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The mission of the Central New York Women’s Bar Association is to promote justice for all, regardless of sex; to advance the social, economic and legal status of women through the law; to expand opportunities for women and to raise the level of competence and integrity in the legal profession.
 Thank you for visiting the Central New York Women’s Bar Association website. The CNYWBA is one of eighteen chapters across New York State that comprise the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”). The 3,500 members of WBASNY include individuals from all levels of both the state and federal bench as well as prominent attorneys in all areas of the law, educators and government leaders. We take great pride in the diversity of our group, which allows our members to form invaluable professional contacts and friendships across the state.
Our local chapter has a reach history. Through the CNYWBA’s efforts, women have been elected to the judiciary throughout Central New York and several of our members serve as Officers and Directors on prestigious Boards including the New York State Bar Association. Among its other accomplishments, the CNYWBA established a legal clinic to provide legal advice and assistance to victims of domestic violence. The CNYWBA has also raised money for breast cancer research, written amicus briefs in support of issues important to women, organized continuing legal education programs, and established a well respected judicial evaluation process.
Since being installed as President of the Central New York Women’s Bar Association, I have been asked, “What is the purpose of a women’s bar – or any specialty bar – today? Women and minorities are active members of the ABA, the NYSBA and County Bar Associations. Haven’t specialty bars lost their purpose?” My response is that specialty bar associations, such as women’s bar associations, are still very much needed. At the very least, we need women’s bar associations until women achieve true parity with men — as partners in law firms, as law firm managers, as judges, as district attorneys, as attorneys in general. At a time when more than 50 percent of law school graduates are women, we need women’s bar associations until women lawyers achieve at least 50 percent of all positions in the legal field. If a general bar association were to try to address the concerns of all its members, it would be immobilized. That’s where women’s bar associations and other specialty bar associations come into play. We can be more focused. We can afford to spend time addressing issues that are of particular concern to our members. Women lawyers share common concerns and common challenges. Our organization and those like it provide an opportunity to share experiences and to learn from other members who have successfully faced similar challenges in their careers.
I invite you to “surf” our website. We are always open to suggestions, comments and discussion so that the CNYWBA can continue to grow strong and further its mission.
Maureen E. Maney, President
Central New York Chapter of WBASNY
mmaney@hancocklaw.com
Click to read about prior CNYWBA programs!
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