It's important
DEI. It stands for diversity, equity and inclusion, and it's a term that's been in the news a lot recently, often to discount the qualifications of certain individuals who are hired or appointed to influential positions. Today, Maureen McTeer writes about how the term "DEI hire" isn't new. In fact, it's been used against women for decades - you can read the full article here, exclusively on The Honest Talk 👇 https://lnkd.in/eN_r7-xm
DEI. It stands for diversity, equity and inclusion, and it's a term that's been in the news a lot recently, often to discount the qualifications of certain individuals who are hired or appointed to influential positions. Today, Maureen McTeer writes about how the term "DEI hire" isn't new. In fact, it's been used against women for decades - you can read the full article here, exclusively on The Honest Talk 👇 https://lnkd.in/eN_r7-xm
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.
On this international women's day and inspired by reading Lady Hale’s autobiography (Spider Woman), I have been reflecting on my own career in the law and life as a woman. Whilst unlike Lady Hale I will never reach the dizzy heights of being a Supreme Court Judge, I have been happy with my life in law. I started out at a time when women of my class still generally got married had children and worked for ‘pin money’ rather than having careers. I was the first in my family to go to university and had no idea what I was getting myself into! The legal profession was male dominated, and old fashioned, and we women could not even wear trousers in court (or the office). Thankfully, it has come a long way since then with over 50% of the entrants into the solicitor’s profession today being women. I have dedicated most of my working life to seeking justice and fairness in the employment field whether by assisting employers or employees. I am very proud to have been involved in the national equal pay campaigns where equality was achieved for thousands of women working in local government and in the NHS. There is, however, still a long way to go. The current version of the Equality Act could do with a serious look at (attention Mr Starmer). For instance, true pay fairness cannot be achieved for a woman unless her job is exactly equal to her male comparator’s. If her job scores 90% against the man’s she loses, she is not entitled to be paid 90% of his rate even though he could be paid £1,000s more. I am also proud to work for a firm with a good balance of women in senior roles. It cannot be a coincidence that in such a firm part-time and term time working is embraced. It is important that good men are influenced by good women! So, whilst some today may be reflecting on the negatives (and I have already heard it said that this week’s budget is sexist) and I agree there is still much to be done, as I sit in the office in my trousers, I want to reflect on the positives and how far we have already travelled because it is that knowledge of past achievement which gives us the strength to push on towards a more inclusive society. Today’s young women truly do stand on the shoulders of superheroes.
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
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
As Women’s History Month concludes, we highlight JoDee Neil’s advice at our “Women in Law” webinar. Follow the link to hear more invaluable career insights: https://okt.to/2rDNiv
#WomenInLaw: For the first time ever, women make up more than half of associates at private US law firms, according to the National Association for Law Placement’s 2023 diversity report. In 2016, we saw how women started outnumbering men in law school classrooms, and by 2022, an impressive 56% of all law students in the US were female. This trend has continued year over year, but now, we are finally seeing that for the first time ever, this groundbreaking shift is no longer confined to academia, but it's also making waves within law firms themselves. A recent article by The American Lawyer (link below) highlights the historic milestone as women now make up the majority of associates in law firms. This transformation signals an enormous change in the legal landscape, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce, but it also brings forth new challenges for law firms as their female attorneys face the need to integrate their careers with motherhood. It has become essential for law firms to implement strategies to retain and harness their increasingly female talent pool, and adapting to their evolving expectations is key. Beyond traditional career advancements, firms must enhance benefits offerings and create environments that cater to the needs of both women and men who prioritize work-life integration, especially those considering or in the process of starting families. At Phoebe, we believe that a demanding professional life should not keep individuals from building a family of their own, and it should not put them in a place where they have to choose either or. We partner directly with employers to provide support for the mothers and families in their workforce from expecting, through postpartum, the return to work, and working parenthood. Our comprehensive, evidence-based approach empowers new parents to confidently navigate life at home and at work, obtaining positive, measurable outcomes for the employers and the employees. The rise of women in law is not just a statistic; it's a testament to the changing dynamics of every profession. Let us work together in making work-life integration more achievable for everyone. #Phoebe #PhoebeDeepDive #law #WomenInLaw #WorkplaceEquity #WorkingMothers #InclusiveWorkspaces
This #WomensHistoryMonth, we’ve taken you through the accounting profession journey at various career levels, through the eyes of our women team members. We started the month by highlighting our women interns. Now, we’re closing the month with some thoughts from our women principals on how female representation in accounting has evolved over the years and the advice they would give to young women who aspire to the principal role. Read more: https://bit.ly/3vwRPE7
Check out these five steps leaders can take to not only ensure that Black women are paid fairly, but to also ensure they are promoted and supported equally at work.
Front Page News: Saturday’s Chicago Sun Times.. Here’s a snippet: Despite the achievement at the entry level, women continue to be underrepresented among leadership, making up 27.8% of partners at U.S. firms. At Chicago firms, the report determined women represent 28.6% of partners. People of color make up 25.8% of associates and 10.7% of partners. Women of color make up 14.2% of associates and 4.5% of partners. Chicago Sun-Times #lawfirms #lawfirmleadership #lawfirmstrategy #diversityequityinclusion
