Women in the Law

Sex-bias plaintiffs may search personal emails of Chadbourne’s former leaders, judge rules

Updated: Three former partners who sued Chadbourne & Parke for alleged sex discrimination will be allowed to search the personal emails of leaders of the now-defunct firm who are lawsuit defendants. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses allowed the search in a ruling from the bench on Thursday, Law.com (sub. req.)…

Nov 9, 2017 4:42 PM CST

Survey chronicles female lawyers’ exodus from equity partnership, belief they can’t have it all

Law firms are taking steps to improve gender equality, but it’s not translating to a better gender balance past the associate level, according to a new study.

Nov 1, 2017 7:00 AM CDT

ABA will study, recommend steps to address issue of too many women leaving profession

The American Bar Association is launching an initiative called “Achieving Long-term Careers for Women in Law.” We hope to provide critical data and solutions on the issue of women leaving the legal profession.

Nov 1, 2017 2:10 AM CDT

Prioritize and find success through your support system

Many women in this country have no other choice but to work. But all women who work should be supported, not judged.

Nov 1, 2017 1:45 AM CDT

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: I was sexually harassed as a young law professor

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren says she was sexually harassed by a senior faculty member when she was starting out as a law professor. The Democrat from Massachusetts told her story along with three other female senators on NBC’s Meet the Press, report the Boston Herald, the Boston Globe and the…

Oct 23, 2017 10:15 AM CDT

Study of black Harvard law grads finds many leave private practice; 66% would recommend legal career

Black graduates of Harvard Law School leave private practice at a higher rate than white or black lawyers nationwide, according to a study of the graduates from 2000 to 2016.

Oct 17, 2017 7:00 AM CDT

Suit by former income partner claims Winston tethered her career to male lawyers’ employment

A former income partner at Winston & Strawn contends in a lawsuit that the firm discriminated against her by tying her continued employment to the careers of male equity partners and retaliated against her when she refused the law firm’s request to leave. The plaintiff, Constance Ramos, is a former…

Sep 26, 2017 9:55 AM CDT

Women make up a third of recent equity partner classes in BigLaw, survey finds

Corrected: Women lawyers in the nation’s top law firms make up nearly a fifth of equity partners, but the numbers could improve as women make up a greater percentage of new equity partner classes. Women make up 19 percent of all equity partners and 33 percent of lawyers promoted to…

Sep 19, 2017 10:56 AM CDT

Emotional intelligence of female trial lawyers can work in their favor, BigLaw partner says

If I were a client, I would want a female lawyer leading my trial team, according to an employment partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. In an article for Business Insider, Lynne Hermle explains why she would want a woman as lead counsel, including a “keen emotional intelligence quotient” by…

Sep 14, 2017 7:45 AM CDT

After settling equal-pay lawsuit, Sedgwick partner joins another firm

Traci Ribeiro, a former Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold partner who reportedly settled an Equal Pay Act claim with the firm, has joined the Chicago office of Foran Glennon Palandech Ponzi & Rudloff. She will handle complex insurance coverage litigation with the law firm, according to an email the law…

Sep 5, 2017 5:21 PM CDT

Making It Work: Katy Mickelson

Do I really think I am giving less than 100 percent? When I really level with myself, the answer is a resounding no. Despite my attempts to convince myself that I am a girl who does not do everything to the “nth” degree (and I am fine with it), nothing could be further from the truth.

Sep 1, 2017 2:05 AM CDT

Your ABA: The Year Ahead

ABA President Hilarie Bass has chosen homeless youth as the pro bono project for her presidency. She says resolving their common legal needs makes a real difference in their lives.

Sep 1, 2017 1:15 AM CDT

President’s Message: Vision of Success

The future is upon us and never before has there been a more urgent need for the American Bar Association to lead the way toward change in the profession and a better understanding of the rule of law among our citizens.

Sep 1, 2017 12:50 AM CDT

Female lawyers sue for pay fairness

Women who have sued their law firms for gender discrimination put big-firm careers at risk. The alternatives: stay silent and see no change, or move on and hope a pattern of bias does not repeat.

Sep 1, 2017 12:45 AM CDT

New ABA President Hilarie Bass touts lawyers’ role in protecting democracy

Updated: The American Bar Association’s new president, Hilarie Bass, appeared to be speaking partly to nonmembers on Monday when she talked about her own experiences in the organization and its ability to make changes that enhance public confidence in the justice system. The ABA is a powerful organization that can…

Aug 15, 2017 10:39 AM CDT