NABE - The Association for Bar Professionals’ Post

Women made up 50.31% of associates in 2023, the first time that they were a majority in the 30-plus years that the NALP has been tracking firm diversity data, according to a Jan. 9 press release and the 2023 Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms released Jan. 9. The percentage of associates of color increased 1.8 percentage points in 2023 to 30.15%. That is the largest year-over-year increase for this group measured by the NALP. It is also a big jump since 2010, when the percentage of associates of color was 19.53%.

A critical and meaningful development for the legal industry.

As women and minorities posted their biggest gains in law office representation last year, diversity advocates said firm worries about lawsuits after last year’s US Supreme Court decision threaten progress. “Too often the conversation seems to be shifting from ‘We need to do better,’ to ‘How do we keep from getting sued?’” said Lauren Stiller Rikleen president of Strategic Leadership, which consults law firms on diversity issues. “The Harvard case cannot be an excuse for results that should have been vastly improved years ago.” Read more on how we can battle this threat: https://lnkd.in/grw5KQaJ #hiring #recruiting #DEI #diversityequityinclusionbelonging #artificialintelligence #diversityrecruiting #hersishiring #HERSadvisors #recruitmentredefined

In her recent Business Law Blog article, “The DEI Landscape in Law Firms,” Mary Purdy focused on how law firms specifically in the Milwaukee market could establish their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. In this article I expand this discussion, by focusing on women in law and the obstacles and opportunities in diversity, equity, and... Continue Reading #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wislawnow

"In 2023, women comprised 50.31% of law associates in the U.S. They also reported greater strides at the partnership level, but still make up only 27.76% of all partners - a 1.1% increase from the previous year." (CBS News) https://lnkd.in/g6SU2S-v #legalindustry #womenlawyers #diversityinlaw #legalprofession #lawassociates

Women, Minority Law Firm Gains Dampened by Litigation Threat While women and people of color achieved significant strides in associate representation last year, with women constituting over 50% of law firm associates for the first time, concerns loom over potential lawsuits following the U.S. Supreme Court's Harvard decision on race-based admissions, notes a report from the National Association of Law Placement. Advocates fear a chilling effect on diversity efforts. The report highlights another noteworthy aspect—despite increased diversity in associate classes, Black and Latina women still represent only 1% of all partners. Tatyana Monnay at Bloomberg Law delves into the progress and potential challenges facing diversity efforts. https://lnkd.in/gihMD-3G #diversitymatters #legalindustry

Did you know that women make up 50.31% (17.5% for women of color) of law firm associates but only 27.76% (less than 5% for women of color) of all law firm partners? See this and other 2023 diversity-related stats from the NALP report here: https://lnkd.in/ghTvPbV9

It’s easy to take a glass-half-empty approach when writing about women in Big Law, says Jenna Greene in her latest column. After all, the top-line statistics are depressingly familiar: Only about one in four partners are women, and those who do make partner earn on average one-third less than their male counterparts. But a new study conducted by three law professors offers another way to gauge the power of women within law firms. They looked at more than 10,000 deals at six major law firms including Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, Shearman & Sterling LLP and White & Case LLP, offering encouraging news about the increased prevalence of women lawyers working on notable transactions. Read more: https://reut.rs/4bRcymH  #womeninlaw #legalnews #legal #lawfirms #biglaw #mergersandacquisitions

The U.S. legal system stands as a cornerstone of our democracy, with women making significant contributions throughout its history. For over a century, women have argued cases, defended clients, and shaped the laws that govern our daily lives. From the pioneering efforts of Belva Lockwood, the first woman admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court in 1879, to Sandra Day O'Connor's groundbreaking appointment as the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981, their impact is undeniable. Despite comprising 39.51% of the over 1.3 million lawyers in the United States, women, especially women of color, still face challenges in attaining leadership roles within the legal profession. In 2023, while women of color represented 17.54% of law firm associates, they accounted for just 4.89% of partners. However, the legal landscape continues to evolve, with demand for lawyers projected to increase by 8% from 2022 to 2032, outpacing the average growth rate for all occupations. This growth presents opportunities for women to further shape the future of the legal profession. Explore these statistics and delve deeper into the evolving landscape of women in law, courtesy of Forbes Advisor: https://hubs.la/Q02qQHbl0 #WomenInLaw #LegalProfession #DiversityInLaw #ForbesAdvisor

Check out these statistics to learn more about the number of female lawyers and their increasing role in the legal landscape. #WomenLawyers #WomenLeadership #NexusSearchGroup