2023 Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award Honorees

The 2023 Margaret Brent Awards Ceremony & Reception was held on
Sunday, August 6th, 2023 in Denver, CO, 
as part of the ABA Annual Meeting.

Sponsorship opportunities are available here.
View the sponsorship brochure here.

• Michele Goodwin; Chancellor’s Professor, University of California, Irvine School of Law; Senior Lecturer, Harvard Medical School; Host of On The Issues With Michele Goodwin at Ms. Magazine; Laguna Beach, CA.

• Christina L. Martini; Partner, Global Head of McDermott’s Trademark Prosecution and Controversy Practice, McDermott Will & Emery; Chicago, IL.

• Laura J. Schumacher; Vice Chairman, External Affairs and Chief Legal Officer, AbbVie; North Chicago, IL

• Myra C. Selby; Partner, Ice Miller; Indianapolis, IN.

• Wendy Shiba, Retired Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary of KB Home; Principal with the Red Bee Group; Altadena, CA

These esteemed honorees were chosen because they carry forward the legacy of Margaret Brent.  Margaret Brent was the first woman lawyer in America. She arrived in the colonies in 1638.  She was a master negotiator, an accomplished litigator, and a respected leader. She was involved in 124 court cases over 8 years and won every case. In 1648, she formally demanded a “vote and voice” in the Maryland Assembly, which the governor denied. Over 250 years later, Harper’s magazine noted: “By this action, Margaret Brent undoubtedly placed herself as the first woman in America to make a stand for the rights of her sex." View a video about Margaret Brent's life here.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]