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December 15, 2010
Women in Law Week: Are Women Lawyers Held Back?
 “If you demonstrate leadership, power will follow,” says Jennifer Kenedy, managing partner of Locke, Lord, Bissell & Liddell. But that’s not necessarily the case.
A recent White House Project on Women study yields disappointing results. “At the very top of the legal sector,” the report states, “women have made no progress at all in the last 15 years.” Not only are they scarce in law schools as faculty and deans, but only about 20 percent of judges in all courts are female, and 92 percent of surveyed firms “said their highest paid attorney was a man.”
Kenedy hopes women can begin to change this by using their strengths and the strengths of colleagues to effectively win over commitment.
“Look for projects to volunteer for that make an impact,” suggests Kenedy. Resources like the Women in Law and the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession provide support, statistics and Life/Work solutions for women trying to advance in the legal field. She also recommends joining women’s initiative groups, and if they’re not offered, volunteer to start one.
Phyllis Horn Epstein’s book Women at Law: Lessons Learned Along the Pathways to Success includes interview excerpts from hundreds of highly successful women in law and the valuable lessons from their experiences, like if part-time is right for you and how you truly can “do it all.”
Bonus PINK Link: The U.S. ranks 68th in women's leadership internationally. Here's how we can change that.
By Caroline Cox
"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." Beverly Sills
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Comments
Rainmaking , pure and simple
Women are rarely perceived as Rainmakers (and often rarely are focused on rainmaking) in law firms. It takes more than "good work" and volunteering on projects to make equity partner and more women need to be aware of that from the first day they set their foot in the door of any private law firm. Its a disservice to pretend otherwise, I'm a bit disappointed that the Women in Law group didnt menton that in this article.
And if you plan to be an elected judge, you'll need campaign funds, which also requires rainmaking, albeit a different form. Should be taught from day one in law school.
wish women didn't have to try so hard
“Look for projects to volunteer for that make an impact,” suggests Kenedy. Resources like the Women in Law and the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession provide support, statistics and Life/Work solutions for women trying to advance in the legal field. She also recommends joining women’s initiative groups, and if they’re not offered, volunteer to start one.
^This is nice. But i wish women didn't have to try so hard. Like we have to compensate for something just because we're....female. - www.bitchvarsity.com
Financial Industry
That was not suprising what I read in the legal profession. I was hoping that there would of been some light at the end of the tunnel. I work in the Financial Industry and I am pretty sure that there findings would be the same. Could you suggest some books or book that I could read in regards to survival in this industry or start any positive groups for woman?
Debra Dalton
ddalton4444@yahoo.com