Session Description:
Challenges that face women attorneys: why are there so few women bankruptcy attorneys? Recently, I have noticed very few women attorneys in all the cases I handle. I practice mass torts, where attorneys come in from the most prominent law firms, and almost all of the attorneys in the hearings (over 40 attorneys sometimes) are men. I also practice consumer cases, and there have been several instances where I have been the only attorney with clients in court.
I am also a mother with young children and a spouse who also has a demanding job, and our law firms are not set up to support this kind of situation (but it is absolutely necessary in today's economy).
This issue has recently been brought to the forefront of our profession by the American Bar Association (ABA)'s Parenthood and Child Caregiver Study released in late 2023:
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/women/publications/perspectives/2023/november/parenthood-and-child-caregiver-study-published-late-october/
https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/women/2023/parenthood-report-2023.pdf
Suggested Categories:
Learning Outcomes:
Understanding the challenges women face in profession, especially mothers. Encourage employers to adopt from some of the suggestions in the ABA: Parenthood and Child Caregiver Study to keep women in the profession.
I also feel that this topic will be timely at the Winter Leadership Conference as we honor our 2024 ABI 40 Under 40 recipients who may face similar career challenges.
Target Audience:
Other
Suggested Speakers:
ABA Authors from ABA: Parenthood and Child Caregiver Study
First Name:
Diana Santos
Last Name:
Johnson
Email:
Firm:
Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC