[D]iversity delivers better results.
-Julie Gruber, Executive Vice President & Global General Counsel, Gap

September 12, 2017 —

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What You Need to Know

Women lawyers nominated to federal bench.
The nominees include Elizabeth “Lisa” Branch for the Atlanta-based Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Rebecca Grady Jennings for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Emily Marks for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, and Karen Gren Scholer for the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Texas. The Hill & Texas Lawyer
Sisters Therese and Barbara Lawless take on Silicon Valley sexism.
These lawyers are taking on companies like Facebook and Tesla to fight gender discrimination and sexual harassment in tech. The Guardian
Lawyers use NFL rule to increase diversity in the profession.
The Mansfield Rule is a modified version of the NFL’s Rooney Rule requiring minority and female candidates to be considered for leadership and governance positions. The Manfield Rule was designed by lawyers as a product of the first ever Women in Law Hackathon and is being adopted by 44 major law firms and 55 corporate legal departments. Fortune
Weil Gotshal Partner Caroline Zalka recognized as instrumental to Stender win.
Jonathan Polkes, co-chair of firm’s global litigation department, highlights Zalka’s critical role in keeping the complex M&A litigation case on course over the 10-year period, starting out as an associate on the case. New York Law Journal
Increase in gender-bias lawsuits shines light on partner compensation.
Kerrie Campbell is one of the increasing number of women going public with their discrimination claims. Surveys show that it’s still unusual for women to enjoy the prestige and remuneration that come with equity partnership, or even non-equity partnership. Bloomberg
Minnesota Judge Marrinan signs landmark decision on her last case.
Ramsay County District Judge Margaret Marrinan credits her colleagues and male lawyers for her rise from prosecutor to handling demanding cases at the seat of state government. Star Tribune
Female general counsel and lawyers sign letter to save “Dreamers.”
Top lawyers at companies like AppNexus, BlackLine Inc., Concord, and Salesforce sign open letter, urging Congress to preserve Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and pass Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) legislation. Corporate Counsel
Shannon Liss-Riordan represents gig economy worker in GrubHub trial.
Boston-based lawyer Shannon Liss-Riordan goes to court to decide whether workers should be treated as independent contractors or employees, a trial “seen as the culmination of a series of legal battles that have dogged Silicon Valley.” Corporate Counsel
Judge Freemen rules that brewing company misled consumers.
U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman of the Northern District of California allows claims brought under consumer protection statutes to move forward. She says the beer company made representations that could deceive a reasonable consumer into believing the product was made in Hawaii, when the beer is brewed stateside. Law.com
What are you reading? Share it with us.

Movers and Shakers

Procter & Gamble Co. Chief Legal Officer Deborah Majoras elected as fellow to the American College of Governance Counsel. Corporate Counsel

Lucy Fato named AIG general counsel. Corporate Counsel

Former Federal Trade Commission chair Edith Ramirez joins Hogan Lovells as co-head of the firm’s antitrust, competition, and economic regulation practice. Law.com

Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes is elected president of Palm Beach County Bar Association. CBS12

Traci Ribeiro joins Chicago office of Foran Glennon Palandech Ponzi & Rudloff. ABA Journal

SCOTUS clerk Elizabeth Henthorne joins D.C. office of trial boutique Wilkinson Walsh + Eskovitz. National Law Journal

Have big news to share? We want to know.

Sidebar

After sharing a recent article about Judge Weinstein’s rule to allow more junior lawyers to have a voice in the courtroom, we were reminded that female judges also have adopted similar rules. Issuing an order 10 years ago, U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn is known as one of the first to incentivize law firms to provide speaking opportunities in court for young lawyers, including women and minorities. Who else has adopted a similar rule? Next Generation Lawyer compiled a list.

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Copyright © 2017 Center for Women in Law, All rights reserved.

August 29, 2017 — In recent days, we have all seen photos and videos of the devastating destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey in southeast Texas. We have also been amazed by the acts of courage and kindness shown by first responders and citizens helping their neighbors.

Like me, you might be wondering what we can do as attorneys to help during this disaster. The State Bar of Texas is connecting Texas lawyers who have been adversely affected by the storm with other lawyers who are able to assist them with needs including temporary housing, office space, and cleanup services. If you have been adversely affected or wish to assist a colleague, please fill out the State Bar survey here:

https://texasbar.informz.net/survistapro/sn.asp?gid=61EA863E-382D-42BB-9ED8-D279BECC6098

The following page collects other disaster resources that may be helpful:

https://texasbar.com/Content/NavigationMenu/ForLawyers/DisasterResourcesforAttorneys/default.htm

Hurricane Harvey is one of the worst disasters ever to strike our state. Those of us who live in parts of Texas that have escaped damage have a particularly strong moral obligation to help those whose lives have been upended by the storm’s path. By working together, we can help our fellow Texans and live up to the highest ideals of our profession.

Sincerely,

Lisa Hasday
President, Texas Women Lawyers (2017-18)