Women's Caucus converges on Washington to lobby Congress.

Nearly 90 ATLA women trial lawyers from across the country met on Capitol Hill in April to tell lawmakers how proposed medical malpractice legislation would hurt women, children, senior citizens, and all consumers. Participants in Lobby Days--a biennial ATLA Women Trial Lawyers Caucus event--attended a record 195 lobby visits with members of Congress and their staffs.

Event cochairs Ruth Bernstein of New York City; Robin Brewer of Sacramento, California; and Julie Braman Kane of Coral Gables, Florida, welcomed participants on April 20. After a briefing on bills pending on Capitol Hill, caucus members received lobbying tips from ATLA Public Affairs staff.

At an evening reception, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and 13 other Congress members commended participants for coming to Washington to advocate for access to the civil justice system for all Americans.

On April 21, ATLA members from 32 states and the District of Columbia met by delegation with their senators and representatives. The day began with a breakfast address by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), vice-chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, who encouraged the women to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill and to continue fighting for victims' rights.

After their morning visits with lawmakers, the participants reconvened for a luncheon where Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, shared his thoughts on civil justice and answered questions.

"I felt like I made a big difference," said Brewer, who attended 11 meetings with members of the California delegation. "This event brought a wide spectrum of women from all across the nation and from all types of practices. It brought a wonderful variety of perspectives." She said lawmakers were especially interested in stories of individual clients who would be hurt by proposed damages caps and other tort "reform" measures.

Brewer added that the event also countered the stereotype of the white male trial lawyer. "It put a whole different face on ATLA," she said.

The Women's Caucus, endowed by former ATLA President Roxanne Barton Conlin, was established in 1977 to advance ATLA's mission, provide positive role models, encourage networking, and develop female leadership for the association. A newsletter and education programs at annual conventions help women enhance their practices. At the Toronto convention in July, the topic will be "How Do Juries Perceive Women Clients, Women Lawyers, and Women Jurists?"

For more information, go to www.atla.org and click on "Member Resources." To get involved in the caucus, contact Rondolyn Wilson, women lawyer programs manager, at [phone], ext. 341, or [phone], or by e-mail at rondolyn. [e-mail].