New York State Bar Association launches new Women’s Community

The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) announced it has created a new initiative to meet the unique challenges faced by women attorneys.

The NYSBA Women’s Community launched on Oct. 17 at the Committee on Women in the Law’s program, “Women on the Move 2013: Racing Ahead of the Curve - Tech-Savvy Practice Pointers for Innovative Women Attorneys,” at the State Bar Center in Albany.

“Women represent nearly half of all law students, yet constitute just 20 percent of law firm partners. Even in high-level positions, women make significantly less than their male counterparts do,” New York State Bar President David M. Schraver, a partner with the Rochester law firm Nixon Peabody, said in a news release. “We developed the Women’s Community to help connect women attorneys with the State Bar and each other for professional success.”

The newsletter, “NYSBA Women’s Community,” includes practical tips for career success, updates from NYSBA staff, and interviews with prominent attorneys, according to the release. The NYSBA’s recently unveiled website features an online resource center, www.nysba.org/womenscommunity. It also offers online professional-development resources, links of interest, and a private online community, according to the NYSBA.

The 76,000-member New York State Bar Association says it’s the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.