View Video Welcome and Introduction to the Commission
View the Commission's 20th Anniversary Commemorative Video [ RealPlayer ] [ Windows Media ]
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simply complete and submit this form.
Mindbugs: The Psychology of Ordinary Prejudice -
Friday, February 13, 2009 - Boston, MA (Midyear Meeting)
Mindbugs: The Psychology of Ordinary Prejudice - Speaker: Professor Mahzarin Banaji, Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics, Department of Psychology, Harvard University; 10:00 am-12 noon, Friday, February 13, 2009 - Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA Download Program Flyer (PDF)
In conjunction with the ABA Midyear Meeting, Professor Mahzarin Banaji, Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics at Harvard University, will lead a fascinating and highly informative discussion of how human interactions are greatly affected by implicit and unconscious biases. These biases have significant implications for all members of the legal profession, particularly women and minorities, as they impact decisions with respect to hiring, assignments, evaluations, promotions and layoffs. Hidden bias may also affect attorneys' interactions with clients and witnesses; how judges view attorneys and parties; and jury deliberations. During this interactive program, Professor Banaji will demonstrate that while we may believe that our own views of others are not affected by stereotypes or bias, the reality is often surprisingly different. Audience capacity for this must-see program is limited. Learn more - and register for this program.
NEW! Dear Sisters, Dear Daughters: Strategies for Success from Multicultural Women Attorneys
Order the book - $29.95 per copy; quantity discounts are available
This is a unique, inspirational collection of letters from 44 experienced women attorneys of color to the next generation outlining various roadmaps for success in the legal profession as a minority woman attorney. The book is organized by practice settings: (a) large and midsize firms; (b) solo and small firm practices; (c) public service, including government, nonprofits, executive roles in government and nonprofits, the judiciary, and elected officials; (d) in-house practices; and (e) academia. Following the essays in each chapter are tips for success from the authors featured in that chapter; these tips serve as a quick reference for you to refer to for inspiration. The essays end with a response from a sister/daughter from the next generation.
Upcoming Events
Call for nominations for the National Conference of Women's Bar Associations' 2009 Annual Public Service and Outstanding Member Program Awards - Deadline: January 30, 2009
Pathways to Success for Women and Minorities in the Public Sector offers a diverse panel of public lawyer-leaders who describe their current positions and discuss the obstacles, encouragement, and serendipitous events that helped them achieve success - presented by the ABA Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division on Friday, February 13, 2009 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. - Boston, MA (during ABA Midyear Meeting; co-sponsored by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession)
New Results from After the JD, Wave II: Seven Years into a Lawyer's Career, an ABA Fellows CLE Research Seminar, offers a team of scholars presenting new findings from the second round of research conducted in a 10-year study of young lawyers - presented by the American Bar Foundation on Saturday, February 14, 2009 from 2:00-4:30 p.m. - Boston, MA (during ABA Midyear Meeting; co-sponsored by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession)
ABA Bar Leadership Institute - presented by the ABA Division of Bar Services - March 12-14, 2009 in Chicago, IL
Subscribe to the Electronic Version of Perspectives, the Quarterly Magazine for and About Women Lawyers -
No Additional Cost for ABA Members
New for ABA members: We invite you to receive the Perspectives quarterly magazine in an electronic format. It's easy - all you have to do is log onto the ABA web site and select "Women's Rights" as one of your areas of interest. Follow these step-by-step instructions.
NEW! Fair Measure: Toward Effective Attorney Evaluations, Second Edition (Includes CD-ROM)
Order the book - $69.95 regular/$59.95 ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Members (available early August)
Listen to an audio interview with co-author Joan C. Williams, law professor and co-director of the Project for Attorney Retention at UC Hastings College of Law
View a video interview with Roberta D. Liebenberg, chair of the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession
This completely revised and updated second edition contains a current, comprehensive review of the psychological literature on stereotyping, and it outlines a step-by-step process for implementing and conducting performance evaluations that are free from bias. Additional material includes sample evaluation forms, performance evaluation training materials for supervising attorneys, and instructions for completing performance evaluations.
NEW! From Visible Invisibility to Visibly Successful: Success Strategies for Law Firms and Women of Color in Law Firms
Download the report at no cost (PDF)
Learn more about the Women of Color Research Initiative
Find information, insights, and advice gathered from women of color partners in national law firms as well as an examination of law firm practices that contributed to their success.
Recent News Articles on Women in the Law
View recent articles on women lawyers, work-life balance, and diversity.
