Women in the Law

Suit by former in-house lawyer claims Broadcom executives ‘degrade and objectify women’

A laid-off in-house lawyer at Broadcom claims in a gender bias lawsuit (PDF) that Broadcom has a “pervasive male-preferential paradigm” that has led to barriers to advancement and a male-dominated workforce. The suit by Jennifer Davies, filed earlier this month in California federal court, says she was denied a promotion…

Jun 30, 2015 5:45 AM CDT

Assistant PD accuses judge of refusing her request for nursing breaks during trial

An assistant public defender is accusing a Florida judge of refusing her request for nursing breaks every three to four hours during an upcoming trial. Assistant PD Marissa Altman Glatzer tells the Daily Business Review (sub. req.) that Judge Fred Seraphin of Miami-Dade County turned down her request during a…

Jun 23, 2015 10:12 AM CDT

The Magna Carta is one of Britain’s best exports, Cherie Blair says

Cherie Blair marked the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta by proclaiming it to be one of Britain’s best exports. “The Magna Carta is one of Britain’s gifts to the world,” she said. “Although only three of its clauses remain on our statutes, it is still a…

Jun 12, 2015 12:45 PM CDT

Team approach keeps pregnancy leave from stalling careers

For many female attorneys, maternity leave can be the equivalent of a poisoned chalice—offered as a benefit, but damaging to a career.

Federal law mandates that all public agencies and private companies of 50 or more employees must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. Many states have enacted maternity leave policies that are more expansive than the federal statute. Moreover, antidiscrimination laws make it clear companies or agencies cannot retaliate against women or men who choose to take family leave.

Jun 1, 2015 6:15 AM CDT

Think Harvard law grads are more likely to stay in law practice than others? 28% ditched legal jobs

Harvard law grads have the advantage of a JD from an elite institution, but they don’t differ from other law grads when it comes to leaving law practice. About 28 percent of Harvard law grads from four graduating classes are no longer practicing law in their current jobs, according to…

May 13, 2015 5:45 AM CDT

Exit interviews spur Orrick to adopt generous parental leave policy

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe is adopting a new parental leave policy designed to retain more women lawyers. The law firm says its new parental leave policy is the most generous of any major U.S. law firm, the Am Law Daily (sub. req.) reports. Orrick will offer paid parental leave of…

May 11, 2015 7:25 AM CDT

Can workers get glowing reviews by ‘passing’ as workaholics?

Is it possible to win accolades at a firm with a focus on long hours and client commitment while finding time for family? At one global consulting firm studied by Boston University business professor Erin Reid, some workers formally asked for shorter hours or flexible schedules, and they were punished…

May 6, 2015 5:45 AM CDT

Is stay-at-home dad necessary for female lawyers with kids? Firm embraces ‘parenting while employed’

Lawyer Rebecca Geller left her BigLaw firm and struck out on her own in 2011 with the hope that she could spend part of her daytime hours with her children without harming her legal career. At her old firm, Geller tells the New York Times, “I saw no role models…

May 4, 2015 5:45 AM CDT

Cincinnati lawyer works to ensure equal rights, treatment for American Muslims

Not yet a decade out of law school and already gaining a name as a passionate lawyer, volunteer and activist, Roula Allouch has had her feet firmly planted in two different worlds her whole life. A self-described "Kentucky girl" with five siblings, Allouch graduated from the University of Kentucky and its law school, where she continues to root for her beloved Wildcats. At the same time, each morning before leaving home for her job with a Cincinnati law firm, she puts on the hijab—or headscarf—that she has worn since college, a visible sign of her commitment to her Islamic faith.

May 1, 2015 6:40 AM CDT

Which law firms are most family friendly? Yale Law Women names top 10

Yale Law Women is recognizing 10 law firms for their family friendly policies. The top 10, in alphabetical order, are: Arnold & Porter Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft Duane Morris Hogan Lovells US Hunton & Williams Kirkland & Ellis Morrison & Foerster Munger, Tolles & Olson Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe WilmerHale…

Apr 21, 2015 7:06 AM CDT

Should female justices be recognized with an ice cream flavor by Ben & Jerry’s?

A petition at change.org is urging Ben & Jerry’s to recognize more women by naming a flavor after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The flavor would be called “Ruth Bader Ginger,” the Blog of Legal Times reports. The ice cream would consist of brown sugar cinnamon ice cream mixed with gingersnap…

Apr 10, 2015 7:06 AM CDT

Men-only golf retreats and unequal work assignments alleged in bias suit against McElroy Deutsch

A fired associate at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter claims in a gender bias and sex harassment suit against the law firm that male associates got to hobnob with firm leaders at male-only golf retreats and got better work assignments than females. Fired bankruptcy associate Elina Chechelnitsky filed the suit…

Apr 6, 2015 8:48 AM CDT

Leadership slate shows diversity in action at ABA Midyear

The ABA’s commitment to bringing diversity to its leadership ranks was on dramatic display at its Nominating Committee meeting in Houston. At a “coffee with the candidates” session held during the ABA Midyear Meeting, six current or soon-to-be officers of the association sat together facing an audience of their fellow…

Apr 1, 2015 1:40 AM CDT

Ellen Pao testifies to wanting $10M to settle Kleiner Perkins discrimination case

Did being left off emails, forced to listen to colleagues chat about porn and the Playboy Mansion during business travel and being left out of a dinner held in her own building for Vice President Al Gore help form a significant barrier to an ex-BigLaw associate’s career at a storied…

Mar 10, 2015 3:00 PM CDT

Former prosecutor claims she was paid less than new hires due to gender bias

A former assistant district attorney in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, claims in a lawsuit that she was fired after complaining she was paid less than some new hires with less experience. Christina Corda says she began to complain to her supervisor in March 2014 about the low salary paid to her…

Mar 5, 2015 10:33 AM CST