CWBA ANNUAL CONVENTION SPEAKERS

May 17-19, 2024

CLE credits requested: 12 general, 4.7 EDI

Beat Burnout: Thrive While We Strive

Join us for an empowering session led by Emilie Aries, a renowned speaker, podcaster, author, and the Founder & CEO of Bossed Up, an award-winning leadership development and career services company dedicated to closing the gender leadership gap. Hard-working, high-achieving women aren't afraid of high-stress situations. But chronic stress without rest & renewal puts even the most committed women at risk of complete & total burnout. In this interactive workshop, Emilie shares inspiring stories of overcoming burnout and tactical strategies to push back against burnout culture, rebel against role overload, and advocate for our own form of sustainable success. Learn research-backed strategies grounded in cognitive science for sustaining our success and ambition in a workplace and world that was never built for women.

Widen Your Window -

Using Awareness and Compassion to Shift from Languishing to Flourishing in Life, Leadership, and the Practice of Law

Experience an insightful session with Dimple Dhabalia, a writer, podcaster and humanitarian on a personal mission of putting the “human” back into humanitarian work, as she delves into the challenges faced by women in navigating stress, trauma, and exhaustion. Drawing from her book, Tell Me My Story—Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self, Dimple offers insights on combating burnout culture and prioritizing self-care. Discover how resilience can be cultivated to foster deeper connections, joy, and empowerment in both personal and professional spheres.

Authentic Storytelling for Influence

This transformative workshop will aim to empower you to harness the power of authentic storytelling and the ability to connect with audiences on a human level. Whether advocating for clients in the courtroom or shaping narratives outside it, the art of storytelling can be a formidable tool. Olivia Omega, Speaker, Corporate Keynote Diversity & Inclusion Advocate Author & Brand Strategist, TEDx speaker, diversity and inclusion advocate, brand strategist, and entrepreneur, will dive into the core principles of authentic storytelling and provide practical techniques tailored to the legal profession. Participants will learn how to unearth and articulate their own stories and those of their clients in a manner that resonates deeply with others. By the end of the session, attendees will emerge with newfound confidence in their ability to authentically convey the stories that matter most, wielding their narratives as potent instruments of change.

Fireside Chat - Balancing the Scales: A Conversation with the U.S. Solicitor General about Professional Success and Personal Satisfaction

Join us for an inspiring lunchtime keynote featuring Elizabeth Prelogar, the 48th Solicitor General of the United States. As only the second woman to hold this prestigious role in over 150 years, Solicitor General Prelogar has spearheaded Supreme Court litigation on behalf of the United States with unparalleled expertise. Beyond her professional achievements, she embodies relatability as a devoted mother of two young children.

Colorado Court of Appeals Judge Jaclyn Casey Brown will facilitate an engaging conversation with Solicitor General Prelogar, exploring the nuanced balance between personal fulfillment and professional success. Topics will range from Prelogar's journey to prominence within the Department of Justice to her experiences as a woman in a high-profile position, delving into the importance of representation and her advocacy for underrepresented genders and racial backgrounds in the legal profession. Additionally, attendees will gain insight into Prelogar's strategies for balancing motherhood with her demanding professional responsibilities, her reflections on impactful cases, and her vision for the future.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from one of the legal field's most distinguished figures and gain valuable insights into leadership, advocacy, and achieving work-life balance.

Lessons from Another Culture to Help Us Thrive, and Not Just Survive

In the US, we often feel overwhelmed and like life is hard to manage. During this session Maria del Rosario Oxman, a partner in the Real Estate Group at Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, with extensive experience representing investors, developers, and large companies nationwide in various real estate matters will share concrete examples of different traditions, ways of interacting with each other, and different approaches to life that we can borrow from the Hispanic culture that can help us feel more in control, and on your way to thriving.

Empowered to Lead: Thriving in Today’s Work Environment

Let's dive into the transformative exploration of the U.S. workforce, where women now constitute over three-quarters of the labor force yet hold approximately 35% of leadership positions. Trina Maull, Founder & CEO (Chief People Leadership Coach) at NoLimitsCareer & Consulting, will explore the shifts in leadership requirements triggered by generational differences and shifting workplace demands. While understanding the increasing necessity for empowered leaders, She will offer practical steps, insights, and actionable strategies on how to empower oneself to lead effectively and thrive in today's ever evolving work environment.

On What Grounds? Empowering and Advocating for Justice

Join us for an insightful 'On What Grounds' event with Carime Lee, Senior Attorney at Colorado Housing and Finance Authority and 2024-25 CWBA President. Carime will be joined by special guest Professor Suzette M. Malveaux, a distinguished civil rights litigator, who will share her experiences in landmark cases, including representing victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre and fighting gender discrimination at Wal-Mart. Together, they'll explore the vital role of access to justice in upholding democratic principles, rights, and equality. Gain insights into equal access to the legal system and bias mitigation in the profession. Don't miss this enlightening discussion with Professor Malveaux and Ms. Lee.

"How to Thrive" Roundtable Speakers:

Thriving by Creating a Professional Life that is True to Yourself, Empowers Others, and Demands Accountability

This roundtable lead by Mari Newman, Civil Rights and Employment Lawyer at Newman | McNulty LLC, will inspire discussion on how to create a professional life that is true to your career AND personal goals, empowering women and others who are underrepresented in the legal community, and holding yourself – and others – accountable.

Listen. Learn. Live. Thoughts on Thriving in the Career of Our Making

As attorneys and women, we are often under pressure to align our career paths along a conventional or singular trajectory. In this roundtable conversation lead by Tanja Wheeler, Associate Chief Deputy Attorney General at the Colorado Department of Law / Colorado Attorney General's Office we'll explore how to disrupt those external impacts and lean into careers that align with who we each are individually, so that we can truly choose our own career path and thrive along the way.

How to thrive through fun, well-being, and adventure: creating space for your most fulfilling life!

In this How to Thrive roundtable Kristi Disney Bruckner, Law & Policy Director at Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), will focus on how creating a personal framework for your well-being while incorporating fun and adventure can increase resilience, fulfillment, and impact in all realms of life.

How to Thrive Authentically as a Judicial Applicant and on the Federal Bench

For this roundtable discussion Judge Kathryn Starnella will share her perspectives as a relatively new federal judge and as a past applicant for state court and U.S. Magistrate Judge. The discussion will include Judge Starnella's perspective on transitioning to the bench and managing a chambers and insight she acquired from having served on bar associations' due diligence committees, participated in endorsement discussions, served on a selection panel, volunteered as a mock interviewer, and interviewed candidates.

How to Thrive and Reach Your Highest Potential By Conquering Conscious and Subconscious Fear

Fear - conscious and subconscious - is one of the biggest blockers to thriving and reaching your highest potential. Whether it's the fear of advocating for yourself at work, taking a risk personally or professionally, or underestimating your value and capabilities, fear can impede your success if not identified and addressed. In this roundtable, President of Project Ganesha, Miko Brown, will discuss practical tools to identify, interrupt, and avoid making fear based decisions so you can thrive and become the best version of yourself.

Thriving by Grounding Yourself

Diane Wozniak, a Family Law Attorney at Sherman and Howard with more than 15 years of experience in resolving complex issues related to premarital agreements, same-sex marriage, common law marriage, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, the allocation of parental responsibilities, and guardianships, will discuss the importance of finding ways to center and ground yourself through a variety of modalities. This is essential for navigating the chaos that life as a lawyer can be in this modern, ever-changing world.

How to Open your Own Thriving Firm –

allowing you to enjoy the practice of law and life on your own terms

Explore the intricacies and motivations behind establishing your own law firm with Ashley. Whether you've long harbored the desire to venture into solo practice or have never contemplated it before, this session is tailor-made for you. Discover the myriad reasons why starting your own firm can be a fulfilling career path, and let Ashley Seeley, Lawyer and CEO at Seeley LLC, guide you through a comprehensive roadmap on how to embark on this journey.

How to Thrive by Setting Boundaries

We already know there is no award for worrying the most or sleeping the least. In this interactive roundtable lead by Arapahoe County Judge, Hon. Melina Hernandez, we will practice saying “no” to things that do not align with our goals and values, saying “yes” to things that do, and learn how to lift others up by delegating what’s left.

Click the links below for additional information on our speakers!

And so much more, including a First-Time Attendees Welcome Lunch, spa and fitness time, yoga, hiking, karaoke dance party, onsite professional childcare provided by Call Emmy, the Mary Lathrop Trailblazer Award Celebration, and our Annual Meeting and Passing The Gavel Celebration!

Mary Lathrop Trailblazer Award Honoree

The Hon. Charlotte N. Sweeney
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
2024 Honoree

The CWBA's prestigious Mary Lathrop Trailblazer Award will be presented to The Hon. Charlotte Sweeney, our 2024 honoree, during a special reception the evening of Friday, May 17, 2024. Read more about the history of the award and see a list of previous recipients here.

CALENDAR