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UK’s top firms fail to increase female equity partner figures

It is a sad fact that while firms may be more open to part-time and flexible working than they were 10 years ago, in the main this directly translates into automatically 'checking out' of a career path to partnership. So it does not necessarily follow that a large firm that offers these working practices is more likely to make up female partners - the contrary is often true. The larger firms typically introduce these practices for their own benefit - to stop the march of female associate talent out of the door to the next size tier below - not to boost the numbers of female partners. The majority of female lawyers, whether willing (or able) to have children are no different to their male counterparts who want to be equity partners, despite what firms' PR machines would have you think. The chosen few get through and the firms shout about them from the rooftops as part of their much needed PR. If I had a daughter, I would urge her to read the Law Society's March 2010 report by Insight Oxford Ltd on the subject (Obstacles and barriers to the short and long term career development of female lawyers) and look elsewhere for a rewarding career.

12-Sep-2011

11:32 am