Santa Barbara
Women Lawyers
Promoting the diverse interests of women lawyers in Santa Barbara county
Who we are
When SBWL was founded in 1988, Santa Barbara County was one of the only counties in California without a women's bar organization.
Having had a very positive experience serving on the board of directors of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Hannah-Beth Jackson was enthusiastic when Deborah Talmage contacted her and asked for her support and assistance in founding SBWL. They both saw the need for a network of women attorneys who would establish programs related to gender issues such as bias in the courtroom, the glass ceiling, child-care pressures, gender discrimination within law firms, and lack of support for women sole practitioners.
Our Mission
Read more about what we doDiversity
Promoting diverse interests of women lawyers in Santa Barbara.
Equality
Promote gender equality.
Community
Serve the Santa Barbara community as a whole.
Mentoring circles
SBWL's Mentoring Circles program is a wonderful way for members to build meaningful relationships with one another. Mentoring Circles are small groups of lawyers in varying stages of their legal careers.
We provide a confidential setting for sharing experiences, questions, tips and advice on work and life; opening up about career challenges, triumphs and trivialities; and collaborating for positive change. Placement is subject to conflict checks to promote candor and confidence.
Meetings are generally held monthly at a time and place convenient for group members. If you are interested, fill the form below and we will contact you!
Awards and Recognition
These awards recognize our dedication to advancing women in law, promoting gender equality, supporting work-life balance, and championing the next generation of legal professionals.
Learn more about our achievements and contributions to the legal community.
Dear SBWL Community,
SBWL is proud to recognize Fauver, Large, Archbald & Spray LLP (FLAS) as both an SBWL sponsor and the recipient of our Family Friendly Firm Award.
FLAS, a Santa Barbara business and litigation firm, has demonstrated a genuine commitment to supporting women and families in the legal profession through policies that prioritize work-life balance, meaningful mentorship, and real opportunities for advancement.
In addition to receiving the Family Friendly Firm Award, FLAS is also serving as our Appellate Sponsor for this year's event. Their support helps SBWL honor our award recipients, fund our Foundation's grants and scholarships, and sustain programming that advances women in the law.
Please join us in thanking Fauver, Large, Archbald & Spray LLP for their generous sponsorship and in congratulating them on being named SBWL's Family Friendly Firm Award honoree.
Frequently asked questions
Take our pro bono survey
Your participation in this survey will help us connect you with meaningful pro bono opportunities in your area, whether it's offering services through legal aid organizations, participating in referral programs, volunteering at legal resource centers, or joining Pro Bono Day events.
Contact us
We'd love to hear from you, we'll be in touch shortly!