Opportunities and Challenges Facing Women Attorneys

KATHRYN CONWAY

Challenges1. External2. Internal

External Challenges• Wage gap• Promotion gap• Maternity Leave/Childbearing

External Challenges

• Stereotypes

External Challenges

Internal Challenges• Ambition Gap• Beliefs/expectations• Supporting other women

Leadership Definedlead·erˈlēdər/nounnoun: leader; plural noun: leaders

the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country._____More inclusive definition: a person who is an authority on something, a person who people will follow/turn to for advice and guidance, or a person who is involved and who contributes.

Opportunities

• Leadership within your firm• Practice group• Special project/area of expertise• “Sit at the table”

Opportunities

• Leadership outside your firm• Bar associations• WBAI• CBA• ISBA, etc.• Practice-specific professional

associations

Opportunities

• Leadership outside your firm• Write/publish• Speak• Teach• Mentor

Non-Legal Opportunities

• Leadership outside your firm• Volunteer/philanthropic

associations and events• Teams, clubs, etc.

Keep the discussion going…

Kate Conwaykconway@prslaw.com312-236-9381