United States District Court Judge Catherine Eagles was honored by the Elon Law Women’s Law Association (WLA) for her accomplishments in the legal community at the WLA's fifth annual Women in the Profession Dinner.
The dinner was held on April 5 and was organized around the theme, “Preparing for Leadership: The Local & Global Impact of Women in the Profession.”
Judge Eagles was selected as the honoree through a process of nominations and votes by WLA members. Eagles, who serves as a judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, was nominated for the position by President Barack Obama in 2010. From 1993 until the time of her appointment, she served as a Superior Court Judge in Guildford County. Before that, she worked as an associate and partner at the law firm Smith Helms Mullis and Moore LLP.
“Judge Eagles exemplifies the type of honoree that WLA wants to recognize because she serves as an inspiration to young women pursuing legal education who may wonder if there is truly a place for them to grow and develop once they graduate,” said Women’s Law Association Professionalism Chair Shereá Burnett, who organized the event.
Burnett, a second-year law student, was assisted in organizing the dinner by first-year law students Mallory Horne, the WLA professional committee co-chair, and Kristen Dunham, a WLA professional committee member.
Committee members also created a new award for this year’s dinner, the Elon Law Alumni Award, which was given to Britainy Alford. Alford is a graduate of the Elon Law charter class and an attorney with the Bradley Law Group located in Greensboro. A former WLA member, Alford received the award for her success in the profession and her participation in WLA events since graduation.
This event also provided the WLA with the opportunity to recognize female members of the Elon Law student body who are making personal strides in advancing the role of women in the Elon Law community.
Recognition was given to Andrea Davis, the first female Elon Law Student Bar Association President; Kate Shimansky, the first female Editor-in-Chief of the Elon Law Review; and Gwendolyn Lewis, the first African American female Elon Law Student Bar Association President.
By Courtney Roller L’13