WBA HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING AND NEWLY ADMITTED LAWYERS RECEPTION

Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts

27 School Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA  02108

Ph: 617.973.6666    Fax: 617.973.6663   www.womensbar.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WBA HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING AND NEWLY ADMITTED LAWYERS RECEPTION

Women’s Bar Association Transitions to New Leadership, Welcomes New Lawyers and Honors Leaders in the Community

BOSTON, MA – March 27, 2015 – The Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts (WBA) held its 2015 annual meeting and reception for newly admitted lawyers on March 25, 2015 at the Omni Parker House Hotel.  At this event the WBA ushered in new leadership, welcomed new women attorneys to the Massachusetts legal community, and recognized both WBA and civic leaders for their contributions to promoting the advancement of women in the legal profession.

The WBA is delighted to welcome Kim Dougherty as the organization’s incoming President.  Kim is a partner and managing attorney of the Boston office of Janet, Jenner, & Suggs, LLC, where she specializes in complex pharmaceutical and medical device mass torts, personal injury, and medical malpractice litigation.  Kim has demonstrated her dedication to the WBA mission and shown herself to be a strong leader for the organization over her many years as a member.  Kim is a long-time member of the Board of Directors and, for the past four years, has served on the WBA Executive Board, as President-Elect last year, Vice President of Operations in2013-2014, and Secretary in 2012-2013.  She also served as Co-Chair of the Gala Committee from 2010-2012.

Shortly after her inaugural event as President, Kim said, “I would like to thank Kara DelTufo for her excellent leadership, passionate representation of the WBA, and unwavering commitment to our mission over this past year. I am honored to serve as the voice of the WBA for the next year as its President. I look forward to continuing to further our mission of full and equal participation of women in the profession and in a just society with the devoted, smart, and thoughtful members of the Executive Board, Board of Directors and newly formed Emeritus Board. While women in the profession have come a long way, the work of the WBA is far from done. It is with great pride, accompanied by concern and commitment to achieving equality for women in the profession, that I set forth to lead this strong organization today.”

Outgoing President Kara DelTufo remarked that “it has been a privilege to lead this incredible organization this past year.  I was regularly inspired and motivated by the dedication of all of our members to our mission. I want to thank each and every one of our members for all of the work they put into the WBA every year and particularly over the last year – by attending events and serving on our committees, our Board and Executive Board.  Together we have done great things.  I’m looking forward to the inspired leadership that President Kim Dougherty will bring to the WBA as she embarks on her new role.  It has been a pleasure to serve with her and the other distinguished members of the WBA’s Board of Directors.”    

At the annual meeting, the WBA voted on a slate of officers and elected members of the Board of Directors. The 2015-2016 officers are: Kristin Shirahama, of Rosenberg, Freedman & Lee, LLP, President-Elect; Michele Liu Baillie, of North Shore Patents, Vice President of Statewide Outreach and Membership; Heather Engman, of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Vice President of Operations; Marie Chafe, of Cornell & Gollub, Treasurer; and Bronwyn Roberts, of Duane Morris, Secretary. Each promises to bring dedication to the WBA’s mission, demonstrated leadership and many years of WBA experience to the Executive Board.

At the Newly Admitted Lawyers reception, the WBA honored U.S. District Court Senior Justice Rya W. Zobel with the Distinguished Public Service Award.  Judge Zobel was introduced by her long-time colleague, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti Saris. Judge Zobel, a native of Germany, received her B.A. from Radcliffe College in 1953 and her LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 1956. She began her career in private practice, becoming the first woman partner at Goodwin Procter LLP. In 1979, Judge Zobel became the first female judge to serve on the federal bench in Massachusetts when she was appointed as a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Massachusetts by President Jimmy Carter.  For the next 15 years, she remained the only female judge in the Massachusetts federal judiciary.  During her career, she has served as chair of the Judicial Conference Committee on Automation and Technology, a member of the Conference’s Committee on the Operation of the Jury System and the Committee on Judicial Improvements, and chaired the American Bar Association’s National Conference of Federal Trial Judges.  In April 1995 she became the seventh director (and first woman) of the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, D.C., an office she held until July 1999.  Judge Zobel has been actively involved in the Massachusetts scholarly and public service community, as a member of Harvard University’s Board of Overseers, a governor of the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston, a trustee of the New England Deaconess Hospital, and a director of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.  Judge Zobel has been a true pioneer for women, being the first woman in many roles traditionally held by men.

About the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts

Founded in 1978 by a group of activist women lawyers, the Women’s Bar Association boasts a large membership of women lawyers, judges, policy makers, and law students across Massachusetts.  The WBA is committed to the full and equal participation of women in the legal profession and in a just society. The WBA works to achieve this mission through committees and task forces and by developing and promoting a legislative agenda to address society’s most critical social and legal issues.  Other WBA activities include drafting amicus briefs, studying employment issues affecting women, encouraging women to enter the judiciary, recognizing the achievement of women in the law, and providing pro bono services to women in need through its sister organization, the Women’s Bar Foundation.  For more information, visit www.womensbar.org.