The Foundation accepts charitable contributions from anyone. A
suggested annual contribution is $250 or an amount equal to one hour of
billable time by a member. These contributions are used to pay for
speakers, to fund CLE programs, and to help underwrite special projects
of the Federation which fall within the purposes of the Foundation.
Contributions to the Foundation, in memory of deceased members, in
appreciation for referrals, in honor of a member who has achieved an
office in the Federation or the Foundation, or in a national
organization or otherwise, are all appropriate to the purposes of the
Foundation. Such funds will be utilized to achieve the purposes of the
Foundation as described above. The Foundation will provide appropriate
recognition of such contributions, including letters to families of
deceased members and honorees, identifying the donor, unless requested
otherwise by the person making the contribution to the Foundation.
All contributors will receive an acknowledgment of their contribution complying with IRS requirements and thanking them.
Barb Currie Scholarship
The FDCC Foundation, created this diversity scholarship, in Barb
Currie's honor, and also in honor of all those spouses and significant
others who do so much to support the Federation, its programs and
meetings.
Barb reached out to bring people together. This scholarship, like Barb,
will work to bring people into a "larger tent" of defense lawyers and
corporate members by giving financial support to deserving diverse law
students and, in addition, providing them an opportunity to clerk with
one of the outstanding FDCC law firms or for our corporate members.
If you would like to support the Foundation and this worthwhile
scholarship, please be sure to designate your donation for the Barb
Currie Diversity Scholarship.
Ladder Down Program
The FDCC and the Federation Foundation are proud to announce that it has
teamed with the Ladder Down program developed by FDCC members Alison
Christian and Beth Fitch to create a nationwide curriculum directly
tailored to the particular challenges female lawyers face in today’s
business environment. Ladder Down has graduated over 100 students in the
four years since its inception and its momentum continues to grow. By
teaming with the FDCC and the Foundation, Ladder Down is capable of
expanding to additional cities and making this incredible program
available to more women lawyers across the country. Ladder Down is a one
of a kind program that will be run exclusively by the FDCC and the
Foundation. Ladder Down is a full year program devoted solely to the
professional development of female lawyers. The first city wherethe FDCC
and Foundation will launch the national Ladder Down program is San
Francisco beginning in 2017, and Charleston, South Carolina to follow in
2018.
Ladder Down provides specific training to female lawyers in several
areas including (1) improving leadership and empowerment; (2) learning
the best practices for business development; (3) enhancing the ability
to self-promote; and (4) learning how to pay it forward to other women
lawyers.The Ladder Down program includes two sessions on leadership
training geared toward increasing emotional intelligence through
self-awareness, taught by Lynn Moran, former President of Ethel M
Chocolates. The next stage in the Ladder Down program is a four-month
business development boot-camp lead by the Women Lawyers’ Coach,
Marianne Trost. These core sessions are rounded out with panel
discussions like “Judicial Perspectives: Wisdom from the Bench,” “What
You Don’t Know: Candid Conversations with Corporate Counsel,” and “What
Men Really Think.” While these discussions undoubtedly spark a nerve or
two, the objective (i.e. open, honest, productive dialogue) is embraced
by all. The monthly small group accountability sessions set Ladder Down
apart from other programs and provide a forum through which individual
goals can be established and attained. This consistent, guided training
has proven to be a demonstrated agent for change.
The FDCC and the Foundation look forward to working with our members to
make the Ladder Down program a success for years to come.