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September 2012
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In This Issue:
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Dear Friends,
I hope you've had a wonderful, restful summer.
With September fast upon us, the momentum and excitement continues to build for NAWJ's Annual Conference in
Miami November 7-11. By now, members have received the gorgeous invitation with the tempting blue and green
waters of Miami splashed on the cover. The photo is a view from the Eden Roc Hotel...not to be missed!!! The
Conference Planning Committee has planned exceptional educational sessions with renowned speakers nationally
and internationally, as well as fun social events. Our continued appreciation goes out to Chairs Judges Lisa
Walsh and Myriam Lehr, along with all of the other devoted, hard working committee members.
Please find
here the invitation attached for your convenience.
In early August, I had the pleasure of attending the ABA Annual Conference in Chicago. District 8 Director
Judge Ann Breen-Greco graciously hosted a lovely reception at the Westin Hotel in of honor of NAWJ. Many members,
along with guests from the ABA Judicial Division, enjoyed an evening to share time with old friends and welcome new
ones. Thank you Ann for a great NAWJ event.
It was my honor and privilege to attend the Margaret Brent Awards Luncheon sponsored by ABA's Commission on Women in
the Profession while in Chicago. Our heartfelt congratulations to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California
and NAWJ member, Justice Tani G.Cantil-Sakauye, as one of this year's winners of the prestigious Brent award.
The NAWJ staff, board and membership is hard at work enhancing NAWJ's growth within our organization. I have truly
appreciated the time and commitment of each of our committees.
The New Judge Committee has been extremely active. You will be seeing shortly a dedicated section of our Counterbalance
publication devoted specifically to the issues facing new judges to the bench and to NAWJ. Thank you to those who
responded to the recent survey from this committee seeking guidance and input of the needs of our members. This survey
will continue gathering information, which will be made available to all. Glaring in the responses is the need for
mentoring, support and education. Thank you to Co-Chairs Judge Toni Leoni and Judge Jamoa Mobley, and this dynamic committee!
In addition, NAWJ will submit a proposal for a grant seeking to enhance NAWJ's website. Thank you to Projects Chair
Judge Sheri Roman for her extraordinary effort in providing an overview and analysis of our website as it relates to
programs and invaluable suggestions that Executive Director Marie Komisar used in drafting the proposal. The Juvenile
Justice and Child Welfare Committee has added new links to our existing website for members' ease of reference. Thank
you to Sheri and Marie... great job!
The Executive Board has approved and cleared a path for the creation of the Strategic Planning Committee to update
and advance the Long Range Strategic Plan for NAWJ that has been in effect since 2007 and due to expire at year's
end 2012. You may view the comprehensive plan
here crafted and adopted under the stellar leadership of Past President
Judge Brenda Stith Loftin. Judge Loftin has kindly agreed to Chair this Committee that will drive our vision forward
for the next five years using the existing plan as our guide. The immediate Past President each year will serve as
the liaison to this committee. Of course, the current president, resource board members, district directors and other
interested members will comprise this committee to be appointed by the President. Our first meeting will be in
November in Miami.
Thank you, Brenda, for your guidance and continued exceptional leadership.
Thank you all for your tremendous support and the outstanding work you do every day in your districts in the name of NAWJ.
With my best wishes,
Amy
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NAWJ 2012-2013 Board of Directors Nomination Slate
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In accordance with the NAWJ Bylaws, the Nominating Committee presents the following Nomination Slate
for the 2012-2013 Board of Directors:
President
Hon. Joan V. Churchill
(Automatically assumes office)
Immigration Court (Retired)
Chevy Chase, Maryland
President-Elect
Hon. Anna Blackburne-Rigsby
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Washington, D.C.
Vice President, Districts
Hon. Arian Vuono
Massachusetts Appeals Court
Boston, MA
Vice President, Publications
Hon. Tanya R. Kennedy
Civil Court
New York, NY
Treasurer
Hon. Lisa S. Walsh
Circuit Court for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit
Miami, FL
Secretary
Hon. Julie E. Frantz
Multnomah County Circuit Court
Portland, OR
ABA Delegate
Hon. Norma L. Shapiro
U.S District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
The members of the Nominating Committee include:
Chair, Hon. Marjorie Laird Carter, California Superior Court, Orange County, California
Hon. Dana Fabe, Alaska Supreme Court, Alaska
Hon. Bernice Donald, U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee
Hon. Carol Feinman, New York City Civil Court, New York
Hon. Brenda Stith Loftin, St. Louis County Circuit Court, Missouri
Hon. Bea Ann Smith, Third Court of Appeals, Texas (Retired)
Hon. Fernande R.V. Duffly, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Hon. Barbara Madsen, Washington Supreme Court, Washington
Hon. Judith McConnell, Court of Appeals, Fourth Appellate District, California
Hon. J.E. Sullivan, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, District of Columbia
Hon. Vanessa Ruiz, District of Columbia Court of Appeals
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National Association of Women Judges Announces
2012 Annual Awards Honorees
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Justice Fernande (Nan) R. V. Duffly
2012 JUSTICE JOAN DEMPSEY KLEIN NAWJ HONOREE OF THE YEAR
The Honorable Fernande R.V. Duffly was President of NAWJ for the 2007-2008 year. She sits on the
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and has been an NAWJ member since 1996. Justice Duffly has
served in many NAWJ offices and board positions, including District Director, Secretary, Treasurer,
and Vice-President of Districts. She currently serves as NAWJ's delegate to the American Bar Association (ABA).
Roberta D. Liebenberg, Esq.
2012 FLORENCE K. MURRAY AWARD
Roberta D. Liebenberg is a senior partner at Fine, Kaplan and Black, R.P.C. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She was the Co-Chair of the very successful Friends Committee for NAWJ's 2007 Annual Conference in
Philadelphia and collaborated with NAWJ on various projects during her three-year tenure as Chair of the
ABA Commission of Women in the Profession. Ms. Liebenberg was also Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on
the Federal Judiciary 2006-07. Attorney Liebenberg has worked tirelessly at the local, state and national
levels to promote gender equality and diversity in the legal profession.
Chief Justice Dana Fabe
2012 JUSTICE VAINO SPENCER LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Honorable Dana Fabe was President of NAWJ for the 2009-2010 year. She is Chief Justice of the Alaska
Supreme Court, and has been an NAWJ member since 1988. Justice Fabe has served in many NAWJ offices and
board positions, including Vice-President of Projects Districts. Most recently, Justice Fabe has been
active in promoting MentorJet, a networking program she created
in 2010 to bring together experienced professionals from across a range of fields in the legal profession
with young people interested in pursuing legal careers using a fun and lively 'speed mentoring' game.
Since her year as President, Justice Fabe has remained active with NAWJ, serving in numerous committees.
Judge Sandra Robinson
2012 MATTIE BELLE AWARD
The Honorable Sandra Robinson is an Administrative Law Judge for the State of New Jersey. She has served as
District Director of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the Virgin Islands for the past two years, and
has been a tireless and enthusiastic promoter of the achievements of judges and attorneys in her district.
Judge Robinson has been a member since 1997.
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"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.
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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
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Judge Lisa S. Walsh
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Judge Myriam Lehr
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Education Committee
Chairs: Judge Laurel Isicoff • Judge Cindy Lederman
Members: Judge Rosemary Barkett • Judge Professor Donna Coker • Judge Jeri Beth Cohen
Edward Davis • Justice Dana Fabe • Judge Ellen Leesfield • Judge Chris McAliley
Judge Kathleen Mulligan • Professor Amy Ronner • Judge Mary Schroeder
Professor Tara Twomey
Finance Committee
Chair: Judge Gladys Perez • Member: Maureen Jaeger
Speakers Committee
Chair: Judge Gladys Perez • Member: Laura Morilla
International Judges Committee
Chairs: Judge Mercedes Bach • Judge Judy Chirlin (Retired)
Members: Judge Rosemary Barkett • Justice Ann Walsh Bradley •
Judge Beverly Cutler (Retired) • Judge Beverly Sherman Nash • Judge Gladys Perez •
Judge Geraldine Sparrow • Judge Carolyn Temin
Social Events Committee
Chairs: Judge Nushin Sayfie • Judge Lourdes Simon •
Member: Amy Rosenberg
Volunteers Committee
Chair: Judge Marcia Caballero • Member: Judge Andrea Wolfson
Mentor-Mentee Committee
Chair: Judge Monica Gordo
Reception Host Committee
Chairs: Judge Joan A. Lenard • Assistant Dean Georgina Angones • Associate Dean
Raquel Matas •
Members: Jacqueline Becerra • Judge Barbara Lagoa • Bruce Lehr • LillyAnn Sanchez
Security Committee
Chairs: Judge Spencer Multack • Judge Rodolfo "Rudy" Ruiz
Excursions Committee
Chairs: Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez • Judge Valerie Manno Schurr
Women in Prison Committee
Chair: Judge Simone Marstiller
Advisory Committee
Judge Amy L. Nechtem • Marie E. Komisar
FRIENDS COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Law Firm Partners Co-Chairs
Elizabeth Hernandez, Akerman Senterfitt
Linda M. Leali, White & Case LLP
Detra P. Shaw-Wilder, Koyzak Tropin & Throckmorton
Corporate Partners Good Government Alliance Chair
Mikki Canton, AsiaAmericana International LLC
ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPONSORS
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CORPORATE PARTNER GOOD GOVERNMENT ALLIANCE
Presenting Platinum Partners
United Automobile Insurance Company
Gold Partners
Baptist Health South Florida
Codina Partners
Silver Partners
Leon Medical Centers
Piedra & Associates
TYLin International HJ Ross
Waste Management
Bronze Partners
All American Containers, Inc.
AT&T Florida
The Biltmore Hotel
Braman Automotive Group
Ambassador Paul Cejas, PLC Investments
CM Consulting Group Corp.
Coca-Cola
DYL Group
Esserman Motors
IBEW L.U. 349
Medina Capital Partners
Miami Marlins
Patino & Associates
The Thornton Family
Alliance Partners
AARP
ABC/Svinga
Gabriel S. Diaz-Samiento, CPA
Alan Eichenbaum, Esq.
Florida Power & Light
Stakeholders
The Honorable Tomas Regalado and The City of Miami
Dr. Eduardo Padron, President, Miami Dade College
Mrs. Belinda Meruelo
A.J. Barranco, Jr.
Moet-Hennesy / Siboney Wine & Spirits
Chef Paella
Willy Bermello, BAP
Carrolton School of The Sacred Heart
Alvarez, Carbonell, Feltman, Jimenez & Gomez
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LEGAL FRIENDS
Premier Sponsors
Robert M. Kaufman, Esq.
Gold Sponsors
Akerman Senterfitt LLP
LexisNexis
Silver Sponsors
American Society for International Law
Astigarraga Davis
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP
Broad & Cassel
Carlton Fields
Gray Robinson, P.A.
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Hunton & Williams LLP
Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, P.A.
Merrill Lynch Global Wealth & Investment Management, The MAB Group
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Stearns, Weaver, Miller, Weissler, Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.
White & Case LLP
Bronze Sponsors
Avila, Rodriguez, Hernandez, Mena & Ferri LLP
Berger Singerman
Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants
Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP
Colson Hicks Eidson
The Ferraro Law Firm
Grossman Roth, P.A.
Higer, Lichter, Givner
Holland & Knight LLP
JAMS, The Resolution Experts
Kaufman, Rossin & Co.
Kenny Nachwalter, P.A.
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
TotalBank
Amigos Sponsors
Bankruptcy Bar Association
Damian & Valori LLP
Elser Foster-Morales
Epiq Bankruptcy Solutions
ESB Mediation Services
Fabricant Morton & Company, PA
Gamba & Lombana, P.A.
GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group
Kubicki Draper
Robert Levy
Lott & Fischer
McDonald Hopkins LLC
Meland Russin & Budwick, P.A.
Mestre Law
Miami-Dade Florida Association of Women Lawyers
Pathman Lewis, LLP
Rivero Mestre, LLP
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
Weiss, Serota, Helfman, Pastoriza, Cole & Boniske, P.L.
In-Kind Sponsors
Daily Business Review
Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant
Hon. Joan Lenard
Hon. Federico Moreno
Perry Ellis
University of Miami School of Law
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS
(Continuing Legal Education credits for education programs are pending
with the Florida Court Education Council and the Florida State Bar Association.)
Click here
to read an expanded Schedule of Events on NAWJ's website.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012
2011-2012 NAWJ Board of Directors Meeting
MENTOR-MENTEE RECEPTION
for First-time Attendees and International Judges
WELCOME RECEPTION
Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Federal Courthouse for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012
Morning Yoga
(sign up with a $10 fee at the Registration Desk in Miami)
Conference Opening Welcome Remarks
Plenary Session - The Independence of the Judiciary
KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
Lisa Bloom, author of
Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS:
Set One
Judith Resnik on "Representing Justice"
Lawyering and Justice - Emerging Issues of Nations in Transition
Mindfulness and Stress Reduction
Set Two
Curbing Access to Justice in a Down Economy
Legal and Judicial Trends in Cuba
Sally Kenney on "Gender and Judging"
EVENING RECEPTION
Hosted by University of Miami Law School and the Cuban American Bar Association "Noche de Salsa."
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
NAWJ District Breakfast Meetings
Plenary Session - Bringing Human Rights Home
CONCURRENT SESSIONS:
Hidden Impact: The Unseen Consequences of the Economic Crisis
Women's Health
The Impact of Other Laws on Court Decisions
So You Think You Have a Book in You
FRIENDS LUNCHEON
A Conversation with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Plenary Session - The Power and Reach of the Internet
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Optional Excursion Women in Prison Project to Homestead Correctional Institution with
ArtSpring.
ArtSpring provides therapeutic programming and re-entry assistance to women in
prison in Florida. They will be escorting our members on this optional excursion to
Homestead Correctional Institution. Those wishing to attend must complete a form allowing
a background check, and return to Artspring. Download form
here. Space is limited to 40 attendees.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012
Morning Yoga
(sign up with a $10 fee at the Registration Desk in Miami)
NAWJ Committee Breakfast Meetings
NAWJ Annual Business Meeting and New Officer Investiture
Plenary Session -- Judging in an International Community
NAWJ Resource Board Meeting
2012-2013 NAWJ Board of Directors Meeting
NAWJ ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2012
Farewell Breakfast
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BOOK DRIVE
Contribute to NAWJ's Amazon Wish List
for Florida's Women in Prison
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In support of Women in Prison Committee initiatives, NAWJ is organizing a book drive in
conjunction with the 2012 Annual Conference to benefit the library at the Homestead
Correctional Institution women's prison in South Florida. The book drive will continue
through the end of November to give every NAWJ member a chance to participate. Our
goal is to give the facility every book on its wish list.
Please take a moment and join this effort.
Or, go to Amazon.com and find NAWJ in their Wish List registry and choose Florida
Women in Prison - Homestead Correctional Institution.
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Color of Justice to Celebrate Ten-Year Anniversary
September 14, 2012
Beltrami County Courthouse in Bemidji, Minnesota
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The National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) will hold its Ten-Year Celebration of the
Color of Justice Program at the Beltrami County Courthouse in
Bemidji, Minnesota. The Color of Justice Program is NAWJ's most
popular outreach to young women, and other disproportionally under-represented groups, which encourages
pursuit of careers in the legal profession. On behalf of NAWJ, it is our honor to invite you to join us
on Friday September 14th.
The program will join Minnesota judges and attorneys with national representatives of NAWJ to mentor
students from White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake tribal communities. Students will engage in a mock
trial, share lunch while hearing the life and career paths of a panel including judges, attorneys and
law students, and query their mentors-for-the-day on what one does, and what it means to interpret and
execute the law.
Additionally, we invite you to join us at our Welcome Reception the evening before Thursday September 13th at
5:30 pm at the beautiful Hampton Inn Bemidji. (Delta Airlines services Bemidji Airport.) Here, we will
gather to greet each other, and honor NAWJ's Color of Justice Program
creator, and Past President, Judge Brenda Stith Loftin, for initiating such a rewarding program. Please RSVP for both events by
contacting Lavinia Cousin at lcousin@nawj.org.
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LAST CALL
Submit Your News for the Fall 2012 Issue of Counterbalance
TODAY
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Those interested in submitting news should email Lavinia Cousin at lcousin@nawj.org.
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Jenny Yang Nominated by President Barack Obama for Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission
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 On August 2, President Barack Obama nominated NAWJ associate
member, Jenny R. Yang to serve as a Commissioner on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
If confirmed, Ms. Yang will fill the seat vacated by former Commissioner Stuart J. Ishimaru, who moved to
head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI), and
would serve on the EEOC through July 1, 2017. Read the White House's news release
here.
"These individuals have demonstrated knowledge and dedication throughout their careers. I am grateful they have
chosen to take on these important roles, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to
come," President Obama said.
Currently, Ms. Yang chairs Cohen Milstein's hiring and diversity committee and is a member of the firm's civil
rights and employment practice. She joined the firm in 2003. Ms. Yang represents employees in civil rights class
actions and wage and hour collective actions. She served as second chair before the U.S. Supreme Court in the
landmark Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes gender bias case, and continues to represent current and former Wal-Mart
workers in regional sex discrimination class actions. She also represents female sales employees in a class
arbitration, Jock v. Sterling Jewelers Inc., and successfully resolved a multidistrict litigation suit accusing
poultry company, Pilgrim's Pride Corp., of failing to pay overtime to more than 8,000 workers. Ms. Yang has also
successfully represented thousands of female workers in a gender discrimination case against Boeing in federal
court in Seattle.
Before Cohen Milstein, Ms. Yang served as a trial attorney and then a senior trial attorney at the Department
of Justice. From 1998 to 2003, she worked in the employment ligation section of the DOJ's civil rights division,
where she litigated pattern or practice and individual discrimination cases against state and local governments.
The EEOC is comprised of five presidentially appointed members who are supported by a general counsel. The
commission now has one vacant slot. Its current members are Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien and Commissioners
Constance S. Barker (also an NAWJ member), Chai Feldblum and Victoria Lipnic.
Ms. Yang is the daughter of 2011 Annual Conference Chair, the Hon. Sue Pai Yang (Judge, Retired), who was also
formerly NAWJ International Director.
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SAVE THE DATE
2013 Midyear Meeting and Leadership Conference
May 2-4, 2013
Washington, D.C.
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NAWJ President-Elect, the Honorable Joan V. Churchill, and a planning team will
hold NAWJ's 2013 Midyear Meeting and Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.
Highlights will include a joint meeting with members of Congressional Caucus for
Women's Issues, and a discussion forum and reception at the
United States Supreme Court Building on Friday, May 3, 2013. The NAWJ Board of
Directors will meet on Saturday, May 4, 2013. More information will follow.
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Events
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2012
NAWJ Reception on September 10th at the Texas Association for Court Administration
(TACA) Annual Judicial Conference, Westin Galleria, Houston, TX.
Color of Justice Ten-Year Celebration will take place
on September 14, 2012, at the Beltrami County Courthouse in Bemidji, Minnesota. The Welcome
Reception will take place Thursday September 13th at 5:30 pm at the Hampton Inn Bemidji.
NAWJ Maryland Chapter's "Fall Fling" 2012 Leaders Forum, presented in association with the
Women's Bar Association and Maryland Women Legislative Caucus, will take place on September
28 - 29 at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Resort in Cumberland, MD.
District Two's Conference, Fantastic Fall Weekend,
will take place on Saturday, October 20 in Mystic Seaport.
NAWJ's 34th Annual Conference will take place in Miami, Florida, November 7 - 11 at the
Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach.
2013
NAWJ Midyear Meeting and Leadership Conference will take place May 2 - 4 in Washington, D.C.
NAWJ's 35th Annual Conference will take place October 9 - 13 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
2014
The 2014 International Association of Women Judges Bi-Annual Conference will take place in Tanzania
May 6 - 9.
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NAWJ
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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.
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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.
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