Academy for the Advancement of Women in Law

Featuring President Tania Tetlow, Fordham University

Opening Remarks:

• Cecilia Caldeira, Fordham Law School
• Matthew Diller, Fordham Law School
• Constanza Vergara Jaakkola, Partner, Pérez-Llorca

This panel will feature an open conversation between a female and a male managing partner of leading global law firms. They will discuss strategies for advancing women in their firms and the profession more broadly. The panel will explore whether female and male leaders view this issue and their roles in promoting underrepresented groups differently and how we can achieve better alignment and outcomes.

Deborah Farone, Farone Advisors (moderator)

James J. Fox, Vinson & Elkins

Audra J. Soloway, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

• CLE Credit: 1.0 Diversity, Inclusion, and Elminiation of Bias credits in NY; 1.0 Professional Practice Credit in NJ

This panel will discuss the current state of affairs of women in the legal profession. It will consider the special ways in which women of color are further marginalized and offer tips for how white women can better support our colleagues of color.

Featuring:

Paulette Brown, Former President, American Bar Association

Roberta D. Liebenberg, Fine, Kaplan & Black, R.P.C.

Stephanie A. Scharf, Scharf Banks Marmor LLC

• CLE Credit: 1. Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias credits in NY; 1.0 Professional Practice Credit in NJ

This panel will examine ways in which law firms and other organizations can align their practices around well-being with their client service and other organizational values. It also will discuss ways in which we as individuals can support our own well-being and that of our colleagues and team members. We will discuss how to balance our well-being with our ethical obligations.

Featuring:

Jeannette K. Boot, WilmerHale

Jordana Confino, Fordham Law School (moderator)

Daniel Lukasik, New York State Office of Court Administration

Margarita Oliva Sainz de Aja, DLA Piper

Lori Pines, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

• .5 Skills and .5 Ethics credits in NY; 1.0 Professional Practice credit in NJ

This panel will discuss the role of mentors, role models, and sponsors in advancing women in the profession. It discusses the important ways in which women can support each other, men can support women, and women can leverage their male colleagues’ influence in law firms and other organizations. The panel will discuss specific steps and tips for improving mentors, role models, and sponsor relationships to maximize their impact.

Featuring:

Carmita Alonso, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

Gillian Burns, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP

Brad Johnson, US Naval Academy

Justice Tanya Kennedy, Appellate Division, NY Courts

Lucy Onyeforo, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (moderator)

Jennifer H. Wu, Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP

• .5 Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias and .5 Professional Practice credits in NY; 1.0 Professional Practice credit in NJ

This session will address best practices for a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Law firm leaders and scholars will discuss actionable strategies for expanding women’s leadership roles in law firms and other organizations. It will also discuss ways in which women can promote themselves in a way that is authentic and effective.

Featuring:

Camille C. Bent, Baker & Hostetler LLP

Laurie Berke-Weiss, Berke-Weiss Law PLLC (moderator)

Palmina Fava, Vinson & Elkins LLP

María Teresa Paillés, SMPS Legal

David Smith, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

Paula Vieira, Mattos Filho

• CLE Credit: 1. Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias credits in NY; 1.0 Professional Practice credit in NJ

Featuring: Kathleen Smith Ruhland, DLA Piper US