Get In The Game: Women Lawyers Hoop It Up! In just over two years of existence the Get in the Game Lady Lawyers League (GITG) has transformed from a couple of friends playing pick-up basketball to an official not-for-profit with more than 550 members nationwide.

The league is the brainchild of Lindsay Amstutz, a 2006 graduate of Georgetown Law who is currently the WNBA Director of Team Business Development. It began as a women's basketball club at the Georgetown Law Center as a means for female students to play pick-up hoops a few times a week and get to know their future colleagues. After a one-day tournament in D.C., female lawyers in the community had so much fun that Amstutz's dream was quickly able to turn to reality.

The Get in the Game Lady Lawyers League (GITG) hit the ground running. While the goal of the league was always to encourage physical activity and community involvement, it began to multiply in womanpower as word spread. “There's a certain caliber to women in sports and law,” said Amstutz, “They are the doers and the go-getters.” Despite these women working full-time jobs with several other things going on, they continue to make the time to make a difference.

In 2006, GITG volunteers served as mentors at the Girls, Inc. “Be Fit” summer clinic with the Washington Mystics. They gave their time to lead groups of girls ages 6 – 18 through clinics in sports, fitness and nutrition. Their involvement in girls' sports doesn't stop there. GITG members attended the Stanford Center on Ethics' Title IX Today, Title IX Tomorrow Conference to provide their insight on gender equity in women's athletics of all levels.

GITG teamed up with the National Women's Law Center, Northern Virginia Area (NOVA) United and the WNBA Washington Mystics this past National Girls and Women in Sport Day (February 6) at a Lady Hoyas basketball game to promote participation of girls and women in sport and physical activity. Halftime included an exhibition game between girls and women of all ages.

Similar to the mission of the Women's Sports Foundation, GITG realizes that girls need positive role models to keep them active in sport. “We want to provide role models of women who are playing. Women will go to the gym and jump on a treadmill, but we don't go outside to play. It's important for girls and women to see moms and aunts in sports,” said Amstutz.

Since their modest beginnings as a women's basketball club at Georgetown, GITG has taken it upon itself to annually partner up with a community organization that strives to help young women achieve their dreams. Women Empowered Against Violence, Inc. (WEAVE) was the first community partner to see the benefits of the Lady Lawyers' hard work… and play. During this partnership GITG was able to offer volunteer time, raffle prizes, as well as financial contributions, promotional and public relations support through the league and clinic events.

Currently GITG has partnered with Suited for Change, a not-for-profit organization that provides professional clothing and ongoing career and life skills education to low-income women in order to increase their employment and job retention potential and contribute to their economic independence. GITG plans to offer its services in resume-writing workshops and is planning an accessory drive for the organization in correlation with March Madness.

While the roots of the organization remain based in Washington, D.C., Amstutz and other GITG participants have relocated and are working to develop league branches in other parts of the nation, including New York, California, Minnesota, Texas and Florida. Someday GITG hopes to have Lady Lawyers on courts all over the nation. Lady Lawyers, law students and their friends are encouraged to become a part of this dynamic team. Visit GetintheGameHoops.org today!

By Cassandra Aman

Relevant Links: Get In The Game: Women Lawyers Hoop It Up!