Women in Law Week: Same Title, Less Pay?

It’s a fact: hard-working women in many fields (like law) make significantly less than their male counterparts. A recent study found, even while juggling demands at home, women lawyers work the same hours as men, but with less pay. And while about half the associate law hires in the past two decades were women, less than 15 percent became partners.

What to do about it?

“Women should not be afraid to take chances,” says Margaret Strange, Attorney at Law at Jackson Lewis LLP. “Look for areas that will be developing down the road and create an early expertise.”

Tara Kamradt, President of the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law Firms and a partner at Baker Hostetler, agrees. “Clients want to know they’re receiving the highest level of thought and analysis, and a 

diverse team reflects this,” she tells PINK, adding that once firms develop metrics that reflect the value diversity brings to their client teams, women will move up the ladder more quickly. 

Experts say the key to getting what you’re worth is knowing the numbers: keep up with salary trends and how factors like age, location and experience affect them.

Not sure if you can be a lawyer and have a family? Sometimes it’s just a matter of your firm’s stance on things like a flexible work schedule, penalty-free benefits and support systems, like day care or e-conferences.

Bonus PINK Link: Is salary transparency the key to closing the pay gap?

By Caroline Cox

“The minute you settle for less than you deserve,
you get even less than you settled for.” Maureen Dowd