The Gender Gap in Law Firms – A Little Less Talk and A Lot More Action

Caren Ulrich StacyGuest Post By Caren Ulrich Stacy
Founder, OnRamp Fellowship & Principal, Lawyer Development Strategies LLC

The lack of women lawyers in the upper ranks at law firms has been a problem for decades and it’s only getting worse. 

Although there is typically a 50/50 gender split at the entry-level, only 16% of partners are women. And, to further exacerbate the pipeline issue, this year marks the fourth consecutive annual decline in the number of mid/senior level female associates in large law firms.  

No one seems to debate that this is an important issue that warrants attention. But it also seems that no one knows exactly what to do about it. So, we talk about it. We brainstorm. We come up with ideas and then dissect them to the point that nothing ever gets done because the solution is not easily achievable. 

OnRamp FellowshipFour major law firms – Baker Botts, Sidley, Cooley, and Hogan Lovells – are finally moving past the “talk” stage into serious action. To replenish the leaky pipeline, they are banding together to pilot a new initiative called the OnRamp Fellowship

The Fellowship is a re-entry platform for women lawyers who have taken a break from practicing for one reason or another. These returning women broaden their skills, experience, and legal contacts through one-year, paid Fellowships at top law firms through complex legal work and training provided by legal career development experts and CLE vendors. There are Fellowship opportunities this year in 15 cities across the U.S., including Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

The goal is to increase gender diversity in law firms.

But, for this initiative to succeed, the word must get out to women lawyers who want to return.  You can help by telling two people and asking them to tell two people. Post an announcement about the Fellowship on LinkedIn and Twitter. Share this blog post with your colleagues. Direct anyone who is interested to www.OnRampFellowship.com.

A little “action” on your part will go a long way in helping us to increase gender diversity in the profession.

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