REGISTRATION
ABOUT NCWBA
Since the establishment of the Equity Club at the University of Michigan in 1886, women lawyers and law students have formed associations of their own: sometimes because they were excluded from the formal or informal mentoring networks of men, sometimes for a special purpose (such as getting a woman on the bench), or sometimes just to share common concerns in a supportive setting.
During the 1980’s, there was great leadership in the women’s bar associations’ pipeline but little recognition of it in the establishment bars. One of the original goals of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations (“NCWBA”) was to leverage our training in women’s bar associations into broader leadership positions and to capitalize on the numbers and talents in women’s bar associations that were going unheralded. Other goals were to support other women in their practice of law; to break the glass ceilings of partnerships and judgeships; and to share information and successful projects
In 1981, the Women’s Bar Association of DC (led by Presidents Judy McCaffrey and Susan Low) compiled a list of women’s bar associations across the nation The Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia sent out letters to all the women’s bar associations on their list and asked them to send a representative to the 1981 American Bar Association (“ABA”) meeting in New Orleans These state representatives and other women lawyers at the ABA meeting were gathered up to attend the first meeting. Participants at this initial meeting were enthusiastic about starting an organization of women’s bar associations, and the NCWBA was born
Today, the NCWBA provides guidance, tools, and resources to more than fifty women’s bar organizations, which comprise its membership
The NCWBA’s mission is to advocate for equality in the legal profession and in society by mobilizing and uniting women’s bar associations to effect change in gender-based processes and laws by providing a national forum for exchanging ideas, best practices, and information vital to the organizational growth and success of women’s bar organizations and the legal profession.
The NCWBA’s flagship event is the annual women’s bar leadership Summit, bringing bar leaders together for an opportunity to learn from each other, troubleshoot, collaborate, and network. Our goal for Summit is to energize and inspire bar leaders
2026 WOMEN’S BAR LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
AMPLIFYING WOMEN’S VOICES IN LEADERSHIP
PROGRAMMING
This year’s theme, “Amplifying Women’s Voices in Leadership,” focuses on empowering women bar leaders to step confidently into leadership roles, elevate their voices, and create meaningful change within their organizations, the legal profession, and their communities.
The Summit will feature an inspiring keynote address, engaging presentations from dynamic speakers and thought leaders, and collaborative sessions designed to foster the exchange of ideas and best practices among women bar leaders from across the country Attendees will gain fresh insights, practical leadership strategies, and meaningful opportunities to connect with their peers, while also celebrating the recipients of this year’s NCWBA awards and the impact of women’s leadership.
Keynote Speaker
This year’s Summit keynote address will focus on helping women lawyers step into their leadership power with clarity and confidence empowering leaders and teams to thrive more authentically, effectively, and sustainably.
Melissa Romano is a multi-certified professional in health, healing, and social work and the owner of Reclaiming Healthy She is the author of Vagus Nerve Deck: 75 Exercises to Reset Your Nervous System and specializes in nervous system regulation, recovery, and embodied resilience through clinical and holistic approaches
Melissa explores how internal states such as self-doubt and imposter syndrome impact not only individual confidence but also leadership presence, communication, and organizational culture Through a blend of polyvagal theory, somatic therapy, and mind-body techniques, she helps individuals recognize, address, and move beyond patterns of self-doubt to create lasting transformation
2026 WOMEN’S BAR LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
AMPLIFYING WOMEN’S VOICES IN LEADERSHIP
AGENDA
Friday, July 31, 2026
8:45 - 9:15 Check-In to Connect to your Colleagues Check-In and Networking
9:15 – 9:25 Welcome: Connecting with NCWBA Welcome by Jami Cooper, 2025-2026 NCWBA President
9:25 – 9:30 NCWBA SIGNATURE PROGRAM: Food From The Bar
Learn how to connect to the community by bringing a Food from the Bar program to your city Food from the Bar is a friendly competition within local legal communities to support local food banks
Speaker: Beth Bryson
9:30 – 10:30 SESSION 1 Keynote: Own the Room: How Women Lawyers Lead Loudly and Effectively
Speaker: Melissa Romano, Owner of Reclaiming Healthy
10:30 – 10:40 Break
10:40 – 11:15 SESSION 2: Unmute Yourself: Amplifying Women’s Leadership Through Technology
Speaker: Jacqueline Schafer, Founder & CEO of Clearbrief
11:15 – 12:00: SESSION 3: On the Mic-Own Your Voice
Speaker: Amanda Alexander, NCWBA Past President
12:00 – 1:15 SESSION 4 Awards Luncheon
Awards Luncheon and Awards Presentations: Amplifying your Impact
2026 WOMEN’S BAR LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
AMPLIFYING WOMEN’S VOICES IN LEADERSHIP
1:15 - 1:25 Break
1:25 – 2:30 SESSION 5: MENTORING CIRCLES with NCWBA Board Members
Interactive session for attendees to participate in two Mentoring Circles led by experts on topics of your choice
Plan to Amplify -Planning Your Year
Activating Voices and Expanding Reach - Membership Engagement
Platforms that Elevate Women Leaders - Programming
Purpose Driven Advocacy - Policy and Purpose
2:30 – 2:40 Break
2:40-3:45 SESSION 6: NCWBA SIGNATURE PROGRAM: Ladder Down
Moderator - Sheila Abron
Mary Smith (Former ABA President)
Justice Cunningham (IL Supreme Ct)
Justice Maria Salas Mendoza
Judge Heather Walsh
Judge Toni Clarke (Ret)
3:45 - 4:00pm Closing: NCWBA President
Summit Closing Remarks by Tami Munsch, 2026/2027 NCWBA President
6:00pm Dine Arounds
The Summit Dine-Around will follow Summit, and will give attendees, keynote speakers, and workshop leaders the opportunity to enjoy dinner at one of several amazing local restaurants in small groups. Sign-up information will be available during registration.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Support the advancement of women in the legal profession by sponsoring this year’s Summit. This premier event brings together women bar leaders from across the country for a day of learning, networking, and leadership development. As a sponsor, your organization will gain valuable visibility among influential legal professionals while demonstrating your commitment to fairness, access, inclusion, and representation in the legal community.
Sponsorship opportunities offer a range of benefits, including branding, speaking opportunities, and direct engagement with decision-makers shaping the future of women’s bar associations. Join us in bridging the engagement gap and making a lasting impact.
Sponsorship levels are on the following page and NCWBA also welcomes strategic partnerships. To learn more, visit www.ncwba.org/sponsorship
We have made sponsoring Summit easy. Just scan the QR code below! It will take you to NCWBA’s website page where you can quickly sign on to support this year’s Summit!
SPONSOR LEVEL AND BENEFITS
Friend ($300). Friends receive their names on NCWBA’s sponsor page at ncwba.org and a group thanks in the Summit materials.
Supporter ($450). Supporters receive their name and logo on NCWBA’s sponsor page at ncwba.org; recognition in Summit materials, 1 Summit registration, a group thanks in the NCWBA newsletter, and a grouped post on social media.
Bronze ($1,500). Bronze-level sponsors receive everything that the Supporter-level sponsor receives and, in addition, your name and a link to your website on the home page for ncwba.org and the option to include items in the Summit welcome bags
Copper ($2,500). Copper-level sponsors receive everything that the Bronze-level sponsor receives except that the social media recognition will come in a separate post and the newsletter recognition will be individual In addition, you will have the option to sponsor a Summit event break or reception.
Silver ($3,500). Silver-level sponsors receive everything that the Copper-level sponsor receives plus the option to exhibit and share materials at Summit and 1 additional registration for Summit (2 total).
Ruby ($4,000). Ruby-level sponsors receive everything that the Silver-level sponsor receives plus an additional social media mention.
Gold ($5,500). Gold-level sponsors receive everything that the Ruby-level sponsor receives plus the option to be included as a sponsor for the October 16 “Ladder Down” event and 1 additional registration for Summit (3 total)
Platinum ($10,000). Platinum-level sponsors receive everything that Gold-level sponsors receive plus additional social media mentions and an additional Summit registration (4 total)