Founded in 2015 based on the pillars of Leadership, Empowerment, Advancement, and Distinction, UCLA Law Women LEAD is a supportive inter-generational network of more than 3,000 women from first-year law students to senior-most level professionals. LEAD brings together women of diverse backgrounds who were born on six different continents and maintains a diverse Board that is taking an intentional approach to building an inclusive organization. UCLA Law Women LEAD helps graduates build their global reputations, expand their influence, and advance their career and personal goals throughout their lifetimes, whether in law firms, businesses, non-profits, government, or the judiciary. Through its communication platforms, mentoring opportunities, and professional programs, LEAD addresses the specific challenges facing women students and graduates, and mobilizes them as a constituency with shared interests and goals.
Leadership. Empowerment. Advancement. Distinction.
UCLA Law Women LEAD is an inter-generational network connecting more than 3,000 students, young alumnae, mid-career and senior professionals.
Join the LEAD network
Join the more than 3,000 members of UCLA Law Women LEAD.
-
LEAD Summit
The LEAD Summit brings together UCLA Law's community of alumnae and students to share insights on advancing the profession, promoting equity and achieving excellence. The day-long event, held every other year, features dynamic speakers and smaller roundtables on topics ranging from leadership styles to rainmaking to career pathways, all with a focus on expanding impact. Sessions are geared towards students and alumni at every stage of their careers.
View videos of the 2019 LEAD Summit. Read about the 2019 LEAD Summit.
-
UCLA Law Women LEAD Board
UCLA Law Women LEAD was founded to spread best practices and partner with women of UCLA Law, from first-year law students to professionals at the most senior levels.
Board Co-Chairs
Nancy L. Abell '79 J.D.*
Partner, Paul HastingsMichelle Banks '85 B.A., '88 J.D.*
Senior Advisor, BarkerGilmore LLCCurrent Board Members
Adwoa Ankoma ’20 LL.M
Legal and Policy ConsultantAshley Artmann '17 J.D.
Associate, Hueston HenniganKris Cheh Beck '99 J.D.
Chief Legal Officer, CREXiBeth Berke ’79 J.D.
Management Consulting and Adjunct Professor of Law and BusinessElaine Chang ’13 J.D.
Employment and Litigation Counsel, National Veterinary AssociatesErinn Contreras '06 J.D.
Partner, Sheppard MullinAnya Goldstein '12 J.D.*
Founding Partner, Summa LLPTanya Greene '09 J.D.
Partner, Mcguire WoodsMargarita Paláu Hernández '85 J.D.*
Principal, Hernández Ventures, and United States Representative to the United Nations General Assembly 73rd Session with the rank of AmbassadorCara Horowitz '01 J.D.
Andrew Sabin Family Foundation Co-Executive Director of the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment Co-Director, UCLA Environmental Law ClinicSonia Jain '09 J.D.
Corporate Counsel, GoogleBety Javidzad '05 J.D.
Partner, DentonsRoberta Kass ’79 J.D.
Senior Legal Recruiter, Seltzer FontaineAmy Keroes '93 J.D.
Partner, Outside GCJessica Kornberg '07 J.D.*
President and CEO, Skirball Cultural CenterMargaret Levy '75 J.D.*
Mediator, ADR Services, Inc.Cheryl Lott '04 J.D.*
Shareholder, Buchalter NemerHeather Morgan '94 J.D.*
Partner, Grube Brown & Geidt LLPMarcy Morris '81 J.D.*
Partner, Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & KleinTritia Murata '01 B.S., '04 J.D.
Partner, Morrison & FoersterKavita Jain Patel '96 J.D.*
KJP Law GroupHeather Richardson '06 J.D., '06 MPH*
Partner, Gibson Dunn & CrutcherMary Rodriguez '88 J.D.
General Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs, InterpolMorvareed Salehpour ’10. J.D.
Managing Partner, Salehpour Legal ConsultingEvelyn Shimazaki '84 J.D.*
Associate General Counsel, Velodyne Lidar, Inc.Sandra Stern '79 J.D.*
President, Lionsgate Television GroupEmily Gould Sullivan '95 J.D.
Vice President, Employment Law, Ross Stores Inc.Boryana Zamanoff '04 J.D.
Senior Wealth Strategist and Fiduciary Officer, BNY Mellon Wealth ManagementFounding Board Members
Valerie B. Ackerman '85 J.D.
Commissioner, Big East ConferenceBarbara Boyle '60 J.D.
Associate Dean of Entrepreneurial Activities and Special Initiatives, UCLA School of Theater, Film and TelevisionMelanie Cook '74 B.A., '78 J.D.
Partner, Ziffren BrittenhamJanet Dhillon '91 J.D.
Chair for Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionEmily Given '15 J.D.
Honors Attorney for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of JusticeHarriet Pearson '90 J.D.
Partner, Hogan LovellsHon. Kim McLane Wardlaw '76 B.A., '79 J.D.
Federal Appeals Judge, Ninth Circuit Court of AppealsDebra Alligood White '93 J.D.
Deputy Secretary, Civil Rights and Workforce, New York State Executive Chamber*Founding Board Member
-
Resources
Q&A with UCLA Law Women LEAD Board Members Tanya Greene '09 and Adwoa Ankoma '20
Suggested Podcasts
Intersectionality Matters! with Kimberle Crenshaw
Suggested Books
One Size Never Fits All: Business Development Strategies Tailored for Women (And Most Men)
Arin N. Reeves
(Business)Off the Sidelines: Raise Your Voice, Change the World
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand '91
(Politics)Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead
Sheryl Sandberg
(Business)What Works for Women at Work
Joan C. Williams & Rachel Dempsey
(Business)How Remarkable Women Lead: The Breakthrough Model for Work and Life
Joanna Barsh, Susie Cranston, Geoffrey Lewis
(Business)The Board Game: How Smart Women Become Corporate Directors
Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire
(Boards)Courageous Counsel: Conversations with Women General Counsel in the Fortune 500
Michelle Coleman Mayes and Kara Sophia Baysinger
(Law)Learning to Lead: What Really Works for Women in Law
Gindi Eckel Vincent and Mary B. Cranston
(Law)Law and Reorder: Legal Industry Solutions for Restructure, Retention, Promotion & Work/Life Balance
Deborah Henry
(Law)Finding Bliss: Innovative Legal Models for Happy Clients and Happy Lawyers
Deborah Epstein Henry, Suzie Scanlon Rabinowitz & Garry A. Berger
(Law)Women Don't Ask: The High Cost of Avoiding Negotiation –and Positive Strategies for Change
Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever
(Business)Ladder Down: Success Strategies for Lawyers from Women Who will be Hiring, Reviewing and Promoting You
Lauren Stiller Rikleen
(Law)
