Welcome | Center For Women In Law

The legal profession exemplifies eQUALITY and justice for all.

The Center for Women in Law is a national resource and champion for women lawyers, generating lasting change within the legal profession.

Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Impact Report

The Center for Women in Law continues to grow and evolve, striving to fulfill its mission of being a national resource and champion for women lawyers and generating lasting change in the legal profession. We’re pleased to share the Center’s 2024-2025 Impact Report, highlighting our work and programs, which are only possible with your generous support.

Read Impact Report HERE

Watch Impact Report Video HERE

Upcoming Events

Nov 11, 2026

Perspectives on the U.S. Supreme Court: The Court, Current Term, and Appellate Advocacy

Join the Center for Women in Law for a virtual session on November 11 from 12 PM to 1 PM CST for Perspectives on the U.S. Supreme Court: The Court, Current Term, and Appellate Advocacy. This timely conversation will explore the Court’s current docket and shifting dynamics, and the realities of practicing before appellate courts.

Moderated by Texas Law Supreme Court Litigation…

Nov 12, 2026

The General Counsel in an Era of Change

Join us for a special General Counsel program focused on issues and topics facing today's Chief Legal Officers. The virtual and in-person program opens at 1:30pm and will close at 4:30pm. The in-person program is followed by a fun networking happy hour and dinner in Austin. See the detailed agenda below.

This program has been certified for two hours of CLE, including one hour of ethics.

…

Apr 16, 2027

2027 Award Luncheon

At the Center for Women in Law’s Award Luncheon, supporters come together to celebrate the Center’s mission to generate lasting change within the legal profession. Through the Hortense Ward Courageous Leader Award, the Center recognizes one outstanding lawyer who exemplifies Ward’s tenacity, courage, and commitment in their efforts to advancing women in the legal profession.

More…

Recent Events

Oct 27, 2026

2026 Accelerate Career Start

Accelerate 2026 is a year-long program consisting of virtual plenary sessions on a variety of topics, including the following:

Best Practices: Tips, Guidance, Advice for a Successful Career Start Wellness and Well-Being The Business of Law Firms/Firm Economics Confidence, Adaptation, Self-…

Oct 16, 2026

Institute for Law and Leadership

The Center for Women in Law is hosting the Institute for Law and Leadership on Friday, October 16th, from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. We are excited to partner with the Women's Law Caucus for this event. All Texas Law students are invited to attend.

Agenda includes…

Sep 30, 2026

Power Lunch with Cisselon Nichols Hurd

The Center for Women in Law hosted a conversation between Cisselon Nichols Hurd, Senior Legal Counsel for Shell USA, Inc (ret.), and Jennifer Banda, Center Director. During the conversation, Cisselon discussed insights and leadership lessons from her career, which includes two Fortune 500…

Sep 09, 2026

Power Lunch with Krisi Kastl

The Center for Women in Law hosted a Power Lunch event, featuring Krisi Kastl, Founder and CEO of Kastl Law, in conversation with Center Director, Jennifer Banda.

Krisi Kastl is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and the Founder of Kastl Law, P.C., a plaintiffs’ personal…

Aug 26, 2026

Back to School Reception

CWIL celebrated the start of a new school year with faculty, staff, and friends of the Center! Drinks and light appetizers were served.

Jul 24, 2026

2026 Consortium for Advancing Women Lawyers Meeting

After the NAWL Annual Meeting on Thursday, July 23rd, we hosted an informal happy hour and dinner followed by the Consortium business meeting on Friday, July 24th from 8:30 am – 1:30 pm. A virtual option was available for the morning portion of the Friday meeting.…

Apr 08, 2026

2026 Women’s Power Summit

The Women’s Power Summit on Law and Leadership™ convenes influential leaders at the height of their careers – chief legal officers, law partners, judges, government officials, higher education leaders, and business leaders – to generate ideas, lead change, network and build community.…

Mar 11, 2026

Chief Justice Marilyn Aboussie Coffee with the Court

On Wednesday, March 11th, from 8:00 to 9 AM, the Center for Women in Law hosted a thought-provoking one-hour panel discussion where esteemed judges shared their career journeys and advice for law students. It was moderated by former Chief Justice Marilyn Aboussie, Texas Court of Appeals, with…

Latest news

Nov 01, 2024

The Center Releases 2023-2024 Impact Report

Oct 31, 2024

Jennifer Banda to Lead Center for Women in Law

AUSTIN, Texas (Oct. 31, 2024) — Jennifer Banda, an experienced lawyer and advocate with deep roots in The University of Texas at Austin, will be the new Executive Director of The Center for Women in Law, effective Nov. 11.

Mar 18, 2024

Center For Women in Law Prepares For Leadership Transition & New Strategic Plan

AUSTIN, Texas (Mar.

Dec 01, 2023

Honoring the Life, Legacy of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

Nov 22, 2023

The Center Releases 2022-2023 Impact Report

Oct 20, 2023

Ginsburg Initiative: Fighting for Gender Equality in the Legal Profession

Oct 19, 2023

Accelerate: Strengthening the Pipeline in the Legal Profession

Accelerate Career Start is the Center for Women in Law’s program aimed at improving the retention of first-year lawyers and strengthening the pipeline to partnership and leadership positions as lawyers embark on their careers.

Apr 22, 2023

Center for Women in Law Press Release - April 23, 2023

CENTER FOR WOMEN IN LAW HONORS JUDGE BERNICE BOUIE DONALD WITH HORTENSE WARD COURAGEOUS LEADER AWARD Hortense Ward Courageous Leader Award Recognizes Leadership, Commitment to Gender Parity

Nov 30, 2022

2023 Hortense Ward Courageous Leader Award Honoree Announced

The HONORABLE BERNICE BOUIE DONALD ANNOUNCED AS THE 2023 HORTENSE WARD COURAGEOUS LEADER AWARDEE Hortense Ward Courageous Leader Award Recognizes Leadership, Commitment to Gender Parity

Nov 15, 2022

The Center Releases 2021-2022 Impact Report

Read the 2021-2022 Impact Report here.

Learn

The Center for Women in Law is a national resource and champion for women lawyers, generating lasting change within the legal profession.

About the Center

Engage

The Center is devoted to the success of the entire spectrum of women in law, from first-year law students to the most experienced and accomplished lawyers. We serve as a national resource to convene leaders, generate ideas, and lead change.

Connect with us

Give

Your gift will enable the Center for Women in Law to advance women today and into the future.

Donate Here