Growing numbers of women in political leadership roles give Margaret Brent nominees hope for change

Left to Right: Therese M. Stewart, Gladys Kessler, Sara Holtz, Mazie K. Hirono and Marygold Shire Melli. Photo by Tony Avelar. The five recipients of this year’s Margaret Brent Lawyers of Achievement Award are leaders in changing the status of women in the legal profession and in general. But at…

Aug 11, 2013 11:32 PM CDT

Day of the Woman celebrates gender equity victories, but ‘our work is not over’

You’ve come a long way, baby, but not far enough. That was the resounding message of the Day of the Woman on Friday at the ABA Annual Meeting. The day, which commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Commission on Women in the Profession, marked the progress women lawyers have made…

Aug 9, 2013 10:39 PM CDT

‘Strategic flirtation’ study finds it’s more common at law firms with competitive cultures

“Strategic flirtation” is more common at law firms with stereotypical masculine cultures that emphasize competition, ambition and assertiveness, according to a survey of 281 female lawyers. The more masculine the culture, the more strategic flirting takes place, the study found. Yet, masculine cultures were less forgiving of flirts than feminine…

Aug 8, 2013 12:15 PM CDT

50 best law firms for women named; more have women in top rainmaker ranks

Women are among the top rainmakers at an increasing percentage of law firms named as most hospitable for women. Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers today released their list of the 50 Best Law Firms for Women. Seventy-eight percent of the firms on this year’s list have one or more women…

Aug 6, 2013 1:55 PM CDT

Letters: Women’s work

Aug 1, 2013 9:30 AM CDT

Pro bono project seeks to increase the number of women in the Kosovar bar

Aug 1, 2013 8:40 AM CDT

‘Indispensable’ late Jeanne Gray built a legacy of vital contributions to the field of legal ethics

Aug 1, 2013 7:50 AM CDT

Minority women find blocks on the path to the top

Aug 1, 2013 7:00 AM CDT

Why are female lawyers leaving BigLaw? ‘Maternal wall bias,’ lack of transparency cited

The percentage of female equity partners at America’s top 200 law firms “remains stalled at an unacceptable 15 percent, with little progress over the past 10 years,” according to ABA President Laurel Bellows. Those female equity partners earn 89 percent of the compensation of their male counterparts, Bellows says, even…

Jul 31, 2013 1:24 PM CDT

Looking to close the gender pay gap? Negotiation is key, free guide says

Even firms with written compensation policies often have a host of informal criteria when it comes to deciding how much partners are compensated. And because there is so much uncertainty when it comes to pay decisions and subjective requirements, the ABA has published a free downloadable guide— What You Need…

Jul 17, 2013 5:37 PM CDT

Law prof files discrimination charge, alleges ‘stark inequality’ in pay for men and women

A law professor has filed a federal administrative complaint against the University of Denver, contending that she has been a victim of gender discrimination and is paid less than comparable male faculty. Lucy Marsh alleges in her Tuesday complaint that the university’s Sturm College of Law pays full professors who…

Jul 10, 2013 11:30 AM CDT

Hillary Rodham Clinton to receive ABA’s highest award

The American Bar Association has announced that Hillary Rodham Clinton will receive its highest award—the ABA Medal. The former U.S. secretary of state and Yale Law School graduate will be presented with the award on Aug. 12 at the ABA’s annual meeting in San Francisco. “For Hillary Clinton’s immense accomplishments…

Jun 28, 2013 4:47 PM CDT

Is it macho for lawyers to put in long hours? ‘Too soon to tell’ about W&L curriculum, prof says

Last week, at the Careerist, Vivia Chen took notes a survey noted by Hastings College of Law professor Joan Williams at Harvard Business Review Blog finding that while 9 percent of mothers work more than 50 hours per week, 29 percent of fathers do. “Why the sizable gap? Williams suggests…

Jun 28, 2013 1:30 PM CDT

Bad experience as immigration client and ‘weird’ website helped lawyer build successful practice

A lawyer from India who has built a successful Maryland immigration boutique from the ground up credits her experience as a client of an uncaring immigration attorney and her website for the Murthy Law Firm’s success, despite her admitted past failings as a boss. Sheela Murthy herself endured a 12-year…

Jun 26, 2013 6:40 PM CDT

Which law firms were honored for placing women in leadership roles?

Forty-two law firms have received a “gold standard certification” for placing women in leadership roles. Women in Law Empowerment Forum created the list to emphasize leadership roles by women equity partners, rather than law firm policies or practices, according to the group’s website. The 42 firms met at least four…

Jun 19, 2013 11:05 AM CDT