Women defining their eras on their own terms was top of mind for conference chairs (from left) Danielle Lederman ’12, a partner with Bowditch; Amy Carlin ’00, managing director of in-house counsel recruiting at Major, Lindsey & Africa; and Neema Chaiban ’14, an associate with Goulston & Storrs. Director of Alumni/ae Engagement and Initiatives Mielle Marquis (far right) was equally in the pink.
Photographs by David Leifer
Brown Forum for Women in the Law Conference: Generations of Justice
On May 1, the 2025 Brown Forum for Women in the Law Conference brought together women from across generations to share experiences, lessons learned and hard-won insights. The dynamic day of presentations, panels and networking celebrated how early career attorneys benefit from seasoned guidance while senior professionals gain fresh perspective from younger lawyers navigating today’s evolving legal landscape.
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- Dean James Hackney welcomed more than 150 graduates, friends and allies to campus.
- Karen Walrond, author of the award-winning book Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell, gave a lively keynote address focused on embracing joy, beauty and activism.
- An afternoon panel, “Digital Drives: Navigating the Legal World’s Technology,” featured speakers from across generations who are using new technology to enhance their professional roles and ambitions. From left: The Honorable Anita Earls, associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court; Professor Ursula Smartt of Northeastern University London; Eni Popoola, a content creator and influencer on TikTok and Instagram (@EniGivenSunday); and Tashira Halyard, a content creator and host of the justUS podcast, who moderated the panel.
- A panel discussion, “Bridging Wisdom Across Generations,” included women at various stages of their careers who spoke about how synergies often lead to expanded opportunities, cooperation and bringing out the best in one another. From left: Melissa Hoffer ’98, climate chief in the office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey ’98; Massachusetts State Senator Lydia Edwards; and Stephanie Swanson ’12, executive vice president of government affairs for Associated Industries of Massachusetts. Amy Carlin ’00 moderated the discussion.
- Legendary LGBTQ+ advocate Mary Bonauto ’87 (right), senior director of civil rights and legal strategies at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), spoke with Beth Myers ’09, a founding partner at Zucker Law Group and a GLAD Law board member. Bonauto wove together personal and professional stories, tracing her strategic journey from the infancy of the marriage equality movement to the US Supreme Court, where she successfully argued the landmark case Obergefell v. Hodges. With candor and humor, she recounted moments of quiet persistence and public challenge, culminating in the honor and gravity of standing before the justices to argue for fundamental rights.
- As always, the conference brought women together to share wisdom, uplift each other, build connections and celebrate life.
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More than 60 graduates and friends hit it out of the park at the law school’s annual Juneteenth celebration at Polar Park in Worcester.
Northeastern Law professors David Simon and Hooman Noorchashm together with Dr. Michael Paasche-Orlow of Tufts Medical Center, who serve as co-directors of the Amy J. Reed Collaborative for Medical Device Safety (AJRC), recently submitted two petitions for accountability in medical device safety.
Co-op Matters
When it comes to judicial clerkships, let the record show that Billy Czerwinski ’25 might well be Northeastern Law’s greatest gavel enthusiast.
