At the University of Miami School of Law reception at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, two of Miami Law's graduates were celebrated for their accomplishments.
Yvette Ostolaza, J.D. '92 and B.A. '85, was presented as a 2023 honoree at the American Bar Association's Margaret Brent Awards, named for the first woman lawyer in America.
Ostolaza is the management committee chair, executive committee member, and litigation partner at Sidley Austin. The annual ceremony celebrates women lawyers who "carry forward the legacy" of Margaret Brent, the first woman lawyer in America.
"Margaret Brent's story is one of ambition, drive and a sense of purpose," said Ostolaza. "Not only am I honored by the namesake, but I am also inspired by the other honorees. Every woman on this year's list has dedicated their life to positively leading in a wide range of issues across the legal industry. We are united by a commitment to inspiring others and supporting the teams we serve, as well as our communities."
The Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award Honorees award was established in 1991 to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of women lawyers. Each year, this award honors up to five outstanding women lawyers who have achieved professional excellence within their area of specialty and have actively paved the way to success for other women lawyers.
According to the ABA, the 2023 honorees were chosen because they carry forward the legacy of Margaret Brent.
Brent was the first woman lawyer in America, arriving in the colonies in 1638. She was a master negotiator, an accomplished litigator, and a respected leader. She was involved in 124 court cases over eight years and won every case. In 1648, she formally demanded a "vote and voice" in the Maryland Assembly, which the governor denied. Over 250 years later, Harper's Magazine noted: "By this action, Margaret Brent undoubtedly placed herself as the first woman in America to make a stand for the rights of her sex."
Beatriz Azcuy, Yvette Ostolaza, and Dean David Yellen at the ABA reception in Denver
Ostolaza's historic appointment to chair Sidley's Management Committee follows a decades long career of trailblazing accomplishments. She is the firm's first woman management committee chair and the first woman to lead any top seven AmLaw revenue firm.
Ostolaza is also one of the country's leading business litigators. She is a trial lawyer and leads complex internal investigations on behalf of companies, board committees, and individual directors, and defends companies/directors in shareholder and securities class actions. She also serves on the board of directors of Lionsgate Entertainment and the Orange Bowl Committee.
"I am thrilled to have been selected, especially as the first 'Cane to have received this honor," said Ostolaza.
Enix-Ross honored for her service
The leading organization of lawyers in the U.S. has had only 11 women presidents in its 146-year history, and Enix-Ross, J.D. '81 and B.A. '78, was the third Miami Law woman to take the helm.
"My year as president of the American Bar Association in this time of monumental change and upheaval in the legal profession, the country, and the world, has been a challenging but magnificent ride," said Enix-Ross. "Working with the extraordinary lawyers, volunteers, and staff of the ABA, we have fought for greater access to justice, judicial independence, and diversity throughout the profession.
"With tensions and divisions in our country coming to a head and incivility in public discourse undermining the peaceful resolution of disputes, we concentrated on strengthening the cornerstones of democracy — civics, civility and collaboration. By promoting civics education programs and collaborating with all parts of society to foster civility, we hope to bring our country back to the point where we can facilitate better understanding, discussion, and compromise on all issues of contention. Now, we just need to get the 'Canes back in the National Championship game!" she said.
Enix-Ross, a senior adviser to the International Dispute Resolution Group of Debevoise & Plimpton in New York City, joined the firm in 2002. She served as chair of the ABA's policymaking House of Delegates and as chair of the ABA Center for Human Rights. As chair of the ABA International Law Section, she co-founded the Women's Interest Network and worked with the International Bar Association to create its Women's Interest Group. She also led an international legal exchange delegation to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Ghana, where she delivered an address commemorating the country's 50th anniversary of independence.
She is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and served as vice president of the World Justice Project, chair of the ABA Section Officers Conference, vice chair of the International Bar Association's Bar Issues Commission, and ABA representative to the IBA. She is a member of the American Law Institute.
"Deborah and Yvette are exceptional lawyers, leaders, and people," said David Yellen, dean and M. Minnette Massey Professor of Law. "They represent the best of Miami Law. It was great to gather in Denver to honor them."
