Alumnae Share Leadership Advice at Lawyers As Leaders Conference
Lawyers as Leaders Part One of the "Leaders in Business and Finance" panel included Mary G. Morris J.D '81, MLT '82, Susan Comparato J.D. '94, and Anne E. Bomar J.D. '91. Photo by David F. Morrill
Lawyers as Leaders The "Leaders in Philanthropy and Non-Profit Organizations" panel included Anne B. Shumadine J.D. '83, Anita M. Poston J.D. '74, and Heidi W. Abbott J.D. '91. Photo by David F. Morrill
Lawyers as Leaders Part Two of the "Leaders in Business and Finance" panel included Stephanie Zapata Moore J.D. '98, Lauren A. Ferrari J.D. '83, Marshall B. Barton J.D. '94, and Julie P. Laine J.D. '95. Photo by David F. Morrill
Lawyers as Leaders During luncheon, students got to spend time talking with alumnae, as Callie Carnemark J.D. '15 did with Anne B. Shumadine J.D. '83. Photo by David F. Morrill
Lawyers as Leaders Professor Jayne Barnard led a lively "Leaders in Policy Advocacy" panel with Kristine A. Kippins J.D. '05, Jessica Arons J.D. '00, and Judith Conti J.D. '94. Photo by David F. Morrill
Lawyers as Leaders Throughout the day, students found a lot to smile about during the conference. Photo by David F. Morrill
Lawyers as Leaders Lisa A. Bertini J.D. '87, Courtney C. Nowell J.D. '96, and Deidre ("Dee") Cohen Katz J.D. '93 were on hand for the "Leaders in Law Firms" panel. Photo by David F. Morrill
Lawyers as Leaders The conference concluded with a panel on "Leaders in Lawyers' Organizations," including Carla Archie J.D. '95, Rosa J. Evergreen J.D. '05, Helivi Holland J.D. '90, and Catherine M. Stanton J.D. '89. Photo by David F. Morrill
William & Mary Law School hosted a “Lawyers as Leaders” conference on Friday, Sept. 12. During the day-long event, 20 distinguished alumnae from across the nation spoke to students and other alums about the role of lawyers as leaders, with particular emphasis on leadership in law firms, business and finance, public policy advocacy, the non-profit world, and bar associations.
“The conference featured speakers reflecting a wonderful array of talent, experience, and presentational styles. Each panel had its own energy. Throughout the day, the speakers shared their insights both with our students and many alumnae who were also in the audience,” said Jayne Barnard, Cutler Professor of Law and organizer of the event. “The day offered a great opportunity for our students and alumnae to connect, both during the panel sessions and during the luncheon.”
Indeed, Barnard noted that luncheon went into overtime thanks to the many lively conversations between alumnae and students.
The conference is the third in a series of annual events that feature women in law. The first was “Women in Big Law” in 2012, followed by “Lawyers in In-House Practice” in 2013.
Dean Davison M. Douglas noted that this was the first time back to the law school in years for some of the speakers.
“They very much enjoyed meeting our current students and their fellow graduates,” Douglas said. “As one of the speakers wrote after the conference ended, ‘I came home gushing to my family about the caliber of attorneys that I had the pleasure of meeting at the conference. I feel invigorated to work harder for all the right reasons. Thank you!’”
The event was sponsored by William & Mary Law School’s Office of the Dean, Office of Development & Alumni Affairs, Office of Career Services, The William & Mary Journal of Women & the Law, The William & Mary Business Law Review, William & Mary Women’s Law Society, William & Mary Business Law Society, Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship Legal Society (ViCE), and the George Wythe Society.
About William & Mary Law School
Thomas Jefferson founded William & Mary Law School in 1779 to train leaders for the new nation. Now in its third century, America's oldest law school continues its historic mission of educating citizen lawyers who are prepared both to lead and to serve.