ’00
Amy Carlin ’00
Kelly Douglas ’92
Kathy Henry ’00
Sofia Lingos ’09
Christina Miller ’98
Karen O’Malley ’94
Lili Palacios-Baldwin’98
Gina Perini ’01
Mala Rafik ’97
Cynthia Reed ’80
Juliana Spofford ’89
History of the Brown Forum for Women in the Law Program
Since its founding, Northeastern University School of Law has championed diversity in the legal profession. Today, more than half of our graduates are women, practicing in every conceivable setting — from private practice to public service, from the bench to business, to the US Senate — as well as a host of non-legal fields.
In 2005, the School of Law’s Office of Alumni/ae Relations, along with Professor Emerita Judy Brown, formed the Women in the Law Advisory Group. Together, we decided it was high time to offer programming specifically geared toward alumnae. We developed a platform of activities, including an annual conference, a series of articles and resources on women in the law and networking activities for women lawyers.
Each year, we strive to address topics pertinent to women attorneys, regardless of their area of practice or career stage. Our goal is to offer practical, applicable and relevant information that women can put to use immediately in their careers. We also believe strongly in women supporting women, so we provide forums for networking, including ways to engage younger practitioners and current students.
In September, 2021, Northeastern Law received a gift of $500,000 from Professor Emerita Judith Olans Brown and her husband, Jim Brown, to establish the Judith Olans Brown Forum for Women in the Law. The Brown Forum will expand upon the success of the law school’s signature Women in the Law Conference and also supports affiliated programming related to advancing the careers of women lawyers.
>> Learn more
Conference Archive
-
Northeastern Law hosted the 15th annual Brown Forum for Women in the Law Conference on Friday, May 5, 2023 (with pre-conference festivities on Thursday, May 4, 2023).
Conference Videos
- Welcome and introductions; singing presentation by Ella Marcus, a student at Berklee College of Music; and special presentation by Melanne Verveer, executive director of Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security and former US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues.
- Dahlia Lithwick, author of Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle To Save America, and senior editor at Slate, in conversation with joined Deena Hurwitz ’96.
Audio
- Panel 2: Moving Forward in the Face of Backlash
After decades of progress, we are seeing a massive reversal in human rights, from reproductive rights to voting rights and LGBTQ+ rights and beyond. We face unprecedent threats to privacy, our bodies and democracy. In an intersectional world, we know each one of these areas impacts all segments. For example, without voting rights, we potentially suffer great losses to gender rights or reproductive rights. Exercising resilience in the face of backlash is critical — how do we recover our empowerment in an environment that seems determined to strip us of our human rights? This expert panel discussed tools and strategies for surviving backlash and recovering lost ground.Conference Photo Galleries
>> View photos of the pre-conference reception and wine-tasting
>> View photos of the 2023 Brown Forum for Women in the Law Conference
Program Highlights
Special Guest Speaker:Melanne Verveer
Executive Director, Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security and Former US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s IssuesMelanne Verveer, executive director of Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security and former US ambassador-at-large for global women’s issues, will deliver a special presentation as part of our 2023 program. As the inaugural US ambassador for global women’s issues, Verveer coordinated foreign policy issues and activities relating to the political, economic and social advancement of women, traveling to nearly 60 countries. During her four years in this position, she worked to ensure that women’s participation and rights are fully integrated into US foreign policy, and she played a leadership role in the Obama administration’s development of the US National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. President Obama also appointed her to serve as the US representative to the UN Commission on the Status of Women. (more)
Author PresentationDahlia Lithwick
Author, Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America; Senior Editor, Slate
Dahlia Lithwick is a senior editor at Slate and, in that capacity, has been writing its Supreme Court Dispatches and Jurisprudence columns since 1999. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Harper’s, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The New Republic and Commentary. Lithwick hosts Amicus, Slate’s award-winning biweekly podcast about law and the Supreme Court.In 2018, Lithwick received the American Constitution Society’s Progressive Champion Award and the Hillman Prize for Opinion and Analysis. Lithwick won a 2013 National Magazine Award for her columns on the Affordable Care Act. She was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2018. Lithwick has held visiting faculty positions at the University of Georgia Law School, the University of Virginia School of Law and the Hebrew University Law School in Jerusalem. She has appeared on CNN, ABC, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show and is a frequent guest on The Rachel Maddow Show. Lithwick earned her BA in English from Yale University and her JD from Stanford University. Her new book, Lady Justice, published by Penguin Press (September 2022), was a New York Times bestseller.
Conference Schedule
Thursday, May 4, 2023 Dockser Commons, Northeastern University School of Law 5:30 - 7:30 PM Winetasting and Networking ReceptionJoin us for wine tasting and networking with a fun, women-owned, Worcester-based business. Our attendees have requested more networking time built in, so we have added a pre-event networking reception.Welcome Remarks:
S. Mayumi “Umi” Grigsby ’15
Chief of Staff, Chicago Foundation for Women; Chair and Commissioner, Cook County Human Rights CommissionFriday, May 5, 2023 240 Dockser Hall, Northeastern University School of Law 8:30 - 9:00 AM Registration and Networking and Light Breakfast9:00 - 9:30 AM Welcome and Introductions
James Hackney
Dean, Northeastern University School of LawMielle Marquis
Director of External Relations, Northeastern University School of LawAmy Carlin ’00
Director, In-House Counsel Recruiting, Major, Lindsey & AfricaSiri Nelson ’19
Executive Director, National Whistleblower Center; Adjunct Professor, Northeastern University School of LawJuliana Spofford ’89
General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer, AidentifiedSinging Presentation
Ella Marcus
Student, Berklee College of Music9:30 - 10:15 AM Special Guest Speaker:Executive Director, Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security; Former US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues10:15 - 10:30 AM Q & A10:30 - 10:45 AM Break
(Lounge outside 240 Dockser)10:45 AM - 12:15 PM Moving Forward in the Face of BacklashAfter decades of progress, we are seeing a massive reversal in human rights, from reproductive rights to voting rights and LGBTQ+ rights and beyond. We face unprecedent threats to privacy, our bodies and democracy. In an intersectional world, we know each one of these areas impacts all segments. For example, without voting rights, we potentially suffer great losses to gender rights or reproductive rights. Exercising resilience in the face of backlash is critical — how do we recover our empowerment in an environment that seems determined to strip us of our human rights? This expert panel will discuss tools and strategies for surviving backlash and recovering lost ground.Speakers include:Mary Bonauto ’87
Senior Director of Civil Rights and Legal Strategies, GLAD Legal Advocates & DefendersChief of Staff, Chicago Foundation for Women; Chair and Commissioner, Cook County Human Rights CommissionRebecca Hart Holder
Executive Director, Reproductive Equity NowAssociate Teaching Professor, Northeastern University School of LawModerator:Elisabeth J. Medvedow ’85
Executive Director, Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy, Boston College Law School12:15 - 1:15 PM Lunch
Dockser Commons1:15 - 2:45 PM Author PresentationDahlia Lithwick, Author, Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle To Save America; Senior Editor, SlateIn Conversation with Deena Hurwitz ’96, Human Rights Lawyer2:45 - 3:00 PM Closing Remarks 3:00 - 4:00 PM Networking Reception
Dockser CommonsWith Thanks to Our 2023 Conference Sponsors
2023 Conference Chairs
A
my Carlin ’00
Director, In-House Counsel Recruiting, Major, Lindsey & AfricaAmy Carlin is a Boston-based director on Major, Lindsey & Africa’s In-House Counsel Recruiting team, working with legal departments to build better legal teams. Amy’s nearly two decades of experience as an employment lawyer and litigator makes her an effective and trusted partner to clients looking to add best-fit legal talent. Working across a variety of industries, she understands the importance of taking the time to understand the client’s operations and culture to identify a successful match in skills and personality.
Amy lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with her husband and her two middle-school aged daughters. She has a deep love of music, and whenever there is an opportunity to dance, she will take it (at times to the embarrassment of her daughters)! Early career days spent in the restaurant industry infused her with a passion for food and restaurants, and she loves the dining out experience. She also enjoys cooking, playing tennis and listening to podcasts while on a good walk. A few of her favorite podcasts are Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us, Layla Saad’s Good Ancestor Podcast, Broken Record with Rick Rubin and The New Yorker Fiction Podcast.
Siri Nelson ’19
Executive Director, National Whistleblower Center; Adjunct Professor, Northeastern University School of Law
@sirinelsonesq | LinkedInSiri Nelson is executive director of the National Whistleblower Center and president of the United Women in Business DC Chapter. Among her many activities, she participated in work done through public comments to the SEC on its proposed rule-making under the Dodd-Frank Act (whistleblower law), which resulted in the adoption of effective amendments in 2020. She participated in meetings with the chairman of the SEC, individual commission members and the staff of the commission regarding the importance of maintaining a robust SEC whistleblower program. Siri also wrote an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to grant certiorari in Butler v. Board of County Commissioners for San Miguel County, a case that raised significant whistleblower issues, and oversees the drafting of NWC amicus briefs. As executive director, Siri has gained experience with fundraising, grants and internship programs. She organizes NWC’s annual National Whistleblower Day event.
Juliana Spofford ’89
General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer, AidentifiedJuliana Spofford is the general counsel and chief privacy officer of Aidentified, a company that blends B2B and B2C data elements for relationship mapping and sales-prospecting purposes. She has more than 25 years of legal experience in a wide variety of areas, including giving in-house legal advice (since 2006) to various private and publicly held data/information technology companies. Prior to joining Aidentified, Juliana was the chief privacy officer at Dun & Bradstreet, where she was responsible for global privacy and data protection governance and compliance on a multi-national level, including privacy oversight of and response to cybersecurity incidents. Prior to that she was general counsel at NetProspex, a B2B data services business which she helped guide to acquisition by Dun & Bradstreet. Prior to NetProspex she was commercial corporate counsel on the data services (Factiva) side of Dow Jones after the acquisition by Dow Jones of Generate, where she had been general counsel. She started her legal career in the corporate litigation and intellectual property areas, working for firms such as Sullivan & Worcester in Boston and Bowditch & Dewey in Worcester, Massachusetts. She holds an undergraduate degree in art history from Smith College and a JD from Northeastern University School of Law.
Juliana received a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly In-House Leader in the Law award in 2018, participates as a mentor for the Massachusetts Bar Association Tiered Community Mentoring program and has spoken on multiple panels about data privacy and legal career-related topics. In her spare time she likes to read, hike, canoe and kayak and travel.
Guest Soloist
Ella Marcus
Boston Conservatory Rising Senior Ella Marcus is in so many ways a consummate pro already. Having grown up in New York City attending the historic arts-centric LaGuardia High School while simultaneously traveling with her mother’s musical group, New York Voices, Ella has been exposed to the colorful world of music, travel and the art of survival firsthand. Lots of children’s theater and local talent shows earned her early praise. Her journey wasn’t a straight line, but rather one of self-discovery, personal challenges and learning to champion herself to find the next path forward. In all instances of her life thus far, she has worked hard to get where she has strived, paying her dues and trusting the progress is in the details, not the fast track. Among the many singing opportunities Ella has enjoyed, she was called to sing demos for Disney’s 2019 production of The Little Mermaid and is on the cast album of the 2023 live TV production of Beauty and the Beast starring H.E.R. She has “extra” film credits that include The Survivor and independent film roles that are building her experience and exposure. She has presented performances at Vocal Mania and Vocal Gumbo — two shows geared toward showcasing young up and coming talent alongside pros in NYC and online. She had the honor of performing at the Women in Law conference at Northeastern University School of Law in 2021, connecting her women empowerment mindset with her musical creation. Being asked to return in person in 2023, she is excited to present an original song that directly speaks to the primary issue women are facing today, bodily autonomy. Life and art are a mystery, but Ella is prepared to meet that challenge with heart, intention and fierce intellect to make a meaningful footprint on the planet.
We gratefully acknowledge the efforts of our
2023 Women in the Law Advisory Group:Professor Emerita Judy Brown
Vanessa Candela ’00
Amy Carlin ’00
Kelly Douglas ’92
Kathy Henry ’00
Sofia Lingos ’09
Christina Miller ’98
Karen O’Malley ’94
Lili Palacios-Baldwin’98
Gina Perini ’01
Mala Rafik ’97
Cynthia Reed ’80
-
The 14th annual Women in the Law Conference took place on May 13, 2022, in a hybrid format. Our 2022 theme was Leading at Every Level.
>> View photos
Conference Videos
KEYNOTE
A Fireside Chat with Professors Margaret Burnham and Deborah Ramirez, co-directors of Northeastern Law’s New Center for Law, Equity and Race (CLEAR). Hosted by Mielle Marquis, director of external affairs and co-founder of Women in the Law.PANEL 1
Leading in New Areas of the Law
Watch this panel of innovators and national thought leaders to hear from key female lawyers in the areas of environmental justice; the intersection of law and policy; cyber stalking and online harassment and the implications and new laws surrounding cryptocurrency.
PANEL 3
Amelia Nagoski, co-author of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, leads an Experiential Workshop on Burnout.
2022 Conference Schedule
Friday, May 13, 2022 8:oo AM Registration, Networking and Coffee 8:30 AM Welcome
James Hackney, Dean, Northeastern University School of Law (recorded)
Mielle Marquis, Director of External Relations, Northeastern University School of Law
Lili Palacios- Baldwin ’98, Deputy General Counsel for Labor, Employment and Litigation, Tufts University (conference co-chair)
Amy Carlin ’00, Director, In-House Counsel Recruiting, Major, Lindsey & Africa (conference co-chair)
Singing Presentation
The Honorable Tiffany Williams Brewer ’99, Chair, New Jersey State Commission of Investigation; Co-Pastor, Transform Church Global Ministries9:00 - 10:00 AMKeynote Address
A Fireside Chat with Professors Margaret Burnham and Deborah Ramirez, co-directors of Northeastern Law’s new Center for Law, Equity and Race (CLEAR). Professor Burnham and Ramirez will talk about their long and impressive careers, racial inequality and the work they are doing with CLEAR to address today’s challenges and provide tomorrow’s solutions for the nation’s most complex social challenges.
Moderator:
Mielle Marquis, Director of External Affairs, Northeastern University School of Law10:00 - 10:15 AMBreak10:15 - 11:00 AMSpecial Presentation
The Honorable Margaret Marshall
Senior Counsel, Choate, Hall & Stewart
Moderator:
Lili Palacios-Baldwin ’98, Deputy General Counsel for Labor, Employment and Litigation, Tufts University11:00 AM - 12:00 PMPanel 1
Leading in New Areas of the Law
Join this panel of innovators and national thought leaders as we hear from key female lawyers in the areas of environmental justice; the intersection of law and policy; cyber stalking and online harassment and the implications and new laws surrounding cryptocurrency. Panelists include national leaders in these areas.
Moderator:
Amy Carlin ’00
Director, In-House Counsel Recruiting, Major, Lindsey & AfricaSpeakers include:
Carrie Goldberg
Victims’ Rights Attorney; Author, Nobody’s Victim: Fighting Psychos, Stalkers, Perv, and Trolls.
Michelle Gitlitz
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Flexa Network
Staci Rubin ’10
Vice President, Environmental Justice, Conservation Law Foundation12:00 - 1:00 PMLunch and Networking
Dockser Commons1:00 - 2:00 PMPanel 2
Creating Leadership Space at Every Level
Leadership isn’t a solo endeavor: It’s about creating space where people can come together to realize their potential—both individually and collectively. No matter whether you are in your career, entry level or C-suite level, creating leadership space is up to you. In this session, you’ll hear from industry leaders and learn how they created these spaces in the course of their own professional journeys. We’ll also talk about the importance of mentoring and bringing up those behind you, actions that build sustainable systems of change and growth.
Moderator:
Lisa Dorsey
Co-Founder and President, Eloquentia ConsultingSpeakers include:
Mary Jeka
Senior Vice President and General Counsel, University Relations Division, Tufts University
Deb Manus
Chair and Partner, Nutter; President, Boston Bar Association
Tram Nguyen ’13
State Representative, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Talesha Saint-Marc ’09
Shareholder, Bernstein Shur2:00 - 3:00 PMPanel 3
An Experiential Workshop on Burnout
Led by:
Amelia Nagoski
Co-author, Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle3:00 - 4:00 PMBreakouts
BREAKOUT 1 | 44 Dockser
When Things Fall ApartLed by:
Laurie Cappello
Director of Well-Being, MintzLili Palacios Baldwin ’98
Deputy General Counsel for Labor, Employment and Litigation, Tufts UniversityMala Rafik ’97
Partner, Rosenfeld & RafikBREAKOUT 2 | 42 Dockser
Be the Leader You Want to SeeModerators:
Su Joun
Principal, Diversity@Workplace Consulting GroupSofia Lingos ’09
Managing Attorney, Trident LegalJoin Sofia and Su in a real and robust discussion about being the leader that you want to see. Topics will include mentorship and sponsorship (and how they do not work for everyone), inclusive leadership, leadership without position and authority, and leadership moments.
BREAKOUT 3 | 46Dockser
Speed Leadership/Life CoachingCoaches include:
Nancy Cremins ’03
Leadership and Executive Coach, CrisilidLisa Dorsey
Co-Founder and President, Eloquentia ConsultingSusan Letterman White
Managing Partner, Letterman White Consulting
(Virtual Coaching Session)Tracey Lukes
Vice President, Hollister InstituteKim Meninger
Executive Coach and ConsultantBetsy Munnell
Business Development and Career Coaching for Lawyers
(Virtual Coaching Session)Cynthia Reed ’80
Executive Coach and Peer Advisor, Lee Hecht Harrison’s International Center for Executive Options (ICEO)Arivee Vargas
Women’s Life and High Performance™️ Coach; Host, Humble Rising LLC4:00 - 5:00 PMNetworking Reception
About Women in the law
Since its founding, Northeastern Law has championed diversity in the legal profession.Today, more than half of our graduates are women, practicing in every conceivable setting — from private practice to public service, from the bench to business — as well as a host of non-legal fields. Our annual Women in the Law conference provides career guidance and professional development growth to women attorneys and other professionals at all stages of their careers, and brings together powerful decision makers from Boston and beyond.
2022 Conference Chairs
Amy Carlin ’00
Director, In-House Counsel Recruiting, Major, Lindsey & AfricaAmy Carlin is a Boston-based Director on Major, Lindsey & Africa's In-House Counsel Recruiting team who works with legal departments to build better legal teams. Amy’s nearly two decades of experience as an employment lawyer and litigator makes her an effective and trusted partner to clients looking to add best-fit legal talent. Working across a variety of industries, she understands the importance of taking the time to understand the client’s operations and culture to identify a successful match in skills and personality.
Amy lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with her husband and her two middle-school aged daughters. She has a deep love of music, and whenever there is an opportunity to dance, she will take it (at times to the embarrassment of her daughters)! Early career days spent in the restaurant industry infused her with a passion for food and restaurants, and she loves the dining out experience. She also enjoys cooking, playing tennis and listening to podcasts while on a good walk. A few of her favorite podcasts are Brene Brown’s “Unlocking Us,” Layla Saad’s “Good Ancestor Podcast,” “Broken Record with Rick Rubin” and the New Yorker Fiction podcast.
Lili Palacios-Baldwin ’98
Deputy General Counsel for Labor, Employment and Litigation, Tufts UniversityLili Palacios-Baldwin began her career at Robinson & Cole LLP where she practiced in the areas of land use, real estate, and labor and employment law, following co-ops with the Massachusetts Land Court, Equal Rights Advocates and the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. Lil later served as a senior trial attorney at the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) where she practiced for almost ten years. While with the EEOC, she litigated individual and class cases within the federal courts, conducted training and public presentations, and worked with federal investigators on both enforcement and litigation matters throughout New England, New York, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Upon leaving the EEOC, Lili continued her law practice with the firm of Hirsch Roberts Weinstein, a Boston boutique labor, employment and litigation firm.
Lili is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Northeastern University School of Law. She is active in a number of community and professional associations and is currently co-chair of the Boston Bar Association’s College and University Section.
We gratefully acknowledge the efforts of our
2022 Women in the Law Advisory Group:Professor Emerita Judy Brown
Vanessa Candela ’00
Amy Carlin ’00
Kelly Douglas ’92
Kathy Henry ’00
Sofia Lingos ’09
Christina Miller ’98
Karen O’Malley ’94
Gina Perini ’01
Mala Rafik ’97
Cynthia Reed ’80
Rachael Rollins ’97 -
Women in the Law 2021 was held virtually on Friday, May 21. Our 2020-2021 theme was All In: Reimagining Inclusive Workplaces. Program highlights include:
Program highlights included:
- An intimate interview with Nina Totenberg, NPR’s Legal Affairs Correspondent. The conversation with Totenberg touched on her close friendship with RBG, her role as a trailblazer in journalism and much more.
- A conversation with Michele Coleman Mayes, vice president, general counsel and secretary of the New York Public Library, and the Honorable Victoria Roberts ’76;
- A special presentation by Shirley Leung, columnist and associate editor at The Boston Globe;
- A mindfulness exercise by Brenda Fingold;
- Three timely and topical panels: Strategies for Promoting Equity and Inclusion in the Legal Workplace; Rewriting the Code: Women, Law and Technology; and “Democracy is not a state. It is an act....” (John Lewis).
- Three breakout sessions to choose from: Dive Deeper into the "isms"; Out of Time and Out of Mind: Strategies to Make the Most of Every Day; So You Want to Be a General Counsel.
- And much more... Check out the conference schedule below!
2021 Conference Schedule
Friday, May 21, 2021 8:15 AM Gathering on Zoom and Networking 8:30 AM Welcome
James Hackney
Dean and Professor of Law, Northeastern University School of Law
Mielle Marquis| @MielleMarquis
Director of External Relations, Northeastern University School of Law
Amy Carlin ’00
Partner, Morgan Brown & Joy (conference chair)
James Hackney
Dean, Northeastern University School of LawMusical contributions from Alisha Williams, who recently graduated from the California Jazz Conservatory, and singing duo Ella Marcus and Sarah Katherine Lawless, who attend the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music, set the tone for a dynamic and inspiring day of programing.9:00 - 10:00 AM Keynote Address
Michele Coleman Mayes
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, New York Public Library
In conversation with: The Honorable Victoria Roberts ’7610:00 - 10:10 AM Mindfulness Exercise
Brenda Fingold
Mindfulness Consultant10:10 - 10:15 AM Break 10:15- 11:15 AM Panel 1
Strategies for Promoting Equity and Inclusion in Legal Workplaces
As lawyers, many of us have worked hard to achieve real diversity in the workplace. But diversity can’t be the end game when most workplaces struggle to maintain a culture that truly supports equity and inclusion. In this session, panelists will share strategies they’ve used to encourage their organizations to make changes that benefit all who are working for equity in the workplace. This panel will include an expert who works with organizations to transform cultures on issues of equity, and who will impart actual tools to those eager and interested in creating openings for more inclusive workplaces.Panelists:
Laura Rees Acosta
Managing Director, Diversity + Inclusion, Goodwin
Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson
Co-founder of the Disruptive Equity Education Project
Su Joun
Principal, Diversity@Workplace Consulting Group @SuJounTALENT
Rosa Nuñez
Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Foley HoagModerator:
Amy Carlin ’00
Partner, Morgan, Brown & Joy11:15 - 11:25 AM Break 11:25 AM - 12:25 PM Panel 2
Rewriting the Code: Women, Law and Technology
It’s no secret that technology is a male-dominated field where women often face challenges. For female lawyers, getting involved with technology on the legal side can be a way to better understand and network into either start-ups or established companies. Our panelists will share strategies for opening up opportunities and a seat at the table in technology and social media companies as well as how to improve recruitment and retention in this niche.Panelists:
Vanessa Candela ’00
Chief Legal Officer, Celonis
Juliana Spofford ’89
General Counsel, Chief Privacy Officer, Aidentified
Alicia Tambe ’15
Public Policy Manager, Global Connectivity & Access, Facebook
Moderator:Jessica Silbey
Professor of Law, Boston University School of Law12:25 - 1:10 PM Special Presentation
Shirley Leung
Columnist and Associate Editor, The Boston Globe1:10 - 1:15 PM Break 1:15 - 2:15 PM Panel 3
“Democracy is not a state. It is an act...” (John Lewis)
Exasperated, frustrated, and appalled at the state of the world? The challenges before us are daunting - racial injustice, threats to peace at home and abroad, assaults on democracy and the rule of law, a broken healthcare system, intractable poverty, climate change and other environmental threats, a troubling immigration system, ongoing challenges to the rights of women and LGBTQ folks (just to name a few). You are compelled to act, to use your formidable skills -- legal and otherwise - to engage and make a positive difference. But where to begin? Join a panel of fellow activists and hear how they are using the law to work for social change across multiple contexts.Panelists:
Michelle Banker
Director of Reproductive Rights and Health Litigation, National Women’s Law Center
Emily Rochon ’13
Owner/Manager, Renewable Futures, Brussels, Belgium
Sara Schnorr
Of Counsel, Locke Lord
Connie Vetter '93
Principal, Connie Vetter, LGBT Attorney at Law
Heather Yountz ’07
Immigration Attorney, Demissie & ChurchModerator:
Sunu Chandy ’98
Legal Director, National Women’s Law Center2:15 - 2:20 PM Break 2:20 - 3:20 PM Breakout Sessions Dive Deeper into the "isms"
Racism, sexism, ageism, ableism…discrimination takes many forms in the workplace—and is ever-evolving. These are thorny topics, and it feels all too easy to say the wrong thing. Most of us feel unable or ill-equipped to address the “isms” that we experience or witness, yet yearn to engage to promote real learning and change in our own communities. In this session, breakout leaders will discuss ways to have difficult conversations or otherwise respond when you’re confronted with these issues in the workplace and beyond.Breakout leaders:
Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson
Co-founder of the Disruptive Equity Education Project
Soudie Tahmassebipour ’99
Founder, RE-ENVISION Consulting; Executive Director, Wachusett Area Social Justice Alliance
Out of Time and Out of Your Mind: Strategies to Make the Most of Every Day
Dutifully racking up billable hours or enduring the grind of back-to-back meetings and the expectation of lightning-fast responses to endlessly urgent demands is no guarantee of time well spent. Your time is valuable—and not just in stark economic terms. Where is your life and career energizing you versus depleting you? Are you ready to move through your days with energy and enthusiasm? In this session, you will gain clarity about what lights you up and develop strategies for honoring that in your daily life. Join the discussion and make every moment count.Breakout leader:
Tracey Lukes
Vice President, Hollister Institute
So You Want to Be a General Counsel
What is the necessary skillset for becoming a general counsel – i.e. what traits are necessary to succeed in this very fast-paced in-house environment? Exceptional legal skills are just table stakes on the road to becoming general counsel. A great general counsel is a master of relationships, an executive confidant, a business enabler and a teller of hard truths. Being intentional about your career - the places you work, the assignments you seek, who you work for and who takes you under their wing - are all crucial if you want the top job. Our distinguished breakout leaders will share their stories and show you the way.
Breakout leaders:
Vanessa Candela ’00
Chief Legal Officer, Celonis
Nancy Reiner '84
Partner, Major, Lindsey & Africa3:20 - 3:25 PM Break 3:25 - 3:55 PM Special Presentation
Nina Totenberg
NPR's Legal Affairs Correspondent
3:55 - 4:00 PM Break 4:00 - 4:30 PM Virtual Networking
Join us in celebrating #WIL2021