Cheryl Orr, Susan Sharko and Courtney Wylie Speak at the Daily Journal’s 2018 NorCal Women Leadership in Law Forum

San Francisco partner Cheryl Orr, Florham Park partner Susan Sharko, and Professional Development Coach Courtney Wylie spoke at the Daily Journal’s 2018 NorCal Women Leadership in Law Forum in San Francisco on November 15. The event joined leading law firm and in-house practitioners together to participate in insightful discussions on recent topics of importance to the legal profession and of interest to women leaders. Drinker Biddle is a platinum sponsor of the event.

Cheryl was the co-chair of the daylong event, along with Gay Grunfeld of Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld and Catherine Kevane of Fenwick & West. Tony West, Chief Legal Officer of Uber Technologies, Inc., and Lily Yan Hughes, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Public Storage, were keynotes at the event. Several Drinker Biddle clients also spoke at the event, including top executives of Robert Half International Inc. and CorePower Yoga.

Conference topics included general counsel and the role of corporations in working toward gender and race equity, women and diverse lawyers in business development, and the different career paths available to women lawyers.

Cheryl served as moderator for panels on “Women Success Stories” and “Science-based Strategies to Thrive…Not Just Survive as a Leading Lawyer.”

“Women Success Stories” highlighted women who have been remarkably successful in their respective industries. They discussed challenges faced, but also triumphant moments as they navigated their careers. Barbara Babcock, Judge John Crown Professor of Law, Emerita, from Stanford Law School, was the panelist honoree. Barbara received the Daily Journal Northern California Women in Leadership in Law Award.

Susan participated in a panel discussion on “Women in the Courtroom.” The panel addressed prominent women litigators how they overcame discrimination and other barriers to succeed in their legal careers, despite the evident gender disparity among lead counsel.

Courtney served as a panelist on the “Science-based Strategies to Thrive…Not Just Survive as a Leading Lawyer” panel, which addressed how lawyers can effectively manage stress and optimize performance through well-being.

View photos from the event.