Welcome to the National Association of Women Judges

The National Association of Women Judges’ mission is to: Promote the judicial role of protecting the rights of individuals under the rule of law through strong, committed, diverse judicial leadership, fairness and equality in the courts, and equal access to justice.

NAWJ is the nation’s leading voice for women jurists dedicated to preserving judicial independence, ensuring equal justice and access to the courts for women, minorities and other historically disfavored groups, providing judicial education on cutting-edge issues, and increasing the numbers and advancement of women judges at all levels to more accurately reflect their full participation in a democratic society. We provide unique opportunities for members to enrich their professional lives, keep abreast of important issues, and network while contributing to social justice. NAWJ welcomes both men and women, as well as judicial clerks, attorneys and law students. Our members include federal, state, tribal, military and administrative law judges at both the appellate and trial levels from every state in the nation. Read more about NAWJ.

 

Click here to view video of testimony.
NAWJ Past President Fernande R.V. Duffly Testifies at Senate Confirmation Hearing

In response to NAWJ’s support of Solicitor General Elena Kagan’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court (click here to view letter), NAWJ Past President Fernande (Nan) R.V. Duffly was invited to testify on Thursday, July 1st at the Senate confirmation hearings on behalf of NAWJ in support of Solicitor General Elena Kagan’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court. (click here to view testimony). Over three decades ago NAWJ co-founder Justice Joan Dempsey Klein testified on behalf of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s (Retired) historic appointment as the first woman on the Court. Click here to view full hearing witness list.
When is an equity partner not an equity partner?
By Lauren Stiller Rikleen, Justice Fernande Duffly and Judge Nancy Gertner

What is an equity partner in a law firm, and why should anyone care how it is defined? The fact is, law firms matter to a democratic society. The influence of the profession extends far beyond its office towers, and the size of many firms now qualify as major businesses. Law firms also serve as significant training grounds for important roles — particularly in the judiciary, politics and government. READ THE ENTIRE OP-ED.
 
Latest News Upcoming Events (see the full calendar)
6/24/2010 - NAWJ PAST PRESIDENT VANESSA RUIZ HONORED WITH JUDICIAL LEADERSDHIP AWARD BY THE HISPANIC NATIONAL BAR FOUNDATION
NAWJ President District of Columbia Court of Appeals Judge Vanessa Ruiz will receive the Hispanic National Bar Foundation’s Judicial Leadership Award at its Annual Dinner on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C.   READ MORE

5/12/2010 - NAWJ ANNOUNCES ITS 32ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE 'SAN FRANCISCO, OPEN YOUR GOLDEN GATE' FOCUSING ON WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND THE ELDERLY, OCTOBER 13-17, 2010
The National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) announces "San Francisco, Open Your Golden Gate", its 32nd Annual Conference to be held in San Francisco, California from October 13-17, 2010 with the Ritz Carlton, San Francisco serving as host hotel and Conference site location.   READ MORE

4/16/2010 - NAWJ URGES PRESIDENT OBAMA TO NOMINATE A WOMAN TO FILL JUSTICE STEVENS’S SEAT ON THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
With the announcement that Justice John Paul Stevens will vacate his seat on the United States Supreme Court at the end of the session in June, NAWJ President Dana Fabe has written to President Obama urging him to nominate another woman, his second of his term, to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.   READ MORE

4/11/2010 - LEXISNEXIS® AGREES TO FUND EXPANSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN JUDGES’ COLOR OF JUSTICE PROGRAM
The National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) announced that it has received funding from NAWJ supporter LexisNexis to expand presentation of its Color of Justice Program.   READ MORE

4/6/2010 - NAWJ CONTINUES TO PUSH NALP FOR TRANSPARENCY IN EQUITY PARTNER DATA, CITING JUSTICE AND NEED FOR DIVERSITY
The National Association of Women Judges has been joined by prominent lawyers across the country in asking the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) to reconsider its recent turn-about in the face of law firm pressure.   READ MORE

Virginia Association of Women Judges Annual Meeting Breakfast
August 10, 2010 • 7:00 – 8:30AM
Virginia Beach, Virginia

NAWJ Texas Women Judges’ Reception and Dinner
September 22, 2010 
Corpus Christie, Texas

Color of Justice Mentoring Conference
September 24, 2010 • All day
Cincinnati, Ohio

NAWJ 32nd Annual Conference
October 13 - 17, 2010 
San Francisco, California

NAWJ 7-Day Glacier Discovery Cruise
May 22, 2011 - May 29, 2011 
Alaska

NAWJ 33rd Annual Conference
October 12 - 16, 2011 
Newark, New Jersey