Gender Diversity in Large Law Firms



President Teresa Schiller was interviewed recently for an article in the New York Law Journal about gender diversity in large law firms. In the interview, she provided a version of the following remarks, addressing the basic question, "Why are there so few women partners, and what is being done or could be done to change that?"

Although there are many reasons for the paucity of women partners – perhaps as varied as the individual preferences and career choices of women -- some systemic causes are worth exploring: (1) lack of support in advancement; and (2) the desire for work/life balance.

Regarding lack of support in advancement, it is important to examine the leadership in law firms first. The lead partners at many large firms are white males, and some have observed that such leaders tend to support other white males. This support may be provided in informal networking events, such as chats among men in the hallways at work, in offices, over drinks, or at sporting events. Through these informal networks, male associates may learn, for example, about the business development and self-promotional skills that are needed to climb the ladder. Certainly, women need the same support networks - or at least significant formal training -- to acquire and polish their business development and self-promotional skills. A hope is that more women will ascend to leadership positions, which, in turn, will make it easier for other women.

A desire for work/life balance may be another cause of scarcity of women partners in law firms. Many law firms require high billable hours, which can be an unattractive aspect of law firm life for women who are wives and mothers. Women may be more likely than men to exit law firms -- perhaps searching for less-prestigious and lower-paying, but more life-balanced jobs. In addition, women are more likely than men to seek flexible work arrangements at law firms, and there is at least the perception - if not the reality – that working part-time during child-rearing years lends a balance, but at the same time is detrimental to the career of a woman lawyer.

The NYWBA is taking several approaches in response to the problem of too few women partners, which may serve as templates for how law firms might start thinking about the issue. First, the Association is developing a survey to evaluate women’s issues in law firms. With the survey results, we hope to increase awareness of practices of large law firms regarding women, including practices relating to support in advancement and work/life balance. This information may help women to be wiser about their career choices, and it may also help law firms and their leaders to be more aware of their own practices, particularly as they compare with other firms. Secondly, the NYWBA provides mentoring opportunities. To the extent that women may have fewer mentoring opportunities at firms where the more senior leading lawyers "do not look like them," the Women's Bar has instituted some formal mentoring programs to help women along. In addition, the NYWBA provides informal mentoring opportunities to women who participate in programs that provide networking opportunities with more senior women. Finally, the Association provides training for our members. Programs on topics such as rainmaking and networking help women to develop skills that they need as partners.

First, the NYWBA -- led by Committee to Advance the Status of Women in the Profession Co-Chairs Donna Praiss and Brenda Pomerance -- is developing a survey on women's issues, which will soon be issued to Manhattan firms with fifty or more attorneys (about 300 firms). With the eventual survey results, the Association hopes to measure and promote the progress of women in the legal profession. We also hope to establish the NYWBA as a source of statistics on women lawyers. Finally, we hope to have the opportunity to influence decisionmaking and process at law firms. The survey will seek data on such topics as the number of women partners, the number of women in leading positions at firms, and the ability of parents to take part-time positions and stay on the partnership track.

In addition, the Association provides formal and informal mentoring to its members. Through the "mentoring circles" program, which was established in 1994 and is led by Elise Yablonski, groups of members at different levels and positions have the opportunity to meet several times a year to discuss career issues. Some mentoring circles have met consistently for years, developing trust and cohesiveness and fostering the honest exchange of practical advice, perspective, wisdom, and friendship. Also, through our strong affiliation with the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York, members meeting certain qualifications have the opportunity to participate in one-on-one mentoring through the LINK program, which was established in 2002 and is led in our chapter by Jackie Braunstein. LINK is designed to provide a "link" to resources in the legal community for third-year law students and first-year practicing attorneys who are transitioning into legal careers. These "proteges" are matched with more senior mentors who have valuable advice for those new to the profession. Finally, the NYWBA offers informal mentoring at Association events. For example, networking occurs at events such as the annual Reception for Newly Elected and Appointed Judges, at which members have the chance to meet socially with attorneys who have a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Indeed, the NYWBA counts among its members prominent and accomplished lawyers in New York. As a result, junior attorneys share an impressive network just by joining the association and meeting their colleagues.

In addition to providing mentoring opportunities, the NYWBA also provides formal training opportunities. These opportunities are designed to support our members and prepare them to be better-equipped to deal with colleagues and clients. Often, they also provide CLE credits as well. Examples of our past training programs are "Rainmaking Strategies for Attorneys," "Networking Skills Workshop: How to Work a Room," "What It’s Really Like to Practice Law as a Woman in New York," and "Just the Facts, Ma’am: Fact Interviewing Techniques."

In conclusion, as described above, the NYWBA is working to address the problem of too few women partners in large law firms: through the development of a survey to gather information on advancement and work/life balance, through mentoring, and through training. Please join me and our committee leaders on these projects. Hopefully, as a result, we can serve as a source of information and as an example to the law profession.

Archives

February 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller Teresa Schiller reflected on lessons in humility. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the benefits of dual membership in the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of pro bono service. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on military wives as unsung military heroes.To view the President's Message in full, click here.

October 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of making our worlds larger again. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

September 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of building a network of women lawyers. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

July 2006

In her inaugural President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of community. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

Spring 2006

In her President's column in the Spring issue, President Christina Kallas discussed how women continue to lag behind men when it comes to earning power, and suggests that this is one more item for the legislature to address as it considers 'no-fault' divorce legislation. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2006

For Women's History Month, Christina Kallas reflected upon how far we have yet to go. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2006

In her column for February President Christina Kallas asked us to consider what it is we pay attention to in our culture. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2006

In her column for January President Christina Kallas asked, "Do we (still) need a women's bar association?" To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2005

In her column for December President Christina Kallas discusses the Mental Health Court initiative. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2005

In her column for November President Christina Kallas asked us all to honor the memory of Ms. Rosa Parks by making one change. To view the President's message in full, click here.

October 2005

In her column for October in honor of Mediation Settlement Month, President Christina Kallas discusses whether mediation is an underused tool in a lawyer's toolbox. To view the President's message in full, click here.

September 2005

In her column for September, President Christina Kallas reflected upon the changes in our country since September 11th. To view the President's message in full, click here.

June 2005

In her column for June, President Christina Kallas discusses change and continuity. To view the President's message in full, click here.

April 2005

In her column in April, President Elizabeth Bryson talked about sexual politics and "women's work." She took issue with Harvard President Lawrence Summers' recent remarks implying that women are innately less suited to pursing careers in science or engineering. Such retrograde thinking is self-defeating. Mr. Summers had to apologize, and Harvard is now actively address the status of women in academia. Ms. Bryson also discussed upcoming events, including the Association's Annual Meeting, a CLE program on "Evolving Opportunities for Women' Lawyers," the Foundation's next fundraising breakfast, the WBASNY Convention, and of course our fantastic 70th Anniversary celebration on June 1st. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2005

In her column in February, President Elizabeth Bryson talked about matters of life and death. She related the experiences of a friend fighting breast cancer and her mother and family addressing the loss of two brothers to AIDS several years ago, and how each circumstance, though very different, teaches us once again the importance of choosing to live life to its fullest every day. By contrast, she considers the proposal in the NYS Legislature to reinstate the death penalty, and WBASNY's brave stance in opposition. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2005

In her column in January, President Elizabeth Bryson discussed the importance of taking steps to ensure that judges in New York have the appropriate qualifications and integrity to ensure the fair and equal administration of justice. She discusses pending legislation and proposed amendments to the Rules of Judicial Conduct that would have an influence on the method of selecting state court judges and the rules that would apply to candidates for judicial office in New York. Ms. Bryson was honored to chair a WBASNY Task Force to look at the proposed legislation and rule changes, and she discusses the process and proposals. She also describes the recent gala celebration WBASNY's 25 Anniversary and the wonderful presentation of the inaugural "Betty Weinberg Ellerin Mentoring Award" to Justice Ellerin. Finally, she reminds everyone of the importance of ensuring that their membership is renewed by January 31, 2005. New members are also welcome, and they can join for half-price dues starting in January! To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2004

In her column in December, President Elizabeth Bryson discussed the importance of speaking out and being heard. She demonstrated the value of the Association's screening of candidates for judicial office, particularly now, when the integrity of the judiciary is under attack. Because many of our members practice in solo and small firm settings, Ms. Bryson recommended that members appear before the Commission on Solo and Small Firm Practice, which is holding hearings and looking for comments, concerns and suggestions to make the lives of attorneys in these settings and their clients easier. Members should also plan to join us at several upcoming events that promise to be very exciting, including the NYWBA Foundation's Breakfast Series Speaker Event, a fundraiser scheduled for December 1st, WBASNY's 25th Anniversary Gala on December 2nd that will pay tribute to our own past President, the Honorable Betty Weinberg Ellerin, for her nearly 50 years of mentoring and service to women attorneys and judges throughout New York and across the country, and the New York Women's Agenda's Star Breakfast on December 7th. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2004

In her column in November, President Elizabeth Bryson celebrated all the wonderful programs and events that happened this fall, including our Annual Membership Reception. She also discussed the recent controversy with respect to screening the qualifications of candidates for judicial office in New York County, which became the subject of an article in the New York Law Journal. To view the President's message in full, click here.

September 2004

In her column in September, President Elizabeth Bryson asked members to join her in celebrating the Association's 70th Anniversary year (2004-05). Coincidentally, it was also the 25th anniversary year for the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY), which is the umbrella organization for all 16 women's bar associations across New York State. The NYWBA and its past President Joan Ellenbogen were instrumental in the formation of WBASNY, and it is a joy to see that it is flourishing. This is Beth's second term as President, and in her column she discussed the excitement of continuing programs begun last year and new programs that will begin this year. She also congratulated everyone who was involved in the wonderful year-end festivities, including our Annual Dinner and the WBASNY Convention. To view the President's message in full, click here.

April 2005

In her column for April, President Elizabeth Bryson congratulated several women who make history every day, including the 11 honorees designated for Women's History Month by the National Women's History Project and the New York City Commission on Women. She provided an update on the proposed rules that we have supported to allow asylum for women who are victims of domestic violence or other brutality that is directly or indirectly endorsed by their country's governments. Ms. Bryson also highlighted numerous upcoming events, including the NYWBA Annual Meeting and the Annual Ethics Forum, both in April, and the Women's Bar Convention in New Orleans and the NYWBA Annual Dinner, both in May. To view the President's message in full, click here. .

March 2004

In her March 2004 column, Ms. Bryson notes that NYWBA's membership has increased by over 33 percent from last year, and nearly 50% from two years ago. She praises the terrific work of NYWBA members, Officers, Board members, Committee Chairs, and others who worked on our membership drive and demonstrate why our bar association is so important, strong and vital. She also salutes two people who may not be lawyers but whose contributions are absolutely invaluable to the Association and the NYWBA Foundation - Executive Director Marta Toro and NYWBA Foundation member Denise Coleman. "Our Association is blessed with so many wonderful women and men who contribute their talents." To view the President's message in full, click here.

February 2004

In her February 2004 column, Ms. Bryson discussed the importance of mentoring and networking, especially for women attorneys. She also announces that the Association's Annual Meeting will be on April 28, 2004, when the 2004-05 officers and directors will be elected. Our gala Annual Dinner will be on May 26, 2004. At that event, awards will be presented to Linda Greenhouse, Pulitzer Prize winning author and New York Times reporter covering the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Hon. Jacqueline Silbermann, Administrative Judge of the NY County Supreme Court and Chief Administrative Judge for NYS Matrimonial Courts. To view the President's message in full, click here.

December 2003

In her December 2003 column, NYWBA President Elizabeth Bryson profiled important issues for our military, including the incidents of rape and sexual harassment at our military academies, the scourge of domestic violence, and the shameful track record of "don't ask, don't tell." She also discussed our exciting membership drive and the Reception Honoring Newly Elected and Appointed Judges. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2003

In her November 2003 column, NYWBA President Elizabeth Bryson discusses the importance and benefits of membership, as well as the recent visit of distinguished attorneys from Malaysia who were invited by the U.S. State Department to meet with NYWBA representatives. To view the President's message in full, click here.