Brent Margaret Women Lawyers of Achievement Awards - American Bar Association
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
August 5, 2021 ABA Hybrid Annual Meeting 31st Annual Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Awards
01234567856912ÿ61ÿ
6 ÿ1214 ÿ1ÿ6 ÿ
ÿ543546ÿ426ÿ
1 2ÿ54ÿ1ÿ
9 26ÿ54
ÿ!""#$%ÿ%& ÿ'('ÿ)#**+ +#,-ÿ
.#**+%* ,%ÿ%#ÿ"$#*#%+,/ÿ0#* ,ÿ
1,2ÿ2+3 $+%4ÿ+,ÿ%& ÿ5 /15ÿ+,2!%$46
7889ÿ;8ÿ?@98A
2021
Margaret
Brent Awards
About the Commission on Women
The Commission on Women in the Profession was created in 1987 to
assess the status of women in the legal profession and to identify barriers
to their advancement.
The Commission aims not only to address the challenges that women
lawyers face, but also to combat bias in the justice system and to improve
the quality of life for the profession generally. Its mission is to secure full
and equal participation of women in the ABA, the profession, and the
justice system. Drawing upon the diverse backgrounds and expertise of
its members, who are appointed by the ABA President, the Commission
develops programs, policies, and publications to promote gender equality.
To learn more about the Commission and its ongoing activities and
programs, visit www.americanbar.org/women.
About Margaret Brent
Margaret Brent was the first woman lawyer in America. She arrived in the
colonies in 1638. She was a master negotiator, an accomplished litigator,
and a respected leader. She was involved in 124 court cases over eight
years and won every case. In 1648, she formally demanded a “vote and
voice” in the Maryland Assembly, which the governor denied. Over 250
years later, Harper’s magazine noted: “By this action, Margaret Brent
undoubtedly placed herself as the first woman in America to make a
stand for the rights of her sex.”
1Congratulations to the Recipients of the
2021 Margaret Brent
Women Lawyers of
Achievement Award
Hon. Irma Gonzalez Joan Haratani Joyce Hughes
Pamela Karlan Oregon Attorney General
Ellen Rosenblum
We Applaud Your
Achievements and
Advocacy in Support of
Women Everywhere
2Table of
Contents
Welcome from Commission on Women
Chair Hon. Maureen Mulligan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Welcome from ABA President
Patricia Lee Refo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Welcome from ABA President-Elect
Reginald Turner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Welcome from ABA Executive Director
Jack L. Rives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Award Purpose and Criteria/Past Honorees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Program Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2021 Margaret Brent Award Honorees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
¯ Hon. Irma Gonzalez – 10
¯ Joan Haratani – 12
¯ Joyce Hughes – 14
¯ Pamela Karlan – 16
¯ Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum – 18
Our Generous Supporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Donor Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Tributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Commission Toolkits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
3Welcome from the
Commission on Women Chair
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
On behalf of the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, I am
delighted to welcome you to the 31st Annual Margaret Brent Women
Lawyers of Achievement Awards. The Margaret Brent Awards provides
us with an opportunity to collectively celebrate the contributions each
Honoree has made to the advancement of women in the profession of
the practice of law. We are also celebrating their own accomplishments
and recognize each honoree for her personal achievement of
Hon. Maureen Mulligan excellence in the practice of law. Each of today’s honorees is truly a
woman of excellence. With their diverse backgrounds and experiences,
the Brent honorees have guided, encouraged, mentored and inspired
countless women lawyers. To each honoree, Hon. Irma Gonzalez,
Joan Haratani, Joyce Hughes, Pamela Karlan, and Oregon Attorney
General Ellen Rosenblum, we applaud you for being ambitious, for
raising your voice, for saying “yes I can” and for bringing others with
you. We thank you for your intolerance of gender and racial inequities,
taking action and having zero tolerance for the status quo.
We thank you for writing articles, writing books, speaking around
the country and for taking the time to share your knowledge, wisdom
and experience with others seeking to create their own space and place
in this wonderful profession. We thank you for your legal work and
your scholarship to make sure the laws of our country protect women
from harassment and domestic violence. You lead by example, and
as a result, your example has allowed others to become leaders.
To everyone who is celebrating with us today, welcome. If this is your
first time attending a Margaret Brent Award Ceremony, we are so glad
that you could join us. The Commission on Women in the Profession
is comprised of twelve members appointed by the ABA President.
Our mission is to secure the full and equal participation of women
in the legal profession, the justice system and the American Bar
Association. For over 30 years the Commission on Women in the
Profession has brought lawyers together to advance this mission.
It is a great honor to chair the Commission, and we welcome
you to join us in all of the important work to come.
Sincerely,
Hon. Maureen Mulligan
Chair, ABA Commission on Women
4Welcome from the
ABA President
Dear Colleagues,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2021 Margaret Brent Women
Lawyers of Achievement Awards, presented by the ABA Commission
on Women in the Profession.
Like so many of you, I look forward to the Margaret Brent Awards
program as a highlight at the ABA Annual Meeting, The Brent
Award program inspires us all every year, and serves as an important Patricia Lee Refo
reminder that women’s progress benefits all of us, women and men.
I congratulate this year’s awardees, five magnificent women lawyers
who, in the spirit of the first practicing woman lawyer in the American
colonies, Margaret Brent, have paved the way for our profession and
society: The Honorable Irma Gonzalez, Joan Haratani, Joyce Hughes,
Pamela Karlan, and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum.
Thank you for your extraordinary accomplishments and commitment
to diversity and professional excellence. You lead by example.
Thank you to the staff and volunteer leadership of the Commission
on Women in the Profession for pursuing the essential mission of
advancing equity for women in the legal profession.
Sincerely,
Patricia Lee Refo
President
American Bar Association
5Welcome from the
ABA President-Elect
Dear Friends,
I am honored to welcome you to the 2021 Margaret Brent Women
Lawyers of Achievement Awards, presented by the ABA Commission
on Women in the Profession.
These awards are among my favorite programs of the ABA and
are a special opportunity to celebrate the exceptional careers and
Reginald Turner accomplishments of exemplary women in the legal profession.
This year’s deserving honorees are five powerhouse women lawyers
who embody the essence of Margaret Brent, America’s first practicing
woman lawyer, and have blazed trails in our field: The Honorable Irma
Gonzalez, Joan Haratani, Joyce Hughes, Pamela Karlan, and Oregon
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. Thank you for your service and
commitment to excellence and equal justice under law.
To the staff and volunteer leadership of the Commission on Women
in the Profession, we thank you and applaud all that you do to further
a diverse and inclusive profession.
With appreciation,
Reginald Turner
President-Elect
American Bar Association
6Welcome from the
ABA Executive Director
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I am extremely pleased to welcome you to the 31st Annual Margaret
Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Awards—our second virtual
celebration.
This year’s recipients are extraordinary individuals who represent the
very best in our profession. I offer my warmest congratulations to the
Honorable Irma Gonzalez, Joan Haratani, Joyce Hughes, Pamela Karlan, Jack L. Rives
and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. They have all made—
and continue to make—substantial contributions to our system of justice.
Today, we celebrate the tremendous progress and accomplishments women have
made across the legal profession. Since the days of Margaret Brent, the 17th
century attorney who inspired today’s award, women trailblazers have constantly
emerged to break barriers and inspire others in the field of law. Shortly after our
celebration last year, one such giant of the legal profession, Justice Ruth Bader
Ginsburg, passed away following 27 years on the U.S. Supreme Court.
A close friend to the ABA and past recipient of the Margaret Brent,
Thurgood Marshall, and ABA Medal awards, Justice Ginsburg dedicated her
life to advancing civil rights and women’s empowerment. Her leadership and
mentoring inspired others to follow in her footsteps and, like today’s recipients,
paved the way for the next generation of women lawyers to build on their
success and achievements.
I also commend the Commission on Women in the Profession for its work
to secure the full and equal participation of women in the ABA, the legal
profession, and the justice system. Congratulations again to the honorees and
best wishes to everyone for an enjoyable and memorable ceremony!
Sincerely,
Jack L. Rives
Executive Director
American Bar Association
7Award Purpose and Criteria/Past Honorees
The ABA Commission on Women in the Profession established the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of
Achievement Award to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of women lawyers. Honorees receiving
the award have achieved professional excellence in their field and
• Influenced other women to pursue legal careers, or
• Opened doors for women lawyers in a variety of job settings that historically were closed to them, or
• Advanced opportunities for women within a practice area or segment of the profession.
1991 1998 2005 2013
Hon. Phyllis A. Kravitch* Special Award: Special Award: Hon. Mazie K. Hirono
Andrea Sheridan Ordin Justice Claire Hillary Rodham Clinton Sara Holtz
Hon. Rosalie Wahl* L’Heureux-Dubé Loretta Collins Argrett Hon. Gladys Kessler
Jeanette Rosner Wolman* V. Maureen Mary Cranston Marygold Shire Melli*
Prof. Marilyn V. Yarbrough* Kempston Darkes Hon. Carolyn Dineen King Hon. Therese M. Stewart
Hon. Bernette Judith L. Lichtman
1992 Joshua Johnson Hon. Mary Ann McMorrow*
2014
Special Award: Rep. Irma L. Rangel* Hon. Nancy Gertner
Prof. Anita F. Hill Prof. Judith Resnik 2006 Anastasia D. Kelly
Margaret L. Behm Judith A. Winston Ellen Godbey Carson Allie B. Latimer
Hon. Betty B. Fletcher* Constance Slaughter-Harvey Hon. Kathryn Doi Todd
Dean Herma Hill Kay*
1999 Hon. Peggy A. Quince Marissa C. Wesely
Rep. Patsy Takemoto Mink* Prof. Barbara A. Babcock Hon. Betty Roberts*
Hon. Leah J. Sears-Collins Carol E. Dinkins Joan C. Williams
2015
Hon. Carol W. Hunstein Hon. Mari Carmen Aponte
1993 Pauline A. Schneider 2007 LTG Flora D. Darpino
Special Award: Hon. Norma L. Shapiro* Roxana C. Bacon Hon. Fernande
Hon. Janet Reno* Hon. Marsha S. Berzon R.V. (Nan) Duffly
2000 Angela M. Bradstreet Mary Ann Hynes
Hon. Betty W. Ellerin
Sheila L. Birnbaum Marva Jones Brooks Prof. Emma Coleman Jordan
Hon. Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Hon. Shirley M. Hufstedler* Hon. Irma S. Raker
Elaine R. Jones 2016
Hon. Judith S. Kaye*
Hon. Joyce L. Kennard
Esther R. Rothstein*
Hon. Sandra Day O’Connor 2008 Ginger Ehn Lew
Dovey J. Roundtree* Special Award: Roberta D. Liebenberg
1994 Sarah Weddington Nancy E. O’Malley
Special Award:
2001 Hon. Judith W. Rogers
Hon. Ruth Cooper Burg
Prof. Barbara Jordan* Laurel Bellows Judith A. Scott
Roberta S. Karmel
Irma Herrera
Nancy L. Davis Linda Strite Murnane 2017
Hon. Gabrielle
Jean E. Dubofsky Mary Jo White Nancy Duff Campbell
Kirk McDonald
Hon. Margaret Hilary Marshall Hon. Ann Claire Williams Hon. Bernice Bouie Donald
Hon. Mary Schroeder
Vilma S. Martinez
Hon. Patricia McGowan Wald
Marna Tucker 2009 Hon. Lynn Nakamoto
Linda L. Addison Lauren Stiller Rikleen
2002
1995 Annie Brown Kennedy
Helaine M. Barnett Nadine Strossen
Special Award: Hon. Arnette R. Hubbard 2018
Hon. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Hon. Bella Abzug* Hon. Vanessa Ruiz
Prof. Myrna Sharon Raeder* Patricia Kruse Gillette
Hon. Shirley S. Abrahamson Loretta A. Tuell Eileen M. Letts
Judith P. Vladeck*
Mahala Ashley Dickerson* Hon. Rya W. Zobel 2010 Hon. Consuelo B. Marshall
Prof. Lani Guinier Cynthia E. Nance
2003 Brooksley E. Born
Louise B. Raggio* Tina Tchen
Elizabeth J. Cabraser
Ada Shen-Jaffe Hon. Martha
Craig Daughtrey Willie Stevenson Glanton* 2019
1996 Charlye O. Farris* Hon. M. Margaret McKeown Raquel Aldana
Hon. Rosemary Barkett Joanne M. Garvey* Laura Stein Michelle Banks
Hon. Beryl Levine Dean Colleen A. Khoury 2011 Kelly M. Dermody
Nina Miglionico* Michele Coleman Mayes Special Award: Hon. Judith McConnell
Lynn Hecht Schafran Hon. Beverley McLachlin Julie A. Su
Hon. Patricia Schroeder 2004
Special Award: Eleanor Dean Acheson 2020
1997 Hauwa Ibrahim Paulette Brown Ruthe Catolico Ashley
Special Award: Marina Angel Karen J. Mathis Hon. Anna
Roberta Cooper Ramo Teveia Barnes Col. Maritza S. Ryan Blackburne-Rigsby
Evelyn Gandy* Linda Klein Hon. Esther Tomljanovich Deborah Epstein
Jamie S. Gorelick Wendi Lazar
Catherine Lamboley 2012
Antonia Hernandez Hon. Jean Hoefer Toal Regina Montoya
Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye
Hon. Joan Dempsey Klein
Marcia Devins Greenberger
Drucilla Stender Ramey
Joan M. Hall
Arlinda Locklear
Amy W. Schulman *Deceased
8Program
Agenda
Welcome Remarks
Hon. Maureen Mulligan
Chair, ABA Commission on Women in the Profession
Greetings
Hon. Maureen Mulligan
Chair, ABA Commission on Women in the Profession
Patricia Lee Refo
President, American Bar Association
Reginald Turner
President-Elect, American Bar Association
Presentation of Awards
Hon. Maureen Mulligan
Chair, ABA Commission on Women in the Profession
Honorees
¯ Hon. Irma Gonzalez
¯ Joan Haratani
¯ Joyce Hughes
¯ Pamela Karlan
¯ Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum
9Hon. Irma Gonzalez
Judge Irma Gonzalez serve as role models for children in the community. As a
was the first Latina of leader of the organization, she helped create, implement,
Mexican heritage to and moderate beneficial programs that educate and
be appointed to the encourage our members and provide a valuable setting
Federal Bench, serving for them to meet other influential professionals.
on the United States Judge Gonzalez is an active member in the legal
District Court for the community and continues to be an impactful and
Southern District of valuable constituent. She is a member of the Lawyers
California in 1992. She Club Advisory Board, a Master of the Enright Inn
was also the first woman of Court, a member of the Federal Bar Association’s
of Hispanic origin appointed to the Superior Court of Advisory Board and a member of the Judicial Advisory
California in San Diego County; the first Latino/a federal Board of ABTL.
district judge in the Southern District of California, and In 2008, Judge Gonzalez was named Outstanding
the first Mexican American female federal district judge Jurist by the San Diego County Bar Association. In
ever appointed anywhere in the United States. These 2011 she received the Joan Dempsey Klein Award for
remarkable series of firsts reflect on Judge Gonzalez’s Distinguished Jurist by the California Women Lawyers
ambitions and high achievements. and in 2013 Judge Gonzalez received the Lifetime
Judge Gonzalez currently serves as an arbitrator, Achievement Award from the Hispanic National Bar
mediator, and special master in complex cases with JAMS, Association. In 2015 the University of Arizona James E.
a worldwide dispute resolution provider. She embarked on Rogers School of Law awarded Judge Gonzalez a Lifetime
this challenge after retiring from the judiciary, continuing Achievement Award. Judge Gonzalez was inducted
her impactful work in the legal field. into the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame in 2017 and
Judge Gonzalez graduated from Stanford University most recently in 2021 she received the Lawyer’s Club
in 1970 and received her law degree from the University Excellence in Diversity Award.
of Arizona School of Law in 1973. Upon graduating In the words of her colleagues and friends,
from law school, Judge Gonzalez served as a law clerk “There is something in her grace, her unselfishness, her
to United States District Judge William C. Frey in kindness, and her composure that make us all strive to
Tucson, Arizona. She later served as an Assistant United be like her. She is the kind of judge and kind of person
States Attorney in the criminal division of the United who made our court better just by her presence.” –
States Attorney’s office in the District of Arizona and Judge Nita Stormes
the Central District of California before working as an
associate attorney at the then law firm of Seltzer Caplan “To say that Judge Gonzalez has paved the way for
Wilkins and McMahon. many is an understatement. Her knowledge, talent and
Judge Gonzalez retired from the federal bench in skill are impressive, and we continue to count ourselves
2013, previously serving as Chief Judge of the District very fortunate to have her as part of our panel.”
Court from 2005 to 2012. She also served as a judge on – Chris Poole, JAMS President and CEO
the Superior Court, San Diego County (1991–1992) and “Judge Gonzalez is a beacon of light, guiding Latinas
as a Magistrate Judge, Southern District of California in their professional aspirations and education.”
(1984–1990). – Hon. Ruth Bermudez Montenegro
One of Judge Gonzalez’s most significant contributions
Judge Irma Gonzalez has been a mentor and an
to the advancement of women in the law is her role at
inspiration throughout her career, especially to young
Latinas in the Law. She is a founding member of Latinas
women. She worked tirelessly to challenge the status
in the Law, which was established in 2005 to mentor
quo and elevate the people around her at the same time.
young Latina lawyers and law students, promote the
Judge Gonzalez epitomizes the kind of person that is
advancement of Latinas as legal professional, provide
highly deserving of the Margaret Brent Award.
opportunity for personal growth and development, and
10Dear Sisters, Dear Daughters,
It is an honor to write and tell you a little about myself, my journey and to give you some advice.
In 1992 I became the first Latina of Mexican heritage to be appointed to the federal bench in
the United States.
I am proud of my heritage and my family that molded me. I am the oldest of seven children.
I have five sisters and one brother, all of whom have been successful in their own right. We owe
much of our success to our parents who had a vision for their children-that a good education was
a key to success.
My mother was born and raised in Mexico. She married my father at age 19 and although my
mother did not graduate from high school, she eventually obtained her GED at age 45, obtained
her real estate license and later became a wonderful artist. My father was born and raised in
the border town of Nogales, Arizona. He was an orphan by age 12 and went to live with his
grandmother. My father had this inner strength to succeed, and succeed he did. My father
received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and graduated from Stanford
medical school. He became one of the first Latino general surgeons in the state of Arizona.
My parents pushed me to get good grades and I did. But I soon learned life is hard. I faced bullying
in grade school because I was Mexican and in high school the discrimination was more subtle.
Parents would not let their sons date me because I was Mexican or I was not included in social
activities. So I set out to prove myself. I have always worked extra hard because I have felt this
tremendous pressure to prove that a woman of color can be as successful as the next person.
I have also learned that none of us can venture through life without role models and individuals
we can turn to for advice. And I have also learned that success is not only measured by what I
accomplished as a lawyer and judge but also as a wife and mother. I have sought advice from my
mother and sisters. I have had a wonderful partner, my husband, who has supported me in all my
endeavors and has been with me through all my ups and downs.
As a lawyer and judge I sought out mentors. I have also given back to the community mentoring
Latina law students and lawyers. I am so proud of an organization I co-founded, Latinas In The
Law, whose mission is to “promote the advancement of Latinas as legal professionals, to provide
opportunities for personal growth and development, and to serve as role models for everyone in
the community.”
I hope I can be an example, a role model, for those women of color who come after me. I hope
those women reach for the sky, that they do not hesitate to take the next giant step in their career
or personal life. Just know that those of us who preceded you are cheering you on.
Fondly,
Irma E. Gonzalez
United States District Judge (Ret.)
11Joan Haratani
Joan Haratani is positions of leadership, including partnerships within
currently a partner law firms. Professionally, Ms. Haratani makes sure that
at Morgan Lewis San women have a place at the head of the table not only
Francisco and represents in big law firms but in industries traditionally more
Fortune 500 companies associated with male leadership.
in commercial and Despite her intense workload and devotion to legal,
mass tort litigation. community, business leadership, Ms. Haratani has
She has represented made it a priority to foster the careers of her colleagues
pharmaceutical, medical both at her firm and in the broader community. The
device, financial, International Action Network for Gender Equity &
and retail companies in some of the largest litigations, Law, recognizing her lifelong commitment to preserving
including class actions, in the nation. She has in-depth the rights of women, in 2020 awarded her its prestigious
knowledge of a wide range of law, such as the Alien Amel Zouani Rights & Leadership Award.
Tort Statute, California’s Unfair Competition Law, Known for her work as a California litigator, Joan
pharmaceutical and medical device liability doctrines, has been recognized as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers in
and national mortgage foreclosure issues. Ms. Haratani California” and as a “Top 75 Women Litigator” by the
received her B.A. from St. John’s College, Santa Fe and Daily Journal. She was selected by the corporate members
her J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association as a
of Law in 1984. “Female Litigator on the Rise” in Diversity & the Bar.
She served as the co-lead counsel on behalf of She was named one of the 500 most influential Asian
a Fortune 50 retail company and secured a dismissal Americans in America by Avenue Asia Magazine. In
at the federal court level in a worldwide class action addition, Ms. Haratani received the ABA Spirit of
concerning breach of contract allegations. Currently, Excellence Award, NAPABA Trailblazers Award, and
she serves as one of the firm’s national counsel for a the Chambers Awards for individual work on diversity
financial institution. She frequently represents medical and inclusion.
device makers in product liability cases, including In the words of her fellow colleagues and friends,
litigation involving surgical equipment and implantable “Perhaps her greatest talent is her generosity of spirit.
intraocular lenses. For someone so accomplished, busy, in demand, and
Joan plays an active role in the legal community and giving, she always has time for friends, money for
has served as a member of the American Bar Association’s donations to a good cause, a worthy organization or
House of Delegates. She is a past president of the Asian even individuals who suffered some misfortune and
American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area, as needed help. She never seeks recognition for her good
well as past regional governor of the National Asian work or contributions because those accomplishments
Pacific American Bar Association. She is also a past board are just who she is.” – Dale Minami
member of several philanthropic organizations, including
the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Northern “Joan is a mentor who has undeniably positively
California (Team In Training). impacted scores of lawyers for decades.” – Jami McKeon
Notably, Ms. Haratani was the first Asian American “Beyond Joan’s remarkable legal career, perhaps even
president of the Bar Association of San Francisco more admirable is her unwavering personal attention
(BASF). She took full advantage of her post’s potential and hands-on dedication to advancing women lawyers
to level the legal landscape for others. She did this first and lawyers of color.” – Michelle Park Chiu
by reinvigorating BASF’s Goals and Timetables for
Joan Haratani’s generosity is truly unmatched. Her
Minority Hiring and Advancement, which sets objectives
many professional accomplishments and her ever lasting
and promotes methods, such as the establishment of
imprint on young women and lawyers are all reasons Joan
mentorship programs, for law firms to increase minority
is deserving of the Margaret Brent Award.
hiring and retention, and promote diverse lawyers to
12Dear Sisters, Dear Daughters,
“Live life as if everything is rigged in your favor.”– Rumi
I’m thrilled that you have chosen the practice of law because you can empower yourself, never stop growing
and help those in need. I hope that at the end of my letter, you will feel encouraged, motivated and hopeful.
You are unique and special, so always be your authentic self. That way, you can bring your full self to your job.
Also, it’s essential to create a circle of support so that you have friends, mentors and sponsors who will pick
you up when you are down and give you great advice.
The more you actively participate in your career, the more interesting and rewarding your career path.
And here’s something to remember. You lived through a global pandemic! If you can get through a pandemic,
you can certainly create a satisfying legal career! Think about it. You are amazing!
The practice of law is all about practice, practice, practice and more practice. One of the many reasons I love
my job is because I learn something new, every day. Every day I improve my knowledge and skill set, so I never
get bored! The good news is, the law will keep you engaged and challenged. The learning curve is steep and you
will falter and make mistakes. That’s all part of the process! Please resist the temptation to beat yourself up, to
succumb to imposter syndrome and to worry about whether you did the right thing. Conserve energy and dwell
on the positive! End each day on a good note! Try to recount something you did that day that you were proud
of, whether it be crushing a brief or giving someone a compliment that lifted their spirits. Give yourself a high
five! Pat yourself on the back! You rock!
It’s tempting to jump in feet first to a new assignment, full steam ahead. I would suggest that you also spend
time doing three things: observe the behavior of others, learn from your observations and listen carefully
to what people say. There is great power in developing the art of listening. Identify a senior lawyer whose
values, pursuit of excellence and demeanor you admire. Identify the traits that are compelling to you. Try to
incorporate those traits into your daily practice of law while remaining true to yourself and your core values.
Smile! Shake it off! Embrace each day as a new beginning. Try to learn the lessons of the day and remember
them. Pass them onto others. Pay it forward.
I like to put inspirational quotes around my office and computer to remind myself that the journey is a process.
Put your favorite quotes or sayings around you. They help!
Trust in the healing power of nature. Get enough sleep, sunlight and exercise. Even a ten minute walk, or
listening to the birds, can lift your spirit.
Write down your goals and check them off as you accomplish them. They can be as simple as getting that
project in on time. Or taking your first deposition. Or speaking up in a meeting and offering your ideas.
Be brave! You deserve to be heard.
Watch comedy. The power of laughter is also healing.
Finally, try to remember how incredibly blessed and fortunate you are. So many in the world suffer, and
go without basics. Remember that when you are feeling particularly sorry for yourself. Practice empathy.
Practice gratitude. Practice joy. And share your joy. People always remember how you made them feel,
to coin a popular quote. Be a good person and remember your community and your ancestors.
Have fun and persevere! You’ve got this! I’m rooting for you!! Good luck!
Joan Haratani
13Joyce Hughes
Joyce A. Hughes was U.S. delegation to the Belgrade, Yugoslavia conference
the first Black woman to review the Helsinki accord.
to be a tenure-track Professor Hughes worked tirelessly in the legal
law professor at a profession to give a voice to women, people of color
majority law school, and, more particularly, African American women.
20 years after a Given her accomplishments and extraordinary career
predominantly Black trajectory, Professor Hughes is familiar with the barriers
law school had such a and challenges that women continue to face in the
professor. She became legal profession. She served as a mentor, supporter,
the first Black woman and role model to many law students and attorneys,
to achieve tenure in any department of Northwestern especially women and African American women.
University. Currently she is a professor of law at Professor Hughes has been the recipient of
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. She graduated numerous awards including, but not limited to,
from Carleton College (magna cum laude) and was The Harry B. Reese Teaching Professor designation,
the first Black woman to receive the JD from the 2016-2017, Northwestern Pritzker Law School, the
University of Minnesota which she received cum Legal Legend Award in 2015, American Constitutional
laude and served on the law review. She has been Society, Chicago Chapter, and The Leno O. Smith
a highly respected and esteemed member of the Award, 2002, For Courage and Achievement, from
legal profession and the academy for more than Black Women Minnesota Attorneys.
fifty years. In the words of her colleagues and friends,
Notably, Professor Hughes being the first Black
“Professor Hughes is a brilliant, caring, friend,
woman to be a tenure track law professor at a white
and “shero.”” – Harriet Parker
school is only one of the many “firsts” she achieved in
her distinguished career. She was the first Black woman “Joyce Hughes is a true living legend! Her tenacity,
to receive the JD degree from University of Minnesota perseverance and exceptionalism has benefitted
law school, and the first Black and first woman to us all.” – Zelda B. Harris
be a federal law clerk in the district of Minnesota. “Joyce Hughes has been a beacon of light for
Additionally, she was the first Black and first woman the entire legal profession because she deeply
to be General Counsel of the Chicago Transit understands that the fabric of our nation and world
Authority. is stronger when all people have opportunities to
Throughout her illustrious legal career, she attain their goals without facing discrimination or
has served in positions of leadership in several unjust barriers.” – Marian E. Perkins
community service organizations and held public
“Her voice serves as a unique lighthouse to those
service appointments at local, state, and federal
striving to combine diversity with excellence in our
levels. She was appointed by Chicago’s first woman
legal profession.”
mayor to serve on the Chicago Board of Education
at a particularly challenging time for public education. Professor Hughes is a trailblazing African American
The Governor of Illinois appointed Professor Hughes woman lawyer, legal scholar, and law professor who
to the Governor’s Council on Jobs and the Economy, achieved professional excellence in the field and served
and the Supreme Court of Illinois invited her to as a role model and mentor to numerous female law
serve on the Committee on Rules of Evidence. She students, law professors, and lawyers. Her dedication
held a U.S. Presidential appointment to Minnesota’s and inspiration make her a worthy recipient of the
Selective Service Appeal Board and served on the Margaret Brent Award.
14Dear Sisters, Dear Daughters:
I write as an 81-year-old woman lawyer and professor whose early experiences may differ from your
encounters. I graduated from law school during the 1965 Civil Rights era when approximately 4% of
women in the country were lawyers, and few were tenure-track professors. Times have changed, but
obstacles remain to be endured and overcome on your professional journey.
During my time, my presence was frequently dismissed, and intellectual ability challenged as a Black
person and woman on my journey to become:
• First Black Girls State Governor in the country of an integrated American Legion Auxiliary program
• First Black woman to achieve a JD degree from the University of Minnesota Law School
• First Black woman to be a tenure-track law professor at a majority (white) school
• First Black woman tenured in any Northwestern University department
• First Black and woman General Counsel, Chicago Transit Authority
I encourage you to deepen your thinking to multiple consciousness, as you strive to “think like a lawyer.”
Throughout your career, take an expansive view with multiple perspectives, versus the accepted or safe
standpoint. I am a woman; Black; a lawyer; professor; I was born in segregated Alabama and raised in
Minnesota. All inform my ability to see from one or more of these vantage points.
The challenges I faced, reflective of my times, are lengthy: an opposing male trial lawyer threw a projectile
at me, irate, I remained unnerved. My competency and authority were dismissed by both students and
faculty colleagues, as described in the chapter, “Neither a Whisper Nor A Shout” within “Rebels in Law—
Voices in History of Black Women Lawyers,” J. Clay Smith, Jr. editor. I have experienced unequal pay,
heavy teaching loads as a professor, failure to receive the usual perks and more. Throughout a difficult
road, I not only survived but thrived—as you can.
Your journey will be different from mine: you will undergo travails, particularly if you fall within a
marginalized demographic. Going forward, guide yourself by three things: Self-assessment, perseverance,
and personal definition of success.
Rely on self-assessment during times when those evaluating your performance may not be invested in
your success. Honestly and critically assess your own strengths and weaknesses and believe in the skills
and talent you offer. When you face unfair, adverse treatment, let that not dissuade you. Persevere!
Find ways to go around, under, over the obstacle in front of you.
When necessary, hold your ground and endure. Define your own idea of success and resist pressure to
conform to external definitions, captured in the guidance: “Go to the mirror. The person whose verdict
counts most is the person staring back from the glass.”
My closing words of advice are these: Never confuse making a living with making a life. Always
remember that what you do is not who you are. Know that you stand on the shoulders of achieving
women who have gone before. Let their spirits guide you!
Prof. Joyce A. Hughes
July 2021
15Pamela Karlan
Pamela Karlan is the Appellate Lawyers, and the American Law Institute.
Kenneth and Harle She also served as chair of the board of the American
Montgomery Professor Constitution Society. In 2016, she was named one of the
of Public Interest Law Politico 50—a group of “thinkers, doers, and visionaries
and a founder and co- transforming American politics”; earlier in her career,
director of the Supreme the American Lawyer named her to its Public Sector
Court Litigation Clinic 45—a group of lawyers “actively using their law degrees
at Stanford Law School. to change lives.”
She currently serves Among the many prestigious awards Karlan
as Principal Deputy received, she was awarded the Attorney General’s
Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division Award for Exceptional Service as part of the team that
of the United States Department of Justice. Karlan implemented the Supreme Court’s decision in United
received her J.D. from Yale Law School, after earning States v. Windsor and the John Marshall Award for
her B.A. degree in history and a Master of Arts from Providing Legal Advice as part of the team that worked
Yale University. to change the Department’s position on Title VII and
Before joining the Stanford Law School faculty in gender identity. She won the All-University Outstanding
1998, Karlan was a professor of law at the University Teaching Award in 1995–96 while teaching at the
of Virginia School of Law and served as a law clerk to University of Virginia School of Law, and the State
Justice Harry A. Blackmun of the U.S. Supreme Court Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s Outstanding
and Judge Abraham D. Sofaer of the U.S. District Court Faculty Award in 1997.
for the Southern District of New York. In the words of her friends and colleagues,
Her primary scholarship involves constitutional “The one voice I always counted on to provide the
litigation. She has published numerous scholarly articles wisest, most incisive and ultimately correct answer
and is the co-author of three leading casebooks as well was that of Pam Karlan. I know that I could count
as a monograph on constitutional interpretation— on Pam literally any time of the night or day”
Keeping Faith with the Constitution. – Roberta Kaplan
One of the nation’s leading experts on voting and
the political process, Karlan has served as a commissioner “Pam has long been a champion of the rights
on the California Fair Political Practices Commission, of women. Generations of female law students
an assistant counsel and cooperating attorney for the have seen her as a model and mentor.”
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and a Deputy Assistant – Paul Smith
Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division of “Professor Karlan has exhibited another quality
the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition, Karlan’s that is so important. She remains available to
Supreme Court advocacy is especially notable; she argued her colleagues, to young attorneys and students.
nine cases before the Supreme Court, including the Although she is among the most revered civil rights
highly recognized United States v. Windsor. attorneys in the country, she is a mentor to young
Karlan is applauded by her colleagues and mentees lawyers, and a consigliere to peer colleagues who call
for her devotion to her students, and her willingness on her for strategic consultation and engagement.”
to mentor and support them to the fullest extent. – Sherrilyn A. Ifill
She has won Stanford Law School’s Hurlbut Teaching
Pamela Karlan is an outstanding lawyer, educator,
Award multiple times and in founding the Supreme
and supporter for her community, colleagues, and the
Court Litigation Clinic at Stanford, she has provided
many students she has mentored over the years. She is
an extraordinary outlet to pass her skills on to the next
often described as funny, kind, and smart, among many
generation of appellate litigators.
other qualities that make her a respected recipient
Karlan is a member of the American Academy
of the Margaret Brent Awards.
of Arts and Sciences, the American Academy of
16Dear Sisters, Dear Daughters:
If I could give you only one piece of professional advice about being a lawyer—one that you may not hear from anyone else—
it’s this: Find a couple of poems that capture how you want to live, and return to them often. Here are mine:
Vera Pavlova’s If There Is Something to Desire. I saw this poem on a poster in a subway car on the way to a conference on reproductive
justice:
If there is something to desire, there will be something to regret.
If there is something to regret, there will be something to recall.
If there is something to recall, there was nothing to regret.
If there was nothing to regret, there was nothing to desire.
I can’t tell you exactly what you should desire to make of what Mary Oliver calls—in her wonderful poem, The Summer Day—
your one “wild and precious life.” We’re different people. But I can tell you how important it is to desire something and not to
be so diffident or cautious or fearful that you withhold yourself from the great struggles of the day.
The people I feel sorriest for are people who try constantly to keep their options open and not to close any doors. It’s true that every
door you go through closes off others: you went to law school, so you’ll likely never be a symphony conductor. But every door you
go through also opens others that you might not even have known about before you face them.
And you will make mistakes along the way. But there are many things in life worse than failing at something that matters.
Not trying in the first place, for example. And if you’re like me, sometimes your lucky breaks will come from failing at one thing
that opens a door to succeeding at another. Two of the best jobs I’ve ever had—serving in the Civil Rights Division at the U.S.
Department of Justice—resulted from my not getting the job I’d actually interviewed for. Both times! I never would have met my
beloved life partner if I hadn’t been turned down for the teaching job I thought I most wanted.
Wyslawa Syzmborska’s Writing a Resume. This poem is too long to reproduce, so look it up. It’s a reminder that you should not confuse
your resume, just because it’s often called a curriculum vita (which is pretentious Latin for “the race course of life”), with your life.
Some of the most important things you do, even in your professional life, will never show up on paper: the dignity you accord your
clients, the courtesy with which you treat support staff, the time you take to write emails thanking or congratulating or consoling your
colleagues. My most recent Supreme Court argument came about, at least in part, because I wrote a congratulatory email to a former
student who’d been handling the case and because I’d pitched in on other folks’ cases over the years without hogging argument time.
Delight in other people’s triumphs.
Those two poems are both works I read after I became a lawyer. But here’s one I first heard when I was very young—Alfred Lord
Tennyson’s Ulysses. It ends this way:
Come, my friends,
‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down;
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
If you’re going to be a civil rights lawyer, and I’ve been one my whole career in one form or another, you’re going to lose a lot of cases,
at least if you live in the America of today. But you should be inspired, as I’ve been, by the great women and men of the past who did
not give up and who got us this far—people like Elaine Jones and Lani Guinier and Jack Greenberg and Walter Dellinger and Barry
Goldstein and Paul Gewirtz and Barbara Underwood, each of whom was generous beyond measure to me when I was a young lawyer.
Find a cohort of people with whom you can practice, and eat, and joke, and laugh, and cry. Remember, you are not alone.
And take good care,
Pam Karlan
17Oregon Attorney General
Ellen Rosenblum
Ellen Rosenblum is ensuring justice and equality for all by advancing women
the first woman to hold and minorities in the legal profession. She created “the
the position of Oregon Judges Forum” of OWLS and served as its columnist in the
Attorney General, having OWLS “AdvanceSheet” for over a decade. For her many
first been elected in contributions to OWLS and others within Oregon’s legal
2012. Since then, she has community, then-Judge Rosenblum received the OWLS
been on the frontlines, Roberts & Deiz Award in 2001, OWLS’ highest honor.
defending Oregonians’ Well before the formation of OWLS, Ellen was dedicated
civil rights, advocating to paving a path for and mentoring the newest women
for the most vulnerable lawyers. In the late 70’s and early 80’s she instituted and
and holding powerful chaired the Oregon Law Institute’s “Women in Court” CLE
actors accountable. Ellen has worked tirelessly to protect series, which was taught by and for the first group of women
reproductive rights, ensure access to affordable health care, litigators in Oregon. She was elected the second woman
and safeguard the environment and natural resources. She lawyer to serve on her state bar’s Board of Governors, and
has also led the way on issues including marriage equality, the first to serve as its Treasurer. At her first meeting, she
consumer protection, the student debt crisis, immigrant demanded that there be an appointment of a woman to
protections and many more. the state’s Council on Court Procedures. One of the board
Before serving as attorney general, Ellen had a lengthy members challenged her, arguing there were no experienced
legal and judicial career in private practice, as a federal woman litigators. She held up the brochure from the recent
prosecutor, and as a state trial and appellate court judge. She series and, by that afternoon, the first woman lawyer was
began her legal career upon graduating from the University appointed to the Council by the Board.
of Oregon School of Law working as the first woman associate In the words of some her friends and colleagues,
and later a partner at Hammons, Phillips & Jensen. She then “As a lawyer, judge and now Attorney General, Ellen has
served as an Assistant United States Attorney, followed by committed her professional life and beyond to modeling,
appointments and election to the Multnomah County Circuit mentoring, advocating and actively creating opportunities
Court and the Oregon Court of Appeals, before retiring from for advancing and promoting women and minorities to
the bench and running successfully for Attorney General. positions of power and influence both on and off the bench,
Ellen has prioritized diversification of the Oregon bench and and from within and outside the office of Attorney General.
bar and has been leading the charge in demanding equity and She exemplifies the finest qualities of an excellent leader, is
inclusion for women lawyers outside the dominant culture known for her dedicated promotion of women in the legal
practicing in Oregon. profession and broader society, and her commitment to the
Throughout her vast legal career Ellen has demonstrated importance of diversity and equal opportunity in all realms.”
leadership and a keen sense of justice and equality, she has – Honorable Julie Frantz
held numerous leadership roles with attorneys general and
judicial and lawyer organizations—including serving as “Attorney General Rosenblum is both a role model who
co-Chair of the Democratic Attorneys General Association has worked to have her own life reflect gender equitable
(DAGA), Chair of the Conference of Western Attorneys values and a mentor who helps others do the same through
General, ABA Secretary and Chair of the ABA Section creativity, kindness, and wisdom.” – Former judicial clerk
of State and Local Government Law. While serving on “We are inspired by General Rosenblum’s commitment
the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity, to taking care of her constituents, her support for her
Ellen helped found and co-chaired the first ABA Minority Democratic Attorneys General colleagues, and most
Judicial Clerkship Program, opening doors for countless importantly, her dedication to advancing the careers
students. In 2010, she chaired the ABA Presidential of women and fostering leadership opportunities for all.”
Initiative Commission on Diversity, which produced an – Democratic Attorneys General Association Executive Director
important roadmap to diversity in the legal profession, Ellen Rosenblum proves to be a woman of many talents,
called “The Next Steps.” and most importantly an excellent lawyer with a passion to
In one of her signature accomplishments, in 1988 Ellen advance women in the law and pave a successful and inspiring
was a founding member of the Board of the Oregon Women path for younger women lawyers. For that and all her service
Lawyers (OWLS), a non-profit professional association with to the legal profession, she is a highly deserving embodiment
a stated mission of transforming the practice of law and of the Margaret Brent Award.
18Dear Sisters, Dear Daughters,
This letter offers a uniquely wonderful way to connect with YOU—including some of our country’s most amazing young and
diverse women lawyers and lawyers-to-be. Thank you for the opportunity to share some of my thoughts—and a bit about
myself—with you.
I feel incredibly lucky to be able to say I have loved all my law jobs—especially the one I hold now. But I did not love law
school, where men still ruled the day back in the early 1970s. So I dreamt a lot about my “backup plan.” Singing had always
been my passion, so if things didn’t go well with law, I would head to Nashville to try to launch a singing career instead!
What kept me going, during and after law school, were some great classmates and the discovery of my passion for consumer
protection. I worked for the Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) and lobbied the Legislature for new
laws in areas like student housing discrimination, long-term health club contracts, and generic drugs. I was thrilled to find that
in my adopted state it was possible for one 23-year-old female law student to make a difference at the statewide policy level.
Along my career path, despite the early scarcity of women role models—and the shock of outright sexism on the part of some
lawyers I dealt with (and even an occasional judge)—I did find women mentors, including some I still seek out for guidance
and inspiration. I cherish what I have learned from them and try my best to do for others what they have done for me.
In that vein, here are my “takeaways” from these now many years of listening, learning, and being a woman lawyer and judge—
in no particular order, a dozen ideas and tips that might help you navigate around some of the potential bumps in your legal
career “road” ahead:
1. Reputation is everything: Your word is your bond. Be the lawyer whom judges and opposing counsel trust the most.
2. Be flexible (that is, not rigid!), and opportunities you may never have imagined will come your way.
3. The most successful lawyers are the best-prepared lawyers. A good judge will always appreciate being educated about
the case by lawyers appearing before her.
4. Seek out mentors and be a mentor to others. Ask for constructive feedback from judges, lawyers and friends you trust.
5. Keep an open mind and an open heart. The better listener you are, the better the chance you will be an effective problem
solver for your clients. And the greater the likelihood that what you learn from them will enrich your life in the process.
A corollary: Be true to yourself; don’t get into the habit of talking yourself out of things you know to be true.
6. In our profession, words are golden. Try to be succinct, thorough, and persuasive in your writing. And always double-
check for typos!
7. Most jobs in the legal profession involve teamwork—including clerkships. So treat job interviews as opportunities
to pitch yourself as a team player.
8. Engage in community and public service in areas that you’re passionate about and bring you a sense of joy and
satisfaction.
9. Networking is important—inside and outside legal circles. (Even introverts can learn to enjoy networking!) Join
organizations that will give you opportunities to be mentored by some of the best lawyers in the country as well as
to develop leadership skills, advance our profession, and, of course, have some fun. A “shout-out” to my home in the
ABA—the Section of State and Local Government Law. It has done all four—and more—for me and so many others.
10. Self-care is important—and not self-indulgent. Being a lawyer is hard work. Personally, I stand by a good massage and a
great ice cream cone!
11. There’s so much to learn about the law and its practice that you’re not taught in law school or necessarily anytime early
in your career. Don’t assume there’s something wrong with you if you don’t know something that might even seem basic.
It’s not your fault.
12. Persevere! We need you!
I sincerely hope one or more of the items on this list might prove helpful to you. I’d love to hear from you!
Here’s what I know for certain: You are already changing our profession—and the world—for the better!
I appreciate you and wish you all the best,
Ellen Rosenblum
Oregon Attorney General
ps. In case you were wondering, I never made it to Nashville, but I do enjoy karaoke
( my song: Dolly Parton version of “I Will Always Love You”).
19Thank You to the Generous Supporters of the
2021 Margaret Brent
Women Lawyers of Achievement
Awards Ceremony
Silver
Goodwin Procter LLP
Premier
Covington & Burling LLP
Kathleen L. DeBruhl & Associates LLC and Law Offices of Mary T. Torres
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Morgan Lewis
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Toyota
World Justice Project
Benefactor
ABA Antitrust Law Section
ABA State and Local Government Law
American Arbitration Association
AT&T
Cornerstone Research
Corporate Counsel Women of Color
Duane Morris LLP
Outten & Golden LLP
Spencer Fane LLP
Patron
ABA Diversity and Inclusion Center
Sheila Cheston
JAMS
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP
Law School Admission Council Inc.
Northrop Grumman
20Advocate
ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession (CREDP)
ABA Litigation Section
ABA Section of Public Contract Law
ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
Banner Witcoff
Barran Liebman LLP
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
Dana Katz
Holland & Knight LLP
Katherine and Jonothan Larkin-Wong
Kean Miller LLP
Hon. Maureen Mulligan
Scharf Banks Marmor LLC
Friend
ABA Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice (COREJ)
ABA Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline
ABA Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights & Responsibilities
ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity
ABA International Law Section
ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law
Aracely Munoz
Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area
Joseph and Karen Potenza
Lawyers Club of San Diego
Lynne Barr
The National Judicial College
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ)
National Partnership for Women & Families (NPWF)
Associate
Eileen Loranger and Elizabeth Yang
Dunner Law PLLC
Robert Lytle
Rupa G. Singh
William LaFuze
21ABA Commission on Women in the Profession
Donor Recognition
Brent Circle of Giving
(as of 7/28/21)
The Commission converted its Brent Circle of Giving to an Annual Giving program where individuals
have the opportunity to be recognized for their annual support. Donors who give on an annual
basis will “climb the ladder” and be honored for their cumulative generosity over time.
Platinum Circle
Elizabeth J. Cabraser
Diamond Circle
Michele Coleman Mayes
Gold Circle
Kathleen DeBruhl Mary T. Torres
Silver Circle
Sheila Cheston and Graham Dower • Katherine and Jonathon Larkin-Wong
Hon. Maureen Mulligan • Stephanie A. Scharf
Bronze Circle
Lynne B. Barr • Bill and Angie Bay • Barbara J. Howard • Aracely Munoz
Joseph and Karen Potenza • Judge Delissa A. Ridgway
Charter Members
The ABA Commission on Women in the Profession is proud to thank these
legal visionaries for their participation in the original Brent Circle of Giving program.
Fred W. Alvarez Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin Linda A. Klein Linda Strite Murnane
Michelle Banks Pamela C. Enslen Jessica Kornberg Andrea S. Ordin
Heidi A. Barcus JoAnne A. Epps Catherine A. Lamboley Patricia L. Refo
Helaine M. Barnett Lisa Hill Fenning Bettina M. Lawton Deborah L. Rhode
Laurel G. Bellows Jim Goh Paul W. Lee Pamela J. Roberts
Sheila L. Birnbaum Rina Hartline Roberta D. Liebenberg Anita Shapiro
Susan L. Blount Kathleen B. Havener Hon. Barbara Lynn James R. Silkenat
Pamela A. Bresnahan Deborah Epstein Henry Lorelie S. Masters Marsha E. Simms
Robert M. Carlson Carrie J. Hightman Karen J. Mathis Marna S. Tucker
Sylvia Fung Chin William C. Hubbard Barbara Mendel Mayden Marissa C. Wesely
Mary B. Cranston Denise F. Keane Michele Coleman Mayes Peter A. Winograd
Doreen D. Dodson Hon. Carolyn D. King Meg Milroy Diane C. Yu
Hon. Fernande R.V. Duffly
22You can also read
