Photographs by David Leifer
Brown Forum for Women in the Law Conference: Elevate Your Voice
This year’s Brown Forum for Women in the Law Conference brought together bold speakers who shared how they’ve made themselves heard: in courtrooms, boardrooms, everywhere the legal field reaches — and beyond. Their stories offered perspective, comfort and inspiration, lighting the way forward in both joyful and uncertain times while reminding us of what we can accomplish when we show up for each other.
The right to vote unlocks all the other rights. And it’s not just about a couple of Southern states. It’s not just about Black people’s voting power. It’s about all of us. When everyone in our communities can’t vote, can’t participate, it diminishes all of us.
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- Many thanks to our remarkable conference co-chairs (from left) Andrea Zoia ’12, Bowen Spievack ’01 and Lillian Hirales ’01, whose vision and leadership made this year’s conference such a success.
- The keynote conversation featured Joyce White Vance (pictured), who served as US attorney for the Northern District of Alabama during the Obama administration, in conversation with Professor Sharmila Murthy.
- Kim Dougherty ’03 (center) and Paula Bliss ’01 (right) spoke about rewriting the rules when they founded the Justice Law Collaborative — a women-owned firm dedicated to trauma-informed legal advocacy and legislative reform. Sofia Lingos ’09 (left) moderated the conversation.
- The panel “Women Writers Lift Up Their Voices” featured authors (from left): Chanda Ouk Wolf ’10, Rishi Reddi ’92, S. Mayumi Grigsby ’15 (moderator), Dimple Abichandani ’02 and Rebecca Arnold ’04.
- Heidi Alexander, executive director of the Massachusetts SJC Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being, spoke about “Finding Your Voice: A Special Presentation on Lawyer Well-Being During Tumultuous Times.”
- Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, spoke about “VOTING: The Ultimate Way to Elevate Your Voice.”
- Adrianne Haslet, Boston Marathon bombing survivor, para athlete and global advocate for amputee rights, spoke about “Overcoming Adversity and Finding Your Voice.”
>> View more photos of the 2026 Brown Forum for Women in the Law conference.
>> Judy and Jim Brown Make Second Major Gift to Support Women in Law
Stewart Will Serve as Practitioner-in-Residence
Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, will come to Northeastern Law in November as the Brown Forum for Women in the Law Practitioner-in-Residence. During her multi-day visit, Celina will share insights from her career leading one of the nation’s most storied nonpartisan organizations, offering students a rare opportunity to learn from a leader at the intersection of law, policy and civic advocacy — and to engage with the pressing challenges facing democracy.
We Appreciate Our Conference Advisory Group
- Professor Emerita Judith Olans Brown
- Vanessa Candela ’00
- Amy Carlin ’00
- Kelly Douglas ’92
- S. Mayumi Grigsby ’15
- Kathy Henry ’00
- Sofia Lingos ’09
- Karen O’Malley ’94
- Gina Perini ’01
- Mala Rafik ’97
- Juliana Spofford ’89
Many Thanks to Our Sponsors of the Brown Forum for Women in the Law
- Platinum Sponsor — SOMOS, Trident
- Gold Sponsors — Eastern Bank, GTC Law Group, Morgan, Brown & Joy
- Silver Sponsors — Bowditch, Goulston & Storrs, Justice Law Collaborative, Morse, Nixon Peabody, Rosenfeld & Rafik
Most of all, we thank Judy and Jim Brown for their vision, leadership and support through the Judith Olans Brown Forum for Women in the Law.
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