DISCO’s Post

New Year. New Barriers to Break. According to the recent report by the National Association for Law Placement, 2023 witnessed unprecedented achievements in diversity. Progress in Numbers: - For the first time, women constitute the majority of associates, marking a significant milestone at 50.31%. - Associates of color experienced a 1.8 percentage point increase, reaching 30.15%, the largest gain in over three decades. While the numbers of women and associates of color reached all-time highs, it's crucial to acknowledge the work that lies ahead, especially in the journey toward equitable partnership representation. As a young-ish female partner in an AmLaw 50 firm, I'm proud of the strides we've made in elevating women, but it's disheartening to see the persistent gap in reaching partnership positions. Let's make 2024 the year of greater change through open dialogue and mentorship programs that actively address and dismantle barriers, ensuring every talented woman has a fair shot at the highest ranks of leadership in her law firm. #NewYearNewOpportunities

In continuing with our celebration of Women’s History Month, we asked YCBF President Christy Fawcett what advice she has for aspiring women in the legal field. #WomensHistoryMonth "A lawyer should be intellectual, empathetic, and have an understanding of the complexities and nuances of the people they deal with. Because they often follow non-traditional life and career paths, women frequently excel in these areas. If you want to be a force for positive change and be a leader in your community, become an attorney!"

Women's History Month prompts us to celebrate the remarkable women who have shaped the legal profession. From the influential legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the vital roles played by paralegals and other legal practitioners, this article honors the historical contributions of women in law. It also emphasizes the ongoing journey toward diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal field. To read the full article, visit https://ow.ly/VPhQ50QVUpE.

Women, Influence & Power in Law 2024 is described as one of the “most inspiring and empowering women's conferences in the legal space," bringing together 700+ senior female legal leaders for networking, professional development, industry insights, and more. FMG's Chicago Partner Amy Frantz will be in attendance this week in the Windy City. Make sure to connect with Amy at the conference. Learn more about this event here: https://lnkd.in/egqK8FSb #FMG #FMGLaw #WIPL #ALM #FMGChicago #womeninlaw

Women's History Month prompts us to celebrate the remarkable women who have shaped the legal profession. From the influential legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the vital roles played by paralegals and other legal practitioners, this article honors the historical contributions of women in law. It also emphasizes the ongoing journey toward diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal field. To read the full article, visit https://ow.ly/VPhQ50QVUpE.

🌟 Thrilled to be featured in WomELLE’s WomLEAD Magazine! 🌟 As a first-generation Latina lawyer from the Bronx, my journey has been anything but conventional. From enlisting in the United States Air Force straight out of high school to navigating the challenges of law school while working full-time, each step has shaped who I am today. In this feature, I share how my background and experiences have influenced my career at Barton LLP, where I focus on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and minority investments. I talk about the importance of authenticity, resilience, and leading with compassion in the legal industry. 🚀 Highlights from the article: - My transition from the Air Force to Columbia University and Fordham University School of Law. - Balancing work and studies, leading to my passion for practical legal impact. - The unique, client-focused approach at Barton LLP that resonates with my values. - Advancing innovation in M&A and AI technologies through our Outside General Counsel services. - Navigating the legal industry as a woman and the power of mentorship and empathy. I hope my story inspires others, especially women and those from diverse backgrounds, to embrace their unique paths and lead with kindness and integrity. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eV2XqqXu #WomenInLaw #MergersAndAcquisitions #OutsideCounsel #LatinaLawyer #FirstGeneration #Leadership #CompassionateLawyering #DiversityAndInclusion #InnovationInLaw #Inspiration

Law.com and reporter Habiba Cullen-Jafar spotlight the experiences of four remarkable female lawyers navigating the legal industry's challenges and triumphs. Despite significant progress, the journey for women in law remains complex, highlighting the need for continued support and systemic change. Featuring: - Heather Gagen of Travers Smith, inspired by Nancy Drew and driven by her mother's perseverance. - Laura Durrant of Equitura, guided by early admiration for a lawyer and now leading the Black Talent Charter. - Ursula Owczarkowski of Covington & Burling LLP, who turned problem-solving into a dynamic career in energy law. - Nadine Amr of Vinson & Elkins, inspired by her trailblazing grandmother and balancing partnership with parenthood. Their stories remind us that while representation has improved, much work remains to ensure equity and support for women in the field. Thank you, Law.com, and Habiba Cullen-Jafar for shedding light on these inspiring journeys. Read more here: Change is Glacial: 4 Women on Being Leaders in the Legal Industry - https://lnkd.in/eAJijfRD #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInLaw #LegalIndustry #LawLeadership #AtlasByCodexEdge #CodexEdge #Atlas #DiversityAndInclusion #GenderEquality #WomenEmpowerment #LegalInnovation

Happy International Women's Day! Last year, women accounted for 50.3% of U.S. associates, surpassing men for the first time. The legal industry is evolving! However, recent surveys show that women still only make up about 25% of equity partnerships in private practice. Law firms need to pay close attention to how they are mentoring, training, and promoting women attorneys to address this statistic. If your firm can hire women but not keep them, there may be issues that need to be addressed. #DRICommunity #WomensHistoryMonth #womeninthelaw

In 2023, women comprised 50.31% of law associates in the U.S. But, hold back the applause. NALP also reported greater strides of women at the partnership level but still made up only 27.76% of all partners — only a 1.1% increase from the previous year. That means there’s still work to do. We’re talking about equality in leadership. We can choose to celebrate progress while still pushing and asking for more. Here are 4 to-do’s of legal leaders to help women climb the corporate ladder: 1. Give consistent feedback on women’s strengths and weaknesses at work. 2. Create career support groups that women can go to for mentorship and advice.  3. Provide women with opportunities to gain more visibility and harness their skills.  4. Inform the organization about the value of women in the legal industry. In a nutshell, this is all about empowering women to take up space and smash glass ceilings in the corporate arena. The lack of women in leadership roles is not solely female professionals’ problem to solve — it’s the industry’s problem. Who’s with me?? 👇🏻

👉𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐌𝐈𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 Empowering Women in Law: Nominate a Trailblazer for the 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 2024! 🌟 As changemakers and advocates of equality, it is crucial that we take a moment to recognize the incredible women who are shaping the legal landscape. The 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢 𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 2024 is our perfect opportunity to applaud the resilience, brilliance, and dedication of female legal professionals who are setting new standards of excellence. The 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢 𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 are more than accolades; they symbolize the strides we have made towards a more inclusive legal community, showcasing the progress that is possible when talented women are at the forefront. These awards serve as an inspiration for young girls everywhere, demonstrating that there is no ceiling too high to shatter. 📊Latest Trends: In the past year, we have seen a surge in initiatives aimed at diversifying leadership within law firms and legal departments. Programs led by women have played a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of female legal experts. There is an increasing focus on work-life balance that empowers women to excel both in courtrooms and at home. 🎯The Call-to-Action: Support fellow women in law by nominating someone whose work has brought about transformative change. Think of colleagues, mentors, or role models whose contributions deserve recognition. Your nomination can spotlight their achievements and promote further progress. Here's how YOU can amplify their impact: 1️⃣Nominate: Head to the 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢 𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 website: www.justitia-awards.at and submit your nomination. 2️⃣Share: Let us know about the woman you have nominated and why, using #JustitiaAwards 3️⃣Engage: Encourage others in your network to nominate their champions. Let us stir up a wave of appreciation that resonates throughout the #LegalCommunity. Share your thoughts and join the conversation – who are the women in law that inspire you? Drop a comment below or write a post about the change-makers you admire with the hashtag #WomenInLaw. Together, let's celebrate women in the legal professions and pave the way for a more equitable future in the legal field. #thewomeninlawintiative #alixfanklaw #nominatenow #yourchancetowinthisaward #legal #empoweringwomen #legalcommunity #advocates