January 23, 2010

NBA NEWS BRIEF
National Bar Association, 1225 11th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20001

CONFERENCE AIMS TO SLOW RATE OF ATTRITION OF WOMEN OF COLOR ATTORNEYS FROM THE FIELD OF LAW

First African American Woman to head Georgia's Court of Appeals

Atlanta, GA (January 2010) - Hundreds of women law professionals and students from across the nation will attend the Fifth Annual Conference of the Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys in Law and Business ("LIWOCA"). The conference will take place March 17-18, 2010 at the Ritz- Carlton, Atlanta (downtown). Major sponsors include McGuireWoods (official scholarship sponsor), King & Spalding, LLP, DLA Piper US LLP, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and Lexis-Nexis.

This year's conference, as previous conferences, will create networking and mentoring opportunities for women of color attorneys and law professionals. Scheduled activities include an opening reception, seminars and luncheons. Brandies University law professor Anita Hill will join us for a conversational seminar moderated by Dr. Jane Smith, Executive Director of the Spelman College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement. Leslie Turner, who serves as General Counsel for The Coca-Cola Company, will deliver the scholarship luncheon keynote address. Confirmed mentors and panelists include: Cristina Hernandez-Malaby, Partner, Quarles and Brady, LLP, Milwaukee, WI; Andrea Foster, Regional Attorney, USDA, Atlanta, GA; Chong Joo Kim, Kim & Kert, Atlanta, GA; Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, Partner, Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, LLP, Atlanta, GA; and Alison Nelson, Managing Counsel, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI. The panelists will discuss a range of topics relevant to women attorneys such as, starting solo law practice, building a lucrative practice within a law firm, marketing strategy, government practice opportunities, personal health and serving as in-house counsel. In addition, there will be a track focused one college seniors and first year law students.

The Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys was founded five years ago after a study by the American Bar Association revealed a startling rate of attrition from law firms by African-American, Asian-American and Hispanic-American women attorneys. A subsequent report on the study providing strategies law firms can use to improve diversity within the workplace will be presented at the 2010 conference. The Leadership Institute's founder and president, Marian Cover Dockery, Esq. says, "Women of color attorneys have made much progress since this report was released. This is in part, because the Commission report brought the problem to the attention of managing partners of law firms all over the country. The Leadership Institute will provide resources including training, mentoring and networking to support these women so that the attrition rate continues to decline. Dockery hopes the messages of the speakers and panelists, the content of the presentations during the panel discussions and the networking for attendees will inspire, motivate and educate women of color attorneys to not only succeed in the profession, but also to avoid common pitfalls that preclude advancement in the legal field.

This year as in the past four years, LIWOCA will award $15,000 in scholarships to five outstanding law students bringing the total amount of grants during the life of the organization to almost $100,000.For more information regarding the conference, or to register, log on to www.leadingwomenofcolor.org

Media Contact:
Randi Chapman
P. 404.717.6917
Email: rgreenechapman@gmail.com .