Burns White is proud to celebrate International Women’s Day by recognizing the remarkable accomplishments of our women attorneys. Women are integral to our firm’s leadership, decision-making, and overall success. This year, we are especially excited to spotlight three outstanding attorneys who have achieved a significant career milestone—promotion to equity membership.
To provide insight into their journeys, we interviewed Courtney Barbacane, Monica Fillmore, and Elizabeth Stefanski and asked them to share insights into their path to leadership with the following questions! Their answers are shared below.
Courtney C. Barbacane
Courtney Barbacane is a Member in our Conshohocken office and a seasoned trial attorney defending doctors, hospitals, and long-term care facilities in medical malpractice and professional liability matters throughout state and federal courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Q: What opportunities for women at Burns White excite you the most for 2025?
A: That is difficult to pinpoint because I firmly believe that any opportunity where you can showcase your work-product (whether through speaking engagements, legal writing, etc.) is an opportunity for recognition and advancement.
Q: How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
A: An esteemed colleague once told me that a “rising tide raises all ships,” and that concept continues to inspire and motivate me.
Q: What’s your advice for women looking to advance their careers this year?
A: Hone your craft and find a creative way to set yourself apart from others.
Monica C. Fillmore
Monica C. Fillmore is a Member in our Cherry Hill office. Monica is a skilled litigator who represents healthcare providers and institutions in long-term care, medical malpractice, and dental malpractice matters.
Q: What opportunities for women at Burns White excite you the most for 2025?
A: This is a firm that encourages and thrives on strong female leadership and mentorship. I am excited to see our ranks continue to grow with additional women who will be an asset not only to our clients, but across the firm.
Q: How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
A: The biggest way I seek empowerment and encourage those around me is to advocate for myself. For too long, women have been told to make themselves small or diminish their voices. However, through not only the firm as a whole, but our amazing client base, we have seen our attorneys reach new heights as they zealously advocate for our clients.
Q: What’s your advice for women looking to advance their careers this year?
A: Don’t be afraid to seek new opportunities and mentorship where possible. It will never hurt to ask and to advocate for yourself.
Elizabeth A. Stefanski
Elizabeth A. Stefanski is a Member in our Conshohocken and serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Employment Practices Liability group. Elizabeth is also a skilled litigator experienced in complex state and federal matters.
Q: What opportunities for women at Burns White excite you the most for 2025?
A: As a way of background, I have been with BW for 13 years. It has been so exciting to see the firm develop and grow over several years. The focus has always been on supporting, promoting, and retaining talented attorneys, and this includes women. For 2025, I am excited to see The Women’s Initiative continue to expand and support female attorneys in their career paths. This group has been such a tremendous resource to me over my career with the firm. I specifically remember years ago hearing one of the female equity partners discuss the challenges between a full-time litigation practice and family, and I knew that this firm would support me in achieving that goal as well. Additionally, I am excited about all of the marketing efforts and growth of several practice groups, including the Employment Practice Liability group.
Q: How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
A: Qualities that I find empowering are hard work, effort, and determination. I try to demonstrate those skills at the firm and within my practice group. I strive to ensure that our associates are given opportunities to be successful, which includes making myself available to them when needed. The goal is to always be pushing you and those you work with to be their best selves so that you can collectively represent the firm and your clients to the best of your ability.
Q: What’s your advice for women looking to advance their careers this year?
A: For women looking to advance their careers this year, find a support system within the firm, go the extra mile, and be your own advocate.
Congratulations to Courtney, Monica, and Elizabeth on this career milestone!