Women in Leadership Three Alumnae Continue A Powerful Legacy
BY ERIKA HARTINGS
American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL), founded as a coeducational institution in 1896, stands as a testament to women’s pioneering leadership and legal acumen. It was the first law school founded by women, and for over a century its students and alumni have advocated for the rights of women and targeted historical barriers within the legal profession.
Today that tradition continues, as AUWCL alumnae work to build strategic professional and social networks in major cities and countries throughout the world. Through their collective efforts, they are connecting AUWCL graduates from across all practice areas and sectors to advance careers, expand philanthropic and service opportunities and create a strong social fabric. By planning and hosting alumni events, supporting student awards, and uniting fellow graduates for a common cause, they are helping to ensure that alumni involvement and investment leads to positive and impactful change. Three women, all members of the AUWCL Alumni Advisory Council Founding Steering Committee, are going above and beyond.
Emily Brait ’17 is active in the New York City Alumni Chapter. The group is constantly developing new ways to promote meaningful engag ement among NYC-area alumni through activities that enrich their professional and
personal lives and advance AUWCL’s growth. “When I first moved to New York as a summer associate, I saw other schools whose alumni supported one another and current students, and I wanted to help create that for WCL,” said Brait, who worked with the alumni office to connect with other area graduates and form the chapter in 2018. Brait is now an associate at Baker McKenzie and regularly advises clients on government and regulatory investigations, complex commercial litigations, arbitrations, and antitrust matters. She was previously an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and also served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Bernice B. Donald on the Sixth Circuit.
Kimberly LeBlanc-Ross ’07 is part of AUWCL’s Black Alumni affinity group. “I had an amazing student experience at AUWCL and felt supported by fellow students, faculty, and alumni, so as an alumna, I am grateful for
the opportunity to give back to the AUWCL community,” said LeBlanc-Ross. Black Alumni facilitate connections between students and alumni through career-enhancing networking events. A talented leader and lawyer, LeBlanc-Ross is senior lead counsel at the American Red Cross and serves as an adjunct professor at AUWCL. She specializes in labor and employment issues and has extensive experience with class actions and general commercial litigation matters. Active in her community, she also serves on the boards of the DC Bar Foundation Young Lawyers Network and the ACLU DC Chapter, while mentoring high school students through the College Success Foundation.
Dina Navar ’17 is an integral member of AUWCL’s Latino Alumni Alliance (LAA). The group supports academic achievement and advocates for favorable policies. Navar is also a founding member of the inaugural AUWCL
Alumni Association. A former Peace Corps volunteer, Navar traveled as a AUWCL student to Switzerland for the United Nations Committee Against Torture Project and to India and Scotland to compete for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Honor Society. “I am passionate about seeing a more diverse legal community by contributing to LAAW’s mission,” said Navar, who is working with the Latin American Student Law Association to plan a spring workshop for 1L students. She strongly believes in the sustainability of the organization and works tirelessly to that end.
The legacy of women leadership at AUWCL is strong, but their mission remains very forward facing. In working to guide and inspire fellow alumni and current AUWCL students, they continue to develop opportunities that help build a more just and inclusive legal system—and society as a whole.
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