Women in the Law

Philippa Ryan: Developing trust through blockchain

Philippa Ryan thinks a lot about trust. A barrister in Australia, she lectures on the subject, and her PhD thesis focused on the breach of trust and the liability of third parties. So when Ryan heard about trustless relationships enabled by blockchain technology, her interest was piqued.

Sep 1, 2018 2:25 AM CDT

Fear-fueled silence, power imbalance perpetuate bad behavior at law firms

Survey data is at its most useful when it shines a light on the daily challenges that play out in the workplace. Recently, the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts (WBA) released findings from its survey of behaviors in law offices. The report, Survey of Workplace Conduct and Behaviors in Law Firms, reveals how the combination of silence and the imbalance of power perpetuate negative behaviors at work.

Aug 21, 2018 6:00 AM CDT

‘What It Takes’ article gives false picture of female trial lawyers

Lara Bazelon’s recent article, “What It Takes to Be a Trial Lawyer If You’re Not a Man,” relies on false premises to reach mistaken conclusions that, if accepted, might lead a reader to believe that women cannot be as effective courtroom lawyers as men.

Aug 16, 2018 6:10 AM CDT

Proskauer partner resolves her gender bias suit against the firm

Proskauer Rose partner Connie Bertram has apparently resolved her $50 million gender bias suit against her law firm. A stipulation filed Friday says the case is dismissed in its entirety, the American Lawyer reports. Bertram is still listed as a partner on Proskauer’s website. Bertram is the head of Proskauer’s…

Aug 13, 2018 10:05 AM CDT

House adopts trio of resolutions on gender, family and sexual orientation

Annual Meeting

Aug 6, 2018 6:27 PM CDT

Showing anger can backfire for female lawyers, studies say; law prof suggests ‘gender judo’ response

Recent studies suggest that women lawyers are more likely to be judged in a harsher light than men when they display assertiveness, self-promotion or anger.

Aug 6, 2018 6:05 AM CDT

Margaret Brent award honors women dedicated to inclusion, equal rights and social justice

The Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award luncheon is a highlight of the ABA Annual Meeting. Sunday’s packed event in Chicago was no exception, with five legal trailblazers rallying the crowd to make a difference, elevate the status of women and girls and make a stand for the rule…

Aug 5, 2018 4:50 PM CDT

Why do experienced female lawyers leave? Disrespect, social constraints, ABA survey says

Women in law already face unique challenges, but for those practicing more than 20 years, the likelihood of continued longevity becomes even more stark.

Aug 3, 2018 7:50 PM CDT

Juggling family, career and self: It’s all a matter of choice

Rashida La Lande, global general counsel at Kraft Heinz, is mindful of the example she sets for her sons and daughters. Childhood models guided her own career choices.

Aug 1, 2018 2:45 AM CDT

ABA honors 5 legal trailblazers with Margaret Brent award, named for America's first female lawyer

Women who make their mark in the legal field blaze a trail for others to follow. The annual Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award recognizes these pioneers for their service to the profession. The ABA Commission on Women in the Profession established the Brent award in 1991 to recognize…

Aug 1, 2018 1:35 AM CDT

It was a very good year: Research on long-term careers for women tops President Bass’ achievements

As a woman practicing in big law for more than 25 years, my initiative, Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women in Law, which focused on why women continue to leave the legal profession, hit home. Although women have been graduating from law school in roughly equal numbers as men for decades,…

Aug 1, 2018 12:40 AM CDT

Shook Hardy lawyer in the spotlight for opposing pregnant lawyer’s continuance request

A Miami lawyer with Shook, Hardy & Bacon objected when a pregnant opposing lawyer sought a continuance because her due date coincided with a trial date.

Jul 26, 2018 6:00 AM CDT

Little agreement between the sexes on tackling harassment, Working Mother/ABA Journal survey finds

While both women and men have a growing awareness of the need for organizational change in this moment of reckoning, not everyone is in agreement on what exactly needs to shift or how pervasive the problem is.

Jul 24, 2018 6:10 AM CDT

1881 Initiative aims to increase the number of female AGs

The Democratic Attorneys General Association has launched an initiative to elect more women to an underestimated position: state attorney general. DAGA’s 1881 Initiative is named for the first year two women ran for—and lost—state AG seats. The goal is to ensure that by 2022 at least half the Democratic attorneys general will be women.

Jul 1, 2018 2:10 AM CDT

This city may have the first criminal justice system to be led entirely by black women

The city of South Fulton, Georgia, has a municipal court system that is led entirely by black women, but it wasn’t part of any kind of master plan, according to Chief Judge Tiffany Carter Sellers.

Jun 26, 2018 7:00 AM CDT