A Brief History
of LAW

The Legal Association for Women began in 1974, when a small group of women who had met while attending the University of Wisconsin Law School decided to get together to discuss the joys and frustrations of practicing law. The founders include women now well known in the Dane County legal community: Justice Shirley Abrahamson, Eunice Gibson, Valerie Mannis and Jean Lawton.

The group was initially divided about the purpose of LAW. Some argued that an organization emphasizing women's interests and concerns was a superfluous rival to the existing bar association. Others believed that a group designed to meet the needs of women practitioners was a desirable adjunct to the existing bar association. Despite these differences, LAW began holding monthly meetings with programs addressing the interests of women lawyers.

In the 1983 bylaws, a statement of purpose and a more formal structure were adopted. The bylaws state that the purpose of LAW is "[t]o promote the rights of women in society and advance the interests of women members of the legal profession, to promote equality and social justice for all people, and to improve relations between the legal profession and the public." Over the years, the group formed committees to facilitate member involvement in areas of interest to our community. LAW and its members were active in the State Bar's Committee on the Participation of Women in the Bar and the Governor's Task Force on the Glass Ceiling.

For decades, LAW has provided a nurturing environment for participants to obtain low-cost continuing legal education; network; fundraise; and engage with the public. A monthly newsletter keeps members informed of LAW activities and upcoming programs.

Further, the bylaws provide that "any person subscribing to the purpose of the Association...is eligible for membership." LAW welcomes members of all genders, and non-lawyers as well as attorneys. The active membership includes administrative professionals, legal support staff, paralegals, lay advocates, legislators, judges, state and local government officials, business people, and more. LAW invites all persons who share its goals to become members.