President's Message
I write this Q4 President’s message as my term at the helm of WLS comes to a close. On one hand it feels like January of this year was just yesterday and, on another hand, it feels like it was 10 years ago. I have learned a lot this year and I imagine I’m not alone in our long line of Past Presidents to say the role has changed them in many ways.
When I became WLS president, I realized that no matter your personal ideas and plans, the overall goal is to hold up the institution of the organization. The weight of that was not lost on me. WLS and its mission are so much bigger than me.
When I started my presidency, I was asked, “What do you want to do this year? What are your goals?” At the time, I really didn't have an answer. In my many years as part of this organization, I've seen the history of how things were, I watched us walk through a pandemic, and at this point my only goal was to find a new path forward. Maybe that is a loftier goal than I thought. However, to me I just wanted to do good, be better, grow… oh and pivot because we always need to pivot. I can confidently say we did all those things.
I know this year we asked a lot of each board member and committee. We brought back in person mixers and educational luncheons, we hosted our 30th annual Artfest, we grew our membership, we followed several resolutions throughout this year and attended the 2023 California Conference of Bar Associations, we provided letters of support for judicial candidates, we raised a significant amount of money and gave it away, and we kept our membership and the community informed about all that we were doing. The list goes on. However, it is the women on this board that have stepped into this year with enthusiasm, motivation, and hard work ethics that made this year possible. This year could not have been what it was without each and every one of these fantastic ladies.
It is also the outpouring of support from the women in our community that keep us going. From the Past Presidents, to the Judiciary, to our fellow colleagues. Our October MCLE event with the Diverse Women of the 3rd DCA talked about what it means to provide such support and encouragement to each other. Justices Laurie Earl, Stacy Boulware Eurie, Elena Duarte, & Shama Mesiwala spoke about how they came into their roles, and how being a Judge has changed them. They spoke about being authentic and genuine in what you do, but also putting your head down and getting the job done. They reminded us of the importance of helping and encouraging those behind you to make it to the top with you. These are the type of women that hold the virtues of WLS true.
As I hand the baton into the capable hands of our next President, Kathy Meola, I want to specifically thank Ex Comm for their support, encouragement, and efforts this year to grow the organization, and taking my late night phone calls. The four of us were truly a united front this year, and I appreciated it immensely.
My only hope is that I leave this organization a little bit better than it was. Thank you to the 2023 Board for being pillars of strength and determination. Welcome to the 2024 Board and what begins an incredible New Year!
I write this Q4 President’s message as my term at the helm of WLS comes to a close. On one hand it feels like January of this year was just yesterday and, on another hand, it feels like it was 10 years ago. I have learned a lot this year and I imagine I’m not alone in our long line of Past Presidents to say the role has changed them in many ways.
When I became WLS president, I realized that no matter your personal ideas and plans, the overall goal is to hold up the institution of the organization. The weight of that was not lost on me. WLS and its mission are so much bigger than me.
When I started my presidency, I was asked, “What do you want to do this year? What are your goals?” At the time, I really didn't have an answer. In my many years as part of this organization, I've seen the history of how things were, I watched us walk through a pandemic, and at this point my only goal was to find a new path forward. Maybe that is a loftier goal than I thought. However, to me I just wanted to do good, be better, grow… oh and pivot because we always need to pivot. I can confidently say we did all those things.
I know this year we asked a lot of each board member and committee. We brought back in person mixers and educational luncheons, we hosted our 30th annual Artfest, we grew our membership, we followed several resolutions throughout this year and attended the 2023 California Conference of Bar Associations, we provided letters of support for judicial candidates, we raised a significant amount of money and gave it away, and we kept our membership and the community informed about all that we were doing. The list goes on. However, it is the women on this board that have stepped into this year with enthusiasm, motivation, and hard work ethics that made this year possible. This year could not have been what it was without each and every one of these fantastic ladies.
It is also the outpouring of support from the women in our community that keep us going. From the Past Presidents, to the Judiciary, to our fellow colleagues. Our October MCLE event with the Diverse Women of the 3rd DCA talked about what it means to provide such support and encouragement to each other. Justices Laurie Earl, Stacy Boulware Eurie, Elena Duarte, & Shama Mesiwala spoke about how they came into their roles, and how being a Judge has changed them. They spoke about being authentic and genuine in what you do, but also putting your head down and getting the job done. They reminded us of the importance of helping and encouraging those behind you to make it to the top with you. These are the type of women that hold the virtues of WLS true.
As I hand the baton into the capable hands of our next President, Kathy Meola, I want to specifically thank Ex Comm for their support, encouragement, and efforts this year to grow the organization, and taking my late night phone calls. The four of us were truly a united front this year, and I appreciated it immensely.
My only hope is that I leave this organization a little bit better than it was. Thank you to the 2023 Board for being pillars of strength and determination. Welcome to the 2024 Board and what begins an incredible New Year!
Recap of a Great Year!
Our Programs and Career Advancement and Retention ("CAR") Committees held 8 events this year that included mixers and educational components for our membership. 6 in person and 2 via zoom. We co-hosted events with ALL of our affiliate organizations and had an average attendance of 56 guests. Some of these events reached an attendance of upward of 75 and 98 guests. This is our first year pivoting back to in person Program and CAR events since COVID, and the response has been amazing. Not to mention having a standing location to hold our events has really helped us get back to the consistency we use to have. We have received rave reviews about Sequoia at the Cannery and hope to work with them for years to come.
Our Programs and Career Advancement and Retention ("CAR") Committees held 8 events this year that included mixers and educational components for our membership. 6 in person and 2 via zoom. We co-hosted events with ALL of our affiliate organizations and had an average attendance of 56 guests. Some of these events reached an attendance of upward of 75 and 98 guests. This is our first year pivoting back to in person Program and CAR events since COVID, and the response has been amazing. Not to mention having a standing location to hold our events has really helped us get back to the consistency we use to have. We have received rave reviews about Sequoia at the Cannery and hope to work with them for years to come.
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Our Development Committee put on an amazing 30th Annual Artfest, which was not only oversold but raised net fund for the foundation in the amount of $32,283.49. This was the highest grossing and netting event we have had since our records god back to 2007. This is incredible news for Grants and Awards next year, who are going to enjoy giving away all the money! Did you know that people can donate to the foundation all year long? If you or someone you know wants to support, but couldn't make it to Artfest, send them to our website to donate: https://www.womenlawyers-sacramento.org/store/p33/Donate_to_WLS_Foundation.html
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Our Grants and Awards Committee awarded $12,500 in scholarships to law students and $15,000 in grants to organizations that were in line without mission, as well as awarded the 2023 Francis Newell Carr award to Commissioner Jaya Badiga, which was presented at the 2023 Holiday Party.
Our Judicial Appointments Committee reviewed and provided letters of support for three judicial candidates, including Judge Awoniyi to the 3rd DCA, Danette Brown to the Sacramento and Yolo County Superior Courts, and Shauna Franklin to the Sacramento County Superior Court.
Our Legislation and Bar Delegation Committee followed several resolutions throughout this year and attended the 2023 California Conference of Bar Associations. At the Conference, a couple resolutions that WLS support passed, which included 04-04 (Criminal): Allows criminal courts to issue permanent domestic violence restraining orders; 09-06 (Government): Prevents government agencies from requiring foster care agencies to indemnify the government for certain injuries suffered by a child in the care of the foster care agency, its agents, foster care family, or resource parent.
Our Membership Committee put together 2 free membership mixers, offering games and prizes, and free headshots. By the January 2023 meeting we had 155 active members. As of November 2023, we had 282 active members. This is an excellent increase in membership that continued throughout the year!
Our Publicity Committee has been hustling all year long. They are not only continually sharing news and events of WLS and other affiliate organizations, but this year they brought back our quarterly newsletter and added in a special edition Artfest Newsletter for the year. We wouldn't be able to gain attendance at events without all their support in graphic design, posting, sharing, you name it. They help spread the word about WLS.
Our Judicial Appointments Committee reviewed and provided letters of support for three judicial candidates, including Judge Awoniyi to the 3rd DCA, Danette Brown to the Sacramento and Yolo County Superior Courts, and Shauna Franklin to the Sacramento County Superior Court.
Our Legislation and Bar Delegation Committee followed several resolutions throughout this year and attended the 2023 California Conference of Bar Associations. At the Conference, a couple resolutions that WLS support passed, which included 04-04 (Criminal): Allows criminal courts to issue permanent domestic violence restraining orders; 09-06 (Government): Prevents government agencies from requiring foster care agencies to indemnify the government for certain injuries suffered by a child in the care of the foster care agency, its agents, foster care family, or resource parent.
Our Membership Committee put together 2 free membership mixers, offering games and prizes, and free headshots. By the January 2023 meeting we had 155 active members. As of November 2023, we had 282 active members. This is an excellent increase in membership that continued throughout the year!
Our Publicity Committee has been hustling all year long. They are not only continually sharing news and events of WLS and other affiliate organizations, but this year they brought back our quarterly newsletter and added in a special edition Artfest Newsletter for the year. We wouldn't be able to gain attendance at events without all their support in graphic design, posting, sharing, you name it. They help spread the word about WLS.
WLS 2023 Holiday Party
by Publicity Co-Chair Joceline M. Herman
On December 12th WLS had a great Holiday Party to celebrate the wonderful year we've had. Friends and family of WLS gathered to celebrate all of the great accomplishments of 2023. First, Keeley Nickelson on behalf of the whole WLS Board and the Grants and Awards Committee awarded the Francis Newell Carr Award to Commissioner Jaya Badiga. Commissioner Badiga, upon accepting this award, gave a very inspiring speech imploring all of us to follow in the path of Justices Carr and Sandra Day O'Connor and find our "firsts." We heard from immediate Past President Lauren Jones as to what her goals were as incoming president at the beginning of 2023 and the amazing ways that the whole board worked together to accomplish those goals. Incoming President Kathy Meola spoke about the importance of WLS and her plans for the coming year. Finally, the 2024 WLS Board was sworn in by Justice Shama Mesiwala. Thank you to all who attended this very fun and festive event. We look forward to a wonderful 2024!
by Publicity Co-Chair Joceline M. Herman
On December 12th WLS had a great Holiday Party to celebrate the wonderful year we've had. Friends and family of WLS gathered to celebrate all of the great accomplishments of 2023. First, Keeley Nickelson on behalf of the whole WLS Board and the Grants and Awards Committee awarded the Francis Newell Carr Award to Commissioner Jaya Badiga. Commissioner Badiga, upon accepting this award, gave a very inspiring speech imploring all of us to follow in the path of Justices Carr and Sandra Day O'Connor and find our "firsts." We heard from immediate Past President Lauren Jones as to what her goals were as incoming president at the beginning of 2023 and the amazing ways that the whole board worked together to accomplish those goals. Incoming President Kathy Meola spoke about the importance of WLS and her plans for the coming year. Finally, the 2024 WLS Board was sworn in by Justice Shama Mesiwala. Thank you to all who attended this very fun and festive event. We look forward to a wonderful 2024!
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2023 Francis Newell Carr Award
by Grants and Awards Committee Co-Chairs, Krista Lister, Nicole Low, and Keeley Nickelson
WLS Awarded the 2023 Frances Newell Car Award to Commissioner Jaya Badiga. Commissioner Badiga was nominated by Justice Mesiwala. Her legal journey is reminiscent of the pathway that Justice Carr took. She is the first lawyer in her family, and the highest educated (having completed a joint masters as well as Juris Doctor degree). In law school, Commissioner Badiga spend a year volunteering as a crisis line volunteer with WEAVE, a local domestic violence agency. She ultimately became WEAVE’s in-house managing attorney in 2013, less than five years after becoming a licensed attorney. Comm. Badiga was instrumental in obtaining a three year grant from the Office on Violence Against Women by identifying a significant gap in services to the Hispanic/Latinx community and the need for bilingual attorneys and support staff. Under her leadership, the legal department grew to a multi-attorney department, and added Immigration services for the first time in WEAVE’s history. As managing attorney, she set up an internship program, mentoring five female interns who assisted her in representing clients and even making court appearances as certified law students.
For the three+ years prior to her appointment to the bench, Comm. Badiga served as a Temporary Judge in Sacramento County, presiding (on a volunteer basis) over Mandatory Settlement Conferences. She continued her pro bono service even after she entered private practice with work at Voluntary Legal Services Program (now Capital Pro Bono), offering legal assistance to indigent clients. She also offered her expertise on a low-bono basis to the Victims of Crime Resource Center for almost four years. In support of Jaya’s nomination, Mariam El-Menshawi, the director, write, “she was able to help hundreds of victims… our clients loved working with her. the uniform feedback we received is that she was empathetic and smart, and made the legal process easy to understand.” Her first court appearance was in Sacramento County. It is therefore fitting that she was unanimously selected by Sacramento Superior Court to sit as a Family Law Commissioner.
Commissioner Badiga was the only Commissioner to take an extern during the 2023 summer externship program. That extern writes, “she ensured… I was exposed to various court proceedings and met additional judicial officers that gave me excellent guidance… her mentorship has been instrumental… one of Commissioner Badiga’s most remarkable attributes is her fervent support for women pursuing legal careers.”
In 2014, Comm. Badiga received the Unity Bar award for Community Service to honor her work in the community on behalf of victims of domestic and sexual violence.
WLS Awarded the 2023 Frances Newell Car Award to Commissioner Jaya Badiga. Commissioner Badiga was nominated by Justice Mesiwala. Her legal journey is reminiscent of the pathway that Justice Carr took. She is the first lawyer in her family, and the highest educated (having completed a joint masters as well as Juris Doctor degree). In law school, Commissioner Badiga spend a year volunteering as a crisis line volunteer with WEAVE, a local domestic violence agency. She ultimately became WEAVE’s in-house managing attorney in 2013, less than five years after becoming a licensed attorney. Comm. Badiga was instrumental in obtaining a three year grant from the Office on Violence Against Women by identifying a significant gap in services to the Hispanic/Latinx community and the need for bilingual attorneys and support staff. Under her leadership, the legal department grew to a multi-attorney department, and added Immigration services for the first time in WEAVE’s history. As managing attorney, she set up an internship program, mentoring five female interns who assisted her in representing clients and even making court appearances as certified law students.
For the three+ years prior to her appointment to the bench, Comm. Badiga served as a Temporary Judge in Sacramento County, presiding (on a volunteer basis) over Mandatory Settlement Conferences. She continued her pro bono service even after she entered private practice with work at Voluntary Legal Services Program (now Capital Pro Bono), offering legal assistance to indigent clients. She also offered her expertise on a low-bono basis to the Victims of Crime Resource Center for almost four years. In support of Jaya’s nomination, Mariam El-Menshawi, the director, write, “she was able to help hundreds of victims… our clients loved working with her. the uniform feedback we received is that she was empathetic and smart, and made the legal process easy to understand.” Her first court appearance was in Sacramento County. It is therefore fitting that she was unanimously selected by Sacramento Superior Court to sit as a Family Law Commissioner.
Commissioner Badiga was the only Commissioner to take an extern during the 2023 summer externship program. That extern writes, “she ensured… I was exposed to various court proceedings and met additional judicial officers that gave me excellent guidance… her mentorship has been instrumental… one of Commissioner Badiga’s most remarkable attributes is her fervent support for women pursuing legal careers.”
In 2014, Comm. Badiga received the Unity Bar award for Community Service to honor her work in the community on behalf of victims of domestic and sexual violence.
by Grants and Awards Committee Co-Chairs, Krista Lister, Nicole Low, and Keeley Nickelson
WLS Awarded the 2023 Frances Newell Car Award to Commissioner Jaya Badiga. Commissioner Badiga was nominated by Justice Mesiwala. Her legal journey is reminiscent of the pathway that Justice Carr took. She is the first lawyer in her family, and the highest educated (having completed a joint masters as well as Juris Doctor degree). In law school, Commissioner Badiga spend a year volunteering as a crisis line volunteer with WEAVE, a local domestic violence agency. She ultimately became WEAVE’s in-house managing attorney in 2013, less than five years after becoming a licensed attorney. Comm. Badiga was instrumental in obtaining a three year grant from the Office on Violence Against Women by identifying a significant gap in services to the Hispanic/Latinx community and the need for bilingual attorneys and support staff. Under her leadership, the legal department grew to a multi-attorney department, and added Immigration services for the first time in WEAVE’s history. As managing attorney, she set up an internship program, mentoring five female interns who assisted her in representing clients and even making court appearances as certified law students.
For the three+ years prior to her appointment to the bench, Comm. Badiga served as a Temporary Judge in Sacramento County, presiding (on a volunteer basis) over Mandatory Settlement Conferences. She continued her pro bono service even after she entered private practice with work at Voluntary Legal Services Program (now Capital Pro Bono), offering legal assistance to indigent clients. She also offered her expertise on a low-bono basis to the Victims of Crime Resource Center for almost four years. In support of Jaya’s nomination, Mariam El-Menshawi, the director, write, “she was able to help hundreds of victims… our clients loved working with her. the uniform feedback we received is that she was empathetic and smart, and made the legal process easy to understand.” Her first court appearance was in Sacramento County. It is therefore fitting that she was unanimously selected by Sacramento Superior Court to sit as a Family Law Commissioner.
Commissioner Badiga was the only Commissioner to take an extern during the 2023 summer externship program. That extern writes, “she ensured… I was exposed to various court proceedings and met additional judicial officers that gave me excellent guidance… her mentorship has been instrumental… one of Commissioner Badiga’s most remarkable attributes is her fervent support for women pursuing legal careers.”
In 2014, Comm. Badiga received the Unity Bar award for Community Service to honor her work in the community on behalf of victims of domestic and sexual violence.
WLS Awarded the 2023 Frances Newell Car Award to Commissioner Jaya Badiga. Commissioner Badiga was nominated by Justice Mesiwala. Her legal journey is reminiscent of the pathway that Justice Carr took. She is the first lawyer in her family, and the highest educated (having completed a joint masters as well as Juris Doctor degree). In law school, Commissioner Badiga spend a year volunteering as a crisis line volunteer with WEAVE, a local domestic violence agency. She ultimately became WEAVE’s in-house managing attorney in 2013, less than five years after becoming a licensed attorney. Comm. Badiga was instrumental in obtaining a three year grant from the Office on Violence Against Women by identifying a significant gap in services to the Hispanic/Latinx community and the need for bilingual attorneys and support staff. Under her leadership, the legal department grew to a multi-attorney department, and added Immigration services for the first time in WEAVE’s history. As managing attorney, she set up an internship program, mentoring five female interns who assisted her in representing clients and even making court appearances as certified law students.
For the three+ years prior to her appointment to the bench, Comm. Badiga served as a Temporary Judge in Sacramento County, presiding (on a volunteer basis) over Mandatory Settlement Conferences. She continued her pro bono service even after she entered private practice with work at Voluntary Legal Services Program (now Capital Pro Bono), offering legal assistance to indigent clients. She also offered her expertise on a low-bono basis to the Victims of Crime Resource Center for almost four years. In support of Jaya’s nomination, Mariam El-Menshawi, the director, write, “she was able to help hundreds of victims… our clients loved working with her. the uniform feedback we received is that she was empathetic and smart, and made the legal process easy to understand.” Her first court appearance was in Sacramento County. It is therefore fitting that she was unanimously selected by Sacramento Superior Court to sit as a Family Law Commissioner.
Commissioner Badiga was the only Commissioner to take an extern during the 2023 summer externship program. That extern writes, “she ensured… I was exposed to various court proceedings and met additional judicial officers that gave me excellent guidance… her mentorship has been instrumental… one of Commissioner Badiga’s most remarkable attributes is her fervent support for women pursuing legal careers.”
In 2014, Comm. Badiga received the Unity Bar award for Community Service to honor her work in the community on behalf of victims of domestic and sexual violence.
