WWCDA has chapters throughout the world that welcome women lawyers in private practice who specialize in the representation of corporations, other organizations and individuals facing government enforcement actions (criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative), and in internal investigations, compliance and ethics matters. WWCDA chapters also welcome consultants offering services in the same fields.
You must join a chapter in the location of your primary work address. Each chapter defines it's membership criteria which can be found on the individual chapter webpages. There are four types of membership categories and you must select the category you satisfy according to the chapter criteria.
1. Law Firm Attorney Member
2. Consultant Member
3. Law Firm Attorney Affiliate
4. Consultant Affiliate
Review the chapter criteria, select which category you satisfy and Apply now.
Membership Criteria & Categories -- Further Explained Below
Women attorney private practitioners at law firms ("law firm attorneys") are those primarily practicing in the area of White Collar Defense and Investigations, defined as those who specialize in the representation of corporations, other organizations and individuals facing government enforcement actions (criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative), and in internal investigations, compliance and ethics matters.
Although women law firm attorneys of all levels (partner, counsel, associate, staff) may apply to become members, some chapters may have membership limitations based upon seniority in order to facilitate the strength and growth of our professional support and referral network ("law firm attorney affiliate").
Many WWCDA chapters also welcome consultants as members ("consultant member"). This pertains to women professionals who work in consulting firms (or non-attorney professionals who work at law firms) that also specialize in the White Collar Defense and Investigations field while offering support services and referral opportunities to attorneys in private practice. However, as WWCDA is primarily an organization for women attorneys in private practice, membership of women consulting professionals may not be permitted in some chapters or only permitted at a certain seniority.
If a chapter limits membership to women law firm attorneys and/or senior women only, the chapter may offer the opportunity to become an “affiliate” of the chapter, if the woman otherwise qualifies under the criteria set forth herein. The affiliate status will permit the woman to participate in certain activities of the chapter and WWCDA ("law firm attorney affiliate" or "consultant affiliate").
Which of the four categories an applicant must choose when submitting an application will depend upon the chapter membership category rules for the chapter location where the applicant works, and possibly her seniority.
Note that there is a fifth category on the membership application called “Sponsor." The “Sponsor” category is to be used only in unique situations where the applicant is an employee of a sponsor organization, but does not otherwise qualify under the four membership categories listed above and specifically qualifies under the terms of the sponsorship agreement or otherwise is helping WWCDA in some capacity.
Some WWCDA events and activities may be limited to law firm attorneys.
Application
If you wish to apply to join a WWCDA chapter, please complete and submit the application below after you have filled in each of the demographic fields, and chosen the correct membership category and chapter location. Your information will be shared with and transferred to both the WWCDA in the United States as well as the appropriate local chapter relevant to your location. Once your completed application is submitted, we will contact you. If accepted to join WWCDA, you will be notified and invited to take the final required step, which is to complete each field on your WWCDA profile (including uploading your current firm bio and .jpeg photo).
If you have questions or if you work in an area that does not have a chapter, please send an email to membership@wwcda.org.
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