Committees
Explore the various SBWL and SBWL Foundation committees listed below.
Each offers unique opportunities to contribute, connect with professionals, and make an impact. Find the committee that aligns with your interests and join us!
Legal Education & Programs Committee
Publish a membership newsletter each month to keep our members informed about important upcoming mission-oriented events and initiatives in our community, legal and social issues impacting women in the legal profession, opportunities to network, connect, and engage with our community.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee recruits new members, encourages ongoing membership, and maintains a current list. It promotes membership in California Women Lawyers (CWL) and involves new members in SBWL activities. The Committee facilitates communication and networking, coordinates SBWL Mentoring Circles, and plans other networking events. It maintains relationships with community organizations such as Women Lawyers of Ventura County, Women Lawyers of SLO, CWL, SB Legal Professionals Association, SB Colleges of Law, SBCBA, Barristers, SB Pro Choice Coalition, and Transition House.
The Committee also manages the SBWL website, social media, and monthly newsletter, involving writers, editors, photographers, and website programmers. Additionally, it liaises with local media to keep them informed about SBWL activities.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee nominates the 2021 board of directors. The Committee must be made of directors and regular members. The Committee also considers and recommends nominees for awards, including but not limited to CWL awards.
Advocacy Committee
The Advocacy Committee updates SBWL on judicial, legislative, and litigation developments. It tracks legislation and keeps members informed. The Committee sets goals and procedures for monitoring legislation and participates in amicus brief activities, recommending relevant briefs for support. It prepares a quarterly report on its activities and current developments for the newsletter.
The Committee monitors Santa Barbara County’s judiciary, evaluates judicial candidates, and works to increase the number of women in Superior Court positions. It also sponsors Judicial Candidate forums during elections.
Annual Dinner Committee
The Professional Advancement Committee solicits, evaluates and presents nominations for the annual Deborah Talmage Attorney of the Year Award plans the Annual Dinner. The planning process includes securing a keynote speaker for the event.
Santa Barbara Women Lawyers foundation committees
Pro bono
The Pro-Bono Committee strives to support the SBWLF mission to serve the Santa Barbara Community through pro bono legal services. The Committee is responsible for seeking pro-bono opportunities to serve the community, including services for women in crisis and need of legal services. The Committee also promotes and encourages members to provide pro-bono legal services.
Onward & upward
The Onward and Upward Committee supports SBWLF’s mission by providing scholarships to high school, undergraduate, and law students. It handles the scholarship process, promotes opportunities, evaluates applicants, and makes recommendations to the SBWLF Board. The Committee also proposes new scholarships, recognizes donors, and selects the donor of the year.
Additionally, it organizes the annual Onward and Upward event in the fall and encourages member attendance.
Community Outreach
The Community Outreach Committee strives to support the SBWLF mission to participate in charitable and educational projects that are consistent with the mission and goals of SBWL, which include, providing role models for young people and promoting gender equality in the legal profession and society as a whole.
The Committee is responsible for seeking and organizing opportunities for SBWL, SBWLF and their members to serve and participate in charitable and educational projects within the community. The Committee also encourages and promotes members to participate in charitable and educational project opportunities.
Fundraising
The Fundraising Committee strives to support the SBWLF mission
to fundraise and increase revenue of SBWLF to enable SBWLF to continue to serve the Santa Barbara Community.
The Committee is responsible for seeking fundraising opportunities.