header-logo header-logo

Women in law

31 March 2017 / Matthew Kay
Issue: 7740 / Categories: Features , Profession
printer mail-detail
nlj_7740_kay

Matthew Kay explores the steps being taken to support women within the legal profession

It is not news to anyone in the legal profession that when it comes to the more senior roles, men still dominate. Statistics from PwC show that on average; just 17% of partners in the top 25 law firms are female and in 2016, recruiter Laurence Simons found that 62% of female lawyers felt their gender had hampered their ability to reach senior legal roles.

However, it is not just that women are not being promoted, but leaving the profession altogether. At the start of this year, the International Bar Association (IBA) Legal Policy & Research Unit (LRPU) launched a global investigation into the reasons behind why women are leaving the legal profession. The IBA LRPU is keen to find out the barriers experienced by female lawyers and how the trend could be reversed.

Gender diversity is being talked about like never before, with stories about equal pay and discrimination in the news daily. Just recently it was reported that the

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Quinn Emanuel—James McSweeney

Quinn Emanuel—James McSweeney

London promotion underscores firm’s investment in white collar and investigations

Ward Hadaway—Louise Miller

Ward Hadaway—Louise Miller

Private client team strengthened by partner appointment

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

Kate Gaskell, CEO of Flex Legal, reflects on chasing her childhood dreams underscores the importance of welcoming those from all backgrounds into the profession

NEWS
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
In NLJ this week, Ian Smith, emeritus professor at UEA, explores major developments in employment law from the Supreme Court and appellate courts
Writing in NLJ this week, Kamran Rehman and Harriet Campbell of Penningtons Manches Cooper examine Operafund Eco-Invest SICAV plc v Spain, where the Commercial Court held that ICSID and Energy Charter Treaty awards cannot be assigned
back-to-top-scroll