The National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) 2007 national survey on retention and promotion of women in law firms found that in the largest U.S. firms, men hold 84 percent of equity partnerships, 92 percent of managing partner positions, and 85 percent of the seats on governing committees.
Wisconsin
Lawyer
Vol. 81, No. 9, September
2008
Women lawyers lag behind men in managing partner
positions and
other key law firm roles nationwide
The National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) 2007 national survey
on retention and promotion of women in law
firms found that in the largest U.S. firms, men hold 84 percent of
equity partnerships, 92 percent of managing partner positions, and
85 percent of the seats on governing committees. Male equity partners
also earn, on average, nearly $90,000 more than
female equity partners at the nation's top firms.
According to Milwaukee attorney Margo Kirchner, president of
Wisconsin's Association for Women Lawyers (AWL),
"The advancement and retention of women attorneys is a hot topic.
While some reports focus on identifying the causes of the lack
of women in senior legal positions, the NAWL report provides a real
action plan to move women forward in this profession."
The report, released in July, recommends law firms align
compensation systems to promote:
- advancing women into leadership positions;
- retaining and promoting women;
- increasing women's business development;
- measuring access to key business development opportunities by
women; and
- offering training for women in leadership and business
development, workplace behavior, communication, mentoring,
and networking.
Kirchner intends to increase AWL members' awareness of reports
like NAWL's action plan so they can take that
information back to their employers or use it in their own career
development.
"In addition to its networking benefits, AWL offers members
a forum for raising and discussing issues specific to
women attorneys and a support network for the times when those issues
require action," says Kirchner.
For more information, contact Dana Robb at (414)
463-0758, or visit www.wisbar.org/bars/awl. Read
the 41-page NAWL report at www.nawl.org.
Wisconsin Lawyer
