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President's Column Event Recaps: Wine & Learn CLE SuperBar 2024 DEI Luncheon Upcoming Event: Autumn Affair Law Review: Gravves Coffee Shop LEAD News BCWB Lites
By Lara Brock
PRESIDENT'S
As we move into the fall season, I wanted to take a moment to update you on our incredible year so far and share some exciting upcoming events. This summer, we hosted a family event at the movie theater, bringing our families and community together for some well-deserved relaxation and fun. We look forward to our annual Cookies with Santa event at the DoSeum in December and our Holiday Luncheon on December 3 at the Quarry Golf Club. On September 13, the BCWB and its DEI partner, USAA, hosted our third annual DEI luncheon at the Veranda. Chair Robin Thorner put together a fantastic panel of attorneys to discuss disabilities in the legal profession. The panelists discussed rights, obligations, and experiences, both personally and based upon others in the field. We all walked away with full hearts and a reminder to presume positive intent in interactions with our clients and opposing counsel in cases and to treat everyone with grace. Thank you to USAA for continuing to sponsor this event and allow us to bring these issues to our community! I'm also thrilled to announce that our LEAD Academy class has completed their year-long program. To celebrate this remarkable achievement, we hosted a graduation ceremony on September 21. This event honored the hard work and dedication of these future leaders in our legal community. Congratulations to this year’s graduating class! Welcome to our alumnae group! 2024 Autumn Affair Gala: Supporting the Young Women’s Leadership Academy As we look ahead, I'm excited to remind you about our upcoming Autumn Affair Gala on October 24 at the Witte. This event is not just a celebration of our community; it's a vital fundraiser for the Young Women's Leadership Academy (YWLA). The YWLA is a tuition-free, college-preparatory school that focuses on math, science, and technology – fields where women have been historically underrepresented. It's an honor to support this institution, which is a prior Blue Ribbon School honoree and is ranked as the #9 school in Texas and #78 in the entire country. This school holds a special place in my heart due to its commitment to empowering young women. The YWLA encourages students to pursue higher education, set ambitious goals, and dream big from an early age. Their expectation that all students will attend and graduate from a four-year college or university is backed by a rigorous curriculum and strong academic support system. Over the past three years, my Firm has hosted the YWLA’s rising juniors in a courthouse tour at the conclusion of their Law Week, giving them access to seeing the work attorneys do at the courthouse and in our communities. Each time I have an opportunity to meet these students, I am reinvigorated and inspired by their attitudes and commitment to growth. I am thrilled to share the YWLA and the work they do with our organization and legal community. The funds we raise at the Autumn Affair will directly support the YWLA's college counseling program. This crucial resource helps students navigate the complex process of college applications and identifies potential grant and scholarship opportunities. By ensuring the funding for a dedicated college counselor, we're investing in the futures of these bright young women. Celebrating Our Own At the Autumn Affair, we'll also have the pleasure of celebrating our Belva Lockwood Award Winners, Marissa Helm and Jade Heep. Their contributions to our legal community and beyond are truly inspiring, and I look forward to recognizing their achievements. Your Support Matters I encourage all of you to encourage your Firms and friends to sponsor Autumn Affair. Your presence and support will not only recognize the hard work of the Bexar County Women's Bar but also contribute to the bright futures of the young women at the YWLA. Let's come together to celebrate our accomplishments, support the next generation of female leaders, and continue our important work in the legal community. I look forward to seeing you all on October 24th! Lara Brock President, Bexar County Women's Bar
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Following the CLE presentation, there was a "Chopped" style wine pairing competition!
WINE & LEARN CLE
The Honorable Rebecca Simmons presented on "Using AI in the Legal Profession."
This special CLE event was held at ReRooted Urban Winery, a woman-owned wine bar downtown.
2024 annual cle retreat
Topic: Domestic Violence and the Legal Tools Available in Bexar County to Help Your Clients Combat It Date: Tuesday, April 2nd Time: Noon - 1:00pm Place: Club Giraud Watch Your Inbox to RSVP
This year's Autumn Affair beneficiary is: San Antonio Young Women's Leadership Academy
April CLE Luncheon
Date: Thursday, May 16th Time: 11:30am Place: Norris Conference Center Watch your inbox for more information
Sponsorships and Individual Tickets are available now for our 2024 Autumn Affair!
Empowered Women Leaders Luncheon
Books + Belonging Book Club
Mark your calendars for May 2-3 and join BCWB for our Annual CLE Retreat at the Hillside Boutique Hotel! This year, the CLE will serve as a legal 101 to various practice areas your friends and family may ask you about because you are a lawyer. Click for early bird pricing
To find out more about how you can support this year's Autumn Affair and beneficiary, visit our website
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Date: Wednesday, March 27th Time: 6:30 pm Place: Location details will be sent to registered attendees Click here to RSVP
By Marisa Ayon-Gordon Forget your basic pumpkin spice latte, this goth inspired coffee shop takes the aesthetic to a new level. With fall approaching (or what we hope is fall), Gravves Coffee Shop will put you in spooky good mood. Originally Gravves operated out of a food trailer off of N. St. Mary’s Street in front of Rumble Bar. Gravves has moved into new digs at 2106 McCullough Ave. in the Tobin Hill area but maintains great coffee and service. Normal hours are from 7 am to 2 pm during the week and 8 am to 2 pm on weekends, though their trusty trailer is still available for service after the shop closes in their usual N. St. Mary’s spot. Inside the coffee shop you’ll be put under the spell of espresso and greeted by friendly staff. Saying they like the color in black is an understatement from the walls, to the chairs, to the cups. However it is not overwhelming and is tastefully, minimalistically decorated in monochrome with lots of natural light flooding into the shop. Gravves offers a unique ube latte called the “elixir latteâ€. With notes of vanilla and the sweetness of ube this coffee is sure to revive your spirits whether served iced or hot. They offer other unique beverages like ‘Forest Dweller Latte’, ‘Crimson blood cold brew’, and ‘vanilla lavender latte’ that are worth the caffeine adventure. For the not so “road less traveled†coffee goers, Gravves offers the usual coffee shop regulars like Americanos, lattes, curtados, and espresso.They also offer seasonal beverages including the “Apple of Eden†for a crisp caramel apple butter flavor, and tea lattes such as “Harvest Moon†made with Ceylon tea and “Farewell Phantom†which is their take on a London fog latte. If you like their coffee, treat yourself to some grounds they have available for purchase. This place is just as enjoyable as spooky season comes upon us as it is any time of year you enjoy a good cup of coffee and supporting a local business.
Each year Bexar County Women's Bar selects two female attorneys who embody the principles of Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood (October 24, 1830 – May 19, 1917). We are so proud of our members who continue to change the face of our community and further women in our profession. Recipients are chosen based on contributions to the legal profession, and contributions to the community in the form of charitable and volunteer work. Nominees are evaluated based on experience, reputation, and standing in the legal community. The Young Lawyer Award is given to an attorney who has been in practice three to ten years.
OUTSTANDING YOUNG LAWYER Jade Heep
OUTSTANDING LAWYER Marissa Helm
law review: Gravves Coffee Shop
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 Belva Lockwood Awards:
Please join us in congratulating Elizabeth Martinez for being selected as the 2024 recipient of the San Antonio Black Lawyer's Association's President's Award.
Are you a BCWB member celebrating a recent accomplishment, or do you have a friend who is? Drop us a note at newsletter@bexarcountywomensbar.org
bcwb lites
Please join us in congratulating Patricia "Patty" Rouse Vargas on her selection as the 2024-2025 San Antonio Bar Association President.
Please direct all questions, comments and submissions to: Newsletter@BexarCountyWomensBar.Org
The mission of the Bexar County Women’s Bar Foundation is twofold: to provide educational opportunities to its members; and to protect and strengthen local families by supporting legal and charitable programs.
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Edited by: Brooke A. Below
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