The Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts (WBA) and its Women of Color Committee announce its upcoming Pioneering Women of Color Celebration.  The annual event will take place on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.  The WBA will honor two terrific women at the celebration:  Attorney Angela Gomes and the Honorable Dalila Argaez Wendlandt.  

Angela Gomes is a partner at Sullivan & Worcester and leader of their REITs practice group.  Her practice focuses on corporate finance and securities regulation, as well as general corporate matters and mergers and acquisitions. In addition, she is the co-chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. In 2017, she was named as one of Massachusetts Lawyers’ Weekly’s Top Women of Law, and in 2015 she also was named as one of Ten Outstanding Young Leaders by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, BU Law awarded her its Alumni Pro Bono Award in appreciation of her commitment to pro bono work. Attorney Gomes is a former president of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association. 

Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.  She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, then graduated from Stanford Law School with highest honors. Justice Wendlandt became a partner in the Intellectual Property group at Ropes & Gray LLP, where she counseled clients in a range of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, published articles on patent law, and also engaged in various pro bono activities, including a client’s request for political asylum and a death row inmate’s post-trial petitions.  In 2017, she was appointed as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court. In 2020, Justice Wendlandt was appointed to the Massachusetts SJC, becoming the first Latina to serve on the SJC.

In honoring both Attorney Gomes and Justice Wendlandt, WBA President Alexandra Mitropoulos remarked, “these two incredible honorees are leaders in our community and the field. Their dedication, resilience, and leadership have not only enriched our legal community but have also paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable future. The WBA is proud to honor these trailblazers who have shattered barriers and inspired us all to strive for excellence.”