CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Supreme Court Justice Beth Walker, two other state Supreme Court Justices, and Thirteenth Judicial Circuit (Kanawha County) Judges Joanna Tabit and Tera Salango will participate in a day-long conference on Monday, October 11, focused on encouraging women to become lawyers and judges.

“When There Are Nine: A Day of Elevating Women,” will be at the University of Charleston and also offered virtually. The name of the conference comes from the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s answer to a question about when there will be enough women on the Supreme Court. Her answer was, “When there are nine.”

Justice Walker and Judge Tabit served on the planning committee for the event. Students at universities and colleges throughout the state will participate virtually, as can the public. Registration and other information is available at this link: https://www.ucwv.edu/event/when-there-are-nine-conference.

Justice Walker, Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack, and Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood will open the conference at 9 a.m. with a live recording of an episode of their podcast, “Lady Justice: Women of the Court.”

Following the podcast, there will be a series of interactive sessions, including one led by Judge Tabit from 10:45 a.m. to noon on “The Current Landscape in West Virginia: Women and the Law.”

Justice Walker said, “I am passionate about encouraging women to pursue careers in law and leadership, and can’t wait to welcome my friends, Chief Justice McCormack and Justice Wood, to West Virginia. Just like our podcast, this important conference is intended to inspire women who are still evaluating their career path.”

“UC is a tremendous community partner working to enrich the lives of its students, the Kanawha Valley, and beyond,” Judge Tabit said. “Professors Hallie Chillag and Kara Fisher have put together a day of meaningful panels showcasing women in law and the judiciary and empowering young women with those interests to consider pursuing legal
careers. I’m very excited to be part of it.”

Following the podcast, the conference sessions include:

• The Current Landscape in West Virginia, Women and the Law;
• Learned Lessons from Underrepresented Leaders;
• Addressing Discrimination, Inequality, and Poverty: Work in Public Interest Law;
• Mastering the Code: How to be Heard in Male-Dominated Spaces;
• Inner Boss: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Managing Fear, Conquering Self-Doubt;
• Flexibility and Agility: Strengths and Weaknesses of Modern Working Environment for Women Lawyers;
• Voices from Current Law Students and Recent Graduates: Lessons from the Classroom;
• Paying Attention: Examples from Male Allies About Creating More Equitable Work Spaces; and
• Beyond Practicing Law: JDs in Diverse Careers.

Panelists will be legal advocates, practicing attorneys and others.