Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia


The Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia is a voluntary bar association in metropolitan Washington, D.C. The WBA has more than 800 members and was founded in 1917.

Leadership and governance

The WBA is led by a Board of Directors that is elected by the general membership each year. Board Members generally serve three-year terms and officers serve one-year terms. A large part of the WBA’s programming and initiative work is carried out by its numerous Committees and Forums. The Co-Chairs of the Committees and Forum organize events and networking opportunities, and support the community of women attorneys and its allies.

Programming and events

The WBA's Committees and Forums develop and organize a wide variety of dynamic programming. WBA programs include discussions about substantive legal issues, practice development, career development, and matters of general concern to all women. These programs feature experts, authors, dignitaries, and government officials, many of whom are WBA members.
The Annual Dinner is held each year in May at the National Building Museum. Typically, more than 600 people attend from a variety of practice areas, law firms, government agencies, and other professional backgrounds. The proceeds from the evening support the ongoing efforts of the WBA and the WBA Foundation.
The Stars of the Bar Fall Networking Reception hosts more than 300 people. During the event the WBA honors stars of the legal community and provides an opportunity for learning about WBA programs and services, with networking stations for each committee and forum to discuss upcoming programming in various attorney interests and fields of law.
Registration to attend WBA events is available on the WBA website.

Publications

The WBA publishes a quarterly newsletter called "Raising the Bar" that features content produced by its membership.

Advocacy

The WBA uses issue statements, endorsements, and initiatives to advance the interests of women lawyers. The issue statements are on topics ranging from equal pay to domestic violence to the Equal Rights Amendment. The WBA endorses executive and judicial nominees who request the support and are then vetted by the WBA.

Awards and honors