Our History

WLAC began as an independent organization in 1980, evolving from a woman’s committee of the Alameda County Bar Association. As was the fashion at the time, we were loosely “governed” by a Steering Committee and reached decisions by consensus. Administrative needs and a desire to formalize our organization inspired our current identity. Now, our Board of Directors, sourced from the large community of local lawyers who strongly support our mission, leads the organization. We speak as one voice for women in the law.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to promote the interests of women lawyers, judges, and law students to:

  1. Seek out information concerning current problems faced by women generally, and by women lawyers and judges in particular, encourage discussion; and develop solutions;

  2. Provide a forum for social contact and business networking by and among women lawyers and judges;

  3. Encourage professionalism, mutual respect and courtesy towards and among women in the legal profession;

  4. Further equal opportunity for all women, including but not limited to women in the legal profession; and

  5. Affiliate or associate with other groups or organizations that may also advance the purposes of this Association.

Ellen J. Beilock
Gina Boer
Kathleen Courts
Priscilla Camp
Cynthia Podren
Frances S. Kaminer
Juliet L. Gee
Rachel Ginsburg
Susan Narita

PAST PRESIDENTS

Gillian M. Ross
Katherine A. Montgomery
Alice Chin
Hon. Sandra (Schweitzer) McLean
Priscilla Camp
Lise Pearlman
Deborah Chase
Cherri N. Allison
Carole Raimondi

Margaret A. Gannon
Hon. Toni Mims-Cochran
Hon. Kimberly Colwell
Mala Sahai
Brenda Aguilar-Guerrero
Hon. Barbara Dickinson
Comm. Bentrish Satarzadeh
Gina Dashman 
Leslie Levy