From the President![]() Members, As I write this, I am only days past assuming the role of President of the Metro Richmond Women’s Bar Association for the 2019-2020 bar year. It is a role I am both humbled and honored to take, and I want to thank each of you for your continued support of MRWBA. There is a long list of impressive women who have served before me. And while each of them have left their own positive mark on the organization, I am particularly grateful to my immediate predecessor, Joanna Suyes, for her many contributions. Her dedication has been inspiring and I have learned so much from her. Thank you Joanna. I have also been awed by the commitment of the 2018-2019 executive board and committee chairs. Despite leading hectic and busy lives, these women have worked tirelessly to advance the organization and I would be remiss if I did not also express my appreciation for their hard work. As we move into the 2019-2020 bar year, I am excited to continue the important work of MRWBA and to work with my colleagues on the executive committee as well as each of the committee chairs. Some of these women are new to the organization while others have served before, but each brings unique talents and skills, and I know I will learn from them: 2019-2020 Bar Year Executive Committee
2019-2020 Bar Year Committee Chairs
And finally, I want to thank McGuireWoods/McGuireWoods Consulting. I am privileged to work at a firm that recognizes the importance of giving back to our community and encourages and supports the volunteer work of its attorneys. I could not do this work without the support of my firm. As we move into the new bar year, MRWBA will celebrate its 45th anniversary as an organization (1975 - 2020). It has a long list of achievements and I am so proud to have the opportunity to serve. Thank you. Sincerely, Michele Satterlund ________________________________________________ New Mentorship Award AnnouncedMRWBA is proud to announce the establishment of the Phoebe P. Hall Mentorship Award to honor outstanding mentors. Candidates will be judged on their kind, caring, and exceptional commitment to the personal, professional, and intellectual development of others; their positive contributions to the training, networking, and well-being of others; their interpersonal skills and collegiality; and their commitment to working with people of diverse backgrounds and experience levels. The award is named in memory of Phoebe Hall, a MRWBA founding member who passed away early this year after a career as a distinguished Virginia attorney and Rector of Virginia Commonwealth University. The winner of MRWBA’s Women of Achievement Award in 2006, Phoebe was a pioneer in Virginia law when she co-founded Hall & Hall, PLC in 1969 with her late husband, Franklin P. Hall, former leader of the Virginia General Assembly. She was inducted into the inaugural class of the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame in 2018. Over the years she served as a mentor and friend to many young attorneys, and we are pleased to recognize her with the creation of this award. ________________________________________________ Members Welcome Judges and Dean to Luncheon
Our table hosts were:
Thanks to all of the members and guests who joined us! ________________________________________________ Pro Bono Opportunity for DV Survivors (and not just divorces!)The Project for the Empowerment of Survivors (PES) is a legal services initiative offered through the Statewide Hotline of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance. The PES expands current Hotline services to provide healing-centered legal information, advice, and referrals to callers throughout Virginia who are experiencing sexual or intimate partner violence, dating violence, stalking, or other offenses. The PES is always in search of volunteer and referral attorneys who are willing to participate in legal clinics or provide direct, ongoing representation to clients. Typically, Action Alliance clients need help with domestic relations or immigration issues, but their needs can extend to employment, housing, credit, personal injury, and other legal matters. If you are interested in volunteering with the PES or becoming part of our referral network, please contact Janice Craft, Esq., Legal Services Director, at legal@vsdvalliance.org. ________________________________________________ Legislative Luncheon Approved for CLE CreditThe April 10th Legislative Luncheon was approved for 1.5 hours of CLE credit. If you attended and have not yet received your CLE verification form, please contact MRWBA Administrator Mary Kidd at mrwba@halcyonmgmtllc.com. ________________________________________________ For past issues of our newsletter, click here. | New Members
for contact details for these and all members. Not a MRWBA Member? ________________________ MRWBA Recognized with Award of MeritMRWBA is honored to have won an Award of Merit from the Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations for our screening last fall of Balancing the Scales: Women in the Law at the University of Richmond Law School. MRWBA and all of the winners were honored at the Annual Meeting and Breakfast on June 14th in Virginia Beach. ________________________
Member News - Fellowship Opportunity
________________________ 2019-2020 MRWBA Luncheon ScheduleBefore heading out for summer vacation, take a moment to note the upcoming MRWBA luncheons for the 2019-2020 bar year:
Each luncheon is scheduled for a Wednesday at Willow Oaks Country Club. The schedule for our meetings will be as follows (unless otherwise posted on the web site)
Complete details and registration for each of these programs will be available on the MRWBA web site, www.mrwba.org. ________________________ DRP Receives Support from Kendra Scott EventThe Kendra Gives Back Party held on Wednesday, May 8th, at Kendra Scott in Short Pump Town Center, along with donations received directly from members who weren't able to attend, generated $595 in donations for the Domestic Relations Pamphlet! The committee is currently working on revisions to the Pamphlet, but copies of the 2017 edition are still available in both English and Spanish. Contact Public Service Co-Chair Addie Brugger if you would be interested in helping finish up the revisions. |