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 where the 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.
For this year's Ladder Down program, please click on the link below.
2023 Ladder Down Brochure and Application