Welcome to the Columbus Chapter of GAWL! 

Through networking, rainmaking, and educational opportunities, GAWL-Columbus provides the forum and the events for success in your legal career and in your personal life!!  Although based in Columbus, we encourage the participation of women lawyers in surrounding communities in Georgia and in Phenix City, Alabama.  We also welcome participation from attorneys who have retired, either temporarily or permanently, from the practice of law.  

The Columbus Chapter of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers was founded in 2003.  Prior to that time, the Columbus Chapter was an independent association, the Columbus Association of Women Lawyers (whose members were affectionately referred to as the "CAWL Girls").  In 2002, CAWL President, Traci Courville asked the membership to consider merging the organization with the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers.  After much discussion and debate, the membership unanimously agreed to do so.  The Columbus Association of Women Lawyers was officially disbanded on December of 2002 and was replaced by the Columbus Chapter of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers in January of 2003. 

Columbus Chapter Presidents

Traci G. Courville (2003-2004)
Teresa P. Tomlinson (2004-2005)
Gwyn P. Newsom (2005-2006)
Kate S. Cook (2006-2007)
Stephanie K. Crosse (2007-2008)
Sherry B. Goodrum (2008-2009)
Jennifer Cooley (2009-2010)

Officers/Committees

Officer Responsibilities:

President: Presides at all chapter meetings; serves on the Full Board of the statewide Georgia Association for Women Lawyers; signs all contracts approved by the Chapter, acts as a member ex officio of all Committees and performs the usual duties incumbent upon the President.

President-Elect: Performs the duties of the President in the absence of the President; oversees programs, special events, and community activities; reviews sponsorship requests; reviews contracts; serves as a liaison with representatives of the statewide GAWL involving programs, social action and community activities. The President-Elect will serve three years on the Chapter’s Executive Committee, as President-Elect, President and Immediate Past President.

Secretary: Keeps a record of all official proceedings, including keeping and distributing to members timely minutes of all meetings and events; authors and distributes a monthly newsletter advising the membership of the events; keeps a scrapbook containing material, programs, pictures, news releases, etc.; is responsible for the safekeeping of all historical records and organizational documents.

Treasurer: Oversees the collection of funds; notifies the President and the other Officers of the names of members in arrears; coordinates with the GAWL Treasurer to establish an annual budget and allotment of dues to be distributed to the Chapter, handles any other financial matters.

Membership Chair: Implements strategies to recruit new members and retain current members; coordinates Annual Membership Drive and Member Appreciation Party; collaborates with GAWL Membership Vice President to design activities to foster membership recruitment and retention.