The women's bar association
WBA Welcomes New Leadership
WBA HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING AND RECEPTION
Women's Bar Association Ushers in New Leadership, Welcomes Newly Admitted Attorneys and Longtime Members
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BOSTON, MA - April 3, 2019 - The Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts (WBA) held its Annual Meeting and Reception, also welcoming newly admitted lawyers on March 28, 2019 at the Omni Parker House Hotel. At the event, the WBA introduced new leadership, shared exciting accomplishments of the past year and welcomed both longtime members and new women attorneys to the organization and to the Massachusetts legal community.
The WBA is thrilled to welcome Jennifer Saubermann as the organization's incoming President. Jennifer is the Acting General Counsel of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), a public economic development authority that supports the Commonwealth’s innovation economy. Prior to joining MassTech, Jennifer served as Director of Program Integrity and Deputy General Counsel at the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, and worked for the Legislature as the General Counsel for both the House and Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and Legal Counsel for the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. Jennifer has been actively involved with the WBA since graduating from law school. She was the President-Elect of the WBA during the 2018-19 term, served as the WBA Treasurer for four terms, and as a co-chair of the Government Lawyers’ Committee for six years. She has been on the board since 2007. She is a graduate of American University’s Washington College of Law, and attended college at Binghamton University in New York.
At the annual meeting, the WBA voted on a slate of officers and elected members of the Board of Directors. The organization welcomes the following new and returning officers and directors for 2019-20.
WBA Officers
President: Jennifer Saubermann, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
President-Elect: Nicole Forbes, Globalization Partners
Vice President of Membership & Statewide Outreach: Kim Donlon, Major Lindsey & Africa
Vice President, Operations: Sarah Gagan, Latham & Watkins, LLP
Treasurer: Kristy Lavigne, Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
Secretary: Heather Gamache, Prince Lobel Tye LLP
WBA Immediate Past President
Meredith Ainbinder, Emerson College
WBA Board of Directors
At-Large Directors
Carolyn Alenci, Duane Morris LLP
Jessica Babine, Cornetta Babine LLC
Margaret Caulfield, Alkermes, Inc.
Melissa Garlick, ADL
Kate Isley, Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
Gwen Nolan King, Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak, Cohen, P.C.
Alexandra Mitropoulos, Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP
Krina Patel, Biogen
Tricia Rich, Fresenius Medical Care
Emily Robey-Phillips, Jones Day
Nancy Rothstein, Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
Jamie Sabino, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Kristin Shirahama, Bowditch & Dewey, LLP
Raquel Webster, National Grid
Regional Directors
Julie Dick, Community Legal Aid (Central Massachusetts)
Camala Richardson, Law Office of Camala A. Richardson (Cape & Islands)
Victoria Spetter, Law Firm of Victoria C. Spetter, PC (Middlesex)
Brianna Sullivan, Beham Hambelton LLP (North of Boston)
The new board brings enthusiasm, a deep commitment to the WBA's mission, and a record of leadership and results on issues important to women attorneys.
At the Reception, the WBA welcomed its keynote speaker, the Hon. Kimberly S. Budd, Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, whose thoughtful remarks reflected on the multiple demands of women in practice.
Attendees also heard from Representative Joan Meschino, Third Plymouth District, who spoke about the rewards and challenges of a career in public service.
Incoming WBA President Jennifer Saubermann stated, "It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve as President of the Women's Bar Association, which has been an integral part of my professional and personal life for almost 17 years. The WBA has given me wonderful mentors and friends and many opportunities for leadership and professional development. Through my years of government practice, I have developed a deep understanding of the importance of our legislative advocacy work, and the impact the WBA can have in shaping policies that promote gender equality. I look forward to working with our members in the year ahead - using the power of our collective voice to influence policies and laws that make positive changes to better ourselves and all women in the Commonwealth."
Outgoing WBA President Meredith Ainbinder reflected, "Serving as President has been an amazing opportunity. I am grateful for every chance I had to collaborate with other women lawyers, represent the organization everywhere from law firms to the State House, and to be a voice seeking progress in the way women experience and advance in our profession. Last year, we celebrated our 40th anniversary and proved that our mission is more critical than ever. I was proud that we issued our study on workplace conduct in Massachusetts firms, offered programming on sexual assault, passed legislation that promotes equality and had a successful Gala that honored women who truly help other women. I congratulate Jennifer Saubermann, our new WBA President, and our new executive board and board of directors, as they continue our important work. Thank you to our members for the support, friendship, and this treasured opportunity."