Five Legal Leaders Unite to Establish the AWL Foundation
In 2008, five legal leaders made a commitment to advance AWL’s focus on the community and establish AWL’s sister organization, the AWL Foundation. The efforts of two AWL past presidents, Tracy Bornman and Denise Henning, brought together an AWLF board of directors comprised entirely of AWL past presidents. The Foundation’s strategic plan is devoted to charitable purposes that will better the lives of women and girls. AWL is proud to recognize the AWL Foundation and its founding board of directors as the 2008 Organization of the Year. Congratulations, and thank you for your commitment to this new chapter for AWL.
Click here for AWLF's Bylaws and here for AWLF's Articles of Incorporation.
Nancy Kenner
AWLF Chairwoman of the Board AWL President, 2000
Nancy Kenner founded her own firm in January, 2008. The Kenner Law Firm focuses on plaintiff’s medical malpractice and serious personal injury. Nancy also does mediation and arbitration, particularly in the area of employment law.
Denise Henning AWLF President AWL President, 2003
Founded in 2002 by Denise Henning, The Henning Law Firm, P.C. is a trial law firm that represents plaintiffs who have been the victims of personal injury and wrongful death caused by explosions and transportation-related injuries resulting from tractor-trailer accidents, highway defects, and other negligent acts.
Victoria Schatz AWLF Vice President AWL President, 2002
Victoria Schatz serves as Corporate Counsel for Kansas City Power & Light Company. She has previously served as Managing Attorney and Senior Attorney for KCP&L and General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for Great Plains Energy Services.
Tracy Bornman AWLF Treasurer AWL President, 2007
As a partner with Hovey Williams, LLP, Tracy Bornman specializes in foreign and domestic chemical patent preparation and prosecution, biological patent preparation and prosecution, preparing patentability and non-infringement opinions, negotiation and preparation of licensing and development agreements, and trademark application preparation and prosecution.
Janeen deVries AWLF Secretary AWL President, 2006
B. Janeen deVries is a managing shareholder of deVries & Associates, P.C. where she practices probate, estate planning, and criminal defense.
The AWLF board of directors were asked to share what motivated them to become involved with the Foundation and what has keep them committed to AWL. They shared the following:
Nancy
“I got involved with the AWLF because I thought it was a great idea! I continue to be involved in this organization because I strongly believe that women need to support each other. By getting together and networking and sharing ideas we can help each other and hopefully we will all be better for it!”
Denise
“I have wanted to form a Foundation for several years in an effort to encourage past AWL presidents and past board members to continue to be involved with AWL even after their service on the AWL board is finished. These women serve for many years on the AWL board and then when they go off the board, AWL loses the incredible networking power that they can use to connect AWL members to jobs, refer business and support women applying for boards, awards and judicial positions. I hope that the Foundation will be a bridge to connect those women to AWL again.
AWL has been an incredible support network for me over the years. The relationships and friendships I have formed through AWL are so valuable. Those relationships have brought me case referrals and phenomenal networking opportunities but, more importantly, they have brought me the wonderful friendship of women who really care about me and will always rise to the occasion to watch my back. When I had breast cancer in 2004, the support I received from my AWL friends was amazing. I was so touched by the caring way in which they offered to help with anything I needed. I think it is important to stay involved and to help create opportunities and form relationships with younger women lawyers who need the support that AWL has always given me.”
Tracy
“I have met so many people and made so many friends through my time with AWL. I never would have met those people otherwise, and it's proven to be invaluable to my career and to my personal life as well. It's a great group and provides a great support network. I don't want to give that up, and I also like to return the favor whenever I can. I am always looking to send referrals to my AWL friends, and I know they do the same for me. Anyone who is not taking advantage of this group is missing out.
I had met with Denise Henning to discuss ways to keep former AWL Board Members involved with AWL. That's where the seed for AWLF was planted. Denise was thinking of ways for AWL members to draw from the experience and expertise of AWL's more seasoned members, while I was looking for a way to pool together the power and resources of those more seasoned members to serve charitable causes we value as a group. When I was President of AWL, forming AWLF became our special project for that year, and Jenny Redix took on the formidable role of carrying out all the legwork necessary to form the organization.”
Janeen
“I was motivated to become involved with the Foundation because I knew after serving on the AWL board for 10 years, I would go through withdrawal and I imagined being involved with the Foundation would allow me to stay connected with many of the friendships I have made through AWL.
I remain committed to AWL because of the friendships I have made with other AWL members and I am inspired by the successes of women in the profession.”
These legal leaders are living Katharine Graham’s words, “[t]o love what you do and feel that it matters – how could anything be more fun?” We are thankful for their continued devotion of time, energy, and talent to our sister organizations, AWL and AWLF.
