WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION
SECTION UPDATE
WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION
By Megan Hodgkiss Hodgkiss Consulting LLC HodgkissConsulting @ gmail . com
The Women in the Profession Section ( WIP ) is dedicated to furthering the practice and perception of law , with a focus on issues unique to women in the legal field . Throughout the 2016-2017 board year , WIP has been organizing networking events that allow women lawyers to interact and develop support systems . WIP also hosts continuing education courses and regularly offers community service opportunities for its members .
Annual Joint CLE Program
Earlier this board year , on October 19 , WIP , JAMS , and the Atlanta Bar Association ’ s Family Law Section co-sponsored an annual breakfast CLE program . This year ’ s event , which took place at the JAMS Atlanta Resolution Center , focused on “ Resolving Family Disputes Though ADR .” On December 8 , WIP held its Holiday Reception at the home of Hon . Susan Edlein , State Court of Fulton County . The group collected donations for the Women ’ s Cancer Legal Project at Atlanta Legal Aid , as well as for ForeverFamily , an organization that assists the children of incarcerated parents .
Kids in Need Program
There have been two separate occasions this board year , on November 8 and January 25 , when WIP members have volunteered with the Atlanta Community Food Bank ’ s Kids in Need Program . The volunteers helped teachers to collect and take home some muchneeded school supplies ; WIP also donated items to the program .
Breakfast CLE
Most recently , earlier this month , WIP hosted a breakfast CLE at Atlanta Legal Aid ’ s downtown office , entitled “ Lawyers , Secondary Trauma , and Self Care .” Attendees learned about the importance of managing stress inherent in the practice of law and received advice from Shelley Senterfitt , a lawyer and therapist , about improving their well-being and dealing with daily anxieties .
Upcoming Events
We are excited about several more events scheduled in 2017 . First , WIP is participating in the Atlanta Bar Association ’ s March Madness Series . The group is pairing up with the Breast Cancer Legal Project of Atlanta Legal Aid for the CLE “ Wills and Advance Directives for Low-Income Clients .” That will take place Wednesday , March 29 , from 8:30AM to noon at the State Bar of Georgia . ( Look for an email from the Atlanta Bar with registration information ).
Second , WIP members and attorneys with the Breast Cancer Legal Project will be walking in the Susan G . Komen of Greater Atlanta “ Race for the Cure ” 5K on May 13 in the Lenox Mall area . To join us , visit www . komenatlanta . org and register with the team name “ WIP & Breast Cancer Legal Project .”
Finally , stay tuned for another legal networking event in April , and our annual Woman of Achievement Award luncheon in June .
44 February 2017