ABOUT THE 2181 ALLIANCE
The Origin Story
The 2181 Alliance began with a simple but important observation: women managing partners—despite leading major law firms and shaping the future of the legal profession—often lack a dedicated space to connect with one another in a meaningful, substantive way. An early version of this idea, originally conceived by Uri Gutfreund, sought to address that gap, but like so many initiatives, it paused during COVID.
The need, however, did not.
When I revisited the concept, it was immediately clear that the gap had only widened. As a managing partner of a matrimonial law firm in New York City, I have seen firsthand how isolating leadership can be—particularly for women.
I often walked into managing partner meetings where I was the only woman among forty or so men. Something had to change, and I was determined to make it happen.
This is not just about networking.
It is about access—to perspective, to experience, to honesty.
I have always believed that strong women support strong women. But more than that, I believe we learn faster, lead better, and go further when we are surrounded by people who challenge us, elevate us, and tell us the truth. There are very few spaces where you can have candid, thoughtful conversations with people who truly understand both the weight of the role and the nuance behind it.
Reviving and growing the 2181 Alliance is deeply personal to me. It is a passion project grounded in a simple idea: that we should not have to wait generations to see women fully represented in leadership.
Today, the Alliance continues to evolve with a clear mission: To build a community that not only supports women in law firm leadership—but actively accelerates their presence within it.
Because progress should not be measured in decades.
And leadership should never be a solitary experience.