How Women Attorneys Can Overcome Gender Inequality In The Legal Field

The report said: "The pay gap between men and women equity partners narrowed slightly this year, with men earning $565,200 on average and women taking in $499,350 — or 88% of their male counterparts' pay, compared to 87% last year."In some states women are dropping out of the legal field in alarmingly high numbers:  "The Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts released a separate study on Oct. 15, showing that women in the state have left the profession in greater numbers than men. In Massachusetts, women now make up about 57% of inactive lawyers and 34% of active attorneys."And of those women who are active, a disproportionate number of them are concentrated in low-paying sectors.

"Of active women lawyers, 69% work at law firms, 15% for government agencies and 5% for nonprofits, the study said. The figures for men are 81%, 7% and 2%, respectively."

How can women attorneys position themselves to get a bigger slice of the pie?

1. Find a mentor. It is important that women attorneys identify successful women or men in their field who can help guide them through their career.

1. Create alliances.  There are no lone wolves on the legal career path or any career path. Women attorneys who want to be successful must create alliances with other attorneys, judges and legal professionals who can help them open the doors to grander opportunities.

1. Demand that your spouse/partner is an equal partner in caring for children and that your career needs are made a priority in the household.  Many women attorneys' career plans are derailed when they are forced to take care of 100% of the child care needs in their household and this can contribute to lower pay over the course of her career.

(source: http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202434957315&Survey_says_Women_lag_far_behind_as_rainmakers&slreturn=1&hbxlogin=1)