Women’s Law Caucus executive board members (l-r) Stephanie Diamond, Lauren Goforth, and Erica Bechtel.
Photo courtesy of MSU Law
The Women’s Law Caucus (WLC) at Michigan State University College of Law held their first program of the academic year focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the legal field. Providing the perspective of a woman in the legal field was featured speaker, the Honorable Judge Patricia Gardner of the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County.
Judge Gardner shared her journey within the legal field as a woman and why DEI is so important. Speaking via a Zoom Conference, Judge Gardner spoke about her role in developing a “Girls Court” for Kent County. This community-based program addresses the underlying trauma young female offenders may have endured with resources tailored to their issues. It also seeks to build and strengthen their family and community relationships.
“I was really excited for Judge Gardner to come speak with us,” said Stephanie Diamond, DEI Chair for WLC. “I knew of the connection she’s had with Girls Court, and I felt it was powerful for women looking to be in the legal professional to hear about her journey.”
The position of DEI Chair is uncommon for most student organization E-Boards. WLC wanted to make sure that their organization was inclusive so that members’ thoughts and opinions would not go unheard.
“For the WLC, we want to make sure people from all backgrounds feel comfortable and have their voices heard,” Diamond said. “We want people to give recommendations about what speakers they would want and who they would want to speak on behalf of the organization.”
Many female MSU Law students had questions about the program as well as general questions for Judge Gardner and how she navigated an once male-dominated profession.
WLC Vice President, Erica Bechtel, was very pleased with the turnout of the event. Attendees were engaged, asking Judge Gardner questions about the Girls Court program and her experiences navigating a once heavily male-dominated profession. She feels that his displays the future of the legal field and how women are presenting a stronger presence within the profession.
“It shows that we are here and that we are a part of the field,” she said. “Women are not just an afterthought; we are not only in the legal field but in the world doing important work.”
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