Women Lawyers Association of Jefferson County

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Women Lawyers Association of Jefferson County

Providing a forum for women attorneys and all who believe a diverse legal community promotes progres

11/02/2026

What an event!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at The Olmsted for “65 Years Forward: Women Lawyers Leading Louisville.” You helped us celebrate 65 years of women lawyers showing up for each other.

Thank you to our panelists: Hon. Sadiqa N. Reynolds, Hon. Mary C. Noble, Hon. Denise Clayton, Hon. Yvette De La Guardia, Libby Gray, and Amy Hannah. Congratulations again to Amy Hannah, our 2026 Achievement in Excellence Award recipient, and to Sarah McGeeney, our 2026 Member of the Year.

The conversation doesn’t stop here. WLA is where Louisville’s women lawyers find mentors, make introductions, and support one another, whether you’re in your first year of practice or your 30th. If you felt the energy in that room, you belong in this network.

Become a member at wlajeffco.com and help us write the next 65 years.

10/21/2026

⏰ Hurry! The deadline to secure your tickets is October 22! 🎟️ Attend and earn 1 CLE credit while you connect and learn. Don’t let this chance slip by—lock in your spot now! 🌟

Grab your tickets here: https://www.wlajeffco.com/events/annual-meeting-2026

10/20/2026

Congratulations to Sarah McGeeney, WLA's 2026 Member of the Year!

Sarah is a civil rights attorney and social reform advocate, and she has spent her practice using her legal skills on behalf of Kentucky's renters. Working alongside the Kentucky Tenant Union, she helped achieve something many thought impossible in our state – low-income tenants organizing as a union and winning a contract with their landlord.

This spring, the union won a collectively bargained lease, the first of its kind in the American south. The agreement covers more than 250 units across four properties, including federally subsidized complexes in Brandenburg and Flemingsburg, and guarantees a rent grace period, a schedule for major repairs, reliable maintenance and formal recognition of the union. Sarah's work helped turn tenants' courage into enforceable legal protection, and it has given organizers across the South a model to follow for the work to come.

In 2026, Sarah also shared her insights with our members at WLA's "Get in the Game" program, showing how attorneys can use their credentials and skills to support worthy causes, and in that way elevating a lawyer’s credential into a vital tool for advocacy and reform.

Join us as we celebrate Sarah at WLA's 65th Anniversary Luncheon.

Thursday, October 29, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., The Olmsted
Register at wlajeffco.com

10/20/2026

Meet our panelist and 2026 Achievement in Excellence Award recipient, Amy Hannah, Louisville Region Trial Branch Manager for the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy.

For 20 years at the Louisville Metro Public Defender’s Office, Amy led its trial, major litigation and training divisions. She took on the hardest cases, including successfully defending clients facing the death penalty. She is a past president of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and serves on Louisville’s Community Safety Commission. Her career is a testament to the principle that everyone deserves a zealous advocate.

Join us as we celebrate Amy at WLA’s 65th Anniversary Luncheon.

Thursday, October 29 | 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | The Olmsted
Register at wlajeffco.com

10/19/2026

Meet our panelist, Elisabeth “Libby” Gray, Managing Partner of Gray Ice Higdon.

Libby is one of the region’s most respected commercial and intellectual property litigators, recognized by Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation and Best Lawyers. As managing partner of the firm that bears her name, she’s showing what it looks like for women to lead on their own terms. She also serves on the boards of the Louisville Bar Association and Leadership Louisville.

Join us to hear her dynamic story at WLA’s 65th Anniversary Luncheon.

Thursday, October 29 | 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | The Olmsted
Register at wlajeffco.com

10/19/2026

Meet our panelist, the Honorable Yvette De La Guardia, Judge of the Jefferson District Court.

When Judge De La Guardia took the bench in 2023, she became the first elected Latina judge in Louisville’s history. Before her election, she spent years as a public defender, standing up for children and families in our juvenile and family courts and for clients who had no one else in their corner.

Join us to hear her incredible story at WLA’s 65th Anniversary Luncheon.

Thursday, October 29 | 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | The Olmsted
Register at wlajeffco.com

10/18/2026

Meet our panelist, the Honorable Denise Clayton, Chief Judge (Ret.) of the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

Judge Clayton’s career is a list of firsts. She was the first Black woman to serve as a circuit judge in Jefferson County, the first Black woman on the Kentucky Court of Appeals, and later that court’s first Black chief judge. Over 26 years on the bench, she also served our community on the District, Family and Drug Courts. Today she continues her service as a mediator.

Join us to hear her groundbreaking story at WLA’s 65th Anniversary Luncheon.

Thursday, October 29, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., The Olmsted
Register at wlajeffco.com

10/18/2026

Meet our panelist, the Honorable Mary C. Noble, Deputy Chief Justice (Ret.) of the Supreme Court of Kentucky.

Over 15 years on the Fayette Circuit Court, Justice Noble became the first woman to serve as chief regional circuit judge. She then spent a decade on the Supreme Court of Kentucky, including as Deputy Chief Justice. She helped establish Kentucky’s drug courts, created uniform statewide family court rules, and later led the state’s Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. Today she serves as a mediator and arbitrator with Noble Tate Neutrals.

Join us to hear her legendary story at WLA’s 65th Anniversary Luncheon.

Thursday, October 29, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., The Olmsted
Register at wlajeffco.com

10/17/2026

As we head towards our annual meeting let’s meet our esteemed panelists!

First up, the Honorable Sadiqa N. Reynolds, Founder and President of the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center.

Sadiqa has spent her career opening doors. She was the first Black woman to clerk for the Supreme Court of Kentucky, Kentucky’s first Black Inspector General, and a Jefferson District Court judge. As the first woman to lead the Louisville Urban League, she became one of our city’s most powerful voices for equity and opportunity. Today she leads the Sports & Learning Center she built in west Louisville and champions Black artists through Artists & Afros.

Join us to hear her inspiring story at WLA’s 65th Anniversary Luncheon.

Thursday, October 29 | 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | The Olmsted
Register at wlajeffco.com

10/14/2026

✨ Don't forget to register! WLA is celebrating 65 years! ✨

Join us on Thursday, October 29, for the Women Lawyers Association of Jefferson County's 65th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Luncheon! 💜⚖️

We're looking forward to celebrating this incredible milestone with our legal community, recognizing our annual award recipients, installing our incoming officers, and hearing from an outstanding panel of women leaders during "65 Years Forward: Women Lawyers Leading Louisville."

📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026
📍 The Olmsted | Louisville, KY
🕚 Doors open at 11:00 AM | Program begins at 11:30 AM
⚖️ 1.0 Hour General CLE Credit (Approval Pending)

💜 Table sponsorships are also available! We encourage local firms, organizations, and community partners to sponsor a table and join us in celebrating 65 years of advancing women in the legal profession.

⏰ Registration closes Thursday, October 22!

🔗 Register or sponsor a table at www.wlajeffco.com

We can't wait to celebrate with you! 💜

Address

Louisville, KY
40270

Website

http://www.wlajeffco.com/

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