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ABOUT US
Rhode
Island Women's Bar Association promotes the advancement of the
status of women in Rhode Island and in the legal profession. RIWBA
offers a forum to discuss and address local, national, and international
issues of significance to women generally and to female attorneys
in particular. RIWBA advocates for the fair and equal administration
of justice throughout the state of Rhode Island. Through philanthropy,
education, mentoring and connecting people, RIWBA has improved
and continues to improve the Rhode Island community as a whole.
RIWBA offers accredited Continuing Legal Education seminars targeted
at the needs, challenges and issues facing female attorneys in
their practices. In the past, the RIWBA has partnered with female
Rhode Island Judiciary members to bring seminars that offer unique
insight on the practice of law in Rhode Island state courts. RIWBA
has also made significant charitable efforts throughout Rhode
Island, including annual holiday gift bag drives, clothing drives
to assist women entering the work force, and events to support
to local female youth living in group homes. Furthermore, various
RIWBA-sponsored networking events have fostered a close-knit relationship
among our members, providing our membership with valuable sources
of knowledge and contacts.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
 It
is an exciting time to be a woman in the legal profession in Rhode
Island. With a female Presiding Justice of the Rhode Island Superior
Court and the first African American woman on the United States
First Circuit Court of Appeals, it is clear that we have made
significant strides toward equality and representation in this
profession, but we have a long way to go.
It is not only this realization of how far we have come, but
also the recognition of how much further we can go in order to
accomplish our personal goals and carve out a place for women
attorneys in Rhode Island. This is where the Rhode Island Women's
Bar Association enters the journey.
As the 2009-2010 program year is about to begin, the Board of
Directors has planned an interesting calendar of events focusing
on the specific challenges of women practicing in Rhode Island.
Identifying numerous areas of practice - federal court, civil
litigation, family law, corporate and transactional work, alternative
legal careers and criminal practice -our presenters will provide
you with the skills and behind-the-scenes information that will
help you navigate your way to a successful and meaningful practice.
Back by popular demand, Nordstrom will be hosting a "Dress
for Success" breakfast for our members in January. We are
also pleased to be co-sponsoring Women's Law Day with RWU Law
School in the Spring of 2010.
As your President, I hope to continue the amazing progress from
last year. Membership increased exponentially last year and we
look to continue that surge this year. We will continue the very
successful mentoring program, pairing seasoned women lawyers with
law students and our younger members. Both our mentors and mentees
found this program to be incredibly rewarding in terms of what
was taught and learned by both sides of the relationship. As always,
we wish to increase the visibility and increase the voice of the
RIWBA in the legal community in Rhode Island.
The RIWBA's mission is to further the advancement of women in
the law and the Board takes that duty very seriously. We hope
that this year's programming effectively addresses the challenges
and experiences common to women in the practice. Moreover, we
hope that the RIWBA provides you with the opportunity to network
and seek the support, encouragement and guidance of other women
in practice. We are continually looking to implement new ideas
and programs consistent with our vision and, as always, look for
your feedback and participation. We thank you for your continued
support and look forward to an exciting year ahead.
Aileen L. Sprague
President
RIWBA
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