Message From The President
Rachael S. Loukonen, CCWBA President
This year, CCWBA celebrates its 20th anniversary as a formally organized women’s bar association. However, CCWBA’s roots go back to the 1980’s when a group of local women acknowledged the need to promote, recognize, and encourage one another in the legal profession. These women began meeting together regularly, although informally. In doing so, these women unknowingly began a rich tradition for women in Collier County, and I am humbled and honored to carry on this tradition of providing a base of support for my fellow practitioners.
As the Board planned the 2012-13 year, our overriding goal was to find new ways to add value to your membership. We built in more opportunities for professional development, leadership, mentoring, networking, and marketing. I want to encourage you to take advantage of as many of these opportunities to improve your practice as possible.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Our regular monthly meetings bring together judges and attorneys to learn about and discuss legal topics while earning Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit. This year, each monthly meeting will focus on a different practice area and the recent legal developments and issues all attorneys should know about that particular practice area.
- Criminal Law – August 22, 2012
- Real Property – September 19, 2012
- Trust & Estates – October 24, 2012
- Intellectual Property – January 23, 2013
- Family Law – March 27, 2013
- Litigation & Mediation – April 24, 2013
- Employment Law – May 22, 2013
- Installation of New Officers & Directors – June 26, 2013
LEADERSHIP
Click here for a list of the 2012-2013 Officers and Directors.
There are plenty of opportunities to develop new leadership skills or be recognized for your existing abilities. Over the years, many of CCWBA’s leaders have transitioned to leadership positions in state or other local bar associations, as well as non-legal organizations. The following is a list of the committees you can get involved in today, as well as the name and contact information for the committee’s chair. If you are interested in learning more or are ready to become involved, please let us know.
- Breakfast and Books - (Pat Morton, mortonsel@comcast.net)
- Membership – (Kim Dillon, kimberley.dillon@quarles.com)
- Programs – (Tara Mucha, tmucha@comcast.net)
- Sponsorship – (Sharon Hanlon, sharon@zelmanandhanlon.com)
- Table for Eight – (Christen Spake, CSpake@ralaw.com)
- Technology – (Shelley R. Perry, Shelley.Perry@huntington.com)
MENTORING
Women lawyers share common interests and concerns. Through taking an active role in CCWBA, you will find useful advice and comfort from other lawyers that have faced similar issues. CCWBA’s meetings and events are designed to encourage and foster mentoring; however, CCWBA has gone a step further and has developed a formal mentoring program known as “Table for 8.”
Table for 8 events are a unique and wonderful way to meet other attorneys. Each Table for 8 is hosted by a CCWBA member volunteer, joined by three established members of the Collier County legal community and four “newer” practitioners (having practiced here typically less than seven years). Guests enjoy a casual, engaging evening of camaraderie and lighthearted fun. Everyone is encouraged to attend a Table for 8, regardless if you have been to one in the past.
MARKETING
This year, you have the opportunity to purchase an Annual Sponsorship, which provides you with the ease of a one-time sponsorship payment. All sponsorship levels were designed to provide you and your firm with valuable marketing and networking opportunities throughout the year, whether you are a solo practitioner, a small firm, or a large firm. You will find an affordable and value-packed sponsorship level.
The member directory on CCWBA’s website was specifically designed to promote referrals among members within their designated skill set. The member directory is fully searchable, providing local and out-of-state clients a starting point for a referral.
NETWORKING
The Board has taken a more intentional approach to ensuring that valuable networking opportunities are available at every meeting and special event. So, please be sure to bring plenty of business cards to each meeting and special event. In February, we will have our annual Networking Extravaganza, bringing together women professionals in the legal and non-legal community. The Board has already begun gathering the invitation list, and I can assure you that this will be our best Extravaganza yet.
In closing, I want to share a little trivia. The CCWBA logo was inspired by the slogan “think outside the box.” The Board is committed to thinking outside the box to further CCWBA’s mission. As our legal community grows, the continued growth of the CCWBA is vital to the long-term success of our legal community and women in the profession.
Yours truly,
Rachael S. Loukonen