Have You Heard About the Women's Law Association?

The Women's Law Association is yet another amazing student organization at the Capital University Law School and they provide excellent opportunities for all students, including men! Did you know, in 2013 women represented only 20.2% of law firm partners nationwide? This number is only 3.4% higher than it was in 2003! The mission of the Women's Law Association (WLA) is to improve the status of women in the legal profession by identifying barriers that women face. They design projects and programs to engage the student body and enhance understanding about the issues legal professionals face on a daily basis.


WLA is very important to its members, especially their president, Holly Torres. She states "[a]s a female entering a predominately male profession, I think it is exceptionally important to provide women with as many educational and professional opportunities as possible in order to improve their status. . . . Even with women entering, and graduating, law school in higher numbers than in the past, women are still fairly underrepresented in [the] profession, especially in top-level positions such as [] partner." She feels an organization like WLA is not only essential, but it is the perfect platform for women to have an open dialogue and encourage each other to make real change. WLA has allowed its members to develop leadership, organizational, and networking skills that can't be beat!

WLA is doing a lot of awesome stuff this year, and everyone should check them out.

• WLA will participate in Capital's 2nd annual Diversity Week. On October 19th at 5:00 PM in room 208 they will host Former Supreme Court Associate Justice, Yvette McGee Brown, Ohio Attorney General Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Jennifer Adair (a Capital alumna!), and General Counsel and Executive Sponsor for the Professional Women's Network Group, Pam Vest Boratyn (another Capital alumna). Come check it out!
• WLA will begin hosting a monthly Brown Bag Conversation series, similar to Barrister's Club. They will be hosing local judges, attorneys, and deans to talk about the legal field and professional life. These brown bags will be limited to only 6-8 members so be sure to watch your e-mail for more information! 
• WLA and the Office of Professional Development will host Capital's annual Women Leadership Forum with the Esther Brocker Scholarship Reception on November 3rd at Ice Miller. 
• In November, WLA will host a fundraiser. They will be selling raffle tickets for final exam "crash" baskets that will include all of your exam time goodies/must haves! Be sure to enter to win a basket full of sugar, energy drinks, school supplies, and gift cards. 
• In the spring, WLA will host a "Galentines Day" bake sale.
• Watch out for a wine and paint social - my favorite! 
• Also, stay tuned for the highlight of the spring, the Constitutional Law Debate where you can watch your professors battle out current issues before the Supreme Court!
• Finally, WLA will work with the Women Lawyers of Franklin County on a joint community service project, and provide WLA members the opportunity to attend Women Lawyers of Franklin County's Soiree celebration.  
• As always, feel free to attend regular meetings to get more information on how to get involved!

This year, WLA would like to grow its membership and make all their events successful. Success to them means their attendees walk away from the conversations, panels, and events with a new perspective. Holly believes "it is imperative that women be equipped, educated, and inspired to break the ever present glass ceiling that lingers over women in the legal field[,] and it is not enough for only women to speak on these issues!" If you are interested in attending a meeting, participating in an event, or just getting to know more about this incredible student org, contact Holly Torres at htorres@law.capital.edu for more information!