It was on a beautiful fall evening that the women of Willenken hosted the firm’s first Women in Law Cocktail Party.
In the garden at Manuela in the Los Angeles Arts District, surrounded by homegrown herbs, fruit, flowers, and even chickens, guests enjoyed lively cocktails and delicious bites. But it was more than a pleasant space and good food that brought the women together that evening.
Eileen Ahern, Megan O’Neill, Ashley Kirk, Mayra de Aguiar, Amelia Sargent, Aarti Wilson, and Sherin Varghese welcomed women from legal professions throughout the Los Angeles area to gather together on Oct. 24 and celebrate the firm’s guest of honor, Emily Murphy. Emily, an Associate Professor of Law at University of California, Hastings College of the Law, was one of the first women to speak publicly about former Judge Alex Kozinski’s misconduct when she was a Ninth Circuit clerk.
“As a majority-women firm, we wanted to host an event celebrating and supporting women in law. We are delighted so many of our friends and colleagues in the legal community came together this evening to enjoy each other’s company and to honor Emily.”
— Eileen Ahern, partner
On behalf of the women of Willenken, Eileen presented Emily with the firm’s first Advocacy Award. The award recognizes Emily for using her courageous voice on behalf of women in law.
“It is an extreme honor to accept this award from Willenken. I am gratified that my actions have meant so much to many women in the legal profession. Together we can continue to break down barriers to getting our best work done.”
— Emily Murphy