Some thoughts on a BRW feature article ‘‘Why business men need women’ (20-26 May, 2010) which reflected many familiar themes between women in the legal profession and the progression of women to corporate boards.
The mid career drop off of female talent which Belinda Hutchinson, chairwoman QBE Insurance Group described is common. My experience has been that the high representation of female graduates means legal firms too invest heavily in building their female talent. Despite many out performing their male counterparts, a significant number of young female lawyers are lost in this mid career fall out. Considering female solicitors and barristers represent nearly 40%[1] of Australia’s total number legal professionals with the majority (78%) of child bearing age, this is of significant concern.
The assertion that ‘children complicate the picture because of assumptions made about women’ is also true in the legal profession. Some employers recognize the potential of their young, female lawyers, but when it comes to lateral hires if they are nearing ‘child bearing’ age I have found some can be hesitant about investing in them. I have also known some female lawyers who have chosen to be very clear that they have no intentions of having children in order to avoid such assumptions.
Like women striving for position on boards, in the legal sector Senior Associates working towards partnerships in law firms, also quickly realise that it is a hard road to balance along with their personal lives. They too become disengaged and disillusioned before heading off to start families. Many don’t return - simply deeming it to be ’not worth it’. Firms on the other hand, risk losing some of their sharpest performers, leaving no real pipeline of females to promote through to partnership.
Although there are now a growing number of law firms recognising the importance of this issue, many will no doubt agree we still have quite a way to go. On a final note, may I suggest the issue is not limited to how employers tackle the progression of women but also, a lot to do with the way our society places expectations on women, career minded, or not.
[1] ABS 2006
Further information + official websites
Australian Bureau of Statistics
