Women's Work: Business, Business Law, and Business Litigation

November 16, 2007
Full day conference
Room 110

As an increasing number of women in business and business law assume leadership roles, start their own firms, and launch successful start-up businesses, the proverbial glass ceiling that once impeded women from achieving such goals is slowly being chipped away. However the fact remains that these arenas are still male-dominated - women are still paid less, have fewer spots in boardrooms and as firm partners, and are quicker to leave firm jobs. Even more disturbing is a reversal in the long-running trend of the number of female students applying to law schools across the nation - this number has slowly but steadily declined over the past five years. While some attribute this trend to the increasing array of career opportunities available to women in fields other than law, others point to the deterring effect of women's underrepresentation as law firm partners.

Despite these trends, there does exist a population of successful women who have overcome these obstacles and continue to level out the playing fields in business and business law. On November 16, 2007, the Center for Law and Entrepreneurship will have the opportunity to present some of these women to law students and the community at large, here at the University of Oregon School of Law. We are proud to host our first symposium for prominent female business lawyers, litigators, and entrepreneurs to share their career experiences and unique perspectives in "Women's Work: Business, Business Law, and Business Litigation."

This symposium includes an all-day line-up of female panelists, composed mostly of attorneys, who will share their experiences as in-house counsel, business and commercial litigators, and specialists in business law, both internationally and domestically. These women come to us with practicing experience in states all over the West, including Oregon, Washington, California, and Texas.

Jody Stahancyk, one of the School of Law's most prominent alumnae, will give the keynote speech entitled, "The Business of Law: How a Lady Can Make Money in the World's Second-Oldest Profession." Ms. Stahancyk is the President and Senior Shareholder of one of Oregon's largest and most well-respected family law firms, Stahancyk, Kent, Johnson & Hook.

The last panel of the day will provide listeners with a distinctive experience. It will consist of several highly successful, practicing businesswomen, who will share their stories about how they chose their career paths, the ups and downs of their careers, and most importantly, what they like and dislike about lawyers themselves.

Panel 1 Transactional Business Law: Women Providing Solutions

Jill Fetherstonhaugh
Katherine Moyer
Slone Pearson
Melissa Wright

Panel 2 Women in House: Part of the Team

Elizabeth Bauer
Natalie Butto
Carol Emory
Helen Yu

The Business of Law: How a Lady Can Make Money in the World's Second-Oldest Profession

Jody Stahancyk

Panel 3 Women in Litigation: Combatting Opponents, Combatting Stereotypes

Karen Burgess
Tana Lin
Laura Montgomery
Credence Sol
Lynn Stafford

Panel 4 International Business Law: Women Working Across Borders

Carol Emory
Jane Macon
Slone Pearson
Helen Yu

Panel 5 Women Business Leaders: A View from the Top

Carolyn Chambers
Gretchen Pierce
Jean Tate

This symposium will serve to inspire female law students to consider a career in, and start preparing for, careers in business, business law, and business litigation. It will also provide an excellent opportunity for female and male law students alike to network with and support their female colleagues. Please mark your calendars for November 16, 2007 and join us for this unique experience!

Melissa Beyer, '09
LESA board member