Presumed Equal: What America’s Top Women Lawyers Really Think About Their Firms

In this important new book, Lindsay Blohm and Ashley Riveira provide law students with valuable information about the state of gender equity and family-friendly policies in the country's top law firms. . . . The result is a candid and revealing account that will hopefully foster a badly needed dialogue among law firms, law students, and law schools about the barriers that continue to impede women's advancement in the workplace. -- David B. Wilkins, Kirkland & Ellis Professor of Law, Director of the Program on the Legal Profession and the Center on Lawyers and the Professional Services Industry, Harvard Law School Presumed Equal is a must read for anyone who wants to learn the inside scoop about life for women in law firms. The book is a critical means to improve the retention and promotion of women in the legal profession by facilitating competition, making information public and invigorating a national dialogue. -- Deborah Epstein Henry, Esq., Founder & President, Flex-Time Lawyers LLC This new edition of Presumed Equal . . . will likely spark a robust debate at a number of firms surveyed in the book, which will lead to positive change. As for law graduates - men and women -, this is a "must read" book on the intangible aspects of law firm life not taught in law school from career development and family-work balance to attitudes, atmosphere, business development, networking and mentoring, all of which could have a major impact on a lawyer's future in the profession.-- Carole Aciman, President, National Conference of Women's Bar Associations (2005-06) In Presumed Equal, Lindsay Blohm and Ashley Riveira perform a critical service to law students by providing a window into prospective employers that may not be apparent in an interview. It is clear that, in the decade that has passed since Suzanne Nossel and Elizabeth Westfall published their version of Presumed Equal, not enough progress has been made towards the retention and advancement of women in the legal profession. This latest version should encourage others to continue shining a light on these issues. -- Lauren Stiller Rikleen Esq., author, Ending the Gauntlet: Removing Barriers to Women's Success in the Law, and the Executive Director of the Bowditch Institute for Women's Success Even though men and women have graduated law school at nearly the same rate for two decades, women still only make up only 17% of partners at law firms. Since 1995, Presumed Equal has provided valuable insight into the evolving role of women at top law firms. Based on anonymous survey responses from nearly 4,000 female associates and partners at 105 of the nation's most prestigious firms, this 2006 edition continues to provide candid, first-hand observations on issues such as work-life balance, advancement, mentoring, business development, part-time opportunities, gender discrimination and firm leadership on a firm-specific basis. There are few resources that can boast such a wealth of information to guide those seeking to learn more about a specific firm's culture and to distinguish between similar firms. Presumed Equal fills this academic and professional void by providing detailed reports on 150 offices of 105 firms. While especially helpful to women seeking opportunities in law firms, this guide also reflects each firm's attitude toward every attorney's need to balance career advancement and non-firm interests. Furthermore, the reference manual provides insight into a firm's responsiveness to other critical issues such as overall minority advancement and the availability of mentoring. Presumed Equal allows employment candidates to learn the questions to ask and issues to consider when entering any conversation about what firm is right for them.