Blog 33 Advances and Challenges for Women in the Legal Profession

Some of the challenges that women in the legal profession face are falling victim to the wage gap. All women face this challenge because they are making $.78 to every man’s dollar. There are many theories to explain this imbalance; one says that women negotiate less then men when they are offered a salary. In addition to not negotiating, they are also offered a lower starting salary than men. A final reason they make less than men is that they take more time off and are penalized for it. (2)

Advances are that women in the legal profession have made are apparent in the realm of education and starting careers. For example, in the last two decades women have graduated from law schools and started careers at the same rate as men. (1) In fact, currently women are receiving more PhDs than men and there are equal women in the workforce, but not equal numbers in higher levels of management. (2)

This impediment of the glass ceiling has not stopped all women from achieving their goals however. For example, one notable advance that women in the legal profession have made is the creation of the first law firm in New York City owned and run exclusively by women. This is a huge advance because thirty years ago this would have never been possible. Even in our modern times, it was a challenge for them to move up in the company they were at before. This inspired to quit the large firm to create their own because they were fed up with the glass ceiling and wanted to work somewhere with limitless possibilities for advancement. Although they had to sacrifice a higher salary, they say that the being their own boss and having independence is priceless. (3)

1. NOVEMBER 17, 2008 NAWL 2008 National Survey on Retention and Promotion of Women in Law Firms
2. http://www.ny1.com/content/special_reports/womens_history/95645/-em-women-s-history-month--em---closing-in-on-office-gender-gap/Default.aspx
3. http://www.ny1.com/content/special_reports/womens_history/95898/-em-women-s-history-month--em---cracking-the-glass-ceiling-one-client-at-a-time/Default.aspx