44. WOMEN IN LAW LEADERSHIP ACADEMY EMPOWERS NEW WOMEN LAWYERS
The ABA Commission on women in the profession launched the first Women in Law Leadership (WILL) Academy in April 2004 in Chicago. Its mission was to empower recently licensed women lawyers by providing a skill set that would enable them to direct and manage their own careers more effectively by gaining knowledge, finding mentors, and honing their networking capabilities. Attendees received practical advice from successful lawyers who had overcome obstacles facing women in the profession and gained the confidence they needed to thrive, find the right balance, and develop the capacity to lead. The Academy attracted over 200 participants and many law firms, corporations and individual lawyers asked that it be repeated.
The Second WILL Academy took place on March 30-31, 2006, in Chicago. It was produced in partnership with the Section of Litigation and the Young Lawyers Division, and attracted more than 400 attendees. Additional attendees participated via the CLE audio webcast. Like the first WILL Academy, the program was intended for young women lawyers three to 10 years out of law school. Its primary focus was career and legal skills development with an eye toward leadership. Participants learned to take charge of their leadership potential, self-assess, build their own personal leadership plans, and hear from those who have lead the way before them. The CLE sessions, which were also made available via live and recorded audio webcast, were strong on content and focused on practical, concrete advice and guidance. While the programs were designed to attract women lawyers who have practiced ten years or less, the WILL Academy was open to all women in the profession. Many of the written materials that accompanied the various programs at the academy are available through links on the program agenda.
Because of popular demand, the Commission is planning to hold a third WILL Academy in November 2007.
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