WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION
SECTION UPDATE
WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION
By Megan Hodgkiss Hodgkiss Consulting LLC HodgkissConsulting @ gmail. com
The Women in the Profession Section( WIP) is dedicated to furthering the practice and perception of law, with a focus on issues unique to women in the legal field. Throughout the 2016-2017 board year, WIP has been organizing networking events that allow women lawyers to interact and develop support systems. WIP also hosts continuing education courses and regularly offers community service opportunities for its members.
Annual Joint CLE Program
Earlier this board year, on October 19, WIP, JAMS, and the Atlanta Bar Association’ s Family Law Section co-sponsored an annual breakfast CLE program. This year’ s event, which took place at the JAMS Atlanta Resolution Center, focused on“ Resolving Family Disputes Though ADR.” On December 8, WIP held its Holiday Reception at the home of Hon. Susan Edlein, State Court of Fulton County. The group collected donations for the Women’ s Cancer Legal Project at Atlanta Legal Aid, as well as for ForeverFamily, an organization that assists the children of incarcerated parents.
Kids in Need Program
There have been two separate occasions this board year, on November 8 and January 25, when WIP members have volunteered with the Atlanta Community Food Bank’ s Kids in Need Program. The volunteers helped teachers to collect and take home some muchneeded school supplies; WIP also donated items to the program.
Breakfast CLE
Most recently, earlier this month, WIP hosted a breakfast CLE at Atlanta Legal Aid’ s downtown office, entitled“ Lawyers, Secondary Trauma, and Self Care.” Attendees learned about the importance of managing stress inherent in the practice of law and received advice from Shelley Senterfitt, a lawyer and therapist, about improving their well-being and dealing with daily anxieties.
Upcoming Events
We are excited about several more events scheduled in 2017. First, WIP is participating in the Atlanta Bar Association’ s March Madness Series. The group is pairing up with the Breast Cancer Legal Project of Atlanta Legal Aid for the CLE“ Wills and Advance Directives for Low-Income Clients.” That will take place Wednesday, March 29, from 8:30AM to noon at the State Bar of Georgia.( Look for an email from the Atlanta Bar with registration information).
Second, WIP members and attorneys with the Breast Cancer Legal Project will be walking in the Susan G. Komen of Greater Atlanta“ Race for the Cure” 5K on May 13 in the Lenox Mall area. To join us, visit www. komenatlanta. org and register with the team name“ WIP & Breast Cancer Legal Project.”
Finally, stay tuned for another legal networking event in April, and our annual Woman of Achievement Award luncheon in June.
44 February 2017