Women have not progressed as far as their male counterparts within Seattle’s legal profession. Though there are about as many women lawyers as men, women are less likely to become partners or serve in leadership roles. As parents, women lawyers are far more likely to have the responsibility of arranging childcare, far more likely to leave work to take care of their children, far more likely to cook meals, and far more likely in nearly every way to bear the brunt of homemaking responsibilities while still being sidelined for professional opportunities.
These are among the findings of a recent survey sponsored by Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association (MAMA) Seattle to examine the impact of parenting on the careers of women lawyers.
“Women are now entering the legal profession in greater numbers—women comprise approximately half of all new associates at law firms—yet women remain less likely to become partners or to serve in a leadership role in their firms, and disproportionately more women than men leave private practice or the practice of law,” writes MAMA Seattle Board Member Christina Richmond.
This article and more are now available online in the latest issue of Washington State Bar News. Also featured this month are reflections on a life of lawyering from two active WSBA members on the cusp of adding third digits to their ages. In a profile of the WSBA’s soon-to-be centenarians, WSBA Chief Communications and Outreach Officer Sara Niegowski explores with Rodman Bertley Miller and Thomas Frank Paul what they have learned in life, love, and the law throughout their 100 revolutions around the sun.
In this issue we also look at why many are warning of a crisis in public defense, examine the so-called “communication rule” of attorney ethics, learn from Held v. Montana about effective advocacy by plaintiffs’ counsel, and more. You can also hear from WSBA leadership about the Bar’s four strategic goals, look back at the legacy of the WSBA Budget and Audit Committee and the treasurer, and find out what lesson Samwise Gamgee has to share about lawyers as servants.
