August 2025 President's Letter

Dear Sisters in the Law and Allies:

Greetings!  I cannot believe it is already August.  Time has flown by.  I hope you have had a pleasant summer thus far.

Here are a few matters for your consideration this month.

THE CALL FOR OFFICER NOMINATIONS ENDS SOON:

Do you aspire to be an NAWJ board member?  Would you like to nominate a colleague?  The call for nominations closes on August 14 at 11:59 pm ET.  Here is the link to the nominate yourself or another for an officer position.

BOSTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE - REGISTER NOW!

The annual conference in Boston is just a few short months away.  It takes place October 23 - 25.  Have you registered yet?  If you haven’t, please consider making this a priority.  Early bird registration ends August 20.  The theme of the conference is ‘Where Women Lead’.  Need some motivation? Check out this incredible promotional video.

Thanks to Chief Justice Amy Blake, Director of District 1, and her entire team for all the work they have done.  The Boston conference will certainly be one for the history books!

PRESIDENTIAL DUTIES IN JULY:

As for me, I was pleased to represent NAWJ at several events this past month.  I attended the National Center for Judicial Excellence annual conference for appellate judges.  It was an enriching opportunity, where we engaged on topics such as judicial security, mindfulness, building and maintaining confidence in the judiciary, and writing styles at SCOTUS.  The following week I presented at a think-tank convening at Northwestern University Pritzker Law School.  The focus was AI.  It was great to be in a room with so many brilliant minds to discuss ways in which to harness AI to lessen the justice gap and to enhance access to justice.  50 million low-income Americans are counting on us!  I rounded out the month at the 2025 Lavender Law Conference.  I am grateful to have attended.  The conference presented a sobering reminder of the critical role allies play in times of uncertainty and chaos.  Now more than ever, we need to step up and stand next to those who feel unsafe, marginalized, threatened or unseen.  What will you do to preserve dignity and respect for all?  

That’s it for now.  I hope to see you at the upcoming ABA conference in Toronto, an upcoming NAWJ webinar or meeting, or at the annual conference in Boston.  I can’t wait!  

Warmly,

The Honorable Michelle Rick
President, National Association of Women Judges