Generosity, Serendipity, and the Beneficial Use of Power
On June 2, WAVe member Jill Rowe hosted a conversation with lawyer and civil rights advocate Drucilla Stender Ramey. Along with recounting many serendipitous moments throughout her own fascinating career, Dru addressed the critical importance of allyship in the legal profession.
The Journey from Grief to Gay Rights Advocacy
On Wednesday June 23, LGBTQ @ Venable is hosting a conversation with Judy Shepard, whose gay son Matthew was murdered in a vicious hate crime. Judy will discuss how she and her husband turned their unspeakable grief into a powerful advocacy for all marginalized groups.
Pride Month Celebrations
In observation of Pride Month, our sister affinity group LGBTQ @ Venable is hosting a series of activities to reflect on the many LGBTQ+ successes, while acknowledging the community's ongoing struggles. Activities include flying the Rainbow flag over our DC office in lieu of the traditional Venable blue; hosting a panel discussion about gender identity and pronouns; and adding new posts to our popular Who Inspires You? series on LinkedIn, featuring quotes from colleagues, and profiles of Venable Foundation grantees whose work focuses on various LGBTQ+ issues.
Pride Month Reminds Us Why Affinity Groups Matter
We also heard from Colin Vandell and Tiffany Williams, co-chairs of LGBTQ @ Venable, who discussed their personal experiences being "out at work" and why affinity groups are important.
Member Spotlight
It's been another active quarter for WAVe members. Stephanie Loughlin was named among three "consistent high performers" who were honored with this year's Benjamin R. Civiletti Pro Bono Lawyers of the Year Award.
The Los Angeles Business Journal recognized Sarah Brooks among its most influential women attorneys for 2021. Michele Mulrooney, chair of the firm's West Coast Tax and Wealth Planning Practice, made her eighth consecutive appearance in Variety's Legal Impact report.
The Daily Record recognized Stacie Tobin, AJ Lynn, and Thomasina Poirot among its 2021 Leadership in Law Honorees.
Nora Garrote, Venable's partner in charge of Diversity and Inclusion, wrote about the importance of visible mentoring for the Profiles in Diversity Journal.
And, finally, we would like to congratulate all of our women partners who were recognized in Chambers USA 2021 rankings and those who were recognized in the 2021 edition of Legal 500.
WAVe Welcomes Two New Partners
We are delighted to announce the arrival of two new partners to our Washington, DC office this quarter. Dr. Qian Huang has joined the Intellectual Property Division, bringing a wealth of experience in patent procurement, patent litigation, and patent transaction matters. And Capitol Hill veteran Yardley M. Pollas-Kimble has joined the Legislative and Government Affairs Practice.