Elon University School of Law’s Women's Law Association (WLA) hosted its 3rd annual Women in the Profession dinner on April 15. The event was co-sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys.
During the Women in the Profession dinner, the WLA honored Judge Polly Sizemore. Judge Sizemore currently presides over the Guilford County District Court. As a lifelong resident of Guilford County, Judge Sizemore has served the county for more than a decade as a juvenile court counselor.
“Judge Sizemore is a true inspiration to all women aspiring to be attorneys,” first-year law student Kelly Parker said. “She conveyed to us the importance of finding our where we fit within the legal community and then seeking out a mentor to guide us.”
During the first dinner in 2008, the WLA’s Women in the Profession honoree was Senator Kay Hagen. Last year, the honoree was Attorney Janet Ward Black.
“We seek to honor women in the legal field who are from this region or serve this area and have supported not only Elon Law but the WLA as well,” second-year law student Manisha Patel said.
“The Women’s Law Association Dinner was a great opportunity to meet with other women who are currently in the legal profession and to hear firsthand the opportunities as well as struggles that women have faced and continue to face in the legal field,” first-year law student Julie Stainback said. “Events like the Women’s Law Association dinner represent Elon Law’s strong focus on connecting what is taught in the classroom to real world experience and immersion in the legal field.”
The mission of the WLA is to unite and provide both professional and personal support and development for women at Elon Law. WLA seeks to create a system of educational, professional, and personal support and development for all individuals who are concerned with women’s issues and the law.
Throughout the year the WLA hosted a number of educational and social events to achieve the goals of the organization. On March 31, the WLA hosted a Coffee and Conversation event, entitled “Life after the Bar.” Panelists for the event were K. Alice Morrison of Tolin & Morrison, PLLC, Adrienne Blocker of Robertson, Medlin & Blocker, PLLC, and A.T. Debnam, a member of the charter class of Elon Law. The three practicing attorneys discussed their experiences during law school, in preparation for the Bar exam, and the progression of their career and legal practice.
Likewise on March 13, the WLA celebrated women’s health with its 2nd annual Barbara Sullivan Race for Women’s Health 5k Race.
By Danielle Appelman, L’12
