All Rise: Uniting to Advance Women and the Future of Law

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Suffolk Law School All Rise is an annual event that celebrates remarkable alumnae who have made lasting impacts in the Suffolk Law community and in the field of law. First convened in 2018, the spring event has become a great way for Law School students, alumni, and friends to come together in support of changemakers in our community.

Save the Date for the 7th Annual All Rise Program
September 19, 2024

Join us for our seventh All Rise event and network, as we unite and honor Suffolk's rich history of alumnae trailblazers and changemakers. Our annual fundraiser celebrates our remarkable alumnae who have made lasting impacts in the Suffolk Law community and in the field of law while raising critical scholarship support.

This year's All Rise program has expanded its reach and impact in its re-imagined format. Our September 19th half-day learning forum will include a series of dynamic panel discussions and culminate with an early evening awards program and reception. We look forward to welcoming alumni and visitors from across the region for a program dedicated to empowering and enriching our vibrant community.

SPONSORED BY:


McLane Middleton logo

National Grid logo

 

Registration is coming soon

Questions, please contact: Nancy Galindo-Rodriguez, MPA’11,
Director of Corporate Relations and Sponsorships at 617-573-8454

 

We gratefully acknowledge the efforts of our 2024 All Rise Committee:


Event Chair
Susan M. Myers, JD '91

Members:
Tamela E. Bailey, JD ‘04
Alexis C. Brooks, JD ’03
Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, JD ‘06
Sarah N. A. Camougis, JD ‘92
Tierney Chadwick, JD ’03
Kayla R. Kassim, JD '24
Paulette R. Marie, JD ’88
Genie Massey, JD ’03
Divya A. Mathew, JD '24
Genie Massey, JD ’03
The Honorable Amy Nechtem, JD ’85
Carol A. Starkey, JD ’88
Regina C. Sullivan, JD '88
Cara Thompson, JD ’10
Professor Kathy Elliot Vinson, JD’95
Chayla C. White, JD ‘13
The Honorable Mary Dacey White, JD ’78 (Ret.)
Cherina D. Wright, MBA ’17, JD ’17

 

2024 All Rise Awardees to be Announced Soon


About the Awards

The Catherine T. Judge Teaching and Service Award recognizes a distinguished female faculty member who exemplifies Professor Judge’s unwavering commitment to student mentorship and thoughtful pedagogy. Nominees exemplify Professor Judge’s dedication to the students of Suffolk University Law School.

The Marian Archer Trailblazer Award honors an alumna who, through her work and contributions to the profession, captures the pioneering spirit of Marian Archer. Nominees break barriers for women, helping to elevate their status in the legal profession and inspiring the next generation of women in law.

All Rise Rising Star Award recognizes an alumna who has made significant contributions to the field of law in the first 15 years of her career following graduation from law school. The Rising Star is an up-and-coming changemaker in the spirit of the women who came before her.

Become a Sponsor Today

Sponsorships of All Rise directly benefit The Catherine T. Judge Scholarship in honor of Suffolk Law’s first full-time female professor, helping students to overcome financial barriers to access Suffolk’s excellent practice-ready legal education.

For more information, please email Nancy Galindo-Rodriguez, Director of Corporate Relations and Sponsorships or call 857-360-0106.  Learn more about becoming a sponsor [PDF].

Become a sponsor today
Sargent Hall at sunset

All Rise: Women at Suffolk Law

Transcript

00:03 The Suffolk Law school really allowed me to find what was right for me, what I was passionate about.

00:09 You will see Suffolk law grads on the bench, you will see them in immigration court, in the government.

00:15 They really permeate every aspect of our society.

00:19 I feel a connection whenever I go because usually I run into someone who went to Suffolk.

00:27 Trailblazers from the first woman lawyer to the women today.

00:31 We have to think back and thank those who created the foundation.

00:35 We're able to further along because they started that path for us.

00:47 Fifty years ago when I started law school there were no women who were there to guide me and there were no men who cared.

00:56 So I just, I made my own way.

00:59 When I graduated, I was one of the first 100 women practicing law in the State of Vermont.

01:04 When I started in the field, there were very few, only a handful of women.

01:09 So I'd look around in the criminal court and I'd be the only woman there.

01:12 Suffolk was the door that opened for them and made everything else possible.

01:17 Suffolk gave me an opportunity, an aim and a goal. I think that's huge.

01:25 You look at a law school yearbook from the 1960s, you might see one or two women in that yearbook.

01:30 Now half of the class was female and that's because of the people that came before us.

01:34 It's real important for people to see what is possible. 

01:42 When I was in law school, Professor Judge was the only woman at Suffolk, and I was in class with 300.

01:48 I was 1 of 5 women in 300. It was reassuring to see a woman professor.

01:55 She showed by example what a female could accomplish.

02:00 Katherine was amazing. At first as a student you terrified of her and then you slowly but surely began to realize that she was so devoted,

02:09 so dedicated to teaching and so prepared.

02:13 She shaped me as a lawyer. She was always famous for saying in our contracts class what's your authority?

02:20 So I learned that if you're going to argue both sides, you better have authority to back up your argument.

02:25 She was tough, she was indomitable. She was really an extraordinary woman. 

02:39 It was a practical learning experience. They really taught you how to think practically, how to think logically.

02:46 And I felt comfortable in the courtroom from the beginning, and I feel like my training at Suffolk provided that to me.

02:52 Women of Suffolk law are so much better prepared in terms of joining the legal practice.

02:59 As a result, they are influencing the rule of law, they are influencing the way justice is administered and that is so essential to our society and our democracy.

03:09 We're still blazing trails.

03:11 We are the instrument and authors of change.

03:15 I am very proud to be a Suffolk law graduate.

03:19 I give back to Suffolk because I love this law school and I love this city.

03:24 It makes me feel like I'm doing something meaningful to help the next generation.

03:30 Our time has come to rise up and be heard.

03:34 The phrase all rise to me means all of us rising up together to help women advance in opportunities for leadership.

03:45 I really see Suffolk as a place where we are given that chance to rise up.

03:49 Suffolk law has so much to offer in terms of who you can be and women have done so much. We should celebrate that.