In This Issue:

• Reserve your room at the Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach, California for the Midyear Meeting and Leadership Conference, March 11-13th
• Women in Prison: MCIW College Degree Program Off to a Great Start
• Hon. Ellen Rosenblum: Candidate for ABA President-Elect
• NAWJ's Summer Cruise Through Alaska is Sold Out!
• Reserve Your Room and Register Now for the Annual Conference in Newark, New Jersey, October 12 - 16, 2011
• Justice Fernande R.V. Duffly Confirmed to Massachusetts' Supreme Judicial Court
• Donate to NAWJ's Annual Fund Drive
• Share Your News in NAWJ's Counterbalance Newsletter: Submission Deadline is March 11, 2011
• NAWJ is Now on Facebook, Click the 'Like' Button on NAWJ's Facebook Page

NAWJ MIDYEAR MEETING
AND LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

(click here to download brochure)

March 11-13, 2011
Laguna Beach, California

SURF & SAND RESORT
Reservations: 888-869-7569
www.surfandsandresort.com
NAWJ Rate: $199/night, plus applicable taxes

Conference Highlights (subject to change)

Thursday, March 10, 2011
Early arrivals enjoy Laguna Beach, and Disneyland!

Friday, March 11, 2011
BREAKFAST
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

EDUCATION PROGRAM
Removing Obstacles to Justice for Immigrant Women and their Families
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
Daryl Hannah, Actress and Documentary Filmmaker on Human Trafficking
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

PRESENTATION and CONVERSATION
Justice Eileen Moore, California Court of Appeal
Hollywood vs. the Supreme Court, Ten Decades of Racial Decision and Film
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

JUDICIAL RECEPTION
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 12, 2011
BREAKFAST
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

DISTRICT DIRECTORS MEETING
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

NAWJ BOARD MEETING
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Those not attending the Board Meeting - enjoy Laguna Beach and Disneyland!
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

JUDICIAL RECEPTION
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 13, 2011
FAREWELL BREAKFAST
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Click here to download registration form.

MCIW College Degree Program Off to a Great Start

On January 5, 2011, approximately 75 college students (some are taking developmental math), teachers, tutors, and supporters joined together inside the prison to celebrate the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women (MCIW) College Degree Program. Ten students were recognized for grades at 3.4 or above. Several speakers spoke movingly of what the program meant to them: "I Came to Prison and Conquered Algebra."

The Secretary of Maryland's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, the Chair of the Parole Commission, the Warden and Assistant Warden, the President of the Abell Foundation, a State Senator, a member of the House of Delegates, a Yale Arthur Liman Fellow, and 9 NAWJ members:

Judges Toni E. Clarke, Theresa Nolan (Retired), and Cathy H. Serrette, Circuit Court Prince George's County;
U.S. District Magistrate Susan Gauvey;
Judge Marcella Holland, Chief Administrative Judge, Circuit Court Baltimore City;
Judge Patrice Lewis, District Court Prince George's County;
Judge Brenda P. Murray, NAWJ Women in Prison Committee;
Judge Arline Pacht, founder International Association of Women Judges; and
Judge Patricia Wald, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and International Tribunal for Crimes in the Former Yugoslavia.

The strong showing of support from the women judges made an impact on everyone present.

Hon. Ellen Rosenblum - Candidate for ABA President-Elect

On January 1, 2011 American Bar Association announced that NAWJ member and 2008 Annual Conference Chair Ellen Rosenblum is a candidate for President-Elect 2012-2013 term. She will seek nomination at the 2012 Midyear Meeting as one of three candidates, the others include attorney James R. Silkenat of New York, and lawyer Howard H. Vogel of Tennessee Click here to read her Letter of Intent and Resume submitted to the ABA. She will be retiring from the bench after 22 years to pursue other exciting law-related opportunities, and to have time to commit to the position.

NAWJ Alaskan Cruise

May 22-29, 2011

Sold Out!

The May cruise is now sold out. If you are interested in attending, please call Cruise Adventures at 925-935-7447 and request to be put on a waitlist with deposit. Cruise Adventures works the deposited waitlists daily so there is a chance that cabins may open up. 75 days prior to sailing is when final payment is due and when penalties begin. So if any cancellations come in, it would be just outside of 75 days prior.

Global Women's Issues
NAWJ's 33rd Annual Conference

October 12 - 16, 2011
Hilton Newark Penn Station Hotel
Newark, New Jersey

Reservations: (973) 622-5000
NAWJ Rate: $170/night, plus applicable taxes

Conference Chair
The Honorable Sue Pai Yang, Judge, New Jersey Workers' Compensation Court
Co-Chair
Associate Dean Frances Bouchoux, Rutgers School of Law, Newark

Conference Highlights (subject to change)

Wednesday, October 12, 2011
2010-2011 Board Meeting
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

First time attendees meeting
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception at a place offsite TBD
Time: 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 13, 2011
Opening Session and Plenary
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Sponsors Luncheon at the Newark Club
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Friday, October 14, 2011
NAWJ District Breakfast Meetings
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Promoting Global Equality for Women through the Law at the Rutgers School of Law, Newark
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

An all day symposium including four panel programs featuring academics, international judges, and human rights advocates discussing violence against women; human trafficking; deprivation of women's property rights; reproductive health issues; and related issues that are vital to promoting women's rights across the globe. We would ask the panelists to discuss what the law is/should be and the gaps between the law and enforcement in their respective jurisdictions. The goal would be to publish both the transcript of the symposium and scholarly articles.

Introduction

Panel 1: Ending Violence Against Women
This panel will discuss cultural aspects of violence against women and what legal mechanisms exist or should exist to eliminate such violence, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) and UN Resolutions 1325 and 1820.

Panel 2: Prevention of Human Trafficking
International trafficking in human beings has become one of the fastest growing crimes around the globe, impacting disproportionately on women and children. This panel will discuss UN protocol to prevent trafficking of humans and the ABA's human trafficking assessment tool and analyze how domestic laws in various countries can be improved to address this growing epidemic.

Luncheon and Keynote Address

Panel 3: Global Reproductive Health
According to the CDC, reproductive health is critical to improving the health of women, children, and families throughout the world. This panel will examine legal and cultural barriers to reproductive health in developing nations and among refugee populations and the role of law in improving reproductive health for all women.

Panel 4: Ensuring Economic Equality for Women in a Global Society
According to a recent report by Human Rights Watch, millions of women around the world who suffer deprivation of property rights "end up impoverished, struggling to meet their families' basic needs, living in decaying shacks in dangerous slums, and vulnerable to violence and disease." Studies show that gender equality promotes broad economic growth for society at large and, thus, breaking down gender barriers to educational access and job opportunities is essential to improving life for all. This panel will examine the discriminatory laws and practices that deprive women of their property rights and the role of legislators and the courts in reforming laws to protect women's economic rights an around the globe.

Saturday, October 15, 2011
NAWJ Committee Breakfast Meetings
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

NAWJ Business Meeting
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Education Sessions at the Seton Hall University School of Law
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

NAWJ Investiture Luncheon
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

2011-2012 Board Meeting
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Free time to sightsee.

Silent Auction and Banquet Gala
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 16, 2011
Closing Breakfast
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Support NAWJ - Make Your Donations Online!

This year we are pleased to provide an additional incentive that also benefits a worthy program. For donations of $250 or more, you will receive a beautiful NAWJ commemorative clock (pictured below) produced by female inmates in Contra Costa's detention facilities. This creative engraving and sign-making program was designed to provide female inmates with a vocational training and NAWJ was proud to support their efforts.

NAWJ's fundraising drive plays a pivotal role in furthering our work, traditionally collecting close to $20,000 each year. We ask you to make as generous a personal tax-deductible charitable gift to NAWJ as possible, either individually or via a family foundation or other grant-making organization with which you may be involved.
Your strong show of support will help demonstrate the commitment of NAWJ to promoting the judicial role in 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.

Donate online at www.nawj.org or by returning the donation form you received in the mail.

Thank you for your generous contributions to NAWJ of time and energy, as well as your financial contributions this year.

Share Your News in Counterbalance!

Deadline March 11, 2011

NAWJ's Counterbalance newsletter is a wonderful communication vehicle that provides a digest of member happenings from across the country. It is an opportunity to highlight the many interesting activities that this organization sponsors and the causes it supports. Consider sharing with your fellow colleagues. If you have female judges in your state who have been recently appointed, or if they have been promoted or received an honor, let us know that too. NAWJ will also consider publishing an essay, address or article deemed of interest to fellow colleagues.

The deadline for submitting information for the next issue of Counterbalance is March 11, 2011. Please pass articles, announcements, and event highlights to Lavinia Cousin at lcousin@nawj.org.

If you have any questions or problems getting something to Lavinia, please don't hesitate to call (202-393-0222) or e-mail lcousin@nawj.org.

NAWJ Launches Social Networking on Facebook Page!

Find us on Facebook and check us out here. NAWJ will promote events and limited Board approved announcements.

Help us spread the word about NAWJ by clicking the 'Like' button on our page to become a 'Fan' of NAWJ and automatically receive updates as new information is posted.

Events

The NAWJ 2012 Annual Conference will take place in Miami, Florida, November 7-11.
The NAWJ 2013 Annual Conference will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana

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.