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Women in Law group pushes for more participation
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: October 16, 2015
While women are making major inroads in the legal profession, recent statistics from the National Association for Law Placement Inc. (NALP) show they still have miles to go to catch up with their male counterparts.
Recent NALP statistics state that in 2014 only 17.1 percent of equity partners were women. Although the percentage of women associates has gone up a bit after falling from 2010 to 2013, it has not exceeded the 45 percent mark reached in 2009 to 2012.
Increasing the impact and participation of women in the legal profession are some of the key objectives of the Akron Bar Association Women In Law Section.
Led by Chair Kathryn Michael, an Akron Municipal Court judge, along with Vice Chair Angelina C. Gingo, an attorney in Akron, the section currently has 65 members and generally meets on the first Thursday of the month at noon at the Akron Bar Association, with the exception of December, July and August.
“There is a unique type of camaraderie in the section because we all share an understanding of the many pressures that women face as they work to develop their practice and an expertise in the legal profession,” said Gingo, who joined the section in 2012.
Gingo, who grew up in Uniontown, received her juris doctor from The University of Akron School of Law. She began her career as an associate at a northeast Ohio law firm where she handled a variety of immigration matters.
“I always had an interest in immigration law,” she said. “I was named after my great grandmother who settled in the U.S. from Italy and being an immigration attorney is my way of paying it forward.”
In August 2015, she opened the Gingo Law Office, where she continues to focus on immigration law.
“As an immigration attorney, I have encountered clients who were not expecting to see a female attorney,” said Gingo. “On one occasion, I traveled to the Mt. Gilead jail to speak to two Guatemalans who had been detained. When I introduced myself, I never indicated that I was an attorney, but I spoke knowledgeably about the issues and explained their avenues of relief to them.
“When I got back to my office, I received a call asking why a secretary showed up and not an attorney. It served as a reminder of the strong cultural differences and challenges that women must still work to overcome.”
As a young attorney, Gingo said one of her goals is to get more younger lawyers involved in the section.
“Our section is one that is open to offering leadership positions to younger attorneys, mentorship and an irreplaceable network of bright, well-respected attorneys,” said Gingo.
Judge Michael said her goal is to reinvigorate the section.
“There was an incredible energy in the section in the late ‘80s and ‘90s,” said Judge Michael. “I think our former chair Melissa Graham-Hurd recruited me to bring back that energy.”
Judge Michael said she plans to drum up interest by adding events that are conveniently scheduled and are of interest to the majority of members.
“Our section is made up of women from all age groups, who hold a wide variety of legal positions,” said Judge Michael, who was first elected to the bench in November 2005 and re-elected in November 2011.
“Many of us are facing multiple responsibilities as we seek to juggle careers and family, so there is less time for extracurricular activities. My goal is to come up with ideas that are both educational and fun at the same time.”
She said the section’s first event on Oct. 28 is designed to fulfill both of those objectives.
“Communicating Your Value,” is a joint effort between the Women In Law and Business and Corporate Law sections. It takes place at the Regency Wine Bar in Fairlawn from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and features a presentation by Leslie Ungar, president of Electric Impulse Communications Inc.
“Communicating value is something that women in general can use assistance with,” said Judge Michael. “We chose to hold the event at a more relaxed venue with the goal of encouraging women to leave work a little early, enjoy some wine and hors d’oeuvres while taking the time to network and listen to some relevant information.
“A number of years ago, the section held other fun events such as fashion shows.”
In addition to the Oct. 28 event, Judge Michael said she is looking to schedule another speaker who will address networking.
“I think networking is something that women also need to focus on. Men have many avenues for networking, including the golf course. Women don’t have as many opportunities to network so I believe hearing from an expert would be helpful.”
While the section is currently not offering continuing legal education seminars, Judge Michael said she is exploring doing so in the future.
“During the time that I was vice chair and chair, we had speakers to discuss topics like work-life balance, Obamacare, practice tips and interpreter services,” said longtime member and outgoing Women In Law Section Chair Melissa Graham-Hurd.
“We had a hard time getting people to attend the meetings because everyone was so busy,” said Graham-Hurd, who runs the small domestic relations firm, Melissa Graham-Hurd & Associates.
Graham-Hurd said the biggest benefit of the section is the chance it provides to get to know attorneys in various practice areas.
“You never know where your next referral will come from that will help to keep a practice going,” she said. “While women lawyers are first lawyers, and gender issues should not matter, they do, and there is an incredible value in being able to bond with people who are in the same boat and can offer the benefit of their experiences.
“We had a couple of meetings in which the first wave of women lawyers discussed how things worked decades ago,” said Graham-Hurd. “One woman explained how she was asked if she planned to marry and have children and recounted how one firm simply said ‘we don’t hire women.’
“You could see the jaws drop, especially among the younger attorneys in the audience. It’s this type of eye-opening discussion and bonding that is the chief selling point of section membership,” Graham-Hurd said.
Those interested in attending the Oct. 28 event at the Regency Wine Bar are asked to register by Oct. 21 by logging on to www.akronbar.org/events/ or calling 330-436-0106. The cost is $35 per person and $20 for students.