Thank you for visiting our website! The Women's Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania ("WBA") is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to promoting opportunities for women in the legal profession and equality in the courts. Our members include attorneys from Western Pennsylvania, including federal and state judges, as well as students from area law schools. The WBA is governed by an Executive Committee, consisting of the officers of the organization and the committee chairs. The Executive Committee meets approximately nine to ten times each year. The WBA was established in 1988 by a group of women attorneys in Allegheny County that were looking for an organization to address the unique needs of female practitioners. Since those humble beginnings, the organization has grown and continues its mission through several events and networking opportunities each year. The first and most prestigious of these events is the Susan B. Anthony reception usually held in February, at which we pay tribute to an individual who most exemplifies the objectives and goals of the WBA, by promoting equality in the legal profession. This year we are honoring Marie Mile Jones, Esq., at a reception on February 16, 2010, being held at the William Penn.

Other events during the year include an annual Judicial Reception (usually held in October), co-sponsoring a hospitality suite at the annual ACBA Bench-Bar Conference held at the Seven Springs Resort, networking events where less-experienced attorneys have the opportunity to network with members that have substantial experience, arranging golf clinics with an LPGA Pro, the WBA golf outing, theatre outings, the Color of Justice Program for high school students, annual Spring and Fall new admittees receptions (co-sponsored with the Women in the Law Division of the ACBA) to welcome the newest members of the bar, happy hours for newly relocated attorneys, various educational and CLE programs, as well as several public service projects. WBA events generally are free of charge for WBA Members with discounted rates for CLE programs sponsored by the WBA.

If you are not already a member, we encourage you to join the WBA and help make a difference! A membership form is available on this website. We hope you will also consider becoming involved in one of our committees or in our Woman-to-Woman Initiative ("WWI"). The WWI places more experienced attorneys in touch with less experienced lawyers to provide advice and/or career counseling. This mentoring initiative is new and we hope you will take the opportunity to participate.

If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, or wish to become involved with a committee, please contact our Executive Director, Michelle Pierson, at: mpierson@zoominternet.net. Thank you for your interest in the WBA and we hope to see you at our next event!

Sincerely,

Meghan Jones-Rolla, Esq.
Barbara Payne, Esq.
WBA Co-Presidents