Blank Rome partners Diana M. Eng and Shannon E. McClure will serve on panels at the upcoming American Bar Association Litigation Section 2026 Women in Litigation CLE Conference, being held February 11 through 13, 2026, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Blank Rome is proud to be a Silver Sponsor of this event.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
Building on the momentum of past conferences, the 2026 event will once again unite women litigators from across the country. With this year’s theme, “Launch & Lead: Empowering Women Litigators to Lead with Purpose,” there will be a special emphasis on ensuring every attendee leaves feeling empowered, inspired, and equipped to accelerate their career trajectory by leading with purpose. Dynamic programs will cover a wide range of timely and thought-provoking topics, including oral advocacy, executive coaching, artificial intelligence, becoming general counsel (“GC”), stepping into lead counsel roles, purposeful career transitions, and more.
ABOUT DIANA’S AND SHANNON’S SESSIONS
The Litigator GC: Women Litigators Leading the Way in Corporate Legal Leadership
Thursday, February 12 | 9:15–10:15 a.m.
As more companies recognize the invaluable strengths that women litigators bring to the role of general counsel, this panel will highlight their journey from courtroom advocate to strategic business leader. With experience in risk mitigation, crisis management, and strategic decision-making, these women have successfully translated their litigation experience into effective corporate legal leadership. Women litigators-turned-GCs will share how their ability to identify critical issues, manage complex situations, and understand the real-world implications of legal decisions empowers them to serve as strategic partners to their organizations. This session will also offer a toolkit for women litigators aspiring to transition into GC roles, emphasizing how their litigation background provides a unique advantage in shaping proactive, solutions-oriented legal strategies.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Diana M. Eng, Blank Rome
- Patricia Astorga, Mintz Group
- Michele Coleman Mayes, The New York Public Library (Ret.)
- Marietta Jo, Supergoop!
- Virginia Chavez Romano, Havas
Head of Class: Women as Lead Counsel
Thursday, February 12 | 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Despite the growing importance of inclusive leadership in litigation, women remain underrepresented as lead counsel. This session will identify the dynamics underlying the gender disparity in leadership roles and discuss how the legal community, from law firms to the bench, can address the persistent gender gap in representation. This panel discussion will feature distinguished women attorneys who have successfully navigated the path to becoming lead counsel in complex litigation cases. It will also include perspectives from an esteemed member of the judiciary who has observed the evolving role of women in the courtroom.
- Moderator: Lauren Sexton, MoloLamken LLP
- Roberta D. Liebenberg, Fine Kaplan and Black RPC
- Shannon E. McClure, Blank Rome LLP
- Beena M. McDonald, Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP
- Hon. Lorna G. Schofield, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Other sessions include:
- Under Supreme Pressure: Women Advocates and the Evolving Supreme Court
- Strategic Pivots: A Litigation Career Blueprint for Women at the Crossroads
- Executive Coaching: A Woman Litigator’s Superpower
- Breaking Barriers: Chiefs of Litigation Navigating and Leading in a Rapidly Changing Legal World
- Thriving as Women in Law: Wellness, Balance, and Leadership
- Leading Growth Through Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities in AI
- Presidential Perspectives on Leading with Purpose & Influence
- Charting a Purposeful Path for Women Litigators: Advancing Practice and Leadership in ADR
For more information and to register, please visit the event webpage.
