Where
San Francisco, Phoenix, & Seattle
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FDCC Ladder Down Sponsorship 2018
Women are entering the practice of law in greater numbers than ever before, but struggle to land positions as equity partners, shareholders, and general counsel at firms and corporations across the nation. The reason for the disparity is clear: women lawyers are not receiving effective training on how to build a book of business and how to become better leaders. In 2012, FDCC members Alison Christian and Beth Fitch created a unique year-long program called “Ladder Down™” to combat the startling statistics and change the course for women lawyers.
The Ladder Down™ program is unique in both structure and content and includes monthly large group sessions dedicated to instruction in three key areas: leadership, business development, and mentoring. In addition to the monthly large group meetings, the participants meet with small accountability groups to report on their progress and set new goals. The sessions are taught by esteemed faculty and rounded out with local panel discussions on topics such as "Wisdom From the Bench", " A Candid Conversation with Corporate Decisionmakers", and "What Men Really Think."
The Ladder Down™ program started as a grassroots effort and has enjoyed four years of success in Phoenix, Arizona with over 100 program graduates. Participants in the program report increased client relationships, improved self-confidence, promotions to partnership, greater community involvement, more frequent opportunities for speaking and publishing, and an enhanced referral network. In 2013, the Arizona Association of Defense Counsel was awarded the DRI Diversity Award for its support of the Ladder Down™ program. Alison and Beth are ready to expand the Ladder Down™ program's reach to women lawyers across the country through the help of the FDCC Foundation!