|
|
|
|
April 2012
|
|
In This Issue:
|
|
|
|
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
|
|
Happy Spring!
I have to say I am breathing a bit easier with the passage of March and the already spring like
weather we enjoyed here during the recent Midyear Meeting and Leadership Conference. Thank you
all for joining me, your Board of Directors and your District One host Planning Committee in Cambridge,
Massachusetts. What an exciting few days of events! Our deepest gratitude goes out to Dean Martha
Minow, Harvard Law School Dean for her generous support and partnering with NAWJ in hosting our
Friends Luncheon at the stunning new Law School. And to Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan for
honoring us with her presence and for her warm remarks about her experience on the US Supreme Court.
We all felt as if we were right there in the "conversation". Judge Nancy Gertner is always engaging
when sharing her views. Congratulations, Judge Gertner, on your wonderful book. And how was that
Boston "chowda" at the magnificent JFK Presidential Library? For those of you who were not able to
attend, we will have photos in our next Counterbalance issue which is just about ready to go to press
and on our website. Thank you to all for making Midyear 2012 so outstanding!
I recently had the opportunity to join District 12 NAWJ members for a lovely dinner hosted by Judge
Terry Fox and her colleagues on the Appeals Court in Denver. We were also honored to have retired
Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey in attendence and celebrated her recent induction into the
Colorado's Women Hall of Fame (read more below). Congratulations Mary!! The NCSC funded my visit to
Denver as a member of a Project Advisory Committee to assist the NCSC with a recently awarded grant to
study and develop best practices for courthouse security in this country.
Late March on behalf of NAWJ, I had the good fortune to meet in Atlanta with educators, clinicians,
and physicians at a meeting sponsored by the Cochrane Collaboration College of Policy, George Mason
University, to discuss healthcare issues surrounding juveniles and adults in our criminal justice
system. Much effort is focused on prevention, education and best treatment practices for inmates
to insure maximum public health upon reentry.
Many of you are looking forward to the IAWJ conference in London May 2-5. I am awaiting a list from
IAWJ of USA attendees and will share that with you once received. I am proud to say that NAWJ along
with Canada and Argentina will be sponsoring a Reception for the Americas on Friday evening, May 4th, in
London, more information will follow once we have it. The opening session is scheduled for 4:30 on
Wednesday, May 2nd. The topics for this ambitious and exciting conference include, Judicial Leadership;
Trafficking and Forced Marriages; Judicial Health and Safety; Women and Children as Armed Combatants;
Sexual Violence issues; Feminist Judgment-writing Project and Human Rights.
Many more local events are on the horizon in each of our districts. Thank you to our hard working District
Directors and to all of you for your constant support of our beloved NAWJ!
This Thursday, April 5th, we say a very, very fond farewell to COO and friend Jeff Groton. Thank you again
and again for all you've done for NAWJ. He will be around the corner with our sisters at IAWJ.
A hearty, warm welcome to Craig Evans who is already on the job and training with Jeff and Marie. Much
appreciation and respect goes out to Marie Komisar, our ED, for this seamless, smooth transition. Thank you.
Welcome, Craig. We love ya, Jeff!!
See you in London,
Amy
|
|
Dynamic, Joyous and Inspirational 2012 Midyear Meeting and Leadership Conference
|
The National Association of Women Judges returned to Boston, Massachusetts for its 2012 Midyear Meeting
and Leadership Conference March 9-11.
 After more than a year of thoughtful planning and
leadership, NAWJ President Judge Amy L. Nechtem of Massachusetts's Juvenile Court welcomed over 300
members of the legal community of judges, attorneys, and academics in Cambridge for an dynamic meeting
covering the topics of feminism, the United States Supreme Court, the role of courts in preserving democracy,
and immigration.  Attendees enjoyed the lovely Charles Hotel in Cambridge and
later were welcomed at Harvard Law School, The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, and the
Schlesinger Library of Women's History in America. Time was also spent in Cambridge exploring the interesting
nooks of the historic city. This amazing weekend of activities would not have been possible without the
additional energy and dedication of the Conference Planning Committee including members NAWJ President
Hon. Amy L. Nechtem, NAWJ Past President Hon. Fernande (Nan) R.V. Duffly, NAWJ District One Director
Hon. Ariane Vuono, NAWJ District One Deputy Director Hon. MaryLou Muirhead, Hon. Martine Carroll,
Hon. Cynthia Cohen, Hon. Terry M. Craven, Hon. Leslie Donahue, Hon. Ellen Flatley, Hon. Patricia A. Flynn,
Hon. Martha P. Grace, Hon. Patricia Hurst, Hon. Bonnie H. MacLeod-Mancuso, Hon. Antoinette E. McLean Leoney,
Hon. Sally F. Padden, Hon. Mary Lou Rup, Hon. Karyn Scheier, Hon. Kathe M. Tuttman, Hon. Mary Dacey White,
and the Hon. Gabrielle Wolohojian.
The exciting programs, speakers and activities would not have been possible without the devoted
commitment of the NAWJ Friends Committee Co-Chairs Karen Green, partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering
Hale and Dorr LLP and Susan Alexander, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Biogen IDEC.
 Approximately 50 law firms, corporations, universities,
and individual contributors supported this year's Midyear Conference. Thank you all for your support
of the 2012 Midyear Leadership Conference and the National Association of Women Judges.
Gold Sponsors: Bingham McCutchen; Biogen Idec Inc.; Choate Hall & Stewart LLP;
EMC Corporation; Foley Hoag LLP; Goodwin Procter LLP; Harvard Law School;
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.; Ropes & Gray LLP; State Street Corporation;
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, and WilmerHale.
Silver Sponsors: Burns & Levinson LLP; Chartis; CRA International; Mass Mutual;
Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Partners HealthCare; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP;
and West, a Thomson Reuters Business.
Bronze Sponsors: Boston University School of Law; Cabot Corporation;
Charles River Associates; Collora LLP; Cooley Manion Jones LLP; Fidelity Investments; Fletcher Tilton PC;
Goulston & Storrs; Lena Goldberg; Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP; Proskauer Rose LLP; Sherin and Lodgen LLP;
Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen, P.C.; Todd & Weld LLP; and Waters Corporation.
With additional support from: Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.; Boston College Law School;
Boston Scientific Corporation; Cetrulo & Capone LLP; Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford, LLP;
H.C. Starck Inc.; Harvard Pilgrim Health Care; Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP;
Justine H. Brousseau, Kimball Brousseau LLP; Nina Joan Kimball, Kimball Brousseau LLP;
Hon. Karyn Scheier; Shilepsky Hartley Robb Casey Michon LLP; Suffolk University Law School;
Sunstein Kann Murphy & Timbers LLP; Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C.;
Witmer, Karp, Warner & Ryan LLP and the Woman's Bar Association of Massachusetts.
|
"Meet Me In Miami"
NAWJ 34th Annual Conference
November 7 - 11, 2012
Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach
Miami Beach, Florida
Register online or download the
registration form to register.
|
Room Reservations: (800) 319-5354
NAWJ Rates: Standard Room $199/night, plus applicable taxes
Resort Tower Room $219/night, plus applicable taxes
Ocean Tower Room with Ocean View $229/night plus applicable taxes
CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS
|
Judge Lisa S. Walsh
|
Judge Myriam Lehr
|
Education Committee
Chairs: Judge Laurel Isicoff • Judge Cindy Lederman
Members: Judge Rosemary Barkett • Judge Professor Donna Coker • Judge Jeri Beth Cohen
Judge Edward Davis • Judge Justice Dana Fabe • Judge Ellen Leesfield • Judge Chris McAliley
Judge Kathleen Mulligan • Judge Professor Amy Ronner • Judge Mary Schroeder
Professor Tara Twomey
Finance Committee
Chair: Judge Gladys Perez • Member: Maureen Jaeger Walsh
Speakers Committee
Chair: Judge Gladys Perez • Member: Laura Morilla
International Judges Committee
Chair: Judge Mercedes Bach • Member: Judge Judy Chirlin
Social Events Committee
Chairs: Judge Nushin Sayfie and Judge and Lourdes Simon • Member: Amy Rosenberg
Volunteers Committee
Chair: Judge Marcia Caballero • Member: Judge Andrea Wolfson
Mentor-Mentee Committee
Chair: Judge Monica Gordo
FRIENDS COMMITTEE
Law Firm Partners Co-Chairs
Elizabeth Hernandez, Akerman Senterfitt
Linda M. Leali, White & Case LLP
Detra P. Shaw-Wilder, Koyzak Tropin & Throckmorton
Corporate Partners Chair
Mikki Canton, AsiaAmericana International LLC
ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Gold
Akerman Senterfitt LLP
Silver
Astigarraga Davis
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP
Broad and Cassel
Carlton Fields
GrayRobinson, P.A.
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
Hogan Lovells
Hunton & Williams LLP
Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, P.A.
Merrill Lynch Global Wealth and Investment Management,
The MAB Group
Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.
White & Case LLP
Bronze
Avila Rodriguez Hernandez Mena & Ferri LLP
Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP
Grossman Roth, P.A.
Holland & Knight LLP
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
TotalBank
Amigos
Damian & Valori LLP
Elser Foster-Morales
GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group
Meland Russin & Budwick
The Law Office of Nicole E. Mestre, P.A.
Pathman Lewis, LLP
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske, P.L.
TENTATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW
PLENARY PANELS
INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY
This panel will address: What are the problems facing independence of the judiciary? What
can we do about it? What ARE we doing about it? What are effective strategies for judicial
independence? What is happening in other countries?
POWER AND REACH OF THE INTERNET AND THE AGE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING
What are the existing privacy laws? What are expectations of privacy? How do those existing
privacy laws fit in with the current realities, cyberstalking and available remedies? How does
the internet and social networking impact the judiciary and the ethics of judges or their clerks
using the internet to research information about cases, jury members, lawyers, etc.?
JUDGING IN AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY - CROSS BORDER COMMUNICATIONS AND COORDINATION
This panel will address what judges can do and should communicate with one another, formally and
informally, regarding cross border issues or simultaneous proceedings. We will use Chapter 15 of
the US Bankruptcy Code, which explicitly authorizes such communication, as a spring board for what
could be used as a model in general business cases.
BRINGING HUMAN RIGHTS HOME
This panel will examine what is new and what is happening with respect to the use of human rights
norms in the domestic (US) context.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
These panels will address the far reaching impact of the economic crisis on individuals, institutions,
and society at large.
THE ECONOMIC CRISIS - HIDDEN IMPACT
Beyond banks and board rooms, the global economic downturn is having a profound effect on the
everyday lives of people around the world. Societies, too, are being tested as the engines of
economic growth sputter forward. This panel will explore the less visible consequences of
the financial crisis and its impact on people and communities.
CURBING ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN A DOWN ECONOMY
Equal justice is an idea that we have long striven for in American society. But, is the economic
crisis, with its strained government budgets, court cutbacks and loss of legal aid funding,
turning back the clock on the progress we've made in reaching the goal of equal justice for
all? Join us for this panel in which we will discuss how the financial squeeze is impacting
access to justice at the individual court level and in society in general.
PRESENTATIONS BY AUTHORS
We will have two authors discuss books they have recently written and sign books.
(i) Judith Resnick will speak about her book "Representing Justice".
(ii) Prof. Sally Kenney will discuss her book "Gender and Judging".
THE IMPACT OF OTHER LAWS ON COURT DECISIONS
This panel will discuss issues relating to bankruptcy, immigration and other laws that may or
will impact criminal, family and commercial cases.
LAWYERING & JUSTICE: EMERGING ISSUES IN NATIONS IN TRANSITION
This panel will look at the challenges that women lawyers and judges are facing as the world around
them changes. We have issues in the Middle and Far East as well as those issues much closer to home in the
Caribbean and Venezuela.
CUBA - A SPECIFIC STUDY IN TRANSITION ISSUES
NON-ACADEMIC SESSIONS
SO YOU THINK YOU HAVE A BOOK IN YOU
Someone "in the business" will share the secret (and not so secret) guidance in what it takes to write a
book and get it published.
WOMEN'S HEALTH PANEL
A panel of doctors from the University of Miami School of Medicine will discuss the aging woman
and the physical and psychological issues about which we should be aware.
MINDFULNESS AND STRESS REDUCTION
A discussion about a new method for reducing stress and making us more effective judges.
YOGA, PILATES, AND MEDITATION
We will start our day(s) the right way with a group class each morning.
|
|
Chief Justice Mary J. Mullarkey (Retired) Inducted into Colorado's Women Hall of Fame
|
|
NAWJ member the Honorable Mar J. Mullarkey was the first female Colorado Supreme Court Chief
Justice and the longest serving Chief Justice in Colorado history. She spent her early career years
in Washington, D.C., in the Office of the Solicitor, Department of the Interior, handling water and
environmental law cases. She then handled discrimination and employment discrimination at the Equal
Employment Opportunity commission in Denver. Chief Justice Mullarkey was appointed as Colorado
Solicitor General at a very young age. During her tenure on the Colorado Supreme Court, she increased
the number of judges in Colorado by 27 percent. Chief Justice Mullarkey key also established the
Judicial Executive Development Institute to train court clerks, probation officers, and district
administrators. She brought in extensive technological system for courts, a prototype for other states.
During her tenure, all new court buildings had to have childcare. Colorado's new judicial complex and
Colorado History Museum have come to fruition thanks to Justice Mullarkey's leadership and vision.
The 2012 Induction Gala took place March 8, 2012 at the Denver Marriott City Center.
|
|
NAWJ to Meet the Congressional Women's Caucus July 10th on Capitol Hill
|
For the seventh consecutive year NAWJ will meet with members of the Congressional Caucus for Women's
Issues on Capitol Hill Tuesday July 10th at noon. The Meeting with the Congressional Women's Caucus
represents an opportunity to continue collaboration between NAWJ and the Caucus that began in 2006.
NAWJ President Judge Amy L. Nechtem along with Meeting Co-Chair the Honorable Lauren Best Leeker,
Retired U.S. Army Trial Judge and current Administrative Counsel to the Executive Committee of the
law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., will join Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Cynthia Lummis
(WY) and Representative Gwen Moore (WI) in convening this year's Meeting. Child welfare and human
trafficking will be among the topics discussed. Click
here
to view a list of current Congressional Caucus Members, and Task Force Chairs.
All NAWJ members are invited to attend. RSVP to Lavinia Cousin at 202-393-0222 (or
lcousin@nawj.org) by July 1st. NAWJ will draw a block of
rooms for $199/night at The Fairfax Hotel at Embassy Row for use by meeting attendees. Please
inform Lavinia Cousin as soon as possible if you will need to make use of these accommodations.
All attendees will be responsible for their own travel expenses.
Fulbright & Jaworksi L.L.P. to Host Special Welcome Reception
In a gracious extension of hospitality, Meeting Co-Chair Hon. Lauren Best Leeker and the law firm of
Fulbright & Jaworski will host a cocktail reception on Monday evening, July 9th in the Fulbright
Conference Center located at 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The Conference Center includes lovely
balcony views overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue, the National Archives and the Navy Memorial.
|
International Association for Court Administration
7th International Conference
The Challenge of Developing and Maintaining Strong and Just Courts
in an Era of Uncertainty
June 13-15, 2012
The Hague, Netherlands
|
|
The International Association for Court Administration invites you to attend the seventh IACA
international conference at the Conference Center of the Peace Palace, home of the International
Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands, from June 13-15, 2012. The Mayor of The Hague,
Dutch Council for the Judiciary, UN Tribunals, Utrecht University and Carnegie Foundation are
supporting our activities. The reception will be at the beautiful Peace Palace:
http://www.vredespaleis.nl/default.asp?tl=1
The conference theme, The Challenge of Developing and
Maintaining Strong and Just Courts in an Era of Uncertainty, is a very important topic
in times of global change. Speakers include senior judicial officials from a diverse array of
countries. IACA has previously held conferences in Ljubljana, Verona, Dublin, Trinidad,
Indonesia, and Istanbul.
The conference Gala Dinner will be held at The Nieuwe Kirk,
nieuwekerkdenhaag.nl.
It is one of the finest venues in the city. The registration fee includes the cost of all conference
events and activities. Conference registration and hotel information is located at
www.iaca.ws. The conference invitation can be
downloaded
here. Requests for visa letters, if required, can be obtained by email at
president@iaca.ws.
|
New 2012 Forster-Long State Gender Ratio Statistics
Now Available from NAWJ's Website
|
|
From NAWJ's website you may now view state-level gender statistics from Forster-Long's most recent publication
of THE AMERICAN BENCH, an annual comprehensive publication that profiles federal and state
courts. In 2008, NAWJ joined with Forster-Long, publisher of
THE AMERICAN BENCH and THE AMERICAN BAR, to share information it gathers
for its publication and for NAWJ members to provide Forster-Long with biographical information and other data.
Click on the U.S. map
reachable from NAWJ's homepage to find for each state:
(1) the ratio of total women state court judges to total judges in that particular state
(2) the ratio of women to total judges in the state's court of highest jurisdiction
(3) the ratio of women to total judges in the state's intermediate appellate courts
(4) the ratio of women to total judges in the state's trial courts of general jurisdiction, and
(5) the ratio of women to total judges in the state's lower level trial courts of limited jurisdiction.
|
|
Events
|
2012
National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary Midyear Educational Conference in
Reno, Nevada from April 1-3, 2012.
District 13 Judicial Reception. NAWJ, Washington State Gender and Justice Commission, and the Women's
Law Caucus of the University of Washington Law School and Seattle University Law School. April 12,
2012 in Seattle, Washington.
District 11 Reception. NAWJ, University of Texas School of Law and Travis County Women Lawyer's Association.
April 18, 2012 in Travis County, Texas.
International Association of Women Judges 2012 Bi-Annual Conference
will take place May 2 - 5 in London, United Kingdom.
Joint Reception with the ABA Commission on the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. NAWJ
will jointly sponsor the Commission's Spring Meeting and participate in the opening reception. The mission
of this Commission is to present education for lawyers and judges on issues related to DV and Sexual Assault,
May 3rd in Seattle, Washington.
NAWJ's 34th Annual Conference will take place in Miami, Florida, November 7 - 11 at the
Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach.
2013
NAWJ's 35th Annual Conference will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana.
2014
The 2014 International Association of Women Judges Bi-Annual Conference will take place in Tanzania
May 6 - 9.
|
|
NAWJ
|
Mission Statement:
The National Association of Women Judges' mission is to:
Promote the judicial role of protecting the rights of individuals
under the rule of law through strong, committed, diverse judicial
leadership, fairness and equality in the courts, and equal
access to justice.
|
About NAWJ:
Since its formation in 1979, NAWJ has inspired and lead the
American judiciary in achieving fairness and equality for vulnerable
populations. Led by two visionary women - Justice Joan Dempsey Klein
and Justice Vaino Spencer - 100 brave and intrepid women judges met and
formed an organization dedicated to the following ideals: ensuring equal
justice and access to the courts for all including women, youth, the
elderly, minorities, the underprivileged, and people with disabilities;
providing judicial education on cutting-edge issues of importance;
developing judicial leaders; increasing the number of women on the bench
in order for the judiciary to more accurately reflect the role of women
in a democratic society; and improving the administration of justice to
provide gender-fair decisions for both male and female litigants.
From the day it was founded, NAWJ has been committed to diversity in
our membership. Our organization welcomes both men and women. We include
appellate, trial, tribal, administrative law judges, state and federal
judges, and members from every state in the nation.
NAWJ takes pride in its accomplishments. We were at the forefront in
the establishment and implementation of gender bias task forces in both
federal and state courts. We have greatly advanced the administration
of justice in areas of domestic violence, child support and child custody,
and the treatment of women in the courts of America. We also are
respected as a leader in educating judges on bioethics, elderly abuse,
the sentencing of women offenders with substance abuse problems; improving
conditions for women in prison; and the problems facing immigrants in our
court system. Currently we are developing curricula on the effect of
genetic advances on women and vulnerable populations, the impact of
international law on state and federal courts, and cognitively disabled
persons in criminal courts.
In addition to addressing these and other important issues, NAWJ
provides an opportunity for judges to meet and discuss professional issues
of mutual concern in a supportive atmosphere. Connecting with others with
the same values, we laugh, enjoy life and mentor one another nationwide.
|
|
|
|
|
