Women on the Move 2026: Her Voice, Her Power: Persuasion, Presence & Influence in Legal Practice
Influence isn't only about what you say. It also comes from how you read a room, handle hard moments, and stand behind your own judgment. On Thursday, November 12, 2026, the Women in Law Section of the New York State Bar Association presents this year's Women on the Move program, an afternoon for building the presence and persuasive skills that move careers forward.
Distinguished attorneys and thought leaders will share practical strategies you can use right away, including how to:
• Read the room and handle difficult conversations with confidence
• Build influence ethically and authentically
• Trust your judgment while recognizing and reducing bias
Leave with new tools, new connections, and 3.5 MCLE credits in Professional Practice, Skills, Ethics & Professionalism, and Diversity, Inclusion & Elimination of Bias.
We will also be hosting a watch party on the day of the event at Benesch Law, 1301 Avenue of the Americas, 40th Floor, New York, NY 10019, followed by an in-person networking reception.
Join us after the program for an in-person virtual networking reception from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. to connect with colleagues and expand your professional circle.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and leave with strategies you can apply immediately in your practice.
- November 12, 2026
- 12:30 PM
- 5:30 PM
- 0.5
- 1.0
- 1.0
- 1.0
- 3.5
- New York City
- Virtual Participation
- Benesch Law
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
12:30 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. Welcome and Introduction
12:40 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. NYSBA Opening Remarks
12:50 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. Keynote - Her Voice, Her Power: Persuasion, Presence & Influence in Legal Practice
What does it take to be heard in the practice of law? This dynamic keynote invites lawyers at every stage of their careers to rethink the way they persuade, command a room, and build lasting influence.
From the courtroom to the boardroom, women in law face a unique set of challenges. This address meets those realities head on; not with abstract theory, but with actionable strategies rooted in storytelling, authentic leadership, and deliberate career architecture.
Whether attendees are starting their careers or are seasoned attorneys, this keynote will challenge them to stop waiting for permission and to start leading now.
1:20 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Break
1:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. Her Voice, Her Power - Reading the Room and The Art of the Hard Conversation
Every legal interaction is an exercise in persuasion, and outcomes often turn on more than the strength of an argument. Our panel of attorneys, coaches, and business development experts will provide practical, skills-based strategies for influencing judges, clients, adversaries, colleagues, and other decisionmakers through effective communication, strategic framing, thorough preparation, and commanding presence.
Attendees will develop and apply skills for establishing credibility, adapting communication to different audiences, shaping narratives, and managing challenging interactions. Panelists will also address how gender can affect perceptions of authority and credibility, as well as practical techniques for managing difficult clients, aggressive adversaries, internal team conflicts, and high-stakes negotiations. Attendees will gain actionable skills for knowing when to push, when to de-escalate, when to walk away, and how to do each effectively.
- Hybrid
- 0RE54
- Women in Law Section
- Committee on Continuing Legal Education
- Local and State Government Law Section
- Family Law Section
- Real Property Law Section
- Trusts & Estates Law Section
- Elder Law & Special Needs Section
- Labor & Employment Law Section
