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Welcome to the AWA of Memphis Website!Posted January 7th, 2008 The Association for Women Attorneys is a bar association of Memphis and Shelby County founded in 1979. Its members are dedicated to supporting each other as attorneys, educating themselves and others in the law, and being of service to the community with particular reference to the legal needs of women.There are many reasons to have a bar association that caters specifically to women. In the AWA, women with experience act as role models and mentors to women with new careers and/or demanding young families. The AWA understands that women new to the legal profession need encouragement for professional and personal development. Also, the AWA provides invaluable networking and Continuing Legal Education opportunities for all its members. AWA members enjoy contributing to our community and business through outreach programs such as scholarships, new lawyer swearing-in ceremonies, and the Mentor Program. AWA is committed to the welfare of its members and the sustained presence of female leadership in the legal realm. |
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2009 Annual BanquetPosted: March 12, 2009, 11:23 am Plan to attend the 2009 Annual AWA Banquet to find out who will be the Recipients of the Marion Griffin-Frances Loring Award. Details to be given at a later date. Be sure to check out the pictures from the 2008 Annual AWA Banquet in our photo gallery. |
2009 Judical ReceptionPosted: March 12, 2009, 11:05 am The AWA's annual judicial reception was held on December 4, 2008 at the beautiful home of Leslie and Renelle Ballin. Although the weather was cold outside, the warmth of the Ballin's home, along with their hospitality and Gina Nupert's comforting harp melodies, created the perfect atmosphere inside. Guests noshed on hors d'oeuvres (prepared by AWA member Mary McGinnis) and enjoyed a variety of select wines. The event was a huge success with over one hundred local attorneys and judges in attendance. Also in attendance was special guest Nancy Barron, retiring Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Registrar. The AWA thanks all of those members that helped in making this year's event one to remember. (You may check out pictures by going to the photo gallery.) |
The AWA Community is saddened by the recent deaths of two great members: Circuit Court Judge Rita StottsPosted: March 23, 2009, 8:18 am  Circuit Court Judge Rita Stotts will be remembered fondly be the AWA. Judge Stotts made many significant contributions to the local justice system. She was the appointed to the bench on May 23, 2000, and was the first black woman to serve as a Circuit Court judge in Shelby County. Judge Stotts was a graduate of Christian Brothers University and Vanderbilt University Law School, and served in several legal capacities, including assistant divorce referee, an assistant county attorney and as an assistant professor of law at Memphis State University. She believed it was the duty of judges as well as lawyers to explain the way the courts operated to those who didn’t work within the system. AWA President Jennifer Hagerman was asked to speak on behalf of the AWA at the memorial service for Judge Stotts. Ms. Hagerman recounted Judge Stott’s many contributions to the AWA, particularly her willingness to share her time and knowledge with other members. Judge Stotts was presented with the Marion Griffin-Frances Loring aware in 2005. |
And Frances Grant LoringPosted: March 23, 2009, 8:16 am  Frances Grant Loring, a pioneer for women lawyers in Memphis, passed away on January 15th at her home. Ms. Loring graduated from Vanderbilt Law School and was licensed to practice in Tennessee in 1944. She was one of the estimated 10-20 women lawyers in Memphis at that time. She was a founding member of the Association for Women Attorneys in 1979 and served as an at-large member on its Executive Committee. She was the first recipient of the AWA’s annual award, the Marion Griffin-Frances Loring Award, which was named in honor of the first woman attorney licensed to practice in Tennessee and Ms. Loring. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by women lawyers. |
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