Roberta D. Liebenberg

Roberta D. Liebenberg
Principal

Roberta (“Bobbi”) Liebenberg is one of the nation’s leading authorities for advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. She has designed workable policies and best practices for both law firms and corporations seeking to hire and advance women and minority lawyers for meaningful roles at all levels of the organization. Her research and policy reports have provided innovative approaches for understanding the careers for women in the legal profession.  Bobbi currently serves as Co-Chair of the ABA Presidential Initiative on Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women in Law and previously served as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession from 2008-2011 and 2013-2014.  Bobbi also served as the first Chair of the American Bar Association’s Gender Equity Task Force from 2012-2013.

From 2013-2018, Bobbi served as Chair of DirectWomen, the only organization dedicated to increasing the representation of women lawyers on corporate boards.  Bobbi is a member of the National Board of the YWCA USA.

In her law practice, Bobbi is a senior partner at Fine, Kaplan and Black, R.P.C., in Philadelphia. She has repeatedly been listed in the highest band-level as one of the leading antitrust lawyers in the country by the Chambers USA Guide: America’s Leading Business Lawyers.  Bobbi received a J.D. from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, 1975, J.D., magna cum laude and Notes Editor, Catholic University Law Review, and a B.A. from the University of Michigan with Honors. She is a member of the Board of the American Antitrust Institute.

Publications

Bobbi’s recent publications include:

Speeches and Seminars

Bobbi’s recent speeches and seminars include:

  • Opening presentation with Stephanie A. Scharf at Temple Law School exhibit “Lessons of Resilience and Courage from German Jewish Women Lawyers.” March 14, 2024
  • “Women’s Progress in the Legal Profession,” The Portia Project Podcast (Oct. 1, 2023)
  • “Is There a Penalty? Parenthood and Child Caregiving and its Impact on Gender Equality in the Legal Profession,” ABA Annual Meeting, August 5, 2023
  • Acceptance Speech, Judge Learned Hand Award, American Jewish Committee – Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey, Feb. 22, 2023
  • “How to Achieve DEI in Law Firms Now,” Furia Rubel Podcast (November 2022)
  • Acceptance Speech, Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award, Philadelphia Bar Association, June 21, 2022
  • Vision 2020, Seventh National Congress, Philadelphia, PA. June 15-16, 2021.
  • Chancellor’s Forum, Philadelphia Bar Association, “COVID-19’s Impact on the Legal Profession,” June 14, 2021.
  • Co-Chair, ABA World Forum for Women in the Law: “Women, Power and Disrupting the Status Quo,” Jan. 27-29, 2021.
  • “Progressing Towards Partnership,” International Association of Young Lawyers, March 31, 2021.
  • Women Owned Law Virtual Symposium 2021 “Pivoting Forward Together, March 18, 2021.
  • Women Legal 2021 Conference “The Profound Impact of Covid-19 on Women in the Legal Profession,” March 11, 2021.
  • USC Women’s Conference, “The Impact of Covid-19 on Women and Work-Life Balance,” March 5, 2021.
  • “Women in the Law: Productive Teams in a Time of Disruption,” American Health Law Association Podcast, March 3, 2021.
  • “Women in the Law: Practice in the Pandemic and Beyond,” American Health Law Association Podcast, March 1, 2021.
  • “Antitrust and Diversity in the Plaintiffs’ Bar,” American Antitrust Institute Podcast, Nov. 3, 2020.
  • 2020 Corporate Counsel Symposium, Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, Oct. 6, 2020.
  • “How to Maintain Inclusivity For Law Firms In a Remote Environment,” Lawline Podcast, July 17, 2020.
  • “Diversity and Inclusion in the Time of Coronavirus,” Reed Smith webinar, May 28, 2020.
  • “Racism in America – A Courageous Conversation on Race and Privilege,” Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, August 22, 2020.
  • “Attrition of Senior Women Attorneys,” National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations, 2020 Summit, July 31, 2020.
  • “Why Women Leave: The Law Firm Gender Gap and How to Close It,” Burford Capital Webinar, March 23, 2020.
  • “Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women in Law,” Ark 2020 Women Legal Summit, San Diego, CA, February 25, 2020.
  • Max M. Shapiro Lecture, Boston University School of Law, Boston, MA, February 13, 2020.
  • “Advancement and Retention of Women in the Legal Profession,” Allegheny County Bar Association Women in the Law Division, Aug. 27, 2019, Pittsburgh, P
  • “Beyond the Numbers: Sidebar on the 2019 ABA Profile of the Legal Profession,” ABA Annual Meeting, August 10, 2019, San Francisco
  • “Where Have All the Senior Women Gone?”, Pennsylvania Bar Association Annual Meeting, Lancaster, PA, May 15, 2019
  • 2019 Women’s Power Summit on Law & Leadership, “Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women in Law,” Austin, Texas, April 10, 2019
  • JD Annual Conference on Women in the Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, PA, March 15, 2019
  • “Leaders in the Courtroom: From the Trial Courts to the United States Supreme Court,” Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel, Philadelphia, PA, March 7, 2019
  • “Long-Term Careers for Women in Law: What’s Pushing Women Out and What Can We Do To Keep Them In The Profession,” ABA Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL., Aug. 3, 2018
  • “Women in Law: On the Front Lines of Change,” Philadelphia, PA, June 14, 2018,
  • “Driving Diversity in the Legal Profession,” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, May 9, 2018,
  • ABA National Summits on Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women in Law, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA, November 8, 2017 and Northwestern Law School, Chicago, IL, June 28, 2018
  • Northeastern University School of Law’s “Women in the Law Conference,” “Unlocking the Mysteries of the ‘New Girl’ Network,” Boston, MA, May 19, 2017
  • Gender Pay Equity, PBI Annual Employment Law Institute, Philadelphia, PA, April 27, 2017
  • “Grit and Growth Mindset:  Two Traits of Successful Women Lawyers,” The Maryland Association for Justice, Baltimore, MD, March 17, 2017
  • “The Wage Gap, Women & Negotiation,” Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, May 25, 2016
  • Keynote Address, Third Annual Leadership Summit, Miami Dade Women’s Bar Association, Miami, FL, May 19, 2016
  • Symposium, “Women Lawyers in the Courtroom,” U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, IL, April 21, 2016
  • “First Chair: How to Get the Prime Seat at Counsel Table,” Philadelphia Bar Association, Philadelphia, PA, March 29, 2016
  • “Women as Lead Counsel at Trial: What You Can Do to Take the Lead,” ABA Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, August 1, 2015
  • Ark Group, “Women Legal 2015 Conference,” “Breaking into the Boardroom: It’s Time,” New York, NY, May 19, 2015
  • Northeastern University School of Law’s “Women in the Law Conference,” “Bridging the Gender Pay Gap in Law,” Boston, MA, May 15, 2015
  • Bar Ass’n. “Grit, Resilience and Taking Charge: Building Blocks for Success,” Philadelphia, PA, May 7, 2015
  • 2015 Women’s Power Summit on Law & Leadership, “Increasing Diversity in Court Appointments,” Austin, TX, April 16, 2015
  • “Opportunities for Women in Education and Law,” Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, February 23, 2015

Honors and Awards

  • “Lifetime Achievement Award,” The American Lawyer, November 15, 2023
  • “Mary Ann Jorgenson Board Empowerment Award,” DirectWomen, October 6, 2023
  • “Top 10 Influential Antitrust Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Shaping U.S. Law: Nation’s Legal Titans,” Business Today (July 9, 2023)
  • “Judge Learned Hand Award,” American Jewish Committee – Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey, February 22, 2023
  • “Hall of Fame-inism,” ABA Antitrust Law Section’s Women.Connected Committee, November 16, 2022
  • “Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award,” Philadelphia Bar Association, June 21, 2022
  • American Antitrust Institute “Private Enforcement Hall of Fame,” November 12, 2019
  • “Best of the Bar,” Philadelphia Business Journal, October 25, 2019
  • “Elite Women of the Plaintiffs’ Bar,” National Law Journal, July 18, 2019
  • “Lifetime Achievement Award,” The Philadelphia Inquirer “Influencers of Law” Awards, March 26, 2019
  • “Lifetime Achievement Award,” Corporate Counsel and Inside Counsel, October 3, 2018
  • “Hortense Ward Courageous Leader Award,” Center for Women in Law, University of Texas School of Law, April 13, 2018
  • “Distinguished Leaders Award,” The Legal Intelligencer, April 26, 2017
  • “Martha Fay Africa Golden Hammer Award,” American Bar Association Law Practice Division, February 3, 2017
  • Philadelphia Bar Association Board of Governors, “Resolution Honoring Roberta Liebenberg on Receiving the ABA Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award,” December 15, 2016
  • “Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award,” ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, August 7, 2016
  • “Lifetime Achievement Award,” The Legal Intelligencer, May 13, 2015
  • “75 Most Outstanding Women Lawyers,” National Law Journal, May 4, 2015
  • “Outstanding Achievement Award,” Chambers Women in Law Awards, April 2014
  • “Sharing Her Passion Award,” Ms. JD, February 2014
  • “Antitrust Lawyer of the Year Philadelphia,” Best Lawyers in America, 2013, 2018 and 2020
  • “Outstanding Contributions to Gender Diversity and Equality,” Chambers Women in Law Awards, January 2013
  • Florence K. Murray Award, National Association of Women Judges, November 2012
  • Sandra Day O’Connor Award, Philadelphia Bar Association, 2008
  • “Top Ten Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania,” Philadelphia Magazine, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018
  • “50 Most Influential Women Lawyers in America,” National Law Journal, May 2007
  • Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania, 2006
  • Recipient, Lynette Norton Award, Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession, 2003
  • “Women of Distinction,” The Legal Intelligencer, April 26, 2010
  • “Women of Distinction,” Philadelphia Business Journal, December, 2003
  • “Top 50 Female Super Lawyers,” Philadelphia Magazine, 2004-Present
  • Best Lawyers in America, Antitrust, 2006-Present
  • Chambers USA, Leading Lawyers, Antitrust, 2004-Present
  • Lawdragon Hall of Fame, inducted 2021
  • Outstanding Service Award, ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, August 2000
  • Community Legal Services, “Equal Justice Award,” 2005

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Bar Association.  Multiple leadership roles including Co-Chair, ABA Presidential Initiative on Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women in Law (2017-present); Co-Chair, Commission on Governance (2013- 2016); Chair, Commission on Women in the Profession (2008-2011, 2013-2014); Chair, ABA Gender Equity Task Force (2012-2013); Chair, Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary (2006-2007); Standing Committee on Judicial Independence (2007-2008); Member, Board of Governors (2003-2005).
  • YWCA USA:  National Board of Directors, June 2018-Present.
  • American Antitrust Institute:  Board of Directors, 2016-Present.
  • DirectWomen:  Chair, 2013-2018; Vice-Chair, 2011-2013; Co-Founder, 2007; Advisory Board Member, October 2018-Present.
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Gender Bias in the Justice System: Co-Chair, Gender Bias Committee, 2000-2003.
  • Center for Women in Law, University of Texas School of Law: Leader-in-Residence, May 2012-May 2016.
  • National Association of Women Lawyers Foundation: Board Member, 2010-2014.
  • Forum of Executive Women, Board Member 2010-2016.
  • Anti–Defamation League, Chair, Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Region, 2007–2009.
  • Women’s Way, Board Member 2001–2008.
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