Changing the Game: Deb Willig on the WNBPA's Historic Labor Agreement

Changing the Game: Deb Willig on the WNBPA's Historic Labor Agreement

In this week’s episode of the NAWL Podcast, returning host Lisa Kohn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisakohn1/] sits down with Deb Willig [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahwillig/], partner at Willig, Williams & Davidson, and outside counsel for the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) in its historic new collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA. Deb shares insights from the groundbreaking negotiations that secured the largest salary increase from one collective bargaining agreement to the next in professional sports history. She discusses the fight against the longstanding undervaluation of women athletes, the growing visibility and success of the WNBA, and what this landmark agreement could mean for the future of women’s sports and beyond. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the power of negotiating meaningful change.   Bio: A trailblazer and sought-after workers’ advocate, Deborah Willig [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahwillig/] has handled labor relations and employment law for more than four decades. She advises and negotiates on behalf of labor unions whose members represent a broad cross section of the labor market. As part of the core negotiating team for some of the region’s most significant labor contracts, she has helped to secure fair outcomes—raising wages, improving living standards, protecting pension and health care benefits and ensuring that rules are equitable and properly enforced.  Among Deborah’s union clients are teachers and public-school employees; public health, social services, library and recreation workers; firefighters, teamsters, musicians, cafeteria, and hotel and restaurant employees. For decades Deborah has been involved in every collective bargaining negotiations between City of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia and their respective Union employees.  Deborah’s work for public and private sector unions includes interest and grievance arbitrations as well as providing guidance regarding internal governance and staff matters. She also represents Trustees in jointly administered public and private sector health and welfare funds and is highly skilled at analyzing health benefit plan designs and costs and advising clients on their impact. Among her multiple successes in negotiating health care and other benefits, Deborah secured a major arbitration victory requiring a large Philadelphia employer to provide domestic partner benefits years before they were commonplace.  As the Managing Partner of Willig, Williams & Davidson, Deborah carefully oversees the hiring of equally dedicated lawyers to foster a culture of inclusion, advocacy, community and service. As a result of these efforts, the firm is home to strategic and proactive lawyers who believe in what they do and work to protect the rights of workers.  The first female Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association in 1992, Deborah shattered the glass ceiling and set the stage for women as leaders in the legal profession. She continues to serve workers and lawyers by presenting at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Temple University Beasley School of Law and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Deborah has been recognized for her work and advocacy in numerous ways, including with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Legal Intelligencer Lifetime Achievement Award, the Sandra Day O’Connor Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Philadelphia Business Journal Women of Distinction Award, the Labor Human Rights Award from the Jewish Labor Committee, The Agent of Change Award from Women’s Way, the Israel Labor Medal from the State of Israel Bonds, the Vocational Service Award from the Rotary Club of Philadelphia, and the Outstanding Service Award from Pennsylvania Citizen’s Action. She was also selected by a nationwide group of peers as a Member of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

Immigration, Advocacy, and Action in LA: Insights from Hydee Feldstein Soto

In this week’s episode of the NAWL Podcast, Sari Long [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sari-long/]—Co-Chair of NAWL’s Advocacy, Education & Programming Committee and Partner at Faegre Drinker—sits down with Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hydee-feldstein-soto-082350103/] for a compelling conversation. Hydee shares insights into her career journey and the motivations that led her to serve as LA’s City Attorney, along with her perspective on the city’s most pressing challenges today. The discussion also highlights a significant development in her work: the formation of a coalition to join Perdomo v. Noem, a case addressing critical immigration enforcement practices impacting the Los Angeles community. Tune in for this timely and thought-provoking episode, and learn how you can play a role in supporting and protecting your own community.   Learn more [https://cityattorney.lacity.gov/] about Hydee and explore her work as Los Angeles City Attorney Get details [https://cityattorney.lacity.gov/updates/la-city-attorney-hydee-feldstein-and-local-leaders-file-motion-intervene-federal-lawsuit] on the case Perdomo v. Noem and its broader implications.   Bios Hydee Feldstein Soto [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hydee-feldstein-soto-082350103/] is the 43rd Los Angeles City Attorney, elected in November 2022 and sworn into office in December 2022. She is the City's general counsel and serves as legal advisor to the Mayor, City Council, and to the hundreds of boards, departments, officers and entities that make up the City of Los Angeles. The Office of the City Attorney is responsible for providing advice and legal opinions to every officer, department head, board, commission or other unit of the City and preparing and signing off on all contracts and other legal relationships of the City of Los Angeles. The City Attorney interprets federal, state, county and municipal laws for Los Angeles, drafts City ordinances and is responsible for the application, implementation, and enforcement of all laws within the jurisdiction, defending the City and its charter. In addition, the City Attorney approves and documents all transactions to which the City is a party, oversees all litigation and other proceedings in which Los Angeles is involved and is responsible for civil and criminal misdemeanor enforcement actions. As the City's chief prosecutor, Feldstein Soto oversees the prosecution of misdemeanors and the administration of criminal justice, including alternatives to incarceration. Her team of more than 1,000 legal professionals, including 550 attorneys, carries out the City's legal work at her direction and under her supervision. Feldstein Soto was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and moved to the mainland United States to attend Swarthmore College and then Columbia University School of Law. After law school, she moved to Los Angeles and has called Los Angeles home for more than 40 years. Feldstein Soto raised her family and built her career as a partner in private practice at large international law firms, earning wide recognition and acclaim for her leadership, problem solving acumen and legal ability. Feldstein Soto is fully committed to serving Los Angeles and its people in this position   Sari Long [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sari-long/] is a Colorado-based attorney who helps companies create strategies around immigration, Form I-9 compliance and worksite enforcement. She advises on U.S. employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visas and labor certifications, family-based immigration, and refugee and asylum issues. Sari works with employers across the U.S. in a range of industries to apply for and secure work authorization and permanent residence for employees, and she provides a full range of training for HR and legal teams on immigration and I-9 compliance issues, including compliance with the anti-discrimination provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Sari is invited to speak nationally on immigration matters, and she is a strong advocate for employers seeking to solve workforce challenges through creative immigration solutions.

Reproductive Rights, Real Impact: Flory Wilson on Leading Change Post‑Dobbs

In this week's episode of the NAWL Podcast, USF Research Professor and co-chair of NAWL's Advocacy Education & Programming Committee, Michelle Travis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-a-travis/], sits down with Flory Wilson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/florywilson/], Founder and CEO of the Reproductive & Maternal Health Compass. They discuss how organizations can support reproductive and maternal healthcare in the post-Dobbs era. Drawing on RMH Compass research, the conversation explores the strong business case for policies and benefits that truly meet employees' needs, and how these benefits help recruit, retain, and advance women in the workplace. Tune in to learn how to advocate effectively for reproductive rights and advance meaningful change within your workplace and professional life.   Learn more about Flory and her work with RMH Compass. [https://rmhcompass.org/]   Bios   Flory Wilson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/florywilson/] believes that companies who invest in and show up for their employees will always outperform the market. A seasoned "activator" of the business community, as the founder of Reproductive & Maternal Health Compass (RMH Compass), Flory is a driving force in closing the gap in essential health benefits for the U.S. workforce—advocating for comprehensive support that covers the full reproductive lifecycle -- everything from menopause care and doula services to family formation and medical travel reimbursements. Flory’s insights are backed by twenty years of experience building the B Corp movement and international economic policy, bringing a unique economic lens to corporate stewardship.  Known for her ability to turn complex frameworks into actionable corporate strategy, she is a frequent contributor to major business publications on the future of work.   Michelle Travis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-a-travis/] is a Research Professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she led USF’s Work Law and Justice Program. She is also a contributing writer for Forbes.com on leadership strategy issues. As a founding member of the Work and Family Researchers Network, Michelle’s research focuses on employment discrimination law, gender stereotypes, and work/family integration. Before joining academia, Michelle practiced management-side employment law in the Bay Area. She has served on the NAWL Advocacy Committee since 2023. Her book, Dads for Daughters, is a guide for engaging male allies to advance gender equity. She has also authored an award-winning children’s picture book, My Mom Has Two Jobs, which celebrates working moms.

Resolving with Purpose: ADR, Negotiations, and Modern Legal Leadership

In this week’s episode of the NAWL Podcast, Kara McCarthy Perry [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-mccarthy-perry-jd-4442965/], Founder and Consultant of Just Brilliant LLC, sits down with Ingeuneal Gray [https://www.linkedin.com/in/icgesq/], Vice President of Inclusion and Engagement at the American Arbitration Association. Their conversation explores Alternative Dispute Resolution alongside leadership development, inclusive engagement, negotiation strategy, and taking a holistic approach to legal practice. The discussion highlights how collaboration, relationship‑building, and strong communication influence effective legal and professional outcomes. Insightful and practical, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.    Learn more [https://www.adr.org/] about AAA as they celebrate 100 years of service! Create agreements that reflect shared values, clarify expectations, and support healthy relationships with Conscious Contracts® [https://consciouscontracts.com/] Explore [https://www.integrativelaw.com/] how Integrative Law can transform your approach to conflict resolution and drive more sustainable outcomes Learn more about Kara’s work with Just Brilliant LLC [https://justbrilliantlife.com/]   Bios: Ingeuneal C. Gray, Esq. is Vice President of Inclusion and Engagement at the American Arbitration Association (AAA), a not-for-profit organization and the largest private global provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services. Ms. Gray leads the development and implementation of strategies and initiatives that align with the AAA’s commitment to expanding the pool of qualified arbitrators and mediators to better reflect the varied backgrounds and experiences across society. Before becoming Vice President of Inclusion and Engagement, Ms. Gray served as Commercial Vice President at the AAA, where she managed the administration of large, complex cases; oversaw regional panels of arbitrators and mediators; and provided leadership for the AAA’s national energy panel. Recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Houston, Ms. Gray is an attorney, arbitrator, and mediator with more than 20 years of legal experience. She is the recipient of the 2024 CPR International Institute Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity in ADR and was named the Houston Business Journal’s 2025 Outstanding Leader in Diversity. She is also a 2025 finalist for Ally of the Year for the ALM Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards.  Prior to joining the AAA, Ms. Gray was the principal of ICG Law Firm, where her practice focused on business transactions, compliance, conflict prevention, and ADR in the areas of government contracts and commercial and construction-related matters.  Ms. Gray is a member of the distinguished Texas Bar College of Legal Scholars. She currently serves as Chair of the ABA Business Law Section’s Dispute Resolution Committee and is the Past Chair of the State Bar of Texas ADR Section. Ms. Gray regularly presents at legal and industry conferences nationwide, where she speaks on the critical role of inclusion in strengthening dispute resolution. Her work reflects a deep commitment to expanding access, fostering excellence, and shaping a more representative future for the field.    Kara McCarthy Perry, JD is an integrative lawyer, legal educator, speaker, and consultant working at the intersection of law and well-being. After more than two decades at large firms and in-house as a healthcare transactional lawyer, Kara now dedicates her work to examining the relational and human dimensions of legal practice.  Drawing on her legal background alongside training in yoga and meditation, she brings an intentional and reflective lens to negotiation, contracting, and professional identity in support of sustainable legal practice. Kara teaches at Quinnipiac University School of Law and Seton Hall University School of Law. As a Senior Fellow with Quinnipiac’s Center on Dispute Resolution, the Project for Integrative Law in Legal Education, and a Conscious Contracts® practitioner, she works with students and clients to design relational agreements that foster trust and adaptability. She holds leadership roles with the Mindfulness in Law Society and the Institute for Well-Being in Law and serves as a faculty advisor to TEDLaw. Kara is also the founder of Just Brilliant LLC, a consulting and education company supporting individuals and organizations in finding purpose in their practice through values-aligned collaboration and relationship-centered leadership. She believes that when lawyers are supported in their well-being, the profession is better positioned to build a just, resilient, and enduring legal system.

Reclaiming History: Inside Randol Schoenberg’s Battle for Holocaust‑Stolen Art

This week on the NAWL Podcast, host and NAWL member Lisa Kohn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisakohn1/] welcomes attorney Randol Schoenberg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/randols/]—renowned for his role in the landmark caseRepublic of Austria v. Altmann, which fought to reclaim artwork stolen during the Holocaust, including the famous Portrait of Adele Block-Bauer I (“Woman in Gold”) by Gustav Klimt.  In this powerful episode, Lisa and Randol delve into the gripping story behind this historic legal battle, unpack the legal and moral complexities of art restitution, and discuss why these issues remain profoundly relevant today. Tune in for an engaging and deeply moving conversation that brings one of the most extraordinary restitution cases to life.