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GRAWA welcomes newest members

By Daily Record Staff
Posted: 5:48 pm Wed, March 14, 2012

Harris Beach associates Mandy Carden, Emily Durki, Kara Stoddart and Christina Petrella.

The Board of Directors of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys hosted a lunch gathering on March 9 to meet members who have joined GRAWA in recent months. The food and meeting room were provided by Harter Secrest & Emery LLP.

For the 2011-2012 membership year, GRAWA’s membership is currently at 278 — with 61 joining for the first time.

“I think it is a combination of factors,” President-elect Kim Duguay said. “We are seeing more law students contact us and join even before they graduate or before moving to Rochester. Some of that is probably related to the tight job market, but we also know that our committees and programs have helped to draw new members.

“The Newly Admitted Women Attorneys Committee has many active members, and our mentoring efforts have been realigned under a Women’s Connections committee,” she added.

In recent weeks, the Women’s Connections committee hosted a panel presentation featuring four women who told of the evolution of their careers. Last year, an “On the Road” series of dinner meetings similarly provided insights into a variety of public and private sector careers, including pointers on seeking public office.

“We traditionally hold a New Members Reception in the fall, but we’ve discovered that at least half of our new members come in between November and February,” Membership Chair Nora Jones said. “To make sure they have an opportunity to meet board members and learn more about committee opportunities, we started the tradition of a welcome lunch in the late winter. We were delighted with the turnout this year.”

There are several GRAWA events this spring, including a March 20 reception to honor Sandra Doorley as the first female elected as Monroe County District Attorney. GRAWA’s annual meeting is April 26, and plans are in the works for a gathering with the Hon. Judith Kaye in mid-May. More information is available on the GRAWA website, www.grawa.org.

 

— Photos provided by Nora A. Jones

Cara Waldman talks with Erika Britt and GRAWA Treasurer Eileen Buholtz.

GRAWA President Kari Smoker, Meghan Lynch and Kristin Lowe.

Rakshita Koirala, Jesslyn Holbrook and Rachelle Hoeflschweiger were among the new members in attendance.

Candace Lee, Helen Root and Darice Dinsmore.

Elizabeth Buckley and GRAWA Program Co-Chair Amanda Ordyk.

In addition to having everyone introduce themselves, President Kari Smoker outlined some of the upcoming events between now and the Installation Dinner on May 24.

GRAWA Legislative Chair Katie Courtney and JEC Co-Chair Laura Smalley wait to get lunch.

Sitting, from left, are Denine Carr, the Hon. Dandrea Ruhlmann, GRAWA President Kari Smoker, Meghan McGuire; standing, from left, are Kristin Lowe, Jesslyn Holbrook, Rachelle Hoeflschweiger, Candace Lee, Jayme Feldman, Hannah Nutter-Singal, Cara Waldman, Darice Dinsmore, Helen Root, Meghan Lynch, Natasha Noras, Tiffany Lee and Katie Courtney.

Sitting, from left, are Denine Carr, the Hon. Dandrea Ruhlmann, GRAWA President Kari Smoker, Meghan McGuire; standing, from left, are Kristin Lowe, Jesslyn Holbrook, Rachelle Hoeflschweiger, Candace Lee, Jayme Feldman, Hannah Nutter-Singal, Cara Waldman, Darice Dinsmore, Helen Root, Meghan Lynch, Natasha Noras, Tiffany Lee and Katie Courtney.

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