WWCDA Mission Statement
The Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA) promotes the common business and professional interests of attorneys and other professionals whose clients include companies, other organizations and individuals in connection with the wide-range of white collar government investigations and enforcement actions (criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative), internal investigations, compliance and ethics counseling, and related matters. WWCDA promotes inclusion for all legal and consulting professionals in this field, including organizing professional activities to facilitate networking and business development opportunities, and providing educational programming relevant to the field.
WWCDA Goals
- Promote members who represent or otherwise assist clients in white collar criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative enforcement, internal investigations, compliance and ethics, and related defense matters.
- Provide networking and business development opportunities for members and other participants locally, nationally, and globally.
- Develop educational programming focused on the legal fields of white collar criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative enforcement, internal investigations, compliance and ethics, and related defense matters.
- Facilitate collaboration and communication among members and other participants.
- Develop resources to assist members and other participants in their professional endeavors.
WWCDA Membership Criteria
WWCDA has chapters throughout the world. Membership is free. To become a member of WWCDA, you must be a lawyer in a law firm or a professional in a consulting firm that represents or otherwise assists clients facing government enforcement actions (criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative), and/or internal investigations, other defense and compliance and ethics matters. You can see a list of the practice areas that meet this criteria here. You must also join a chapter where your primary work address is located and meet the additional membership criteria of the particular chapter. The membership criteria for each chapter can be found on the individual chapter webpages. Review the chapter criteria. When applying for membership, be sure to select the correct membership category as defined by the criteria of the chapter you seek to join. The membership categories are:
- Law Firm Attorney Member
- Consultant Member
- Law Firm Attorney Affiliate Member
- Consultant Affiliate Member
Select the category you satisfy according to the chapter criteria chapter membership category rules and Apply now.
Chapter Membership & Categories -- Further Explained Below
All chapters welcome as members attorneys who work in law firms and practice in the area of White Collar Defense and Investigations, defined as those who represent corporations, other organizations and individuals facing government enforcement actions (criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative), and/or internal investigations, other defense and compliance and ethics matters. This category of membership is called: "Law Firm Attorney Member."
Some chapters may limit Law Firm Attorney membership to those of certain seniority. Although law firm attorneys of all levels (partner, counsel, associate, staff) may apply to join a chapter, for those chapters that limit membership based upon seniority, junior attorneys (who otherwise qualify under the criteria set forth herein) can join the chapter as an "affiliate member," which permits them to participate in certain activities of the chapter and WWCDA. This category of membership is called: "Law Firm Attorney Affiliate Member."
Many WWCDA chapters welcome as members attorneys and other professionals who work at consulting firms (or non-attorney professionals who work at law firms) and assist clients on matters in the White Collar Defense and Investigations field (as previously defined), and who offer support services and referral opportunities to attorneys in private practice. This category of membership is called: "Consultant Member."
Some chapters may limit membership of consulting professionals and/or require a certain seniority. Although consulting professionals who otherwise qualify under the criteria set forth herein may apply to join a chapter, for those chapters that limit membership of consulting professionals or require a certain seniority, the consulting professional can join the chapter as an “affiliate member,” which permits them to participate in certain activities of the chapter and WWCDA. This category of membership is called: "Consultant Affiliate Member."
To apply, review the chapter criteria, select the membership category you satisfy, and then fill out your application.
WWCDA Sponsors who are not otherwise a member or member affiliate, may be able to participate in certain WWCDA event and activities. Learn more about becoming a sponsor.
Some WWCDA and chapter events and activities may be limited to law firm attorneys.