By Tom Jarvis
Nearly 150 lawyers, judges, paralegals, and other legal professionals gathered to celebrate women in the practice of law at the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association’s (NHWBA) Fall Reception on October 9, at the Barn at Bull Meadow in Concord.
The 27th event of its kind, the Fall Reception has been held annually in October since the NHWBA’s inception in 1998.
“The Fall Reception provides an opportunity for us to network with our colleagues and to recognize the achievements of individuals who have made an impact in areas that further the NHWBA’s mission and values,” says NHWBA President Katherine Hedges. “We really enjoy the opportunity to get to see our membership in the legal community. I was really pleased with the amount of support and really enjoyed the event.”
Hedges kicked off the gathering by thanking the sponsors and everyone in attendance, recognizing new NHWBA Executive Director Anita Wolcott, and reflecting on the progress of gender equality in the legal profession.
“According to the ABA, 55.7 percent of all law students in 2002 were women – this is up from 48.4 percent in 2000,” she said, adding that the number of women in law school leadership has surged, rising from 10 percent of women deans in 2000 to 43 percent in 2003. “We all know, however, that there’s still work to be done, especially as it relates to women achieving equity and leadership positions in law firms and also in the judiciary.”
After outlining the NHWBA’s strategic goals, Hedges presented the 2024 Winnie McLaughlin Scholarship to Heather Howell, a 2L at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law (UNH Law).
After graduating from Colby Sawyer College in 2020, Howell completed the AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program in the Manchester District Court, where she worked on misdemeanor domestic violence cases. She then became a victim/witness advocate at the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office. Since enrolling at UNH Law, she has entered the Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program and became a representative of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Victim Advocates Club and a member of the RSA 188-H Sexual Misconduct Climate Taskforce.
“New Hampshire’s attorneys always support their law students, whether it’s through internships, networking, mentoring, or volunteering time for the school, so a student can really feel like a member of this community almost instantly,” Howell said when accepting the scholarship. “For the 1Ls that I know are here, I just want to say that I was in your shoes just a year ago. You’re going to be in my shoes just a year from now. So, take advantage of this, become involved in this community, whether it’s the legal community or the school community. And for everyone else here, I just want to say, please know that your work is appreciated. We have a lot to learn from you – you set such a high bar for both your everyday work and in your generosity for law students. Thank you.”
Hedges then presented the 2024 Marilla M. Ricker Achievement Award to US District Court for the District of New Hampshire Chief Judge Landya McCafferty. The award is given each year to women lawyers who have achieved professional excellence, paved the way to success for other women or advanced opportunities for women in the legal profession, and performed exemplary public service on behalf of women.
Chief Judge McCafferty was the first woman to serve as a federal judge in New Hampshire. Before joining the bench, she served as disciplinary counsel for the New Hampshire Attorney Discipline Office and prior to that as a staff attorney for the New Hampshire Public Defender. She also worked briefly in private practice for McLane Middleton.
Hedges invited William Glahn and Phil Waystack to introduce Chief Judge McCafferty.
“I like to say that I’ve learned everything I know from Landya – she’s one of the smartest lawyers I’ve ever worked with,” Glahn said in his remarks. “As for this award, she checks every single box… I think the women of New Hampshire have certainly been given a fantastic [role] model in Landya.”
Waystack began his comments by recognizing the wonderful work the NHWBA does in not only supporting women but sponsoring them. He then shared several stories of his experiences working with Chief Judge McCafferty.
“I have the greatest respect for Judge McCafferty,” he said in conclusion. “Judge McCafferty and I both sit on the NHBA’s Law Related Education Committee. We both have an interest in seeing that people have a chance to learn. What is little known is that Judge McCafferty runs her own civics program out of the federal court. It’s been my privilege to be one of her wingmen.”
When Chief Judge McCafferty approached the podium to accept the award, she was serenaded by a standing ovation from all the attendees.
In her acceptance speech, she expressed gratitude to the NHWBA for the honor and reflected on the legacy of Marilla Ricker, a pioneering suffragette and advocate for women in New Hampshire law. Chief Judge McCafferty then emphasized the importance of civility and judicial independence as pillars of the rule of law, especially in a time when these values face increasing challenges. She noted that while the level of discourse in society has become more divisive, her courtroom remains a space of mutual respect and professionalism. She recalled a few friendships she has forged with former legal adversaries to illustrate how she has benefited from the collegiality of the New Hampshire Bar.
Chief Judge McCafferty went on to address the pressures judges face, citing and praising Judge Polly Hall as an example of courage in the judiciary. She recounted Judge Hall’s resilience in handling a tragic domestic violence case that faced media criticism, despite her fair handling of the case. She also highlighted the importance of judicial appointments over elections to safeguard impartiality and expressed admiration for the courage displayed by New Hampshire judges who handle difficult cases daily.
“In the spirit of the intrepid Marilla Ricker, I accept this award first on behalf of the members of our Bar and the civility you show toward one another, and second on behalf of Judge Hall – and all judges in New Hampshire – who bring courage to their jobs every day,” said Chief Judge McCafferty. “The rule of law depends on both civility and courage. Thank you very much.”
The NHWBA’s Fall Reception underscored its commitment to supporting and empowering women and advancing gender equity within the legal profession. By celebrating leaders like Chief Judge Landya McCafferty and supporting aspiring attorneys like Heather Howell, the NHWBA champions opportunities for women and promotes a more inclusive legal community. Events like this serve as a celebration of progress and a reminder of the work still needed to achieve true equity and representation in the profession.