Tanya Gomerman and Maria Bourn at the ABOTA Women’s Leadership Summit

Tanya Gomerman and Maria Bourn were in Savannah, Georgia, last week for the ABOTA National Women’s Leadership Summit, where experienced trial lawyers from across the country gathered for several days focused on connection, mentorship, and professional growth. The summit, hosted by the American Board of Trial Advocates, is an invitation-only organization of plaintiff and defense trial lawyers and judges.

The program featured keynote speakers and panel discussions covering judicial perspectives, courtroom practice, and effective advocacy — with contributions from sitting judges and general counsel from major corporations.

Throughout the event, attorneys had the chance to exchange ideas on trial strategy and the issues shaping civil litigation, while also addressing challenges and experiences unique to women in the trial bar.

Tanya and Maria on the Savannah River Sunset Cruise during the ABOTA Women’s Leadership Summit.

Conversations extended beyond the sessions, with Tanya and Maria engaging with fellow attorneys from different jurisdictions on how complex issues are approached in practice. While many of the topics were familiar, hearing how others approach them added a new layer of insight. 

We appreciate ABOTA’s invitation to be part of the summit. Bringing together women trial attorneys from across the country for a few days of shared experience, perspective, and connection made it a truly memorable summit, with Savannah adding to what was already a special setting.

About ABOTA: The American Board of Trial Advocates is an invitation-only organization of plaintiff and defense trial lawyers and judges dedicated to preserving the Seventh Amendment right to a civil jury trial. Members are selected based on extensive trial experience, including years of active practice and multiple civil jury trials taken to verdict, along with a demonstrated commitment to professionalism and civility.