Nine years ago, the National Association of Women Lawyers challenged law firms, legal departments and law schools to increase the percentage of women in higher ranks to 30 percent by 2015. Each year, the organization surveyed law firms to track their progress, and the results are dismal.
In 2015, women comprise 18 percent of equity partners in the firms surveyed; up only 2 percent from the initial survey in 2006.
Women are underrepresented on law firm committees that make policy and set salaries. Women who do make partner earn 80 percent of what a male equity partner makes, down from 84 percent in the 2006 survey. More men continue to draw the top revenue. Even though female equity partners are working more hours, men in similar positions generate higher revenues from client billings.
