Women in the Law

Federal appeals judge, 98, plans to ‘continue the battle’ after panel recommends continued suspension

A federal appeals judge's eloquent speaking ability and her doctors' reports don’t justify her refusal to submit to neuropsychological tests, according to a three-judge special committee of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Jul 29, 2025 11:38 AM CDT

Meet the lawyer who leaves her Prius for an 1800s time machine

During business hours, Adelaide Beeman-White, 27, dons what she describes as her “costume”: a dark suit, collared shirt, pearls and Mary Jane shoes, which she wears to work as a criminal defense lawyer. But as soon as she steps out of her Prius and into the Oregon home she shares with her mother, Beeman-White transforms into what she feels is her true identity: A woman living between 1893 and 1898.

Jul 9, 2025 11:58 AM CDT

Attacks on rule of law will fail because lawyers ‘are fierce’ and ‘very resourceful,’ says DC Bar president-elect

“Lawyers are fighters, and judges will follow the law,” says Diane Seltzer, the president-elect of the D.C. Bar for the 2025-2026 term. “We are fierce; we care deeply about justice; and we are very, very resourceful in finding ways to make sure we prevail.”

Jun 20, 2025 11:17 AM CDT

Jury awards $6.2M to ex-law firm employee who was paid less than male colleagues

A New York jury has awarded $6.2 million to an attorney who sued her law firm for allegedly firing her after she complained that she was paid less than male attorneys who ranked lower than her.

Jun 16, 2025 12:03 PM CDT

For this lawyer, a blip at law school didn’t translate to a failed career

“What I love about being a lawyer is that at the core, we’re helping people every single day,” says Katie McConnell of Moore & Van Allen. “You have to understand the substance of the law practice, but beyond that, what makes a good lawyer is putting on the extra touches in terms of client services.”

Jun 2, 2025 9:02 AM CDT

Still They Rise: Numbers for women in the profession are increasing

More than four out of 10 attorneys in the United States are women. However, men still overwhelmingly dominate when it comes to rising through the ranks, as only 28% of law firm partners were women in 2023. That figure marks a slow and steady improvement from 2013, when it was only 20%.

Jun 1, 2025 4:10 AM CDT

Bullying is a problem in the legal profession. How can the cycle be broken?

“I have heard from so many people saying, ‘This is exactly what happened to me,’” says Erin Gordon, author of Look What You Made Me Do: Confronting Heartbreak & Harassment in Big Law. “Partners in particular have power in their firms, and they are like bullies in the schoolyard.”

Jun 1, 2025 12:00 AM CDT

Orphan Socks: A reflection on motherhood, identity and healing

I stood over the laundry basket, my hands deep in the tangled mess of tiny clothes. Another morning, another missing sock. My baby’s outfit was perfect—except for that one stubborn sock that refused to show up. Three days in a row now. I could feel the irritation rise, bubbling up from a place deeper than I cared to admit.

May 6, 2025 2:12 PM CDT

Trump’s first judicial pick of second term has clerked ‘for a full third’ of Supreme Court’s justices

President Donald Trump has announced his first judicial nominee of his second term.

May 5, 2025 3:34 PM CDT

Firm failed to honor exit package after retaliating for bias complaint, former BigLaw partner alleges

A former salaried partner at Womble Bond Dickinson has filed a lawsuit alleging that the law firm cut her pay by half and offered her an exit package—which it didn't honor—after she complained about a hostile work environment.

Apr 29, 2025 10:53 AM CDT

Who is Paula Xinis, the judge ordering Trump to return a mistakenly deported immigrant?

Here’s what to know about U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis before the case of a mistakenly deported immigrant thrust her into the national spotlight, and what might come next.

Apr 14, 2025 11:40 AM CDT

Former Skadden associate says ABA inspired her letter asking BigLaw to push back on White House executive orders

A week ago, Rachel Cohen was a finance associate in the Chicago office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. She watched as the Trump administration issued several executive orders aimed at law firms and the legal industry and noted BigLaw’s muted response. Last week, Cohen also shared with Skadden a conditional notice of resignation unless the firm came up with a “satisfactory response to the current moment.”

Mar 25, 2025 12:28 PM CDT

Florida lawyer is building up her law practice and growing her network via social media

While others were baking sourdough bread, stockpiling toilet paper and watching Tiger King during the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida lawyer Claudia Cobreiro spent her time on Instagram. “I felt like I couldn’t spend COVID waiting for it to pass,” Cobreiro says. “I wanted to grow my network.” It ended up transforming her practice and her life. For her, it was all about “the ’gram.”

Mar 3, 2025 9:04 AM CST

BigLaw firm tones down diversity references on website, citing ‘fluctuating internal and external expectations’

Updated: K&L Gates has removed references to “diversity” from its website and rebranded its Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Feb 13, 2025 10:13 AM CST

Law School Admission Council names its next president and CEO

Sudha Setty, who’s currently the dean of the City University of New York School of Law, will serve as the Law School Admission Council’s president and CEO effective July 1.

Jan 6, 2025 10:05 AM CST