Florida Association for Women Lawyers 

Founded on June 30, 1951, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) helps propel women lawyers into economic, social and leadership spheres of power. The mission of the organization includes promoting gender equality and the leadership roles of FAWL’s members in the legal profession, judiciary, and community at large. 

Contact the State Office of FAWL

Benefits of Joining FAWL

FAWL provides a statewide forum for continuing legal and management education, public and private sector employment opportunities, and the exchange of political views. Other benefits of joining FAWL include: 

• free CLE programming;
• a subscription to the quarterly FAWL Journal;
• access to member only feature on the FAWL website;
• the legislative e-mail service;  
• networking opportunities at the statewide meetings, annual retreat, and monthly meetings of local chapters;
• connect with an already established community of women lawyers all dedicated to each other's success;
• attend local events and seminars that provide networking and career development opportunities;
• make your voice heard in the economic, social and leadership spheres of influence;
• access resources and benefits that bring bottom-line benefits to your practice; and
• make and receive referrals with the help of the attorney locator available through the FAWL website assists members.

Upcoming Events of FAWL

The FAWL Annual Conference is scheduled for June 22-23, 2017, which is held in conjunction with The Florida Bar Annual Meeting at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. 

The FAWL Annual Summit is scheduled from September 14-16, 2017, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. 

Committees in FAWL

FAWL members are encouraged to support the continuing success and growth of the organization by joining committees. The committees help FAWL advance its mission in the legal community, judiciary, and the community at large.

The state committees for the 2017-2018 membership year, which ends on June 30, 2018, include:

• Awards;
• Communications and Public Relations;
• Development (Sponsorships);
• Informed Voters Project;
• FAWL Journal (Magazine);
• Legislative / Lobby Days; Member Advancement and Promotion;
• Membership;
• Mentoring Programs;
• Strategic Planning;
• In-House/Corporate Counsel;
• Women's Health Awareness;
• Judicial Nominating Commission Oversight; and
• Constitutional Revision Commission.

City and County Level Chapters of FAWL

The city and county level chapters of FAWL include:

• Brevard
• Broward
• Central Florida (Orlando)
• Clara Gehan (Gainesville)
• Collier
• Hillsborough (HAWL)
• Jacksonville
• Lee
• Manatee
• Marion
• Martin
• Miami-Dade
• Northwest Florida (Pensacola)
• Okaloosa
• Palm Beach
• Pasco
• Pinellas
• Sarasota
• South Palm Beach
• St. Johns
• Tallahassee
• Volusia/Flagler

The Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) is also an affiliate of the National Association for Women Lawyers (NAWL) and the National Conference of Women's Bar Associations.

Past Presidents of FAWL

The past presidents of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers include:

• 2015-16   Kristin A. Norse
• 2014-15   Robin Bresky
• 2013-14   Brittany Maxey
• 2012-13   Laura K. Wendell
• 2011-12   Susan R. Healy
• 2010-11   Gigi Rollini
• 2009-10   Tasha K. Dickinson
• 2008-09   Rebecca H. Steele
• 2007-08   Sherri L. Johnson
• 2006-07   Wendy S. Loquasto
• 2005-06   Judge June C. McKinney
• 2004-05   Magistrate Deborah Magid
• 2003-04   Dinita L. James
• 2002-03   Siobhan H. Shea
• 2001-02   Susan W. Fox
• 2000-01   Barbara A. Eagan
• 1999-00   Jeanmarie Whalen
• 1998-99   U.S. Rep. Katherine A. Castor
• 1997-98   Jennifer R. Coberly
• 1996-97   Sharon Bleier Glickman
• 1995-96   Tonia Yazgi
• 1994-95   Caryn Goldenberg Carvo
• 1993-94   Virginia A. Daire
• 1992-93   Mary V. Brennan
• 1991-92   Leslie Reicin Stein
• 1990-91   Ava K. Doppelt
• 1989-90   Edith G. Osman
• 1988-89   Andrea Smith Hillyer
• 1987-88   Judge Maura T. Smith
• 1986-87   Diane M. Van Ness
• 1985-86   Judge Mary Jane Nettles Henderson
• 1984-85   Judge Gill A. Freeman    
• 1983-84   Marjorie Bekaert Thomas    
• 1982-83   Debra Weiss Goodstone    
• 1981-82   Debbie Malinsky Orshefsky    
• 1980-81   Linda Carol Singer    
• 1978-80   Irene Redstone    
• 1976-78   Elizabeth Athanasakos    
• 1974-76   Judge Judith A. Brechner    
• 1972-74   Claire K. Cates Luten    
• 1971-72   Judge Winifred J. Sharp    
• 1970-71   Judge Frances Ann Jamieson    
• 1969-70   Ruth Fleet Thurman    
• 1968-69   Delphene C. Strickland    
• 1967-68   Adele T. Weaver    
• 1966-67   Ann B. Miller Yandre   
• 1965-66   Phyllis Shampanier    
• 1963-64   Dorothea M.B. Vermorel    
• 1962-63   Helen Tanos Hope    
• 1961-62   Virginia Ann Jordan Church      
• 1960-61   Lavona R. Zuckerman    
• 1959-60   Judge Anne E’ Deleacon Fenyvessy    
• 1958-59   Judge Mildred S. Akerman    
• 1957-58   Judge Mattie Belle Davis    
• 1956-57   Edith Mellvaine James    
• 1955-56   Margaret Deaton    
• 1954-55   Rebecca Bowles Hawkins    
• 1953-54   Esther A. Poppell    
• 1952-53   Mary L. Esarey   
• 1951-52   Anna Brenner Meyers    
• 1964-65   Josephine Howard Stafford

This article was last updated on Thursday, August 3, 2017.