Welcome From CWL President Karen M. Goodman

CWL: Our Voice Counts

Over three decades ago, an energized, talented and forward-looking group of California women attorneys came together to form California Women Lawyers. They were committed to the advancement of women, to universal equal rights, and to the elimination of unfair bias. These women knew that strengthening the ties between local women lawyer’s associations throughout California would inure not only to the betterment of women professionals, but also promote social justice. They very rapidly expanded networking, mentoring and educating women lawyers. They steadfastly advocated for the appointment of greater numbers of qualified women to the bench. Very quickly, CWL’s members made a tremendous impact in the California legal community. Several of CWL’s founding mothers have held prominent positions of leadership in the profession and in their communities. Justice Joan Dempsey Klein of the California Court of Appeal was CWL’s provisional president in 1975. Some seventeen years later, CWL’s then president Angela Bradstreet, was the only bar association president to testify before the United States Senate during the confirmation hearing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the United States Supreme Court’s second woman associate justice. Ms. Bradstreet was recently appointed as the California Labor Commissioner.

Jump ahead another fifteen years, and now in the 21st Century, CWL has continued the timeless mission of its founders while expanding its programs and advocacy to meet today’s challenges and prepare future leaders.

WOMEN AND THE JUDICIARY

CWL has created and presented its signature “So You Want to Be A Judge?” throughout California. This program has educated countless women and men on the judicial selection process. CWL sponsors two judicial receptions annually to honor judicial officers who are themselves exemplary models of excellent. The Joan Dempsey Klein Award is awarded to an outstanding judge in Southern California. The Rose Bird Memorial Award is presented to an outstanding judge in Northern California. CWL performs independent judicial evaluations for women and men applying for judicial office. CWL regularly organizes meetings for representatives of California’s women bar associations to meet with judicial appointments secretaries.

ELIMINATION OF BIAS-EDUCATION

CWL has taken the lead in conducting continuing education programs for California lawyers to combat gender bias. CWL has a MCLE program “The CWLRoadshow: Gender Bias Lessons From the Silver Screen” which it has shown to many local groups in California. It received in 2007 an honorable mention award from the National Association of Women’s Bar Associations. In 2007, CWL developed its “Rainmaking” series co-sponsored by JAMS to educate lawyers on gender bias issues in client development.

NO GLASS CEILING INITIATIVE

CWL has actively promoted the expansion of the “No Glass Ceiling Initiative” throughout California. This initiative, which was initially adopted in 2002 by the Bar Association of San Francisco, asks firms and corporations to make specific, quantifiable progress in the retention of women and also works with these institutions to achieve those ends.

AMICUS BRIEFS AND LEGISLATION

CWL is a strong voice in the public policy dialogue affecting women’s rights and the elimination of bias. CWL’s legislative committee proves input on proposed and actual laws concerning domestic violence, gender discrimination, reproductive rights, breast cancer, Title IX, and other issues affecting women and children. Through its amicus brief and legislative committees, CWL has quickly responded to significant appellate cases and pending legislation affecting the advancement of women in the profession and in society. CWL has spear-headed legislation to close a loophole in California’s sexual harassment law, advocated the passage of the Ledbetter Fair Act and participated in amicus briefs affecting women’s health, same-sex marriage and a bias in the workplace.

INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS

CWL has played a vital role in eliminating bias within the legal system and advocating for global reforms. CWL participated as a certified NGO in the 2000 Bejing +5 Conference. CWL participated in the 2004 Women Trafficking and Child Labor Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) Conference in Abuja, Nigeria and other international conferences. CWL has supported legislation to curtail human trafficking and other abuses of women and children in the developing world, and since 2004, has advocated against genocide in Sudan and has publicized the horrors inflicted on women and children in Darfur and Chad.

LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICE

In 2005, CWL initiated a local community service committee, which has facilitated charitable donations and assistance to communities in California.

MENTORING

CWL is committed to advancing the skills for its members to enable them to excel in the legal profession. CWL has an active state-wide mentoring network, enabling members to seek advice, feedback, and information from professionals throughout California.

NOT FOR WOMEN ONLY

CWL, and its numerous programs and activities, are open to all women and men who support CWL’s mission. In recent years, CWL has proudly welcomed in its membership men who are judicial officers, trial lawyers, State and local bar presidents, and well recognized practitioners.