The National Association of Women Lawyers ("NAWL") is gearing up for another spectacular Annual Meeting in 2025, highlighting our national network for community-building, educational sessions, and awards celebrations.
2025 Annual Meeting
Rising Together: Strength Through Unity
Wednesday, July 23 - Thursday, July 24, 2025
Hilton Chicago
720 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
2025 Award Recipients
Professor of Law,
University of Michigan Law School
Co-Host, Strict Scrutiny Podcast
Arabella Babb Mansfield Award
Melissa Murray
Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law
and
Faculty Director, Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center,
New York University School of Law
Co-Host, Strict Scrutiny
Podcast
Arabella Babb Mansfield Award
Professor of Law,
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Co-Host, Strict Scrutiny
Podcast
Arabella Babb Mansfield Award
Jasbir Kaur Khalsa
Assistant General Counsel,
Microsoft
Virginia S. Mueller Outstanding Member Award
Bridget K. Marsh
Executive Vice President & General Counsel, LSTA
Virginia S. Mueller Outstanding Member Award
Nicole M. Smithson
Principal Attorney,
Indigent Defense Services Office
Virginia S. Mueller Outstanding
Member Award
Catherine van Kampen
Senior Counsel,
Bernstein Litowitz Berger
and Grossmann
Virginia S. Mueller Outstanding Member Award
Our Sponsors
Presenting - Kelley Drye
Workshop - Dentons
Power - JAMS
Supporter - Littler
Friend - Benesch Law
Friend - Beveridge & Diamond PC
Friend - Duane Morris LLP
Friend - FINRA
Friend - HaystackID
Friend - King & Spalding LLP
Interested in Sponsoring?
Our biggest conference of the year is not just about networking—it's about building lasting relationships and celebrating the incredible achievements of women in law. With opportunities designed to foster meaningful connections, from small group dine-arounds to facilitated receptions and break activities, the Annual Meeting is designed to maximize in-person relationship-building that lasts beyond the conference.
Click here to see a sample of the firms and companies represented at our recent Annual Meetings.
Partnering Organizations
Center for Women in Law
Georgia Association for Women Lawyers
Metro Richmond Women’s Bar Association
Mexican American Bar Association of Texas
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
National Conference of Women's Bar Associations
South Asian Bar Association of North America
Winter Haven Women's Bar Association
Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
Women Lawyers of Alameda County
Women's Bar Association of Maryland
Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia
Women's Law Center of Maryland
Wednesday
July 23
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm CT
Opening Workshops
Film Screening + Talk Back: Zurwaski v Texas
Join us for a screening of documentary Zurwaski v Texas the critically acclaimed documentary that shadows three Center for Reproductive Rights clients and attorney fighting on their behalf which reveals the dire impact of losing access to healthcare – and the extraordinary efforts of the women and men fighting on the front lines to regain those rights. Following the film, we’ll hear about current efforts around reproductive rights.
Wednesday
July 23
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm CT
Welcome Reception
We encourage you to wear purple, white, and/or gold and step into a room full of powerhouse professionals ready to inspire and engage. This is your moment to set the tone for your conference experience—share your superpower, spark new conversations, and connect with NAWL’s incredible national network. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Wednesday
July 23
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm CT
Dine-Arounds
Elevate your conference experience through a curated networking opportunity to connect with fellow attendees over a delicious pay-on-your-own dinner. Join a host committee member at these intimate gatherings where you'll mix, mingle, and savor the flavors of the city at nearby restaurants.
Sign up for the restaurant of your choice in the conference app (which will be available two weeks ahead of the conference). Bon appétit!
Wednesday
July 23
8:30 pm - 9:30 pm CT
Post-Dinner Meet Ups
Not ready for the fun to end? Meet at the Hilton lobby bar to keep the conversations going or meet up with a group in the lobby to walk over to Millennium Park to enjoy the Navy Pier fireworks together.
Thursday
July 24
6:30 am - 8:00 am CT
Morning Walk or Run
Rise and shine! Start your day with an invigorating walk or run through the heart of Chicago's stunning architecture. Walkers get the chance to admire the iconic Bean (Cloud Gate) in Millennium Park as you stretch and connect with fellow attendees. This energizing activity will have you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day's events. Don't miss this chance to embrace the city's best season before a day of incredible programming.
Let's paint the town purple by wearing
NAWL merch for your walk or run!
Thursday
July 24
8:00 am - 8:30 am CT
Registration and Breakfast Reception
Collect your name badge and fuel up with a delicious breakfast, setting the stage for a productive and engaging day ahead. An efficient check-in process ensures a seamless start to the event, allowing you to maximize your time and focus on the content to come.
Thursday
July 24
8:30 am - 9:30 am CT
Breakfast Mainstage
Thursday
July 24
9:30 am - 11:00 am CT
"Choose Your Own Adventure" Concurrent Workshops
NAWL's Annual Meeting workshops break the mold of typical conference sessions by diving into timely topics that address current trends and challenges. Expect interactive conversations that foster engagement, collaboration, and real-world solutions.
US v Skrmetti: The Future of Gender Equity in Healthcare
Leading with Confidence: Management Training and Essentials
Behind the Headlines: The Media’s Perspective on the Current Political Landscape
Thursday
July 24
11:00 am - 11:30 am CT
Networking Break
Use the time to grab a snack, refill your coffee, or join a group at one of many activity tables. From puzzles to sticker by number, or friendship bracelet making, we have lots of ways to connect with the NAWL community.
Thursday
July 24
11:45 am - 1:00 pm CT
Lunch and Fireside Chat
Thursday
July 24
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm CT
Dessert and Coffee Break
Thursday
July 24
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm CT
Concurrent Workshops
NAWL's Annual Meeting workshops break the mold of typical conference sessions by diving into timely topics that address current trends and challenges. Expect interactive conversations that foster engagement, collaboration, and real-world solutions.
Navigating the New DEI Landscape: Legal Employers in a Shifting Climate
Jenny Yang
Partner,
Outten & Golden LLP
Defending Democracy: State Attorneys General and the Fight Against Executive Overreach
Byte-Sized Security: Protecting Your Data in the Age of AI
Thursday
July 24
2:45 pm - 3:15 pm CT
Networking Break
Use the time to grab a snack, refill your coffee, or join a group at one of many activity tables. From puzzles to sticker by number, or friendship bracelet making, we have lots of ways to connect with the NAWL community.
Thursday
July 24
3:15 pm - 4:30 pm CT
Closing Panel Discussion
NAWL's award recipients are integral to our program. They don't just receive their awards and leave the stage; they share their journeys and insights during this session. You’ll have the chance to hear their stories firsthand, ask your burning questions, and dive into timely conversations that matter to you.
Champions of Justice: Stories from the Front Lines of Defending Democracy
Thursday
July 24
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm CT
Closing Reception
As we wrap the 2025 Annual Meeting, join us for one last chance to connect with fellow attendees and celebrate our journey together. This is the perfect moment to make plans and ensure the connections you've made continue to thrive after the conference.
The Annual Meeting conference is open to registered attendees only.
Venue
HILTON CHICAGO
720 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Book your room before June 29 for our special rate.
Reservations can be made online here or by calling (877) 865-5320 and referring to "NAWL 2025."
Pricing
Registration Types
NAWL Member / Sponsor
Non-Member
Non-Profit / Government Attorney
By June 22
$560*
$700
$230
After June 22
$700
$800
$330
*As a special member benefit, lock in last year's early bird rate. Log in to your member account to get the extra-discounted rate. If you haven't yet, set up your account here.
Complimentary registrations are available for unemployed attorneys and law students. Please apply for a scholarship as indicated in the FAQs section.
Need help making the case to attend? Download our template letter to send to your manager.
Host Committee
The Host Committee is made up of an incredible group of members who curate and coordinate the Annual Meeting from the networking activities to programming and speakers.
Anu Joglekar
Cozen O'Connor
New York, NY
Co-Chair
Joelle Schulze
Prospect Point Recruiting
Austin, TX
Co-Chair
Sandra Yamate
Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession
Chicago, IL
Board Liaison
Valerie McCarthy
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C.
Hackensack, NJ
Program Subcommittee Co-Chair
Kirsten Silwanowicz
Detroit Housing Commission
Detroit, MI
Program Subcommittee Co-Chair
Nicole Smithson
Indigent Defense Services Office
Oakland County, MI
Program Subcommittee Co-Chair
Anaya Gayle
Holland & Hart LLP
Salt Lake City, UT
Engagement Subcommittee Co-Chair
Jenn Mohamed
Bayne Law Group LLC
Princeton, NJ
Engagement Subcommittee Co-Chair
Lystra Batchoo
Vox Media
Philadelphia, PA
Sponsorship Subcommittee Co-Chair
Zohar Levy
Lundy Levy Eski Baum
Toronto, ON
Sponsorship Subcommittee Co-Chair
