MRWBA News Update           August 2024

Celebrating 50 Years

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Welcome New (& Returning) Members!

      • Scarlett Del Giudice Boyer, Student, William & Mary Law School
      • Brooke Gerber, Student, University of Richmond School of Law
      • Lily Goodman,  Student, University of Richmond School of Law
      • Connie Kuykendall, LexisNexis
      • Tracy Paner, Richmond Public Defenders
      • Abigail Paules, Whaley Paules LLC

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              Not a Member of MRWBA?

              Join Now!

              Student memberships are complimentary!

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              Committee Service

              As you know, the strength of any organization is built on its membership. The diversity of the organizations and individuals that make up MRWBA have helped us build the community that exists today. As you prepare to enjoy your summer, please take a moment to consider volunteering with one of our committees in the coming year. 

              Working with an MRWBA committee is a great way to build your network while supporting the profession. Email admin@mrwba.org for details.

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              MRWBA Seeks Sponsors for the 2024-2025 Bar Year!

              MRWBA’s events are possible thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. These sponsorships provide an opportunity to promote your brand to a demographic of well-educated, professional women with an average salary of more than $100,000 per year.

              Plan ahead and secure your sponsorship for the 2024-2025 Bar Year now! Email admin@mrwba.org for details.

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              From the President

              Dear Members, Colleagues, and Friends,

              Welcome to the 2024-2025 bar year!  As I mentioned in May, part of our focus this year is to look to our past to inform our future.  In light of that, I wanted to share some information about Rebecca Lovenstein, a Richmond resident and the first female attorney licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth.  Rebecca (a mother of two at the time) attended law school at night and became one of two women to pass the bar in June 1920.  She practiced for a few years from an office in her basement and took over her husband’s practice in 1923.  In 1925, she became the first woman to present oral arguments at Virginia’s Supreme Court.   (She won.)  She also found time to create a state bar association for women.   

              In reading about Rebecca, I found unsurprising the fact that local newspapers praised her work but also emphasized that she “was not only an attorney but also a mother and homemaker.”  Leila Christenbury, "Rebecca Pearl Greenberg Lovenstein (1886–1971)," Dictionary of Virginia Biography, Library of Virginia (1998– ), published 2021 (available here). I know that we all find it difficult to balance our families, careers, and everything else, and I found it somewhat reassuring (and yet at the same time frustrating) to know that even a trailblazer like Rebecca faced the same issues 100 years ago. 

              Turning to our new bar year, I’m hopeful that you will join us for some exciting events next month.  September will soon be here, and we will be kicking off our programming for the 2024-2025 bar year, (which also marks our 50th anniversary!):

              I hope to see you at one or both of these events!

              Amy Smith
              2024-2025 MRWBA President

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              September Luncheon: Speed Networking...Who Are You and What Do You Do?

              Are you new to the Richmond legal community. miss chatting with your MRWBA friends, or want to make more connections? Well, have we got the luncheon for you! Get to know your fellow women attorneys with this speed-dating-esque session.

              Join us on September 11th for this opportunity to get to know some new peers or reunite and finally plan that coffee with a friend. We promise you'll walk away with even more people to chat with or sit by at regular sessions, and some practice in those cold conversations we all love.  Don't forget to bring your business cards!

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                Kickoff Membership Mix & Mingle Scheduled

                Interested in networking with your peers? Join MRWBA for an informal Mix & Mingle on Tuesday, September 24th from 7:45 -9 a.m. at Coco + Hazel in Bon Air. Come sip on a cup of coffee (or tea) and enjoy a morning of networking and building connections with other women attorneys in our community. Plus, we love meeting new people so feel free to bring a friend!

                This is a free event, but please RSVP so we know how many to expect. Can't wait to see you there!

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                Other Upcoming Program Dates

                We know how busy you are, so we wanted to be sure to share the upcoming program dates for MRWBA so you can get them on your calendar now. Our programs at Willow Oaks are scheduled as luncheons (except as noted below):

                • October 16
                • December 6
                • February 5
                • April 23, Legislative Update Breakfast
                • May 21, Awards Reception

                Watch for details as soon as we confirm our programs.

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