Dechert symposium audience

Birnbaum Womens Leadership Center

The Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center builds on NYU Law’s rich history at the forefront of advancing women in the legal profession. 

The BWLC develops, empowers, and inspires the next generation of leaders in the law. We are a hub for thought leadership, incubating and championing ideas that foster equality in the workplace and society. And we are strategic leaders who work to catalyze meaningful systemic change. 

BWLC fellows pose with sign

BWLC Fellows Program

The BWLC provides opportunities for law students to build essential leadership skills not otherwise taught in the classroom, including through a signature Fellowship program. JD students apply and are selected early in their first year at NYU Law; the application is open to all 1Ls. The program commences with the Sara Moss Women’s Leadership Training Program, a week-long intensive named in recognition of BWLC cofounder Sara Moss ’74.

Justice Kagan in Conversation with Prof Murray

Event Spotlight

The BWLC proudly hosted the inaugural Sidney Shainwald Public Interest Lecture at NYU Law in September. The Honorable Elena Kagan, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, joined BWLC Faculty Director Melissa Murray to discuss topics such as women on the Supreme Court, the evolution of the shadow docket, judicial ethics, and Justice Kagan’s early experiences clerking for Justice Marshall. Watch the recording

ERA Project team

The ERA Project Joins the BWLC at NYU Law

We proudly welcome the ERA Project to the Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center at NYU Law. Founded in 2021 at Columbia Law School, the ERA Project is widely known as a leader in the movement to develop innovative, transformative legal and policy strategies to advance sex-based equality. We are thrilled to be joined by Ting Ting Cheng, ERA Project Director, and to work together to catalyze the next chapter of influence and impact.  

Press Highlights

“Menopause Is Finally on the Agenda”

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Jennifer Weiss-Wolf
Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper

“Menopause Finally Gets a Seat at the Table”

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Jennifer Weiss-Wolf
Ms. Magazine

“We Need To Fight For Menopause Policy Now More Than Ever”

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Jennifer Weiss-Wolf
Women's Health

Tamara Matheson-Holmgren ’24

Alumnae Spotlight

Profiles in Leadership, Tamara Matheson-Holmgren ’24

Dechert Symposium panelists with Jennifer Weiss-Wolf and Melissa Murray

2025 Dechert Symposium:

The Collateral Damage of Dobbs on Women’s Health: Beyond Abortion Care

Make the connection between gender and democracy

Report Spotlight

Make The Connection: Gender and Democracy