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Gender Equality Committee
Mission:
This committee investigates issues of gender discrimination and equality in the legal profession and in the legal system. The committee may undertake projects as deemed necessary or appropriate to ensure fair treatment and equality of all members of the legal profession and all participants in the legal system. The focus for this committee includes follow-up to the findings of the latest NHBA Gender Equality Survey, including development of a proposed voluntary certification process of non-discriminatory, family-friendly employment policies for legal employers to be presented to the NHBA Board of Governors.
Committee Leadership
Chair: Meredith M. Lasna
Co-vice Chair: Kelleigh C. Murphy Gleason
Co-vice Chair: Jacqueline A. Leary
Successful Negotiations Workshop
The New Hampshire Bar Association Gender Equality Committee and New Lawyers Committee partnered with the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association to put on a Negotiations workshop. Law students and new lawyers had the opportunity to watch a new hire and lateral/partner level interview and then engage in discussions about how to address some issues that come up during interviews. In addition, the workshop included a panel discussion on the dos and don’ts of negotiating and interviewing, and the panelists also answered questions from the attendees. Thank you to the attorneys with Upton & Hatfield, Pastori Krans, Bernstein Shur, Manning & Zimmerman, Murphy Legal, and McLane Middleton for providing invaluable insight to the future of the New Hampshire Bar.
Gender Equality Committee Holds “Ask Me Anything” Event with UNH Law Students
On Tuesday, November 10, NHBA’s Gender Equality Committee partnered with the Women’s Student Law Association to host an “Ask Me Anything” panel discussion. In the world of COVID, the GEC wanted to give law students an opportunity to network and ask attorney’s truly anything. Law students took the opportunity to ask questions about what to take advantage of while in law school, whether a change in field is possible, and what steps to jumpstart and further their career as practitioner in New Hampshire. The panelists each provided such a unique perspective and invaluable advice.
Philip S. Hollman Award for Gender Equality
The Hollman Award recipient is someone who is dedicated to promoting respect and fair treatment toward all members of the judicial system. This person acts as a leader, educator, and role model on such issues. Kathleen Peahl is a partner at Wadleigh, Starr & Peters, PLLC in Manchester, where she has practiced since graduating from Boston College Law School in 1989. She represents both private and public sector employers, including municipalities, school districts, hospitals, and healthcare providers, providing advice on a wide range of employment and personnel issues. She has represented clients in both state and federal court and before state and federal administrative agencies, including the Department of Labor, the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, New Hampshire Department of Employment Security, and New Hampshire Public Employee Labor Relations Board and has successfully argued cases before the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Her work in the public sector includes collective bargaining, grievance arbitrations, and unfair labor practice proceedings. Kathleen was the managing partner of Wadleigh, Starr & Peters from 2017 through 2021. She was also on the board of directors and served as secretary of ALFA International, a global legal network, and served as chair of ALFA Women’s Initiative Practice Group. She is currently on the board of directors and serves as treasurer of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua.
View All Philip S. Hollman Award Winners
Gender Equality Surveys
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.
