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31 March 2017 / Matthew Kay
Issue: 7740 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Women in law

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Matthew Kay explores the steps being taken to support women within the legal profession

It is not news to anyone in the legal profession that when it comes to the more senior roles, men still dominate. Statistics from PwC show that on average; just 17% of partners in the top 25 law firms are female and in 2016, recruiter Laurence Simons found that 62% of female lawyers felt their gender had hampered their ability to reach senior legal roles.

However, it is not just that women are not being promoted, but leaving the profession altogether. At the start of this year, the International Bar Association (IBA) Legal Policy & Research Unit (LRPU) launched a global investigation into the reasons behind why women are leaving the legal profession. The IBA LRPU is keen to find out the barriers experienced by female lawyers and how the trend could be reversed.

Gender diversity is being talked about like never before, with stories about equal pay and discrimination in the news daily. Just recently it was reported that the

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Katten Muchin Rosenman—Charlotte Hill

Katten Muchin Rosenman—Charlotte Hill

Katten strengthens financial markets and funds group in London

Hugh James—Keith Cundall & Lee Hart

Hugh James—Keith Cundall & Lee Hart

Hugh James expands national Serious Injury team with two new Partners

HFW—Rémi Ducloyer

HFW—Rémi Ducloyer

HFW continues Paris office growth with public law Partner hire

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The assisted dying debate returns to Westminster as Lauren Edwards MP reintroduces legislation that stalled in the House of Lords last session despite clearing the Commons
A little-noticed provision of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 has fundamentally expanded corporate criminal liability
Artificial intelligence is transforming legal practice, but careless reliance on it is creating growing professional risks
The law offers cohabiting couples surprisingly greater protection after one partner dies than when they separate during life
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