Overview 

Do You Have What It Takes to LEAD?

Are you a woman attorney? Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to grow professionally and personally through an incredible program just for women attorneys. There's no reason not to apply - this opportunity is for YOU! 

The Bexar County Women's Bar Foundation is seeking women attorneys interested in participating in the LEAD Academy. The LEAD Academy is a year-long leadership-development program born out of a desire to assist women attorneys in attaining the highest level of success in their firms and organizations, in their communities, and in the legal profession.  The LEAD Academy aims to achieve this goal by teaching participants to:

Inaugural 2017 LEAD Academy Class Members raved about the program:

“Enjoying it so much I wish we could meet more often!”

“The information is helpful and challenging, and reminds me to recognize my abilities and make the most of them.”

“The contacts I made have changed the trajectory of my career in a way that wouldn’t have been possible without LEAD.  LEAD changed my life.”  

And LEAD Academy national faculty members were equally enthusiastic:

“You all put together a fabulous program that I believe will directly and substantially impact these women’s personal and professional lives.  I was so happy to be a part of the inaugural event and I am certain this will be a model for other bar associations to follow."

2018 LEAD Academy Updates & News

The second LEAD Academy class kicked off in January with a welcome mixer and speed networking event in San Antonio, followed by a two-day symposium in Marble Falls. The formal curriculum continues throughout the year with quarterly seminars and a graduation celebration, and informal events will be interspersed between the formal seminars to build on the lessons learned at the seminars.  Faculty members include local and national experts on wide-ranging topics related to many aspects of leadership.  See additional details on our program page.  In addition to instructional time, each session will include interactive workshops to allow participants to apply the learning to their specific practices.  

Throughout the program, participants will have the unique opportunity to form relationships with and learn from the successful, experienced women attorneys on the LEAD Academy Advisory Board: Executive Director of the Center for Women in Law Linda Chanow, accomplished community advocate Graciela Cigarroa, perennial top-rated attorney Malinda Gaul, Principle Auto CEO Abigail Kampmann, Fourth Court of Appeals Justice Rebeca Martinez, highly-regarded Dykema Cox Smith litigator Donna McElroy, Texas District Court Judge Karen Pozza, Former Fourth Court of Appeals Chief Justice Catherine Stone, Exxon-Mobil Counsel Gindi Eckel Vincent, renowned Dykema Cox Smith bankruptcy attorney Deborah Williamson, and Texas District Court Judge Renee Yanta.

Given the intensity of the programming, class members are expected to attend all formal sessions as follows: 

Participants are expected to earn CLE credit upon completion of the entire program. 

The LEAD Academy is gaining national recognition: 

Benefits for Sponsoring Firms and Organizations

Women are an essential component of the success of firms and organizations. Companies highly benefit when women assume significant leadership roles and serve as role models for other women on the rise within the company.  Additionally, women provide the diversity that clients prefer and often require.  The Bexar County Women’s Bar Foundation’s LEAD Academy prepares participants to apply their talents as leaders; empower themselves with self-awareness and self-confidence; project credibility; develop robust professional networks; and increase their value to their firm or organization. 

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