2021 NAWJ Midyear Meeting

New Ways to Address the Old Problem of Sexual Harassment in the Legal Workplace

• Hon. Sheva M. Sims, Shreveport City Court, Louisiana
• Elaine Metlin, Esq.
• Cory M. Amron

How the Courts Can Promote Equity in the Legal Profession

• Hon. Samantha Jessner, Los Angeles Superior Court
• Sarah London, Esq., Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Berstein, LLP

The New Normal: Professional and Personally

• Hon. Tanya Brinkley, 11th Judicial Circuit Court, Florida
• Thomas Leighton, Esq., Thomson Reuters

Helping Women Return to the Workforce

• Hon. Maria Salas-Mendoza, 120th Judicial District Court, Texas
• Nicole Erb, Esq., White & Case, LLP

Education Session 1

Racial Inequities as a Judicial Officer: The Personal Stories of Three African-American Justices

Many judges have to deal with their own colleagues and court administration who are oblivious to the impact of systemic racism. African-American judges have had to do the heavy lifting on the topic of implicit bias and cultural competency as if it is a special interests pursuit. Addressing  racial inequities in the judiciary should be the pursuit of everyone involved in the administration of justice, not just the judges of color. Hear the stories of three African American Judges discuss their journeys and how they have navigated the challenging times.

Former Chief Justice Cheri Beasley of North Carolina, Tamika Montgomery-Reeves, Associate Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court, and Justice Helen Whitener, Justice of the Washington Supreme Court, moderated by Professor john a. powell, Professor of Law, African-American, & Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley.

Resources:

"Racial discrimination, the superwoman schema, and allostatic load: exploring an integrative stress-coping model among African American women" - Amani Allen article

"What Judges Can Do about Implicit Bias" by Jerry Kang

Education Session 2

Thriving as a Judge and as a Person During and After the Pandemic

The second session will be led by presenters Judge Jeremy Fogel and Dr. Kristen Allott and moderated by Judge Tamila Ipema. They will focus on the experience of the last year and will explain how both mindfulness and nutrition can normalize neurological functioning and improve energy, mental clarity, and decision making. The presenters will discuss some of the basic science about stress and tools that judges can use to reduce and manage it. Studies and experiences will be shared during this interactive and practical session.

Below are the resources needed for the Interactive Reception on April 15, 2021 with mixologist Adam Marans.

• Tools Needed
   
• The Blindfold (recipe)
   
• The Scales (recipe)
   
• The Sword (recipe)

Links and Resources to Additional Materials

• More Information on Our Thriving as a Judge and as a Person During and After the Pandemic Presenters

The NAWJ Midyear Meeting Sponsors have the unique opportunity to connect with a diverse network of judges from all levels of the judiciary across the United States. As a sponsor at the NAWJ Midyear Meeting, you will build relationships, build upon your professional development skills and have the opportunity to promote your organization. For more details about sponsorship, please email ldenham@nawj.org.