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MWL Public Policy Taskforce:
This memorandum serves as the report and recommendations of the Minnesota Women Lawyers (MWL) Public Policy Advocacy Task Force. Our Task Force was charged with the issue of whether MWL should become more involved in issue-based and political advocacy in furtherance of MWL’s mission of securing the full and equal participation of women in the legal profession and in a just society. Based on our study and the information we have received from sister organizations, we recommend that MWL increase its issue-based public policy advocacy. Our recommendation stems in part from the portion of MWL’s mission statement that aspires to work toward equal participation of women “in a just society.” In other words, our mission goes beyond women in the legal profession, and our advocacy should as well. In addition, one of the goals included in MWL’s 2004-2009 Strategic Goals is to “promote the equality of women in society.” Issue-based public policy advocacy is a significant tool that can assist MWL in achieving this goal. Our Task Force held in-person meetings and several teleconferences from January to April 2007. As a preliminary measure in arriving at a recommendation, we contacted Pam Nicholson, Executive Director of the National Conference of Women's Bar Associations (NCWBA), who added us to the NCWBA's listserve. We then sent an e-mail to all of the listserve members telling them about our Task Force and requesting input regarding what their respective organizations were doing. We received responses from members of six different organizations. We then prepared a list of questions and contacted women's bar organizations across the country in an effort to learn what our sister organizations are attempting and accomplishing in the public policy advocacy arena. Generally, we found that other women’s bar organizations are involved in advocacy, to varying degrees and in varying ways. Some of the means used to advocate issues were as follows: tracking (and sometimes supporting or opposing) particular legislation; holding seminars; supporting candidates for public office through a PAC; writing amicus briefs; retaining a paid lobbyist; writing letters to the editor, surveying members and law firms about issues; and adopting resolutions. Some of the advocacy issues the organizations have tackled include: domestic violence, equal pay, funding for the judicial branch; pro bono attorneys for low-income women, access to judicial office, same-sex marriage, day care, and reproductive rights. Several organizations told us that they viewed it as a responsibility of their women’s bar association to use their collective power to help secure a more just society for women. The Task Force concurs with this view. MWL is an association with 1,200 women members. Collectively, we are educated professionals with unique advocacy skills, analytical minds and generally secure occupations. We should put these resources to use on behalf of all women. At its inception in 1972, MWL was formed to assist women to survive and ultimately advance in the legal profession. The founding mothers formed the organization as an outreach to other women lawyers. Since that time, the position of women in the legal profession has evolved in part due to the direct efforts of the organization. Most of our members are now in positions of influence, and as such, it is time to expand MWL’s focus. MWL is now in a position to advance issues on behalf of other women outside of the legal profession, and should advocate for a better world on behalf of all women. The Task Force recommendations are as follows:
Yes.
Initially:
Long Term: · Offer organization and members as a resource for active support or opposition to particular legislation, including providing testimony and lobbying efforts; · Collaborate with issue-based groups to assist with advocacy on their issues; and · Other activities to be determined.
The Task Force recommends that MWL create a Public Policy Advocacy Committee. The committee will facilitate public policy advocacy activities, and provide recommendations for Board approval in September on issues that MWL should advocate for the upcoming year. The committee also may make recommendations on other issues and activities from time-to-time throughout the year, as necessary. As a preliminary measure, the committee will facilitate a survey of MWL members in the beginning of the MWL year to determine the issues on which members think MWL should take a position. From this slate of issues, as well as others that may be brought to the attention of the Public Policy Advocacy committee, the committee will make its recommendations for approval by a majority of the MWL Board of Directors. The committee will facilitate legislative tracking to monitor legislation regarding which MWL may want to take a position or may want to present a representative to provide testimony. The committee will also identify cases regarding which MWL should submit amicus briefs on behalf of MWL, and will facilitate delegation of responsibilities for preparing amicus briefs among MWL members. In addition, the committee will monitor and assign issues, within the topics selected, to MWL members for drafting letters to the editor. In furtherance of these activities, the committee will assist MWL administration in establishing the framework for delegation of tasks to members as described in the immediately preceding paragraph. The committee will also be charged with determining and recommending to the Board any additional public policy advocacy activities MWL should participate in going forward.
Because the strategic work of this committee will be a work-in-process,
particularly in the beginning, we recommend that the first Committee members be
selected for, and commit to, a 2-year term. We are available to address any follow-up questions you may have. We are grateful to have been a part of addressing such an important issue, and we appreciate your consideration of our recommendations.
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