wla Committees Open to the Membership

 

Membership/Mentorship Committee

This committee is tasked with increasing and sustaining membership.  It seeks to increase membership through recruiting efforts such as visiting law offices, law schools, and bar association fairs.  It is also responsible for securing and engaging student liaisons at St. Louis University, Washington University, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.  It seeks to sustain members by assisting in the development and implementation of membership benefits such as facilitating networking opportunities, coordinating monthly mentorship luncheons, and promoting members through communication of job opportunities and award nominations.

Email Rebecca McLaughlin for more information and volunteer opportunities. 

 

Judicial Endorsement and Policy Consideration Committee

The promotion of women in the judiciary and other positions of influence and leadership is a key function of WLA. This committee tracks vacancies within the judiciary and other arenas (e.g., bar leadership), informs the board when vacancies arise, and coordinates the application and endorsement process. The committee also tracks ongoing and proposed legal policies and practices, and their alignment with WLA's mission, to determine if comment or other action is necessary by the WLA and its members.   

Email Monique D. Abby or Eli Sullivan for more information and volunteer opportunities. 

 

Nomination and Recognition Committee

This committee tracks opportunities to officially recognize the accomplishments and contributions of WLA members and women in the legal profession through nominations for local, regional, and national awards and other platforms.  Committee members research and track calls for nominations and their application processes while considering members to recognize and support.       

Email Eisha Ahmed-Petersen or Eli Sullivan for more information and volunteer opportunities. 

 

CLE Committee

WLA offers CLE programs from time to time. The programs are open to all lawyers. Committee members select the topic, recruit speakers, communicate with the Missouri Bar to obtain CLE accreditation, and plan event logistics.

Email Rebecca McLaughlin or Zoe Hall for more information and volunteer opportunities. 

 

Social Committee

WLA benefits from its large and energetic membership base. This committee researches and promotes opportunities for our members to meet, network and celebrate through a variety of sponsored events throughout the year.

Email Morgan Murphy for more information and volunteer opportunities. 

 

PR/Communications Committee

WLA’s public perception, visibility, and influence are important to its ability to fully execute its mission of promoting women in the legal profession and creating positive change around women’s issues in the general community. This committee communicates with local media outlets, works to enhance the organization’s access to the media, promotes the organization and its efforts and events through media coverage, and ultimately strives to shine a light on substantive issues of importance to women and the legal community.

Email Danielle Smith for more information and volunteer opportunities. 

 

Legislative Committee

This committee organizes the annual legislative luncheon where female state legislators inform members of current legislative issues. The committee selects the theme of the discussion, solicits the participation of the legislators, communicates with the Missouri Bar to obtain CLE accreditation for the event, and plans the logistics of the luncheon. This committee also tracks state legislation of interest to women lawyers and, from time to time, submits summaries of such legislation for publication in the WLA newsletter.

Email Morgan Murphy or Eisha Ahmed-Petersen for more information and volunteer opportunities. 

 

Scholarship Committee

WLA awards scholarships to female law students through the Linda J. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund, supported by proceeds from the WLA Annual Golf Tournament and individual donations from WLA members and supporters. The committee communicates with administrators and women student leaders at each of Missouri’s four law schools and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale School of Law, solicits and reviews student applications, and recommends recipients to the WLA Board for approval.  

Email Monique D. Abby for more information and volunteer opportunities.

 

WLA Foundation Fundraising Committee

This committee is responsible for fundraising for WLA’s charitable foundation.  The main fundraisers for the Foundation are its annual holiday party and charity auction, and its Nine and Wine golf event, proceeds of which support its charitable efforts, including the Linda J. Murphy Scholarship, the Judicial Portrait Project, and contributions to organizations supporting women and their families.  Committee members organize the events by soliciting auction items from individuals and local businesses, preparing bid sheets and related documents, and planning event logistics. Email Eli Sullivan (Golf) or Ellen Bruntrager (Holiday Party) for more information and volunteer opportunities. 

 

Service Committee

This committee develops and facilitates educational, professional and community programs that benefit the local community and the legal profession.  The committee is responsible for conducting service projects that promote WLA’s mission in providing opportunities for volunteerism and advocacy on issues affecting women.  The committee organizes various community service projects and volunteering activities throughout the year.  Committee members from the WLA Board include Stephanie Black, Monique Abby, Shannon Dawson, and Elizabeth McNulty.  

Email Danielle Smith or Monique D. Abby for more information and volunteer opportunities. 

 

Diversity Committee

This committee encourages diversity throughout our profession.  The committee plans activities and events with other bar associations to share in the missions of each bar association and celebrate our differences and commonalities that enhance the legal profession.

Email Eisha Ahmed-Petersen or Danielle Smith for more information and volunteer opportunities. 

 

 

Past Presidents' Committee

This committee is open to past presidents of the organization. In its advisory capacity, the committee provides historical perspective and institutional knowledge to advise the board on policy issues. In its historian capacity, the committee is responsible for organizing and maintaining the organization’s archives.

Email Stephanie Black for more information and volunteer opportunities.