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Report Shows Increasing Disparity for Women Lawyers

A survey conducted by the National Association of Women Lawyers casts an unfavorable light on U.S. law firms. The survey indicates that there is a relatively low percentage of women equity partners - about 15% - and that the compensation gap between men and women is growing.

What's even more startling is the information published in a different, yet similar report titled,  New Millenium, Same Glass Ceiling? The Impact of Law Firm Compensation Systems on Women. It revealed that "existing compensation systems in law firms were rank with subjectivity, lacked transparency, and left large openings for gender bias."

Even more shocking?

Nearly one-third of the women surveyed reported being bullied, threatened, or intimidated when it came to the issue of origination credit, which is a key factor in setting compensation.

"The focus for quite a long time has been on getting a critical mass of women into these leadership positions," says Joan William, co-author of the report. "One the other hand, once they get there, they face serious, serious problems even if they do everything right. What we saw were depressingly, tightly documented patterns of gender bias."

The study also showed:

• A lack of women and minorities on compensation committees.
• More than half the women surveyed reported being denied their fair share of origination credit.
• Women are not being given networking opportunities that lead to landing new clients.

Williams also notes that women are commonly asked to sit on diversity committees, mentor associates, work pro bono, and take on other team-work assignments that are more important to the firm's long-term health - all of which do not add up to billable hours. Because most compensation systems award rainmakers and billing hours instead of other roles and responsibilities, it appears that women are getting the short end of the stick.

While the study has been well received, the authors note that it's time for law firms to step up to the plate and begin assessing and cross-checking what they're doing. Women need to be advancing toward equity partnership, equity credit, and named to important committees - not taking a step back.

Source: Women Trapped Under the Same Glass Ceiling by Hannah Hayes.

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