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Women’s Initiative

Women’s Initiative

Sherin and Lodgen is committed to the advancement and success of our women attorneys and professionals. The mission of our Women’s Initiative is to provide an internal network of support that fosters growth and achievement while connecting and learning with outside organizations that directly support women and women’s causes.

Our Managing Partner, Sara Jane Shanahan, is a woman

75% of female attorneys recognized by a major publication (Chambers, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers)

100% of our female partners ranked by a major publication (Chambers, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers)

60% of our Chambers ranked attorneys are women

S&L Women Leaders

We spoke with the female attorneys here at Sherin and Lodgen about their careers, life outside of the office, and what it means to be a woman in the legal industry to them. Click the profiles below to view their Q&As.

"A focus on mentoring women coming up in the renewable energy field is key. It’s a field that desperately needs more women in high profile roles, and that can’t happen overnight. If I can shine a spotlight on opportunities in solar and energy storage, I can set the stage for more diversity in the field. I focus on mentoring junior attorneys who have an interest in renewable work, finding speaking opportunities for women in the industry, and growing my network of renewable energy professionals."

- Beth A. Goldstein, Partner, Renewable Energy Practice Group Chair

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"Today, the ranks of women senior lawyers, whether in-house, in private practice or in the public sector, continues to grow – not as fast as some of us might like – but grow nonetheless. I am excited to not only to be a part of it, but also to help mentor law students and junior attorneys on the import of diversity and ensuring alternative paths to success."

- Carla M. Moynihan, Partner, Real Estate Department Chair

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"I have been so fortunate to work with talented and inspiring women throughout my career. The women who trained and mentored me have shown there is no one path for being a successful lawyer – Each of us forges a path that best suits her individual interests, skills, and goals. This willingness to color outside of the lines, rather than being confined to predetermined paths that long dominated traditional legal careers, has been empowering."

- Sara Jane Shanahan, Managing Partner

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"My early mentors were opposing counsel, a woman and a man. Ann Liebowitz of Polaroid taught me executive advocacy and compensation so I could advise her colleagues. Rick Ward of Ropes & Gray invited me to co-author an article with him that was cited by Judge Young. Both Ann and Rick continued to sponsor my career for years. I try to pay it forward."

- Nancy S. Shilepsky, Partner

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MENTORING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Throughout the year, women attorneys and professionals come together to develop, network, and connect through training programs, roundtable discussions, and one-on-one mentoring.

Past programs have included discussions and training on:

Personal branding

Career management

Time management

Mindfulness and meditation

Accolades

Sherin and Lodgen is proud to have so many of our women attorneys and professionals recognized for their accomplishments in the legal profession and for their contributions to their communities.

Chambers-2020

Tanya M. Larrabee (Associate to Watch for Real Estate), Carla M. Moynihan (Real Estate), Sara Jane Shanahan (Litigation: General Commercial), and Nancy S. Shilepsky (Employment)

Ranked nationally and locally by Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”

Jennifer Ioli Connelly (Real Estate Law), Carla M. Moynihan (Real Estate Law), Sara Jane Shanahan (Commercial Litigation; Litigation- Insurance), Nancy S. Shilepsky (Employment Law – Individuals; Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment), and Dustyn Marie Mascia (Ones to Watch)

SuperLawyers

Beth A. Goldstein, Carla M. Moynihan, Sara Jane Shanahan (Top 50 Women in MA), Nancy S. Shilepsky (Top 50 Women in MA), Jennifer Ioli Connelly (Rising Star), Tanya M. Larrabee (Rising Star), Dustyn Marie Mascia (Rising Star), and Theresa M. Santoro (Rising Star)

Beth A. Goldstein, Carla M. Moynihan, Sara Jane Shanahan, and Nancy S. Shilepsky have all been named “Top Women of Law” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, Sara and Nancy have both been inducted into its "Circle of Excellence," and Beth A. Goldstein has been named an “Up and Coming” Lawyer

Tanya M. Larrabee (2023 Ones to Watch Spotlight), Jennifer I. Connelly (2021 Ones to Watch Spotlight) and Beth A. Goldstein (2020 Women in Real Estate Spotlight)

Beth A. Goldstein and Jennifer Ioli Connelly are graduates of NAIOP Massachusetts Leadership Institute

Sherin and Lodgen was selected as a recipient of the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Empowering Women Award, which recognizes law firms that have shown a strong commitment to supporting and elevating women attorneys.

In Celebration of Women: Nonprofit Leaders

Sherin and Lodgen is proud to work with women-led nonprofits and nonprofit that support women focused causes.

"In today’s world, girls are constantly inundated with negative messages about their self worth and limitations. I want girls to know that they are capable of anything they set their minds to and that the world needs them to show up as their true, authentic selves."

- Cyndi Roy Gonzalez, Executive Director of Girls on the Run

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In Celebration of Women: Female Restaurateurs

As part of our “Doing Good Together” initiative, Sherin and Lodgen’s Women’s Initiative would like to highlight some of our favorite local female restaurateurs as a continuation of our Q&A Series, launched in March in honor of International Women’s Month.

"I’ve always operated with intention and encourage others to do the same. Work for the best, learn from the best, be the best version of yourself and most importantly, surround yourself with the best people."

- Cassie Pluma, Chef and Owner of Sarma

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In Celebration of Women: Women in Renewable Energy

The third installment of our Women’s Initiative’s “In Celebration of Women Q&A Series” features women in the Renewable Energy industry, working every day to create a cleaner future.

Jillian Wagney headshot
"It seems very feasible that a state with a 100% clean energy goal could reach it – the real question will be if it can be reached in time to have a meaningful impact on climate change. I am certainly proud to play the tiny role I have in getting our country closer to that point."

- Jillian Wagner, Commercial Loan Officer at Cambridge Trust Company

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Beth A. Goldstein, interviewed during our first segment of the series, S&L leaders, is chair of the firm’s national Renewable Energy Practice Group, which represents lenders, developers, municipalities, and companies committed to sustainability through solar, wind, hydro, and energy storage initiatives. Attorneys Colleen V. Collins, Jennifer Ioli Connelly, Tanya L. Larrabee, and Carla M. Moynihan are also integral members of the group. To learn more about S&L’s renewable energy experience and capabilities, visit the practice group page.

In Celebration of Women: Women in Commercial Real Estate Development Q&A

For our fifth installment of the “In Celebration of Women Q&A Series,” we highlighted women in Commercial Real Estate Development who are building the future of Boston and beyond.

"You will get different comments and criticism on how you should behave as a woman throughout your career. Do not try to change who you are and instead focus on being the best at what you do. Your work and authenticity will shine through."

- Baillie Yip

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Our Women’s Initiative’s “In Celebration of Women Q&A Series” aims to recognize the women making major strides and paving the way for others in their respective fields of work, many of which are in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Co-Chair

Jennifer Ioli Connelly Partner, Real Estate Department

Co-Chair

Nancy S. Shilepsky Partner, Employment Department

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