In This Issue:

• NAWJ President Judge Amy Nechtem's Greeting
• Give the Gift of Membership
• 2012 Midyear Meeting and Leadership Conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts - March 9-11th: Register and Reserve Your Room Today!
• Save the Date - 2012 Annual Conference in Miami, Florida, November 7-11, 2012
• Sign Up for NAWJ Committees by December 15th and Join Fellow Members Who Share Your Interests
• Update Your Contact Information for the 2012 Membership Directory: Deadline December 15th
• Next Counterbalance Submission Deadline February 15, 2012
• View Forster-Long's State Bench Gender Ratio Statistics from NAWJ's Homepage
• Photos from the 2011 Annual Conference in Newark
• Registration Now Open for IAWJ Biennial Conference in London May 2-5, 2012
• NPR Runs Story on States and Human Trafficking - Click Here to Read Story and Reach Podcast

Warm Wishes From NAWJ President Amy Nechtem

   It seems almost in a blink of an eye, the end of the year is fast upon us. Looking back, our jurisdictions have been hit hard with fiscal deficits creating obstacles and challenges to the day to day administration of justice in our respective courts. Notwithstanding these struggles, what is obvious to me is that the constant, vital spirit, excitement and commitment of NAWJ members lights a path to another exceptional year of programming and opportunities to make a difference in this world, and together, we will! I plan to share with you my outreach efforts as I travel around the country to attend NAWJ events and programs, and abroad to represent NAWJ at the International Association of Women Judges conference next spring in London. Please contact me with any and all suggestions as to how I may better serve NAWJ and all of you.
I wish you all a delightful holiday season filled with much joy.
 My best wishes, 
  Amy Nechtem

Give the Gift of Membership

   Each year around this time NAWJ reaches out to its incredible membership and asks for contributions in support of its mission to maintain the organization and the many programs produced each and every year. In this season of fellowship, consider taking advantage of NAWJ's yearlong membership drive and support NAWJ by giving the gift of membership to a friend or colleague. Not only will you introduce someone to NAWJ through membership for just $100, but the $100 is a donation to a charitable organization and thus tax-deductible. Once we receive your gift of membership, we will send your friend or colleague a membership welcome packet and include a note from you informing them of your generous gift. Download and complete this gift membership form.
Attend the Annual Conference within the First Three Years of Joining and Save!
   Any member who is currently within the first three years of their membership may attend the Annual Conference for $375; that is $100 off of the regular member annual conference fee, and $75 off the fee paid by longer standing members who decide to attend the annual conference for the first time, NAWJ Member First Time Attendee. For more information about the 34th Annual Conference and to register, visit us at www.nawj.org.

2012 Midyear Meeting and Leadership Conference

March 9 - 11, 2012
The Charles Hotel
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Room Reservations: 800-882-1818
NAWJ Rate: $239/night, plus applicable taxes
Deadline to Reserve: February 17, 2012
Midyear Meeting Registration Fees*
NAWJ Members: $195
Non-NAWJ Member Guests:    $245
Register online or download the registration form to register.

FRIDAY MARCH 9, 2012

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
Location: Harvard Law School
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
NAWJ members and guests will lunch at the prestigious Harvard Law School and hear from a keynote speaker addressing Choice Feminism and the Revolution of Declining Expectations.
Keynote Speaker: Judge Nancy Gertner (Ret.), U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts

A CONVERSATION WITH THE JUSTICE
Location: Harvard Law School
Time: 1:35 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
NAWJ members and guests will have the privilege of enlightening remarks and insight into life as a member of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Speaker: Justice Elena Kagan, Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States
Moderated by Dean Martha Minow, Harvard Law School
Presentation of the NAWJ Justice Elena Kagan Scholarship Award

EDUCATION PROGRAM
Location: Harvard Law School
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Topic currently being developed.
Speakers: NAWJ Judicial Education Committee Chairs Professor Vicki C. Jackson and Professor Judith Resnik

JUDICIAL/FRIENDS RECEPTION
Location: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
NAWJ members and guests will enjoy an evening reception at one of Boston's notable venues and network with old and new friends.
SATURDAY MARCH 10, 2012

BREAKFAST
Location: The Charles Hotel
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Location: The Charles Hotel
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Children & Immigration Issues - The Intersection in Judicial Proceedings
FREE TIME TO EXPLORE BOSTON, CAMBRIDGE AND SURROUNDS
Free time for those not attending the NAWJ Board meeting to explore Boston, Cambridge and surrounds. 
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

NAWJ 2012 MIDYEAR BOARD MEETING
NAWJ Board members and all NAWJ members that wish to attend.
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

JUDICIAL RECEPTION
Location: TBD
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
NAWJ members and guests will enjoy an evening reception at one of Boston's notable venues and network with old and new friends.
SUNDAY MARCH 11, 2012

FARWELL BREAKFAST
Location: The Charles Hotel
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Sign Up Now for NAWJ Working Committees

Members may join NAWJ committees at any time, but you have just two weeks to sign up to participate, and be recognized in NAWJ's 2012 Membership Directory. Even if you were a committee member last year, you should reaffirm your continuing participation to ensure you are included in the Directory listings. Please click here to review open committees and to sign up. 
2011-2012 NAWJ Working Committees

• Administrative Judiciary Committee
• Amicus Committee
• Awards Committee
• Bylaws Committee
• Conference Site Selection Committee
• Domestic Violence
• Ethics Committee
• Fairness and Access Committee
• Federal Judges Committee
• Human Trafficking Committee
• International Outreach Committee
• International Parental Abduction Liaison Network Committee
• Judicial Academic Network/ Judicial Education Committee    Judicial Independence Committee
• Judicial Selection Committee
• Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Committee
• Media and Public Relations Committee
• Membership Outreach and Retention Committee
• Military Courts Committee
• New Judges Committee 
• Projects Committee
• Resolutions Committee
• Retired/Senior Judges Committee
• Rural Courts Committee
• Trial Judges Outreach Committee
• Women in Prison Committee

"Meet Me In Miami"
NAWJ 34th Annual Conference
November 7 - 11, 2012
Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach
Miami Beach, Florida
Room Reservations: (800) 319-5354
NAWJ Rate: $199/night, plus applicable taxes
Register online or download the registration form to register.
Click here to find the Conference Planners, Friends Committee, and program descriptions.
CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS
Judge Lisa S. Walsh    Judge Myriam Lehr
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Judge Gladys Perez (Chair)    Maureen Jaeger Walsh
SPEAKERS COMMITTEE
Judge Gladys Perez (Chair)    Laura Morilla
INTERNATIONAL JUDGES COMMITTEE
Judge Mercedes Bach (Chair)    Judge Judy Chirlin
SOCIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE
Judge Nushin Sayfie (Co-Chair)    Judge Lourdes Simon (Co-Chair)    Amy Rosenberg
FRIENDS COMMITTEE
Law Firm Partners Co-Chairs
Elizabeth Hernandez, Akerman Senterfitt 
Linda M. Leali, White & Case LLP
Detra P. Shaw-Wilder, Koyzak Tropin & Throckmorton
Corporate Partners Chair
Mikki Canton, AsiaAmericana International LLC
Friends Committee Members
Melissa Alvarez
Hilarie Bass
Jeffrey Bass
Caryn Bellus
Leyza Blanco 
David M. Buckner
Carmen Manrara Cartaya
Raul Chacon
Kimberly Cook
Ileana Cruz
Melanie Damian
Steve Davis
Angela Daker
Marisol Gomez Decena 
Vivian de la Cuevas-Diaz
Katherine Warthen Ezell    Lyan Fernandez
Sandra Ferrara
Dori Foster-Morales 
Carol Fox
Amy Furness
Betsy E. Gallagher
Carlos Gonzalez
Melissa Hernandez 
Julie Kane
Gerald Kornreich
Sabrina Ferris 
Alexandra Bach Lagos
Lisa Lehner
Leslie Lott 
Gustavo Membiela
Jorge Mestre    Nicole Mestre
Stephanie Moon
Edith Osman
Melissa Pallet-Vasquez
Wayne Pathman
Carolina Pelleya
Jorge Perez
Barbara Riesberg
Cristina Rodriguez
Wilfredo Rodriguez
Brigid Cech Samole 
Bill Simonovitch
Rudy Sorondo
Myron D. Stayman 
Ramona Thomas
Laura Wendell

TENATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW
PLENARY PANELS
INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY
This panel will address - what are the problems facing independence of the judiciary, what can we do about it, what ARE we doing about it, effective strategies for judicial independence, what is happening in other countries.
POWER AND REACH OF THE INTERNET AND THE AGE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING 
What are the existing privacy laws, what are expectations of privacy, how do those existing privacy laws fit in with the current realities, cyberstalking and available remedies. How does the internet and social networking impact the judiciary and the ethics of judges or their clerks using the internet to research information about cases, jury members, lawyers, etc.
JUDGING IN AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY 
This panel will address what judges can, do and should communicate with one another, formally and informally, regarding cross border issues or simultaneous proceedings. We will use Chapter 15 of the US Bankruptcy Code, which explicitly authorizes such communication, as a spring board for what could be used as a model in general business cases.
BRINGING HUMAN RIGHTS HOME 
This panel will examine what is new and what is happening with respect to the use of Human Rights Norms in the domestic (US) context.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
THE ECONOMIC CRISIS
These panels will address the far reaching impact of the economic crisis on individuals, institutions, and the society at large.
(i) HIDDEN IMPACT: THE UNSEEN CONSEQUENCES OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS
Beyond banks and board rooms the global economic downturn is having a profound effect on the everyday lives of people around the world. Societies, too, are being tested as the engines of economic growth sputter forward. This panel will explore the less visible consequences of the financial crisis and its impact on people and communities.
(ii) CURBING ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN A DOWN ECONOMY
Equal justice is an idea that we have long striven for in American society. But, is the economic crisis, with its strained government budgets, court cutbacks and loss of legal aid funding, turning back the clock on the progress we've made in reaching the goal of equal justice for all? Join us for this panel in which we will discuss how the financial squeeze is impacting access to justice at the individual court level and in society in general.
PRESENTATIONS BY AUTHORS
We will have two authors discuss books they have recently written and sign books.
(i)    Judith Resnick will speak about her book "Representing Justice".
(ii)    Prof. Sally Kenney will discuss her book "Gender and Judging"
THE IMPACT OF OTHER LAWS ON COURT DECISIONS 
This panel will discuss issues relating to bankruptcy, immigration and other laws that may or will impact criminal, family and commercial cases.
LAWYERING & JUSTICE: EMERGING ISSUES IN NATIONS IN TRANSITION 
This panel will look at the challenges that women lawyers and judges are facing as the world around them changes. We have issues in the Middle and Far East as well as much closer to home - the Caribbean and Venezuela.
NON-ACADEMIC SESSIONS
SO YOU THINK YOU HAVE A BOOK IN YOU 
Someone "in the business" will share the secrets (and not so secret) of what it takes to write a book and get it published.
WOMEN'S HEALTH PANEL 
A panel of doctors from the University of Miami School of Medicine will discuss the aging woman and the physical and psychological issues about which we should be aware.
MINDFULNESS AND STRESS REDUCTION 
A discussion about a new method for reducing stress and making us more effective judges.
YOGA, PILATES, AND MEDITATION
We will start our day(s) the right way with a group class each morning.
BRINGING HUMAN RIGHTS HOME 
This panel will examine what is new and what is happening with respect to the use of Human Rights Norms in the domestic (US) context.
Call for Member Updates for 2012 Membership Directory
If you have not yet responded, NAWJ is requesting updates to your contact information by December 15th! We are gearing up to publish the next annual edition of NAWJ's Membership Directory in January, 2012.
Please take a moment and review to verify it is correct. If you anticipate a change in your status, or have a new telephone number or email address, or have been assigned to a new department or division, let us know by calling NAWJ at 202-393-0222, faxing us at 202-393-0125, or emailing updates to lcousin@nawj.org.
New Vice President of Publications Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby
Calls for Submissions for Submissions for the Next Issue of Counterbalance
Deadline February 15, 2012
Counterbalance informs and connects our members around the country. It includes a variety of news and information which highlights NAWJ's many interesting activities. Consider sharing news from your jurisdiction with your fellow colleagues in the newsletter. If you know of female judges in your state who have been recently appointed, or if they have been promoted or received an honor, let us know. If you have articles, announcements, or events that you would like included in Counterbalance, please pass them along as well. NAWJ will also publish essays, and articles of interest which are in accord with our mission.
The deadline for submitting information for the next issue of Counterbalance is FEBRUARY 15, 2012. Look for the spring issue in April, 2012 after March's Midyear in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Those submitting material may do so by emailing all text and picture files to Lavinia Cousin at lcousin@nawj.org.
New Forster-Long State Gender Ratio Statistics
Now Available from NAWJ's website
From NAWJ's website you may now view state level gender statistics from Forster-Long's most recent publication of THE AMERICAN BENCH, an annual comprehensive publication that profiles federal and state courts. In 2008 the National Association of Women Judges joined with Forster-Long, publisher of THE AMERICAN BENCH and THE AMERICAN BAR, to share information it gathers for its publication and for NAWJ members to provide Forster-Long with biographical information and other data.
Click on the U.S. map on our homepage to find for each state: (1) the ratio of total women state court judges to total judges in that particular state (2) the ratio of women to total judges in the state's court of highest jurisdiction (3) the ratio of women to total judges in the state's intermediate appellate courts (4) the ratio of women to total judges in the state's trial courts of general jurisdiction, and (5) the ratio of women to total judges in the state's lower level trial courts of limited jurisdiction.

Register Online for IAWJ's
'Keeping Safe, Keeping Well'
2012 Biennial Conference
May 2-5, 2012
Church House Center, Supreme Court and Westminster Abbey
Fees:
EARLY BOOKING RATE £500 + VAT (£600 inclusive) available until 29 February 2012
STANDARD BOOKING RATE £550 + VAT (£660 inclusive) available from 1st March 2012
ACCOMPANYING PERSONS £190 + VAT (£228 inclusive) for Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner, only
Click here to read details on registration, accommodations, and letters of invitation.
How to Register and Reserve Hotel Rooms
Click here and visit the IAWJ membership site to confirm your status as an IAWJ member. Once confirmed, you will be linked to the UK 2012 London registration site. In order to get the special discounted hotel rates, you must reserve your hotel accommodations via this site as well. Once you are registered for the conference, you may reserve your hotel or register for any side event at the same time or at some future date. It should be noted that we anticipate that these will fill up so encourage you to register for these as soon as possible as well. (If you have forgotten your login information or do not have it, just click the "forget password" and enter your email address to have your username and password immediately emailed to you.) You MUST register now via the process described above. Any communication you had via the UKAWJ website previously was only a 'registration of interest'; it was NOT a conference registration.
More on Accommodations
The UKAWJ has identified a number of hotels and apartments of various prices to accommodate different needs of participants. You should book your hotel when you register for the conference as the rates are for a limited time only with a limited number of rooms available at the different locations. You must provide credit card details to confirm your accommodation reservation.
Please note the following concerning Registration and Payment: Each individual must register separately. There is no group registration.
Individual Letters of Invitation
Should you need an individual letter of invitation to submit to your court to request released time or for possible sponsors/donors for funding, please make your request with IAWJ at email, conference@iawj.org. IAWJ does not have funds available for scholarships. Individuals must seek their own funding. IAWJ is happy to write letters of invitation in support of your efforts to find donors as they have done in the past.
IAWJ will send more information about program details and side events, but for now, the important thing is to register early so that you are not left out! For more information contact IAWJ at 202-223-4455.

Events
2012
NAWJ's Midyear Meeting and Leadership Conference will take place March 9 - 11 in Cambridge, Massachusetts at The Charles Hotel.
The International Association of Women Judges 2012 Bi-Annual Conference will take place May 2 - 5 in London, United Kingdom.
NAWJ's 34th Annual Conference will take place in Miami, Florida, November 7 - 11 at the Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach.
2013
NAWJ's 35th Annual Conference will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana.
2014
The 2014 International Association of Women Judges Bi-Annual Conference will take place in Tanzania May 6 - 9.
NAWJ
Mission Statement:
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.

About NAWJ:
Since its formation in 1979, NAWJ has inspired and lead the American judiciary in achieving fairness and equality for vulnerable populations. Led by two visionary women - Justice Joan Dempsey Klein and Justice Vaino Spencer - 100 brave and intrepid women judges met and formed an organization dedicated to the following ideals: ensuring equal justice and access to the courts for all including women, youth, the elderly, minorities, the underprivileged, and people with disabilities; providing judicial education on cutting-edge issues of importance; developing judicial leaders; increasing the number of women on the bench in order for the judiciary to more accurately reflect the role of women in a democratic society; and improving the administration of justice to provide gender-fair decisions for both male and female litigants.

From the day it was founded, NAWJ has been committed to diversity in our membership. Our organization welcomes both men and women. We include appellate, trial, tribal, administrative law judges, state and federal judges, and members from every state in the nation.

NAWJ takes pride in its accomplishments. We were at the forefront in the establishment and implementation of gender bias task forces in both federal and state courts. We have greatly advanced the administration of justice in areas of domestic violence, child support and child custody, and the treatment of women in the courts of America. We also are respected as a leader in educating judges on bioethics, elderly abuse, the sentencing of women offenders with substance abuse problems; improving conditions for women in prison; and the problems facing immigrants in our court system. Currently we are developing curricula on the effect of genetic advances on women and vulnerable populations, the impact of international law on state and federal courts, and cognitively disabled persons in criminal courts.

In addition to addressing these and other important issues, NAWJ provides an opportunity for judges to meet and discuss professional issues of mutual concern in a supportive atmosphere. Connecting with others with the same values, we laugh, enjoy life and mentor one another nationwide.