Despite the obvious success of women in all sectors of legal practice there is wide recognition that barriers or impediments to the advancement of women in the profession continue to exist.
The American Bar Association recently posted their statistics on women in the legal profession, research shows that 33.3% of women in the legal profession compared with 66.7% men.
The private practice statistics reveal that only 4% represent 200 of the largest law firms, 16% represent Equity Partners and 19.9% represent partners within law firms.
Other reports display: 46% of female lawyers resign partway through their legal careers and do not return to the practice, 75% of women law school graduates who join a large firm exit them within their first five years, and six times as many men become partners as women.
Change has been slower to reach the ranks of partners and principals. The statistics further point to the need of a collaborative effort to address the gender imbalance for the advancement of women in the legal professions.
We have seen a significant increase in business start-ups by women and these entrepreneurs often prefer to work with female advisors.
Women’s Law Network (WLN) is committed to support and advance the interests of women in law, and as a result; encourage professional empowerment of women.
Education is the key to change; it is only by means of this we will be able to change issues which are unique to the careers of women in the legal industry.
Our objective is to spearhead and lead the growth in legal excellence through education, legal networking, training, mentoring and the development of leadership skills in women.
We aspire to create opportunities for women lawyers to excel in leadership positions through the enhancement of skills and increase the recognition, profile and prominence of women within the network.
