|
In June 2019, my law partner, AJ de Bartolomeo, and I left Big Law and launched our WBENC-certified women-owned firm, Tadler Law LLP. In September 2019, Christine Azar, a legal eagle, who cut her teeth at a law firm with which my prior firm had co-counseled and is now at Simpluris, invited me as her guest to attend an in-person Women Owned Law NYC Chapter event. That simple extension of grace changed everything, opening the door to a beautiful network of smart, talented, resourceful women spanning the country.
Launching a new small and mighty firm is exciting, challenging and, sometimes, lonely! Christine’s invitation was like that ray of sunshine that breaks through the clouds, reminding us that more bright and sunny days are ahead! I remember being so grateful for the invitation to connect with other women lawyers, AND thrilled to learn that there was an organization whose mission is to support women owned law firms and legal service providers!
Women Owned Law soon became the go-to resource for Tadler Law. Through our generous, collaborative WOL community, Tadler Law, like all WOL members, has access to infinite resources. Whether we have a legal or law firm management question, our members stand at the ready to answer! When we are considering a particular product or service, the first point of contact is our Listserv! When we need a local counsel in another jurisdiction or a strategic partner to best serve our clients, we reach out and have responses within minutes. Here are just a few examples of the value of WOL membership:
- At the 2019 NYC Chapter Holiday event, organized by our NYC Chapter Chair, Wendy Samuelson, we met WOL member Debra Hrbek, who introduced us to our beloved bookkeeper, Rudy Charrouf-Oliver, who actively supports our members and our Symposium.
- Through our President, Nancy Mertzel, we met lawyer warrior Lisa Frey, now also a WOL member, who joined our trial team in 2024. (Lisa enjoys her independence and is a stellar strategic partner and ally with extensive litigation experience!)
- Through long-time supporter and WOL Board Member Cindy Towers of JURISolutions, we were able to fast track a project that needed to be done ASAP through the securing of a stellar contract paralegal. (My partner, AJ de Bartolomeo, still extols her many skills with enthusiasm.)
Since 2019, Women Owned Law has continued to grow its membership and offerings, year after year.
- Membership numbers continue to rise exponentially! Why?
- Because WOL members are natural givers. (At Women Owned Law, gone are the days of women competing for turf. We know that when we help each other, we all achieve greater results, and we are happier for it!)
- Substantive programming (i.e., things you want and need to know) serves the needs of our members.
- We offer 12 months of national virtual programming, with subjects that cover a wide range of topics, including lawyering, law firm management, marketing, discovery, and health and wellness. AND we are working diligently to offer CLE programming in the future!
- Networking where the connections are real and reliable!
- We offer virtual networking events with participatory exercises to ensure that membership encounters are memorable and buildable. Jessica Shpall Rosen is to be credited for enhancing our networking experiences. We aim to offer at least six virtual networking events per year.
- Our Regional Chapters also offer virtual and in-person substantive content and networking events. Each chapter has its own vibe. It’s especially fun when members hop over to another chapter’s event. We are a very inclusive bunch!
- Boot Camp for Women Warriors:
- In February 2025, we launched our inaugural WOL Boot Camp with top line speakers to guide participants in the launch and management of a law firm. Thanks to the planning committee’s strategic thinking, and consistent with WOL’s collaborative spirit, we invited other organizations to co-sponsor the event with us and to invite their members to participate. The 2025 Boot Camp also was recorded so that our members can access the content as needed. The event was such a success that plans are underway for Boot Camp 2.0.
- Annual Signature Symposium (April 8-9, 2025, in Philadelphia at Drexel Law School)
- Our Spring Symposium was an event not to be missed – Our fearless duo, Shira Katz-Scanlon and Paige Zandri, planned for months to bring us an agenda that was chock full of tips, tools, and strategies! Plus, we had New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Wainer Apter as our guest for a fireside chat.
- Growing Sponsorships
- I am honored to share the role of Co-Chair of Sponsorship with Alaina Fotiu-Wojtowicz, who has boundless energy and drive. Alaina and I met through WOL – she is a stellar trial lawyer, WOL ambassador, and gem of a friend. We have worked together over the last two years to grow our sponsorship base. Through the support of our sponsors, we are able to grow Women Owned Law and serve our members with content and connection.
The infinite spirit of collaboration and celebration shines through in our proudest moments as a community. Imagine my glee when on April 2, 2025, thanks to the leadership of WOL NYC Chapter Chair Helene Pangalos, seven of us were admitted to the United States Supreme Court upon motion by our WOL President, Nancy Mertzel. Board Member Karen Wachs also strongly supported us in this lifetime achievement! This is Women Owned Law at our finest!
Being a member and now a Vice President brings me such joy. For me, Women Owned Law is part of my daily existence. If you know a woman warrior who is looking for joy in the practice of law and law firm management or women-owned legal service provision, please encourage her to join us. I am confident that you and she will be happy you extended the invitation. (I wish I had more time and space to name each and every one of my WOL sisters who has made my WOL experience so transformative. Please know that each holds a special place in my big heart.)
|
