The WBA is committed to serving women attorneys throughout Massachusetts as a statewide bar association. We are actively taking steps to increase the WBA’s activity outside the Boston area, and to strengthen the relationships between the WBA’s regional committees and the board of directors and staff. In the future, WBA members may expect more WBA events to be held outside of Boston as we work to expand our geographic diversity.

We recently reaffirmed our commitment to serve our members statewide by creating a new position on the WBA Executive Committee-- Vice President of Statewide Outreach and Membership-- to specifically focus on expanding our presence and activities throughout Massachusetts. Michelle Peirce has agreed to serve in that role, and she is already working on several exciting initiatives. If you would like to share your ideas as to how the WBA can serve the interests of its members outside of Boston, I know that Michelle would enjoy hearing from you.

If you live or practice outside Boston, I would urge you to become involved in one of the WBA’s regional committees. These committees provide women attorneys from similar geographic areas an opportunity to get together on a regular basis for socializing, networking, and professional development. Many people have formed lifelong friendships and professional relationships through their involvement in the regional committees of the WBA. Getting involved does not require a big time commitment, and in fact most committees have monthly drop-in lunches at local restaurants that members can attend if and when their schedules permit. 

I was honored to participate in the kickoff meeting of the Central Massachusetts Committee on April 6, which was hosted by new committee chair Allison Lane at Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple. More than 25 women attorneys attended the kickoff meeting, including the Mayor of Worcester, Konstantina Lukes (who is also a family law attorney). A schedule of events is being planned. This committee is just getting off the ground, so now is an excellent time to join.

The Middlesex Committee, chaired by Andrea Goldman and MaryAnn Pinto, meets the second Friday of each month at the Yangtze River Restaurant in Lexington. This committee has been going strong for 14 years, and often hosts professional programs and serves as a referral network for its members. 

The Western Massachusetts Committee, chaired by Julia Lentini and Kady von Schoeler, meets the third Friday of each month at Cafe Lebanon in Springfield. This committee is active in the western part of the state. Former WBA Presidents Lisa Brodeur-McGan and Pat Rapinchuk first became involved in the WBA through this committee, and continue to be actively involved. Members of the Western Massachusetts Committee often carpool together to major WBA events in Boston, such as the annual meeting in March and the Gala in October. On May 23, several members of the WBA board will go to Springfield and meet with committee members there.

The North Shore Committee, chaired by Elizabeth Wilson, meets the third Friday of each month at Su Chang’s Chinese restaurant in Peabody.  Its members exchange ideas about business development, share their professional knowledge, and mentor and support one another. This committee also engages in charitable activities in an effort to give back to the North Shore community.

Finally, I am pleased to announce the re-launch of the South Shore Committee under the leadership of Stacey Bloom and Lisa Belmarsh.  I hope you will join me at their kickoff reception on May 30, which will be hosted by Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP in Quincy.  We are particularly excited that retired Judge Suzanne DelVecchio has agreed to be the keynote speaker, as she is a dynamic and engaging speaker who has many interesting experiences to share with the women of the South Shore.

I urge you to join one of these terrific committees or, if none of them is in your geographic area, contact Michelle Peirce about the possibility of starting a new one. Together we can increase the presence of the WBA throughout Massachusetts and serve our membership as a truly statewide organization.