WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION

Word from the Chair

The Women in Profession Committee (WIPC) of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the American Bar Association (ABA) is dedicated to securing the full and equal participation of women in the ABA, the legal profession, and the justice system. In particular, the WIPC focuses on multicultural concerns of women either under the age of 36 or in practice five years or less. The WIPC aims to support and advance these women’s interests, by being a voice for their concerns, and by forging coalitions with other groups to advance shared objectives.

There is no doubt that women continue to face significant barriers in cultivating their careers in the legal profession. Consider that at the end of 2003 women made up about 43% of the associates in private practice, but only 16.81% of the partners at these firms. For these and similar statistics, see www.nalp.org. Research statistics in the late 1990s also show that 100% of women of color left their original private practice firms within eight years (i.e., before being considered for partnership or just at the time such decisions are made), as compared to attrition rates of 74.6 percent for Caucasian women associates, and 82.1 percent for male associates of color. See www.abanet.org/women/home/html. How does racism and sexism contribute to these circumstances? Is balancing a legal career on the partner path and a family life too demanding in the culture of law firms today? Are women lawyers leaving the law behind or are they working out alternative legal career solutions? Are there firms that have manipulated the rigors of partnership in such a way that the track is surmountable for women who want both a career and a family?

The WIPC publishes at least one newsletter a year to explore these and other issues and to keep members’ abreast of our efforts to raise awareness and bring about change in identified areas of concern to women lawyers in the beginning of their careers. We also organize gatherings and present programs at YLD meetings that create networking opportunities and provide forums to discuss some of the difficult impediments women lawyers face early in their careers.

If you would like to receive our newsletter or get involved, please take a moment to become a member of the Women in Profession Committee. Membership Sign Up

We would love to hear from you too. Perhaps there is an issue that you would like our Committee to address in a program or newsletter article. Or please share with us a career experience, be it a lesson learned or a success achieved.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
--Eleanor Roosevelt

Beth Burke Richardson
Chair, Women in the Profession Committee 2004-2005
Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association