The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) operates with a mission of advancing the status of women in society, with a focus on issues at both the state and national levels. To this end, WBASNY has established several committees, including the Committee to Advance the Status of Women. The committee has hosted numerous events focused on pressing women’s issues, including valuable insight into how women can effectively advance their careers.
Women working in field of law have enjoyed successes in recent years. According to the American Bar Association, the number of women completing law school programs has consistently risen since 1951, and as of 2024, more women enroll in and graduate from law school than men. The percentage of female law practitioners jumped from 31 percent in 2010 to 39 percent in 2023.
Of course, women in law continue to face many challenges, particularly when it comes to securing leadership positions in the legal field and being included in decision-making processes. Most of the new women hires at law firms come at the associate level – fewer than 28 percent of partners at American law firms are women, including less than one-quarter of equity partners.
Additional challenges range from the persistent gender pay gap to the increased challenges faced by women of color, who comprise less than 5 percent of partner-level employment at US law firms. Legal professionals interested in advancing women’s status in the profession can learn more by visiting wbasny.org.
Dyan Gershman 