Columbia Law Women's Association

Member Spotlight: Co-President
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What advice would you give someone starting ? 👩🏻‍🏫

“As a 1L, it's easy to get swallowed up and feel lost--especially during a largely virtual semester. Push yourself to approach your classmates and your professors early--sustain, and build, those connections throughout the semester. Speak your mind, but respect your classmates' different points of view. Know your worth, but understand that your classmates are your allies--treat them with respect. Everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) comes to with a unique and impressive background. Get to know each other, the faculty, and the upper-classmen--not only will you learn the law better, but you'll also learn new, important things about others (and yourself!).”
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How have you been spending your summer? ☀️

“This summer, I interned for the government watch-dog, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (). There, I analyzed emerging government ethics and transparency issues, conducted legal/policy research, and prepared complaints, FOIA requests, and other written products for ongoing litigation. I also researched and advised on federal judicial ethics reform and presidential tax transparency! When I wasn't working, I helped to improve and clear a 120+ acre farm/ranch in rural Connecticut--unearthing (literally!) the property's 200+ year history as a working farm, turned youth hostel, now, private estate.” 🐮
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🦁⚖️!!DOUBLE TAKEOVER !!⚖️🦁
Tune in to find out what Co-Presidents & are doing to revamp during this unprecedented year for and uniquely transformative year for our organization!

Our first member spotlight goes to CLWA Co-President, Paula Zampietro! What advice would you give someone starting law school/CLS?

“Don't put too much pressure on yourself. 1L year is important, but there are so many other things that matter more than having perfect grades. Make friends, get to know your professors, join student orgs and find time to relax and do the things that make you happy.”

How have you been spending your summer?

“I worked part of the summer at a law firm and the spent the other part doing pro-bono work for a voting rights organization. I also played tons of board games with my family and picked up tennis again!”

Join the CLWA Co-Presidents tonight at 5:15 for a Virtual Happy Hour! Bring your favorite beverage and any questions you have about CLWA, 1L, and law school in general.

We invite you to join CLWA at our first virtual happy hour on Thursday, July 16th at 5:15 PM. Bring a glass of your favorite beverage and a snack. Relaxed attire encouraged!

To learn a little bit about CLWA, we have created this slide and invite you to visit our website at https://orgs.law.columbia.edu/clwa/content/about-clwa. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

Please join us at the Virtual Block Party this Thursday at 5:15 PM. We look forward to meeting you!

We had a fantastic time hearing from women attorneys working in M&A at the Women in M&A lunch panel earlier today. Panelists talked about their careers, finding mentors (and sponsors!), and what they love about working in the fast-paced, dynamic M&A space!

We had an amazing time at retreat. Grateful for a weekend away from the city with some wonderful women. Swipe to the end for our co-presidents looking like the good apples they are! 🍎 @ Lakewood House Estate, NY

Thank you to our outgoing board for all the hard work you’ve done this year! We would also like to welcome our new board members and we look forward to all the great events they will plan for us next year.

The Myra Bradwell Banquet is an annual banquet thrown by CLWA to honor members of the legal profession whose work has paved the way for future generations of female lawyers. This year's the Myra Bradwell honoree was New York's first female Attorney General and current Solicitor General, Barbara Underwood. Thank you to all of our attendees and speakers this year!
Photos by Chris Dinkel.

The CLWA Caravan spent last week working at the California Women’s Law Center (). Caravan members worked on a research project to clarify the law around domestic violence restraining orders for pro bono attorneys who represent California women.

The charity drive for continues through this Friday! Women in Need provides safe housing, critical services, and innovative programs to NYC homeless women and their children. Drop by and donate before you head off for spring break!

CLWA is celebrating International Women’s Day 2029 with a breakfast and a supply drive for Win ! How will you celebrate?

A photo from today’s Cravath Partner Chat where three of Cravath’s newest partners discussed their career paths and shared insights about law firm practice. Thank you to our panelists, attendees, and our partner in this event, EWOC!

Join us tonight at Arts & Crafts to welcome admitted students! Drink tickets are first come, first served!

CLWA’s Women in Firms event provided an opportunity for CLS students to gain insight and honest perspectives on life at some of New York’s most prestigious firms. Thank you to to our panelists and all who came out to participate in the discussion!

RSVP for our Women in the Judiciary lunch with Judges Buchwald (S.D.N.Y.) and Rivera (N.Y. Ct. App.) on Monday 2/25! RSVP here: https://goo.gl/forms/S8QQjxz61bg9qx5X2

Don’t forget to attend our lunch today recruiting leaders for a project to advance women in law!

Women's Advocacy Project
12:10 PM - 1:10 PM | JG 105

In the wake of the Kavanaugh hearings and confirmation, the presidents and vice presidents of CLFS, CLWA, DVP, EWOC, and If/When/How formed a steering committee (tentatively, the "Women's Advocacy Project") to consolidate the various groups’ efforts to address women’s issues within our own community. The committee is currently working on a number of initiatives with administrators and faculty. To ensure that these efforts continue with force, our organizations have committed to ensuring an incoming board member for each organization will serve as a representative to the Women's Advocacy Project. Come learn more about this exciting committee, including what the role will entail and other ways to get involved. Lunch will be served.

We are looking for a photographer for our Myra Bradwell Banquet on March 13th from 7-10pm! Ideally we could like to hire a Columbia student, so if you are interested send us a message!

For a list of our upcoming events check out our website!

Home | Womens Law Association Home Columbia Law Women's Association CLWA fosters an inclusive community for women within the Law School and provides career and academic resources to members and to the Law School community. users icon About A description of the association's role in the Columbia community. address-book icon Execu...

Save the date for the Myra Bradwell Banquet!

Join CLWA this Thursday, November 29th, for a Holiday Potluck and Cookie Decorating!
Sign up to bring a dish below: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wlZWh9XKgNBLCNuRX0ftR_mBkQhP1C3BuRRlDp6Qk1M/edit =0

If you haven’t already, please stop by to check out the Sharing Our Stories display outside of JG 102B! The display features stories from students regarding sexual misconduct, sexism, and problematic attitudes about gender dynamics within the CLS community. Thank you to all who shared their stories. Sharing Our Stories is a necessary reminder of the continuing work we as CLS need to do to ensure that our community is inclusive and safe for all.

Women in National Security: A Lunch Talk with Avril Haines

Tuesday, Nov. 20 | JG 602 | 12:10-1:00pm

CLWA invites you to attend an intimate lunch with Avril Haines, the first female White House Deputy National Security Advisor, on her career under the Obama administration and on being a woman in the field of national security. Avril was also the first woman to hold the position of Deputy Director of the CIA and previously served as Deputy Counsel to the President for National Security Affairs in the Office of White House Counsel.

If you're interested, please RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDZaRRzs1LY--8Ax2bd0vDZyTk8in3TP5Z4ZB5GF1DfVwADA/viewform?usp=sf_link. Spots are limited!

Dig Inn lunch will be provided.

Applications are now open for CLWA's Caravan to the California Women's Law Center, and all the other student-run Caravans!

DEADLINE: Apply by November 12 at 5:00 p.m.here: https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/e/2PACX-1vQwj8U7YXVXVoQz5CPg1iOY8koCSw1_PXkR6uYF9x9PGn6zsJaqKXeNcSbjaB1pPKeNNOG9dugyp0XG/pub

This spring, CLWA will be returning to the California Women's Law Center in El Segundo, CA. CWLC works in collaboration with legal services offices, pro bono attorneys, and other allies to protect, secure, and advance the comprehensive civil rights of women and girls. CWLC has advocated for and achieved policy change on a wide range of issues, including gender discrimination and equality, Title IX enforcement, women’s health and reproductive justice, economic security, and violence against women. On past Caravans, students have worked on assignments that included researching issues around Title IX and sexual harassment, conducting intake interviews, and drafting letters relating to intake. This is a great opportunity to earn pro bono hours toward both the CLS graduation requirement and the NY state bar requirement.

Preference will be given to CLWA members, but all are welcome to apply. Please include a brief statement of interest with your application.

Contact Rachel Horn ([email protected]) with any questions specific to the CLWA Caravan. For general SJI/Caravan questions, contact Kathy Santana ([email protected]).

Four Days Until Election Day! Pictured here are CLWA members Rachel and Lydia after they worked with NOW-NYC phone banking for female candidates! 🚺💪🏽☑️

Please join CLWA and EWOC for a lunchtime reading group and discussion with Professors Bulman-Pozen and Sturm to discuss barriers to female participation in the law school classroom. RSVP: https://goo.gl/forms/od6X2ONLOie8L18j2