The Women, Influence & Power in Law Conference, which will be held Oct. 3-4, 2013 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C., features a number of female in-house and outside counsel, speaking on a variety of legal topics. One of the most powerful and influential women in government, Mary Jo White, chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), will be on hand at the event to talk about some of the major issues facing the SEC today.

The opening plenary session, “An Interview with the Chairman” will kick off the conference, anchoring the first day of the event with an insightful and fascinating discussion. On hand to speak with Chair White will be Nancy Kestenbaum, partner at Covington & Burling LLP and Sara E. Moss, executive vice president and general counsel of the The Estee Lauder Companies.

During the session, Chair White will discuss her personal journey, sharing insights as to the challenges and triumphs that brought her to where she is today. In addition, the session will feature a Q&A format, so Chair White will have an opportunity to address matters that are on the minds of both in-house and outside counsel.

White was sworn in as the 31st Chair of the SEC on April 10, 2013. Prior to this position, White served as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1993 to 2002, and was the first and only woman to hold that position. White then worked as chair of litigation at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York, where she led a team of more than 200 lawyers. She is the recipient of many awards, including the Sandra Day O'Connor Award for Distinction in Public Service, and the “Women of Power and Influence Award” given by the National Organization for Women.

The upcoming Women, Influence & Power in Law conference offers an opportunity for unprecedented exchange with women outside counsel. The event, which runs from Oct. 2-4, will be held at the Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.