WWCDA Mission Statement
The Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA) promotes the common business and professional interests of women attorneys 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 promotes diversity in the legal profession, organizes business activities to facilitate networking and business development opportunities for women in the practice, and provides educational programming focused on the defense of government enforcement actions and internal investigations, compliance and ethics issues. WWCDA also promotes the common interests of women consulting professionals who specialize in the same field and offer support services and referral opportunities to attorneys in the practice.
WWCDA Goals
- Promote diversity in the legal profession and in the legal fields of criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative enforcement, as well as internal investigations, compliance and ethics.
- Provide networking and business development opportunities for our members and participants in their local markets, as well as nationally and internationally.
- Develop educational programming focused on the legal fields of criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative enforcement, as well as internal investigations, compliance and ethics.
- Facilitate collaboration and communication among our members and participants.
- Develop resources to assist our members and participants.
WWCDA Membership Criteria
The Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA) has chapters throughout the world that welcome as members women attorney private practitioners ("law firm attorneys") 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. To become a member of a WWCDA Chapter, the woman law firm attorney must join a chapter in the same location as her work address. 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.
Many WWCDA chapters also welcome as members women professionals who are consultants specializing in the White Collar Defense and Investigations field and offer support services and referral opportunities to attorneys in the practice. To become a member, the consultant must join a chapter in the same location as her work address. 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.
Accordingly, there are four categories to choose from when a woman applies for membership to a WWCDA chapter. The correct category will depend upon the chapter membership category rules, where the applicant works, and possibly her seniority. The four categories are:
- Law Firm Attorney Member
- Consultant Member
- Law Firm Attorney Affiliate
- Consultant Affiliate
To apply, fill out your application.
WWCDA Sponsors who are not otherwise a member or affiliate, may be able to participate in certain WWCDA activities. Learn more about becoming a sponsor.
Some WWCDA events may be limited to women attorney private practitioner (law firm attorney) members only.