WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A WOMAN LAWYER
Do you have what it takes? Is there something standing in your way? Do you need to hone your leadership skills? Do you deal with gender bias in the courtroom? Do you have issues with available and dependable child care? Do you need to balance YOUR scales? If you answered "No" to some of these questions, Great! But know that after decades of trying to crack the glass ceiling, many of your sisters in the law are faced with these challenges.
Whether you are new to the practice of law, or a seasoned attorney, attend the MGWS and find out what we, as a group, can do to implement real solutions to effect change in the profession.
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Keynote Speaker
Chief Justice Cheri L. Beasley,
North Caroline Supreme Court
Alumnus of the University of Tennessee
College of Law
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Registration Levels:
$250 Patron's Circle
This level entitles you to special recognition in the MGWS program, your photo taken with Keynote Speaker Chief Justice Cheri Beasley and an invitation to a reception honoring Chief Justice Beasley at the home of Judge Marietta Shipley the evening of September 19th.
$125 Member Ticket
$150 Early Bird Nonmember Ticket
$75 Government and Special Interest Attorneys (Member and Nonmember)
$50 Law Student
- 3.5 hours Dual CLE Credits
- FREE Parking under the Randall and Sadie Baskin Center. Click Here to view Belmont Campus maps.
- Private accomodations are available for nursing mothers on the first floor of the law school.
Presenting Sponsor:
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CLE Program Descriptions and Schedule of the day:
8:00 am Registration
8:30 am – 9:00 am Welcome
9:00 am – 10:00 am All Attendee Session
Conscious Leadership: How to Lead in the Moment
This program is presented by Debra Sunderland of Sunderland Coaching, who coaches CEOs and their teams helping them to become empowered leaders. In this session, Ms. Sunderland will introduce attendees to conscious leadership and will teach attendees how to transform from a reactive leader to a present and conscious leader through learning how to shift from limiting beliefs and patterns to present thinking and decision-making. Attendees will gain knowledge and skills through interactive discussion that will enable them to lead more effectively in their workplace and to create the life and work that they desire. This session will present timely and important information to female attorneys who are in leadership positions in their firm or organization or who seek to attain a leadership position.
Speaker: Deb Sunderland: https://www.sunderlandcoaching.com/what-we-do
10:00 am – 10:15 am Break
10:10 am – 11:10 am First Break Out Session (choose 1)
What It Takes to Be a Woman Trial Lawyer
This program will feature a panel of women trial lawyers discussing gender bias and gender stereotypes and the impact on courtroom practice. From “no cry” motions to attire to courtroom demeanor, women face a number of sexist attitudes in the courtroom. How to navigate these issues without sacrificing your identity and without putting your client at a disadvantage is a topic of great debate. This program is based on the competing articles recently published in The Atlantic and the ABA Journal linked below. Attendees are encouraged to read the articles in advance of the program.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/09/female-lawyers-sexism-courtroom/565778/
http://www.abajournal.com/voice/article/what_it_takes_article_gives_false_picture_of_female_trial_lawyers/
Speakers: Panelists: Julie Bhattacharya Peak, Law Offices of Julie Bhattacharya Peak, Erin Palmer Polly, Butler Snow, Kathryn Barnett, Morgan and Morgan; Moderator: Laura Baker, Law Offices of John Day, P.C.
You Do You: Getting a Seat at the Table that is Right for You
This program will feature a panel discussion on choosing the career path that you want rather than following the path you think you should be taking. Whether your goal is to get a seat at the table at large law firm, starting your own practice, or being CEO of a Fortune 500 company, it should be the seat you want. The panel will feature successful women attorneys that have taken different legal career paths. The panelists will discuss the struggles they faced in pivoting their careers and the benefits that come alone with recognizing that the law provides numerous paths to success. The program’s inspiration is from an article written by panelist Emily Plotkin, linked below. Attendees are encouraged to read the article in advance of the program.
https://abovethelaw.com/2019/04/forging-the-path-that-works-for-you/?fbclid=IwAR2NbmV16vHXn4mDPStBrhROF1gGxdNfyJ3PprbRBso9aL1Z5-rGR0NC1Jw).
Speakers: Panelists: Emily Plotkin, Hunter Plotkin Law, Wendy Warren, HCA; Jennifer Robinson, Littler; Moderator: DarKenya Waller, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands
11:15 am – 11:30 am Break
11:30 am – 12:30 am Second Break Out (choose 1)
The Childcare Crisis Impacting Women Lawyers
There is currently an eighteen month to two-year waitlist for infants at childcare facilities in Metro Nashville. This crisis is affecting women lawyers both here in Nashville and nationwide as their ability to return to work after having a child is impacted by the lack of quality childcare and the expense once accepted into a program. There is a national movement to raise awareness and improve the state of childcare across the country. Join panelists Gina Tek, coordinator of Childcare Tennessee, an initiative of The Community Foundation, Lisa Wiltshire, Policy Director for Tennesseans for Quality Early Education, and Phil Acord, Executive Director of the Children’s Home in a discussion about the critical need for quality childcare and the efforts to expand it here in Nashville.
Speakers: Panelists: Gina Tek, The Community Foundation, Lisa Wiltshire, Tennesseans for Quality Early Education, and Phil Acord, Chambliss Center for Children; Moderator: Lynne Ingram, Ingram Law, LLC
How Can Nashville Firms Balance the Scales for Women Lawyers?
Building on the themes of the documentary Balancing the Scales, which was viewed by LAW members in September 2018 and was followed by a question and answer session with documentarian Sharon Rowen, this program will explore the challenges women lawyers face rising in the ranks in law firms, obtaining equality in compensation, identifying mentors and champions, and developing as firm leaders. We will also examine how Nashville’s firm leaders have addressed the challenges women face in balancing work and life and discuss firm’s creative solutions which allow more women to achieve career success.
Speakers: Panelists: Lisa Cole, Lewis Thomason, Stacey Garrett Koju, Bone McAllester Norton, PLLC, Jim Jenkins, Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC; Moderator: Christen Blackburn, Lewis Thomason
12:30 pm – 12:45 pm Break
12:45 pm – 1:45 pm Keynote Speaker / Lunch in the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing, 4th Floor, The Frist Lecture Hall
Chief Justice Cheri Beasley of the North Carolina Supreme Court will discuss her own struggle in trying to balance being successful in her legal career while at the same time meeting society’s expectations of success at home and in her community coupled with practical strategies for women trying to figure out how to navigate this terrain.
Speaker: Chief Justice Cheri Beasley of the North Carolina Supreme Court was appointed by North Carolina Roy Cooper in February 2019. Upon her appointment, she became the first African-American to hold the highest seat on the court.
1:45 pm Closing / Dismiss
