White and Williams Partners with NAWBO to Offer Additional Opportunities for Female Attorneys

Firm Formally Launches Partnership at a June 24 Meet and Greet

White and Williams NAWBO committee members, Dawn Vahey and Jennifer Wojciechowski (middle) with NAWBO representatives Christie Rea (far left) and Laura Powers (far right) at Meet and Greet reception.

Philadelphia - White and Williams LLP announced it became a sponsor of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the National association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). The sponsorship not only allows the firm to support an essential regional organization, but also contributes to its award-winning commitment to women's initiatives. White and Williams is the only law firm sponsor of the chapter.

The firm and NAWBO share common goals in offering female professionals a network of peers for support, resources and referrals, both professionally and personally. Members will take advantage of the many opportunities NAWBO provides, including educational workshops, networking events, and access to the fastest growing segment of the economy, women-owned businesses.

"We are proud of this partnership because it allows us to expand the firm's formal Women's Initiative and gives our attorneys tremendous opportunities to be involved with a premier organization," said Gale White, Chair of the Women's Initiative Committee and a partner in the firm's Commercial Litigation Department. "What a great opportunity to work and learn from women across different industries and varied levels of experience."

To formally launch the partnership, White and Williams hosted NAWBO committee members at a meet and greet reception. The event was held on June 24, 2009, at the Firm's Philadelphia office.

In recognition of its efforts to promote women in the legal profession, White and Williams recently was named to the prestigious "Honor Roll of Legal Organizations Welcoming Women Professionals" by the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Commission on Women in the Profession. The Commission recognized, among other things, the firm's Women's Initiative, which is comprised of the Virginia Barton Wallace Award and the Inspiring the Future mentoring program.

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About the Virginia Barton Wallace Award

The Women's Initiative began in 2006 with the introduction of the Virginia Barton Wallace Award Breakfast. Each year, the Firm selects a professional woman in business who embodies the same qualities that Virginia "Ginny" Barton Wallace possessed-leadership, drive, exemplary work ethic, and an ability to inspire other women to succeed.

The honoree is recognized, not only for individual success, but also for providing meaningful mentorship to other women with the goal of achieving professional success. The honoree is acknowledged by female attorneys and clients of the Firm during a breakfast ceremony, and presented with an award and a $10,000 donation to a charity of her choice.

Past recipients of the Virginia Barton Wallace Award include Emmy-award winning news anchor and radio personality Cokie Roberts (2008), Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin (2007) and Philadelphia news anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah (2006).

About Inspiring the Future

In the summer of 2008, White and Williams expanded on its Women's Initiative by launching Inspiring the Future, a campaign aimed at recognizing, supporting, motivating, and empowering female attorneys to achieve personal and professional satisfaction and success within the Firm through a mentoring system.

All 69 of the Firm's female attorneys are divided into nine diverse mentoring groups, consisting of associates, partners and counsel across different practice areas, departments, and offices. Each group sets up their own meeting times, whether it's once a month or once a quarter, and is available at all times for personal and professional development needs. This helps to maintain a healthy work/life balance.