The Texas Lawbook Quotes Real Estate Attorney Barbara Kennedy on Act III.

Act III Helps Women Thrive in Law Firm Environment
By Janet Elliott
Staff Writer for The Texas Lawbook

As she rose through the ranks at litigation powerhouse Susman Godfrey, Ophelia Camiña saw too many of her female colleagues leaving the profession. Many left because they were left behind on the path to partnership long enjoyed by male lawyers. They were not invited to the cozy business lunches and paneled office meetings where the men wooed and won new clients.

Tired of studies that only highlighted the problem, Camiña had her own solution. She brought together two-dozen Dallas women lawyers, each practicing different types of law in separate offices, to a new networking group she named Act III. What started out three years ago as monthly social gatherings to share referrals has morphed into a vital forum for the women to deal with their most important career issues, whether it is jumping to a different firm or running for judge.

Barbara Kennedy, a commercial real estate partner at Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, says Act III works because no one is asked to volunteer, make charitable contributions or present a seminar. “I always encourage women to not just lean on women but to reach out to women. It’s time well spent,” she says.

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