A longer path to partnership for some female lawyers
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A greater percentage of female lawyers had a longer path to partnership than their male counterparts, according to a new-partner survey that also found other differences based on gender.
The American Lawyer survey found that about 80 percent of the male lawyers surveyed made partner within a decade, compared to 66 percent of the women. The magazine reported on the results here.
Other survey findings:
• Only 78 percent of new female partners said they felt adequately prepared for the job, compared to 90 percent of men.
• Only 83 percent of new female partners said they had been asked to lead a team on a matter, compared to 93 percent of men.
• Thirty percent of new female partners who weren’t satisfied with some aspect of partnership cited gender bias as a reason. Twenty-eight percent cited cronyism.
The magazine surveyed lawyers who began working as partners between 2010 and 2013, and received 469 responses. Fifty-nine percent of the respondents were nonequity partners, and two-thirds were men.
Overall, 63 percent said partnership was “about what I expected,” while 23 percent found it “better than I expected.” Fifty-three percent changed firms before becoming a partner.
