SANTA BARBARA WOMEN LAWYERS
Promoting the Diverse Interests of Women Lawyers in Santa Barbara County
Join a Mentoring Circle to connect and learn from other lawyers!
Learn about our Committees and how you can get involved!
OUR SPONSORS
Thank you to our 2024 Title Sponsor, Nordstrand Black, PC!
Thank you to our 2024 Title Sponsor, Nordstrand Black, PC!
Thank you to our 2024 SHero Sponsor, Herring Imming Family Law!
Thank you to our 2024 SHero Sponsor, Herring Imming Family Law!
PROMOTE THE DIVERSE INTERESTS OF WOMEN LAWYERS IN SANTA BARBARA
WHAT WE DO
PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY
SERVE THE SANTA BARBARA COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE
Mentoring Circles
SBWL’s Mentoring Circles program is a wonderful way for members to build meaningful relationships with one another. Mentoring Circles are small groups of lawyers in varying stages of their legal careers. We provide a confidential setting for sharing experiences, questions, tips and advice on work and life; opening up about career challenges, triumphs and trivialities; and collaborating for positive change. Placement is subject to conflict checks to promote candor and confidence. Meetings are generally held monthly at a time and place convenient for group members.
If you are interested in joining a mentoring circle, please email sbwl.admin@gmail.com and provide your name, experience level, employer, and practice area. We will contact you regarding a placement.
WHO WE ARE
When SBWL was founded in 1988, Santa Barbara County was one of the only counties in California without a women’s bar organization. Having had a very positive experience serving on the board of directors of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Hannah-Beth Jackson was enthusiastic when Deborah Talmage contacted her and asked for her support and assistance in founding SBWL. They both saw the need for a network of women attorneys who would establish programs related to gender issues such as bias in the courtroom, the glass ceiling, child-care pressures, gender discrimination within law firms, and lack of support for women sole practitioners. Read more…
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
See photos of 2023 SBWL Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception
Click + below to see award and scholarship information, application and past years recipients
SBWL's 2023 Board President Diana Lytel with Lisa Franklin, this year's recipient of the Deborah Talmage Attorney of the Year Award.-
The Deborah Talmage Attorney of the Year Award honors an outstanding legal professional who is dedicated to the advancement and success of women; who mentors his or her colleagues and other women; who personifies professional excellence and a commitment to the highest level of ethics; who has shown a commitment to the community; and/or who has achieved professional excellence. The awardee’s name is engraved on a permanent plaque displayed at the historic Santa Barbara Superior Court.
2023 - Lisa Franklin
2022- Tara Haaland-Ford
2021 - Naomi Dewey
2020 - Honorable Jean Dandona
2019 - Tracy Macuga
2018 - Honorable Patricia Kelly
2017 - Elizabeth Diaz
2016 - Commissioner Denise Motter
2015 - Joyce E. Dudley, SB Co. D.A.
2014 - Renee J. Nordstrand
2013 - Commissioner Pauline Maxwell
2012 - Louise La Mothe
2011 - Honorable Donna D. Geck
2010 - Ellen Goodstein
2009 - Honorable Colleen Sterne
2008 - Christie Stanley
2007 - Kristine Mollenkopf
2007 - Kristine Mollenkopf
2006 - Betty Jeppesen
2005 - Janet Vining Mitchell
2004 - Ann Gormican Anderson
2003 - Honorable Denise De Bellefeulle
2002 - Janean Acevedo Daniels
2000 - Catherine J. Swysen
1999 - Susan McCollum
1998 - Hannah-Beth Jackson
1997 - Susan Trescher
1996 - Deborah Talmage
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Female Friendly Law Firm Award recognized law firms (including all organizations, agencies or other practices) that are committed to promoting gender equality and work-life balance. in the following area:
-Gender equity among the firm’s hiring levels
-Representation of women in a firm’s leadership and promotions
-Extent to which a firm is committed to equitable training and mentorship
Past Award Winners:
2023 - Trusted Legal
2022 - Maho | Prentice, LLP
2021 - Environmental Defense Center
2019 - Herring Law Group
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Family Friendly Law Firm Award recognized law firms (including all organizations, agencies or other practices) that are committed to promoting gender equality and work-life balance. in the following area:
-The structure and expectations surrounding billable hours and compensation at a firm
-The availability and use of parental and family accommodations
-The availability and use of part-time, flexible full-time and remote work schedules
Past Award Winners:
2023 - Santa Barbara Office of Country Counsel
2022 - Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC
2019 - Mullen & Henzell
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Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Foundation recognizes key supporters of the organization who have championed SBWLF’s mission and goals.
Make a Tax Deductible Donation to SBWLF
PREVIOUS DONOR OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
2019 - Herring Law Group
2018 - NordstrandBlack PC
2017 - Mullen & Henzell
2016 - Anticouni & Associates
2015 - Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
2014 - Hollister & Brace
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The Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Foundation issues a number of scholarships each year of varying amounts ($1,500 – $3,000) to law students of all gender identities and expressions. An applicant may receive more than one scholarship. The Foundation is accepting applications for the following scholarships.
RESOURCES, NEWS, PHOTO AND MORE!
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RESOURCES
ur organization has compiled a resource guide for our community members to assist in locating pro-bono legal services as well as crisis and addiction services locally.
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ARTICLES
Latest news and articles from SBWL
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EVENTS
Check out Events and see photos of 2023 SBWL Annual Awards Recognition Ceremony and Reception
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SCHOLARSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES
The Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Foundation issues a number of scholarships each year to law students of all gender identities and expressions.
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PHOTO GALLERY
Check out photo gallery of our events including the 2023 SBWL Annual Awards and Recognition Reception
Frequently Asked Questions
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Membership is renewed on a yearly basis. Apply or renew by downloading the application and return by email or mail.
Go to our membership page here for more information
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Answer: Check out our events page here.
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Answer: If you are a current SBWL member, you join a SBWL mentoring circle. If you are interested in joining a mentoring circle, please contact SBWL on our contact page and provide your name, experience level, employer, and practice area. A SBWL Board member will contact you regarding placement in a mentoring circle.
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Answer: Attend SBWL MCLE events, networking events, Annual Dinner, join the Board of Directors for SBWL or SBWLF, volunteer to assist with a SBWL committee, submit articles for SBWL to consider for inclusion into SBWL newsletters, and donate to the SBWL Foundation.
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Answer: At its Annual Dinner every December, SBWL presents its ‘Attorney of the Year’ Award. Usually, nomination forms are released in late Summer and due sometime in Fall. A copy of the most recent nomination form can be found at our Awards page here.
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Answer: Each year, Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Foundation awards scholarships to deserving high school and law students. More information can be found on our scholarship page. The deadline varies each year. The scholarships are presented by the Foundation at an Awards Luncheon during the Fall.
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Answer: Tax deductible donations can me made to Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Foundation by visiting our donation page.