The WLF
Experience

The WLF Virtual Peer program provides a rare opportunity for small peer groups of women law firm partners to meet virtually on a regular basis to learn new skills, share common challenges and help each other succeed in the current environment. Its expanded curriculum promotes dialog regarding the issues and impacts of the “new normal” and provides a convenient and time-sensitive forum for women to learn and share new techniques and approaches that will help them advance their careers, build their business and gain greater balance and fulfillment during a time that is unlike anything we have experienced before.

Participants of the WLF Virtual Peer program will join a select small group of 8 to 10 peers – from different peer firms – who are at similar levels of seniority. You will meet virtually with your peer group for 10 content sessions, scheduled once every 4-5 weeks. In addition, participants will engage in a follow-up 30-minute virtual peer coaching session led by Susan Dunlap and also benefit from one private individual coaching session.

The WLF Peer Group format consists of a year-long series of 8 monthly experiential 3-hour workshops, during which participants build skills that improve their effectiveness, efficiency and personal fulfillment. This format is designed for a group of 8-12 women lawyers—from different peer firms—who are at similar levels of seniority. This format offers participants the unique opportunity to learn from and network in a group of peers from different law firms.

We offer a variety of customized and scalable programs for law firms that build upon WLF’s foundational curriculum to meet the specific needs of individual firms.

WLF Cohorts

WLF customized cohorts are comprised of 8-12 women from a single firm who convene approximately once every 4-6 weeks over the course of a year. This format enables participants to explore and apply learnings within the shared context of their organization. It also builds strong internal networks that facilitate mentorship, collaboration and business development, and develops a community of women with the potential to shift the firm’s culture over time.

WLF In-House Retreats

The WLF team works closely with senior lawyers and in-house D&I, HR, and Affinity Group leaders to design customized programs that are offered at retreats for women lawyers as well as retreats that include the firm’s clients.

WLF Blended Format: Virtual and In-Person

This customized format brings together women lawyers from multiple offices of a single firm or multiple firms to participate in an intensive one or two-day program followed by a series of virtual sessions providing an opportunity for continuing dialogue. The benefit of this format is that it allows women from a firm’s multiple offices to participate and build strong community across offices. This format also has the potential to shift the culture of the firm over time.

WLF of Color is a unique program designed specifically to help high-achieving women lawyers of color reach their full potential. The program incorporates a racial and gender lens to prepare women of color for larger roles within their firm. The WLF of Color format consists of a year-long series of 8 monthly experiential 3-hour workshops, during which participants build skills that improve their effectiveness, efficiency and personal fulfillment. This format is designed for a group of 6-10 women mid-level associate lawyers of color—from different peer firms. This format offers participants the unique opportunity to learn from and network in a group of peers from different law firms.

The WLF Business Development program consists of a unique half-year series of 6 monthly experiential 3-hour workshops, during which participants learn how to make business development more natural, sustainable and successful. This format is designed for a group of 8-12 women lawyers—either from different peer firms or at the same firm—who are at similar levels of seniority. This format offers participants the unique opportunity to learn from and network with their peers on ways to cultivate an authentic and confident leadership development approach.

WLF Master Classes are advanced-level programs specifically for alumnae of our WLF year-long programs. The Master Class format consists of a year-long series of 4 quarterly experiential 3-hour workshops, during which participants continue to build upon skills that improve their effectiveness, efficiency and personal fulfillment. This format is designed for a group of 5-10 women lawyers who are at similar levels of seniority.

WLF is committed to supporting the alumnae of its programs. In addition to Master Classes and ongoing reminders of WLF content provided through private social media communities, WLF holds annual in-person alumnae retreats and periodic happy hours to allow alumnae to connect with one another.